A Catechism for Boys and Girls

I got a copy of Carey Publications’ A Catechism for Boys and Girls to implement in our homeschool.  As we take primary responsibility in our children’s spiritual education, I constantly research methods. The word “catechism” carries all types of stigma with it.  Some of them good and some of the bad. In its basic form, a catechism is a summary of …

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Search

Currently, I am working with two organizations going through a leadership transition time.  As a pastor of North Side, our student pastor just took a job as a pastor at another church.  As a trustee of North Greenville University and member of the presidential search team, we are picking up the pace and work regarding the school’s next leader. I …

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You Are What You Love

I read James K. A. Smith’s You Are What You Love this week.  Here is the description: You are what you love. But you might not love what you think. In this book, award-winning author James K. A. Smith shows that who and what we worship fundamentally shape our hearts. And while we desire to shape culture, we are not often aware …

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The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

It was great to reread The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe after reading The Magician’s Nephew a few weeks ago.  While the first volume is an allegory of creation and the fall, the second is on redemption. There is a reason this book is the most famous of all The Chronicles of Narnia.  It is so good and causes …

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The Songs of Jesus

I started praying through the psalms daily a few months ago and it has been an incredible method of connecting with God. Every morning, I take the day of the month and use it to assign me a psalm by an increment of 30. For July 26, I will pray through either Psalm 26, 56, 86, 116, or 146.  I …

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Saying It Well

It was a joy to read through Chuck Swindoll’s SAYING IT WELL: Touching Others With Your Words.  A friend referenced the book concerning a discussion we had regarding calling, ministry, and communication.  While the book is about speaking to others (not only preachers), the first three chapters regarding calling are exceptionally helpful. It also reminded me of the great benefit of reading …

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I Hated Reading

The best ideas I have come from the best books I read. When I think back over the last year, I can’t communicate that enough.  The best ideas that have changed my walk with Jesus, my marriage, my fathering, my vocation, my habits, and my worldview have come from the best books I have read.  And that is huge for …

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The Magician’s Nephew

I finished Tony Reinke’s book, Lit, last week and was challenged at the lack of variety concerning my reading.  I mainly ministry-based books.  That’s good since I am a pastor, but I lack other genres.  I decided to change my order around due to his prodding.  He encouraged the need to read fiction and fantasy to get us to imagine a …

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Lit!: A Christian’s Guide to Reading Books

I have become more disciplined in my book-reading lately.  During my schooling, my reading was handed down to me.  Now, I get the privilege of reading what I desire. I’ve tried different methods concerning what types of books I am reading, and I am trying to stay on a rhythm of reading at least one book a week right now. …

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Freshman 15 – 2nd Edition

Seven years ago, I completed a manual for college students who wanted to make much of Jesus.  I entitled it Freshman 15.  I wrote it because I kept answering the same questions to college students regarding living for Jesus. Book Overview Freshman fifteen is an Americanized concept proposing that when students conclude their freshman year at college, they are approximately …

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A Family Well-Ordered

Amanda asked me the other night, “What are you reading?” “A 17th century Puritan volume on the home.” “Where did you even find that?” I had heard of Cotton Mather, but I hadn’t heard details concerning A Family Well-Ordered until I read Voddie Baucham’s Family Shepherds.  Baucham referenced it enough to perk my curiosity, and I was thankful he did. …

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Counter Culture

David Platt’s Counter Culture is a great read.  In a time when our culture is polarizing over significant topics, Platt gives a thorough chapter to these issues.  Biblical and passionate, he handles these topics so well. Out of all the fantastic contributions this book makes, there is none greater than this truth: As a Christian, I am to be concerned …

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Family Shepherds

Voddie Baucham has made a significant impact on my life during every stage of my life since college.  As a preacher at some events at which I led worship, I got to know him and see that he is off the stage who he is on the stage.  His thoughts on family discipleship sparked a fire in me that I …

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He Knows Her Name

I met Kelly McCorkle (now Parkison) when I was at North Greenville University.  What I appreciated about Kelly as a sister in Christ was that she was such a humble, easy-going friend.  She loved Jesus, she loved others, and she didn’t make a bunch of fuss about it. Kelly has lived a lot of life since graduating from NGU.  She …

