Max Lucado in his typical sing songy style brings to life poetically the phrase, "Be still and know that I am God" in his latest book. Fearless drives home the point with vivid illustration that casting our cares and concerns on Christ as all we need is better than living life driven by fear. He drives us with his encouragement to look to Christ.
Lucado's style is very much the same as his writing in other books. He classically includes another story similar to the story of Punchinello and the wemicks. It is poetry all about a place called stiltsville and he drives home the point that behind much of the desire for fame and success is fear.
This book is great for the new believer that is trying to understand their place in this world as they embrace the redefining message of Christ. It is also great for the seasoned believer as a reminder that we can face this world's problems with trust.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Everyday Greatness
The guru of principle centered living, Stephen Covey, has designed a great resource! Its called Everyday Greatness, and it is a wonderful description of all of the principles that Covey has shared with us over the years through a lot of short stories. Stories from great writers like: Maya Angelou, Jack Benny, and Henry David Thorough are coupled with excellent commentary by Covey. The book inspires us to live by three simple choices each day: 1. The Choice to Act 2. The Choice of Purpose 3. The Choice for Principles. The idea of living by positive choices is nothing new here, but the stories are simply amazing and inspirational. This would be a great addition to any classroom teacher's collections, minister's library, or employee's human resource library!
The Hole in the Gospel
Is their something missing from modern day American Christianity? Richard Stearns, CEO of World Vision International, shares why he thinks this is so through his compelling new book, The Hole in the Gospel.
Part biography, part theological treatise, and part rally cry, Richard tells the story of how he came from being the CEO of a Dinner Ware fine China sales company, to the top position at World Vision. Beaconing this story of change and self realization, he invites us all to reexamine our ethos for living.
Why do we get up in the morning? What decisions do we make as we interact with the world beyond our own familys? Are we working towards the goal of facing the world's poverty head on, or do we believe ourselves to simply be on a collision course with the world's end, needing to only wait until Jesus fixes it all? These questions and more need to be asked and reflected upon as you are invited to think about the least of these.
It is an excellent read and you can really understand the plight of the world's scope and problems with real world solutions that are more than simple rhetoric but a call for action.
Part biography, part theological treatise, and part rally cry, Richard tells the story of how he came from being the CEO of a Dinner Ware fine China sales company, to the top position at World Vision. Beaconing this story of change and self realization, he invites us all to reexamine our ethos for living.
Why do we get up in the morning? What decisions do we make as we interact with the world beyond our own familys? Are we working towards the goal of facing the world's poverty head on, or do we believe ourselves to simply be on a collision course with the world's end, needing to only wait until Jesus fixes it all? These questions and more need to be asked and reflected upon as you are invited to think about the least of these.
It is an excellent read and you can really understand the plight of the world's scope and problems with real world solutions that are more than simple rhetoric but a call for action.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Nelson's Illustrated Guide to Religions
I have watched a few documentaries on cults recently. They intrigue me in that people are drawn to religious leaders as much as they are or even more than to any religious principles. This is one of the major arguments I often get against Christianity. Why isn’t classic Christianity little more than what it began as, a cult? I also am asked, “Why compare religions to one another,” or as one insightful little boy said as he noticed I was reading a book on World Religions, “You can read about them, but don’t join them.” It’s like saying, “You can look, but you can’t buy.” As with all things, I think thoughtful scholarship is the best approach to understanding the power of religion in the lives of people.
Nelson’s Illustrated Guide to Religions analysis scholarly the impact of religions of the world as a textbook written from a Christian Worldview and perspective. James A. Beverely explains 19 different religions ranging from Baha’I to Witchcraft in a respectful way. It is written as informational text with little to no commentary. At times you can hear the Christian slant, but it is no more than a secular slant would be apparent in a regular textbook. This volume is precisely what would be helpful in a class on comparative religions at a Christian School or University. It would also be helpful to anyone that wants to really understand the nuances and influences of religion on sociological issues.
For me, it has helped me sort through the confusion of the offerings of what teachings on Universalism would propose. Clearly, there are distinctive differences of each world religion that many times override their commonalities. I see that Christianity is most certainly no longer a cult because it is mainstream, but it is little more than false without the distinctive of a death and resurrection that actually happened- a choice in the myriad of choices. And it is simply a virtual world that can destroy people if it is not countered with reality, thought, and Scholarship.
