I had the privilege of reading G. K. Chesterton’s Orthodoxy while on the beach. It is one of those classics I hadn’t gotten around to yet. Written by G. K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy addresses foremost one main problem: How can we contrive to be at once astonished at the world and yet at home in it? Chesterton writes: He says, “I …
Seasoned pastor Alistair Begg observes that much of what is said from today’s pulpits cannot be counted as Bible-based, God-glorifying, and life-changing. Rather than preparing a steady diet of spiritual meat, pastors are mistakenly serving up a self-focused snack–ultimately leaving congregations malnourished and ill prepared to stand firm when their faith is challenged. Recognizing the need for a return to …
Enjoyed reading through the expansive volume, David: A Man of Passion and Destiny, by Charles Swindoll. It is a part of his series, Great Lives from God’s Word. I am preparing to preach a sermon series on the life of David entitled, “After God’s Own Heart.” I have always loved Swindoll’s scriptural insights and this book was a great companion …
I finished the last book in the Chronicles of Narnia. While I loved all of them, the seventh and final installment, The Last Battle, could easily be my favorite. The imagery of the final battle on earth and the depictions of heaven are simply glorious. What I loved most of all is that my son, Obadiah, and I read them …
I read Tim Cool’s book Why Church Buildings Matter: The Story of Your Space. I picked it up due to a great podcast interview he had with Rainer on Leadership. While the book was helpful and asked some good questions and contained some good ideas, the most helpful insights that a church can use instantaneously were contained within the podcast. …
Loved the content and visuals presented in Visual Theology by Tim Challies and Josh Byers. It is a uniquely appealing volume presenting an intro into systematic theology. Favorite Quotes As we grow close to Christ and as we grow in our knowledge of his work, we will find ourselves with a longing to become like him (14). We never move past …
I used Dr. Hayne Griffin Jr.’s commentary on Titus extensively during the Titus series at Rocky Creek. The New American Commentary is for those who have been seeking a commentary that honors the Scriptures, represent the finest in contemporary evangelical scholarship, and lends itself to the practical work of preaching and teaching. Dr. Griffin was one of my seminary professors …
I finished the 6th of 7 Narnia books this week. The Silver Chair was a delight! Through dangers untold and caverns deep and dark, a noble band of friends is sent to rescue a prince held captive. But their mission to Underland brings them face-to-face with an evil more beautiful and more deadly than they ever expected. Favorite Quotes “You …
Thom Rainer’s I Am a Church Member is a great read for anyone who desires a biblical look at what church membership should look like practically. Favorite Quotes I am suggesting that congregations across America are weak because many of us church members have lost the biblical understanding of what it means to be a part of the Body of …
Great read this week in Strauch’s The New Testament Deacon: The Church’s Minister of Mercy. Book Overview Our heartfelt burden is to help deacons get out of the boardroom and building-maintenance mentality and into the people-serving mentality. Deacons, as the New testament teaches and as some of the sixteenth-century reformers discovered, are to be involved in a compassionate ministry of …