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Crazy Busy

Vacation was awesome last week.  I got to do my favorite things and do them a lot!  It was much-needed and well-timed. One of my favorite things about vacation was extra time to read.  I really enjoyed getting into 3 books last week either in the morning, at the beach, or at nighttime. One of those books was an intentional …

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Everyday Church

Our elders read Everyday Church a few months back.  The book, by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis, is a fantastic, eye-opening read on who we are called to be as the Church of Jesus Christ. We are starting a series with the same title this week, and many of our members have already begun to dissect the book.  I am …

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Family Worship

I was first introduced to Donald Whitney during my time at Southern Seminary.  When I began my doctoral project on family evangelism and discipleship, I picked up a copy of Family Worship.  The concepts were so simple and revolutionary in my life as I read books during the night watching over my six-week-old son in the seminary hotel while my …

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The New Dare to Discipline

James Dobson wrote Dare to Discipline in 1971. A lot has changed since then. Regarding parenthood, principles remain.  Four decades later, he decided to update this classic on parenthood (The New Dare to Discipline), and much of the content remained untouched.  Some elements were added or updated, but this book is a comprehensive look at the reasoning and methodology of …

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The Knowledge of the Holy

When I was in college, I heard a preacher quote A. W. Tozer and my life had a dramatic change.  Here is the quote: What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us (1). At first, that statement seemed dramatic, but the longer I thought upon it, the more I agreed with …

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His Needs, Her Needs

In the classic bestseller His Needs, Her Needs, Willard F. Harley, Jr., identifies the ten most vital needs of men and women and shows husbands and wives how to satisfy those needs in their spouses. He provides guidance for becoming irresistible to your spouse and for loving more creatively and sensitively, thereby eliminating the problems that often lead to extramarital affairs. …

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Under Our Skin

I remember exactly where I was when the Ferguson verdict was read.  I remember weeping as I watched a city unravel before my eyes on the television.  Days later, a post by Benjamin Watson (Tight End for the New Orleans Saints) went viral.  Out of all that was being said in those days, I thought his words rang the loudest …

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The Ascent of a Leader

At North Side, we have an influx of guys going into the ministry. It is an extreme blessing, but we want to do diligence to prepare them for where God is leading. We have started gathering these men together for training and development.  The first assignment was a book Jeff assigned called The Ascent of a Leader by Bill Thrall, Bruce …

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Do More Better

I’m not gonna lie – I bought this book for myself and put it in my Christmas stocking. I was making some purchases for others folks at Christmastime, and I saw this book linked and it got me hooked.  I try to make it a practice to evaluate life and ministry at the end of every year and this book description …

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Bloodlines

I read John Piper’s Bloodlines last week and was deeply impacted by it.  While combatting racism has been a major point in my story, it seems as if it has picked up as even a deeper burden as of late. This book was great theologically and practically.  Here’s the synopsis: Genocide. Terrorism. Hate crimes. In a world where racism is far …

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Praying the Bible

I took this book home Monday night and had it finished before I went to work on Tuesday.  Powerful book! Here is the book’s synopsis: All Christians know they should pray, but sometimes it’s hard to know how—especially if the minutes start to drag and our minds start to wander. Offering readers hope, encouragement, and the practical advice they’re looking for, this concise …

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The Battle Plan for Prayer Bible Study

Develop a deeper walk with God as you seek the Lord for your battles first. The Battle Plan for Prayer Bible Study equips believers to create their own prayer strategy and be specific and strategic in prayer. This study features teaching by Alex and Stephen Kendrick on the topics of: what prayer is and is not, why God wants us to pray, …

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Think Orange

Reggie Joiner’s book Think Orange has a simple concept. 2 combined influences make a greater impact that just 2 influences. His concept is when you mix red and yellow you get orange.  Let’s see what happens when you don’t rely solely on home or church but bring them together. Joiner is a gifted leader, thorough communicator, and passionate about this …

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Autopsy of a Deceased Church

As a pastor, I know the successes and frustrations of leading a church. North Side has had its share of challenges over the years.  I have yet to regret when we have followed the Bible on how to do church.  It’s been amazing to watch God’s grace over our congregation. In the social media world, I also will get questions …

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Perspectives on Family Ministry

Perspectives on Family Ministry is an incredible read.  I have been annoying my wife with all these great quotes! Edited by Timothy Paul Jones, he enlisted three pastors who are all carrying out family ministry in different ways within their congregations. Here are some of the top quotes from his introductory section: “…in the future churches would begin to ‘build …