Nelson’s Illustrated Guide to Religions analysis scholarly the impact of religions of the world as a textbook written from a Christian Worldview and perspective. James A. Beverely explains 19 different religions ranging from Baha’I to Witchcraft in a respectful way. It is written as informational text with little to no commentary. At times you can hear the Christian slant, but it is no more than a secular slant would be apparent in a regular textbook. This volume is precisely what would be helpful in a class on comparative religions at a Christian School or University. It would also be helpful to anyone that wants to really understand the nuances and influences of religion on sociological issues.
For me, it has helped me sort through the confusion of the offerings of what teachings on Universalism would propose. Clearly, there are distinctive differences of each world religion that many times override their commonalities. I see that Christianity is most certainly no longer a cult because it is mainstream, but it is little more than false without the distinctive of a death and resurrection that actually happened- a choice in the myriad of choices. And it is simply a virtual world that can destroy people if it is not countered with reality, thought, and Scholarship.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Man Power Group?
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-u-of-c-mens-groupmay19,0,4707353.story
I was watching Parks and Recreation via HULU, when an interesting episode came on. In it, Lesley Knope, an overly zealous women, decides to invade the "Men's Club", a group of her fellow male coworkers drinking beer outside and hanging out. She thinks they are planning their take over of the world, while they are shooting the breeze, talking about their crummy jobs and family messes.
In the end, she decides to break company protocol by drinking wine and eating cheese from an off limits gift from a contractor. This leads to the underage drinking of the intern. All of this ends up being posted on a FACEBOOK group accidentally. And thats how Lesley ends up in front of a bunch of old white men in business suits acting as an ethics committee.
Lesley in an effort to break the glass ceiling, bumped her head!
The media is saturated with this preponderance of the role of men and women. I was confronted by it in Target as I looked at all of the advertisements where men and women alike were running around angrily. I was faced by it on television with Lesley Knope. And daily as a male in a very female job setting, teaching, I am always wondering how in the world my coworkers organize things more quickly, count papers more quickly, and do everything super fast. Its not that I can't organize or count, its just that I am slower at it!
Marraige is allways a fun place to analyze the battle of the sexes. I rarely fold towels straight, arrange dishes correctly, and I am pretty much impaired when it comes to straightening the house. I live in an apartment, therefore theres no yard, place to wash the cars, or change the oil. Not that I have ever been good at any of those things, but it would be easier to share roles that way.
The problem is, the things that I am very good at, well I don't spend most of my time excercising from those areas. And I am left wondering, is this time in history where the sexes are socially equal in all areas of life, leaving some males adrift.
Obviously. I have it a bit easier because I have to high of an I.Q. and its acceptable for me to have the absent minded professor problems, but what about the jocks? Its easy for me to see what is happening. They are trapped in boring marraiges, jumping from relationship to relationship, or partying hardy!
As usual, I am left with my Biblical Worldview to fallback on. I always think the assumptions of those who haven't read the Bible on the issue or somewhat funny. I have heard that Christian Men are mysiogenistic or control freaks, true I have meet some of them, but they really aren't very proned to actually reading or interpreting the Bible on any of this. They are usually the type that believe that what Daddy said is what the Bible said, and they find proof texts to support their arguments. Proof texts are never very likely to be contextual. To be continued...
I was watching Parks and Recreation via HULU, when an interesting episode came on. In it, Lesley Knope, an overly zealous women, decides to invade the "Men's Club", a group of her fellow male coworkers drinking beer outside and hanging out. She thinks they are planning their take over of the world, while they are shooting the breeze, talking about their crummy jobs and family messes.
In the end, she decides to break company protocol by drinking wine and eating cheese from an off limits gift from a contractor. This leads to the underage drinking of the intern. All of this ends up being posted on a FACEBOOK group accidentally. And thats how Lesley ends up in front of a bunch of old white men in business suits acting as an ethics committee.
Lesley in an effort to break the glass ceiling, bumped her head!
