May Reading

1. A Confession - Leo Tolstoy
2. The 20 Essential Qualities of an Authentic Christian - Warren W. Wiersbe
3. The Table Talk of Martin Luther
4. Heaven's War - Micah Harris
5. The Golden Key - George MacDonald
6. Father Brown and the Ten Commandments - G. K. Chesterton
7. War in Heaven - Charles Williams
8. From the Library of C. S. Lewis - James Stuart Bell
9. Surprised by Joy - C. S. Lewis
10. A Family Guide to Prince Caspian - Christin Ditchfield
11. Robert Falconer - George MacDonald
12. The Air Freight Mystery - W. E. Butterworth

Top Seven Books for Pastors

I read over 130 books this year.  Of those, a good portion were about Christian ministry in particular, or Christian living in general.  Here's a list of seven of those that I would definitely recommend.  Of course, this list is not limited to pastors.  All Christians would benefit from reading these books.  Blessings!











7.  Lessons from the Ladder - Neil Joiner
6.  Jesus Swagger: Break Free from Poser Christianity - Jarrid Wilson
5.  The Power of Positive Praying - John Bisagno
4.  Pastors in the Classics - Leland Ryken, Philip Ryken, and Todd Wilson
3.  The Book on Leadership - John MacArthur
2.  Who Moved My Pulpit? - Thom S. Rainer
1.  Praying the Bible - Donald S. Whitney

3 Recommended Devotionals

It's that time again.  Each new year welcomes a great opportunity to start fresh with quiet times and devotions.  Here's three devotional books that you might want to check out this year.

1. Glorifying God: A Yearlong Collection of Classic Devotional Writings by Thomas Watson - Compiled by Patti M. Hummel (365)
2. A Sherlock Holmes Devotional: Uncovering the Mysteries of God - Trisha White Priebe (60)
3. A Hobbit Devotional - Ed Strauss (60)

December Reading

1. One to One Bible Reading - David Helm
2. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - J. K. Rowling
3. Mere Humanity: G. K. Chesterton, C. S. Lewis, & J. R. R. Tolkien on the Human Condition - Donald T. Williams
4. The Great Divorce - C. S. Lewis
5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J. K. Rowling

We Sing...

We sing "Come, Now Is the Time to Worship," as long as that time ends at 12:00 sharp.
We sing "We Bow Down," but we don't.
We sing "Come, Christians, Join to Sing," but many simply refuse to do so.
We sing "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever," but we're tired of it after three minutes.
We sing "Here I Am to Worship," but we showed up late and sleepy.
We sing "Shout to the Lord," but we don't.
We sing "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing," but we rarely use the one that we have.
We sing "You Are My All in All," as long as it's Sunday morning.
We sing "Go, Tell It on the Mountain," but we won't go across the street.
We sing "How Great Our Joy," but we forget to let our faces know.
We sing "Tell Me the Story of Jesus," but hope the preacher doesn't take too long doing it.
We sing "Standing on the Promises," but we're really just sitting on the premisis.
We sing "I Know Whom I Have Believed," just don't ask us about Him.
We sing "I Am Resolved," but we change our minds again.
We sing "Sweet Hour of Prayer," but we barely pray for a few minutes.
We sing "I Surrender All," but we don't mean it.
We sing "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus," as long as we get to lead.
We sing "Wherever He Leads I'll Go," as long as it's comfortable.
We sing "We'll Work Till Jesus Comes," but don't ask us to do anything.
We sing "Take Time to Be Holy," but we don't make it back to the evening service.
We sing "Find Us Faithful," but really people will find us faltering.
We sing "Shall We Gather at the River," but we struggle with gathering together on Sunday.
We sing "God Give Us Christian Homes," as long as it's an American version of Christianity.

What is wrong with us?

Store It Up

There is great value in knowing God's Word.

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."  2 Timothy 3:16-17

"I have stored up Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You."  Psalm 119:11

"Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."  Psalm 119:105

So often, people fail to memorize Scripture because they fail to try.  Excuses abound.  However, memorizing Scripture doesn't have to be an overwhelming, daunting task.  Anyone, young or old, can do it.

There are many strategic methods for learning Scripture by heart, but perhaps the simplest is to use 3" x 5" index cards.  Index cards are advantageous for a few reasons.  First, they are lined. That helps with writing part.  Second, index cards are easy to hold (in small quantities anyway).  They are handy, if you will.  Third, because of their size, they are portable.  You can easily take them anywhere.  Last, because they are made of paper, a little piece of tape will allow you to attach one just about anywhere: on the mirror, on the dash of your car, in your locker, on the refrigerator, by the door, etc.

Over time, learning one verse by heart each week, you will have learned 52 verses in a year.  Of course, that would be the minimum.  You can learn as much as you set your heart and mind to memorize.

What Are Your Latest Efforts in Discipleship?

I divide my discipleship efforts into two:  formal and informal.

1. Formal:  This includes all the large and small group settings such as Sunday School classes, Discipleship Training classes, home groups, Life Groups, Bible Study groups, etc.  These settings have been primarily discussion based starting from what the Bible says, translating it to what it means, and finally showing possible ways of application for the individual or group.  It is then up to the individuals in the group to follow through in the actual doing of being a disciple.  Then the next time the group meets there can be a time of sharing of experience from applying the biblical principles from the previous meeting.  That way the whole group benefits.
2. Informal:  By far the greater of the two is this one.  Don't get me wrong, formal discipleship is important and useful, but informal discipleship brings greater investment and rewards (and yes, sometimes greater disappointment).  Because of anonymity issues (and because I haven't asked their permission to do so), I will not share the names of those I am currently investing in on an informal, yet more personal and practical level.  Right now I can call to mind two men (males should disciple males; females should disciple females) that I have been personally mentoring in the ways of discipleship.  Personal mentoring is one way.  It's the Paul-Timothy way.  Another way that falls into this category is the family discipling families model.  Amy and I hope to begin this at the parsonage soon.  This is where we will invite one or two couples or families over once a week for a meal and conversation geared toward living the Christian life.  

Well, that's it in a brief nutshell.  If you would like more information on being mentored, or if you would like to start the road of discipleship, just let me know.  Call me, send me a message, email me, send me a letter, or see me in person.  If we are going to have a strong, healthy, vibrant church, then we need disciples making disciples, who in turn make more disciples.