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Rescuing Ambition

Dave Harvey made me think about ambition and the Kingdom of God.  In his book, Rescuing Ambition, he shows a biblical approach to aspiring to do great things for God. Many think of ambition as nothing more than the drive for personal honor or fame. As a result, ambition—the God-implanted drive to improve, produce, develop, and create—is neglected and well …

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Touch the World Through Prayer

I first read Touch the World Through Prayer the summer I served with Kingdom Building Ministries in Colorado.  I pulled it out last week to be reminded of this jewel on prayer written by a missionary to India. The author opened my eyes up to the power of prayer at first read and reinvigorated it again.  He allowed me to …

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Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

I have read through Donald Whitney’s Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life a few times over the last few years.  I reread it this week and reminded of what a treasure it is. It is not a good book on spiritual disciplines.  It is the book on spiritual disciplines. The book is extremely biblical and practical.  It is a needed …

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Pivotal Praying: Connecting with God in Times of Great Need

John Hull and Tim Elmore’s book entitled Pivotal Praying is full of illustrations about the power of prayer.  It also tries to direct prayers in specific situations. Here’s a few of my favorite takeaways: “Pivotal praying means we learn to pray at higher levels…Our prayer becomes mission driven not maintenance driven” (9). “I despaired at the thought that my life …

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Rhythms of Grace: How the Church’s Worship Tells the Story of the Gospel

This book by Mike Cosper is challenging me to the core.  As a worshiper and a worship pastor, this read is essential. Some great quotes from the book: “Celebrity pastors and worship leaders are everywhere, leading services that seem more about spectacle than substance” (17). “The boiling, fiery, deadly presence of God is the natural reaction of holiness in the …

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The Master Plan of Evangelism

I reread The Master Plan of Evangelism the other night.  This gift to the Church was written by Dr. Robert Coleman back in 1963.  I had the privilege to sit under his teaching a few years ago when I did my doctorate work. We are using this book in the New Testament class I am teaching here at North Side starting …

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The Resolution for Men Bible Study

The Resolution for Men – Bible Study includes content for small-group sessions, five personal devotions each week, and leader notes. You’ll also find icebreakers, interactive Bible study, provocative insights, and guided prayer. This men’s group curriculum was inspired by the document featured in the movie COURAGEOUS. The Resolution contained 12 commitments related to characteristics that all men of God want to …

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The Love Dare for Parents

The Love Dare for Parents Bible Study looks at parenting the way Scripture describes it. It’s about walking in relationship with the One who created us and entrusted our children to us. This study will inspire and strengthen busy parents—married and single—to learn and practice principles of love as they relate to their children, ages preschool to college. It offers a plan …

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Updates from the Frontline

Last night, I shared a quote in our community group from a book I’m reading entitled Total Church: A Radical Reshaping Around Gospel and Community by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis.  Interesting read about what these guys are doing with The Crowded House network of home churches in the UK.

Here’s the quote that woke me up concerning missions:

“If someone was being sent as a missionary to a hostile context overseas, our attitude would be something like this: We would expect to pray often for them.  We would expect progress in building relationships and sharing the gospel to be slow.  We would be excited by small steps – a gospel conversation here, an opportunity to get to know someone there.  We would thrive on regular updates from the front line.  But the truth is that the lives of many Christians in work, and play, are just like the life of that far-flung missionary!  They are lived out in tough environments where progress is often slow and many factors make evangelism extremely difficult.  The challenge is to make news from the staff canteen as valued as news from the overseas mission field.”  –Total Church, p. 36

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How to Be a (Self) Published Author

 

The boys were learning the word “author” the other day at the library.  Mommy told them that Daddy is an author.  It’s about the cutest thing to hear my sons say “author.”  The word is just funny from their mouths.

It’s true – I’m a published author.  A self-published author.  I’ve been asked before how to get a book published, and my response is – do it yourself.

I recently had an email from a friend wanting to know how to get started.  Thought I would share that info with you if you ever wanted to write something yourself.

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Honor Begins at Home

Honor Begins at Home: The Courageous Bible Study Member Book guides the participant through this compelling Bible study based on the movie Courageous. This 8-session study will take individuals and small groups deeper into biblical truths for a godly family, exploring topics such as redeeming your history, walking with integrity, winning and blessing the hearts of your children, and more. Every …

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