The media is saturated with this preponderance of the role of men and women. I was confronted by it in Target as I looked at all of the advertisements where men and women alike were running around angrily. I was faced by it on television with Lesley Knope. And daily as a male in a very female job setting, teaching, I am always wondering how in the world my coworkers organize things more quickly, count papers more quickly, and do everything super fast. Its not that I can't organize or count, its just that I am slower at it!
Marraige is allways a fun place to analyze the battle of the sexes. I rarely fold towels straight, arrange dishes correctly, and I am pretty much impaired when it comes to straightening the house. I live in an apartment, therefore theres no yard, place to wash the cars, or change the oil. Not that I have ever been good at any of those things, but it would be easier to share roles that way.
The problem is, the things that I am very good at, well I don't spend most of my time excercising from those areas. And I am left wondering, is this time in history where the sexes are socially equal in all areas of life, leaving some males adrift.
Obviously. I have it a bit easier because I have to high of an I.Q. and its acceptable for me to have the absent minded professor problems, but what about the jocks? Its easy for me to see what is happening. They are trapped in boring marraiges, jumping from relationship to relationship, or partying hardy!
As usual, I am left with my Biblical Worldview to fallback on. I always think the assumptions of those who haven't read the Bible on the issue or somewhat funny. I have heard that Christian Men are mysiogenistic or control freaks, true I have meet some of them, but they really aren't very proned to actually reading or interpreting the Bible on any of this. They are usually the type that believe that what Daddy said is what the Bible said, and they find proof texts to support their arguments. Proof texts are never very likely to be contextual. To be continued...
Man Power Group
Apparently, they have created a great group for Jon from Jon and Kate Plus 8 to join.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-u-of-c-mens-groupmay19,0,4707353.story
This is an issue that I have thought about a lot lately. Check in later for more thoughts, I have to get going this morning!
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-u-of-c-mens-groupmay19,0,4707353.story
This is an issue that I have thought about a lot lately. Check in later for more thoughts, I have to get going this morning!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Really? "The American Patriot's Bible" Thats Crazy
“You have to be kidding me! The American Patriot Bible? What will they create next, The Former Soviet Union Bible: How Communism and Acts Chapter Two Work Together?” This was my first thought when I read the title. I was also terrified that when I opened the book, I would have a giant picture of an icon from the religious right beckoning me to examine how all of the founding fathers were Baptist preachers or something frighteningly revisionist like that. I am a social studies and language arts teacher with a Bachelors degree in Bible, so I understand the right and the left, but I don’t see the need for the Bible to side with either.
However, I was truly amazed by this Bible. It wasn’t extremely partial at all. It wove virtue and historical fact without revision into a great work of literature that begs to be read if one is to understand American History. I loved how I could truly see the interaction of the concept of God and our history. I also loved that Civil Rights and the rights of humanity were aptly included in it’s analysis. It made me want to actually encourage others to get and read the notes.
I would greatly recommend this book to anyone that wants to be challenged to think about how the Bible interacts with American History. I do have one suggestion for the publisher. I would create another one called “The Bible as Literature”. I would put historical facts along with notes on how great works of literature have been influenced by particular passages of scripture. This would be usable in courses that evaluate the Bible as literature. It would also not alienate potential buyers.
However, I was truly amazed by this Bible. It wasn’t extremely partial at all. It wove virtue and historical fact without revision into a great work of literature that begs to be read if one is to understand American History. I loved how I could truly see the interaction of the concept of God and our history. I also loved that Civil Rights and the rights of humanity were aptly included in it’s analysis. It made me want to actually encourage others to get and read the notes.
I would greatly recommend this book to anyone that wants to be challenged to think about how the Bible interacts with American History. I do have one suggestion for the publisher. I would create another one called “The Bible as Literature”. I would put historical facts along with notes on how great works of literature have been influenced by particular passages of scripture. This would be usable in courses that evaluate the Bible as literature. It would also not alienate potential buyers.
Monday, April 27, 2009
A Review of The Noticer
Imagine Morgan Freeman dispensing wisdom from books he has gathered from works by Gary Chapman (Marriage Expert), Andy Stanley (Life Coach), John Maxwell (Leadership Guru), Les and Leslie Parrot (Relationships) and autobiographies of famous leaders in seemingly random places and random people. This is what you have when you read The Noticer. The main character shares bits and pieces of wisdom and perspective as he meets people struggling with issues in life and marriage. The book closes with a memorable object lesson and a remarkable revelation.
The purpose of this book is to cause you to pause, reflect, and take stock of where you are going in life. It is an excellent read for those who need to stop and think about their purpose in life. At times, I found it very sappy and unrealistic, but as I also found it’s interactive application of wisdom to life, I realized that it was an excellent example of what many of people need to see. Wisdom applied to real life.
If you are looking for a fast and easy read that can also cause you to pause, then this book is for you! Wisdom is always best when applied, but getting there always takes perspective.
The purpose of this book is to cause you to pause, reflect, and take stock of where you are going in life. It is an excellent read for those who need to stop and think about their purpose in life. At times, I found it very sappy and unrealistic, but as I also found it’s interactive application of wisdom to life, I realized that it was an excellent example of what many of people need to see. Wisdom applied to real life.
If you are looking for a fast and easy read that can also cause you to pause, then this book is for you! Wisdom is always best when applied, but getting there always takes perspective.
Monday, April 20, 2009
The Principle of the Path
I’m a twenty something. And wherever I go, I am faced with plenty of peers that have given up on marriage, live with one another, or any other multitude of things. They all have a basic argument. This is that scripture, or even traditional conservative principles, are outdated. On my worst days, I see the validity of their points. I mean, commitment didn’t seem to pay off for others. Life is more complicated than it seems and there is always a justification for the wrong (or just advantageous behavior) that we do. Simply put, my friends and I both need Andy Stanley’s book, The Principle of the Path.
In a contemporary way, Andy brings home three thousand (or older) year old Biblical principles. He clearly makes the connection between our choices and their consequences, and shows why it only makes sense to do the right thing. With humor, wit, and good writing, Andy brings home a message that is currently needed for us today. He does so in a relevant way that draws your attention and makes you want to keep reading.
By the way, Andy’s series that this book is written from is currently online at www.northpoint.org. You can watch this series and hear him as he explains it. Then, run out and buy as many copies of this book as you can, get them to your friends, and maybe, just maybe, they will avoid disaster. Disaster can be avoided if you simply follow, the principle of the path.
In a contemporary way, Andy brings home three thousand (or older) year old Biblical principles. He clearly makes the connection between our choices and their consequences, and shows why it only makes sense to do the right thing. With humor, wit, and good writing, Andy brings home a message that is currently needed for us today. He does so in a relevant way that draws your attention and makes you want to keep reading.
By the way, Andy’s series that this book is written from is currently online at www.northpoint.org. You can watch this series and hear him as he explains it. Then, run out and buy as many copies of this book as you can, get them to your friends, and maybe, just maybe, they will avoid disaster. Disaster can be avoided if you simply follow, the principle of the path.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
In the Footsteps of Paul
In the Footsteps of Paul by Ken Huggins takes you on an exciting adventure to the sights of Paul’s missionary journeys with very informative commentary from a variety of scholars and great thinkers. As I read the book, I was able to understand the journeys of Paul in new ways as I read the thoughts about them. These thoughts gave me insights into the process, understanding of the reasons, and the dedication that came from Paul’s life. The pictures were very pretty as well and brought fuller meaning to the text. I was able to the journeys of Paul in a whole new way. The book itself is bound very well, and it looks like a coffee table book. It would be great for anyone who is interested in a mixture of art, photography, and Biblical thought.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Max Lucado is very gifted with words. If you are looking for a very nice centerpiece for your coffee table, or if you need a gift book with wonderful pictures in them, a compilation of some of Lucado’s best books is now available from Thomas Nelson Publishers. It is called His Name is Jesus.
Excerpts from 21 of Lucado’s books combined with beautiful pictures and excellent font graphics, bound by a giant rectangle book with a sheath to hold it in, make this the perfect gift giving book for people over forty. The words themselves bring you into the very life and story of the gospels. They bring to life all of the scenes from the Bible, highlighting the humanity of it all. The grace and love of the person of Jesus Christ seep from these stories and bring to light the person and function of Jesus Christ.
Quotes from Lucado’s books, sections from the books, and Bible verses are on each page. One of my favorites is this one, “Christ’s resurrection is an exploding flare announcing to all sincere seekers that it is safe to believe.” The book is filled with beautiful thoughts to bring to mind the words and actions of Christ, concluding with the decision to accept or reject this belief.
If you are looking for powerful words and a powerful presentation of the gospel that is life like and love filled, this book is for you! “He invites us to love Him. He Urges us to love Him. But, in the end, the choice is yours and mine.”
Excerpts from 21 of Lucado’s books combined with beautiful pictures and excellent font graphics, bound by a giant rectangle book with a sheath to hold it in, make this the perfect gift giving book for people over forty. The words themselves bring you into the very life and story of the gospels. They bring to life all of the scenes from the Bible, highlighting the humanity of it all. The grace and love of the person of Jesus Christ seep from these stories and bring to light the person and function of Jesus Christ.
Quotes from Lucado’s books, sections from the books, and Bible verses are on each page. One of my favorites is this one, “Christ’s resurrection is an exploding flare announcing to all sincere seekers that it is safe to believe.” The book is filled with beautiful thoughts to bring to mind the words and actions of Christ, concluding with the decision to accept or reject this belief.
If you are looking for powerful words and a powerful presentation of the gospel that is life like and love filled, this book is for you! “He invites us to love Him. He Urges us to love Him. But, in the end, the choice is yours and mine.”
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
I signed up for an awesome program with Thomas Nelson Publishers where you can request some of their newest products for free. The stipulation is that you type of review of their book on your blog and another place like Amazon as well. So here is my review of a movie that I ordered for my little boy.
Read and Share DVD Bible
Media is a very powerful thing in the life of children today. As a teacher and a parent, I am picky about media. I don't like tacky things that look more like Nickelodeon than Biblical yet relevant stories. I don't want to watch a Bible Story that looks like Blues Clues. This happened to us at church, and I realized that its effect was more of a dumbing down effect than a building up one. The minister in me thinks that it is very important for the word of God to stand on its own two feet, especially in the teaching of children.
This is why I really like the Read and Share DVD Bible Volume One. It is 13 three minute segments of cartoons that are not tacky or scary. It is the right size to spur discussion and teaching with children in ministry or at home. It also has a wonderful wealth of bonus materials that make it more interactive for the child.
I also love how it can fit into a child leveled discussion of the progress of redemption or the idea that God has a plan and a love for His creation. It is the right size and design to help spur on needed discussion has parents take on the position of spiritual leaders of their homes.
As a teacher, I recommend getting the Read and Share Bible with this. The narrator speaks at a rate that is slow enough for children to read along with the DVD and get into the pattern of literacy. I think it is very important that parents read with their children, but I think it also important that we teach them to manage all forms of media with their minds. Exploration of the Bible and Bible stories is the best place to start.
So, if you are looking for a non tacky way to help children learn basic Bible stories and build literacy skills, get the Read and Share DVD Bibe today!
Read and Share DVD Bible
Media is a very powerful thing in the life of children today. As a teacher and a parent, I am picky about media. I don't like tacky things that look more like Nickelodeon than Biblical yet relevant stories. I don't want to watch a Bible Story that looks like Blues Clues. This happened to us at church, and I realized that its effect was more of a dumbing down effect than a building up one. The minister in me thinks that it is very important for the word of God to stand on its own two feet, especially in the teaching of children.
This is why I really like the Read and Share DVD Bible Volume One. It is 13 three minute segments of cartoons that are not tacky or scary. It is the right size to spur discussion and teaching with children in ministry or at home. It also has a wonderful wealth of bonus materials that make it more interactive for the child.
I also love how it can fit into a child leveled discussion of the progress of redemption or the idea that God has a plan and a love for His creation. It is the right size and design to help spur on needed discussion has parents take on the position of spiritual leaders of their homes.
As a teacher, I recommend getting the Read and Share Bible with this. The narrator speaks at a rate that is slow enough for children to read along with the DVD and get into the pattern of literacy. I think it is very important that parents read with their children, but I think it also important that we teach them to manage all forms of media with their minds. Exploration of the Bible and Bible stories is the best place to start.
So, if you are looking for a non tacky way to help children learn basic Bible stories and build literacy skills, get the Read and Share DVD Bibe today!
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