tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59013562012-01-25T16:45:32.312-07:00Because quasi-voyeuristic revelations, semi-personal writings, random discussions, and a place to waste time all attract me more than they should. Because the nihilistic nothingness of hyper-consumerism which threatens to overwhelm our culture should be fought. Because Jesus Christ reigns forever, and in Him love, truth, beauty, goodness, and holiness last. Because in the end there is something.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.comBlogger5301100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-20542971580473226082012-01-25T16:45:00.001-07:002012-01-25T16:45:32.366-07:00

"...it seems to me quite disastrous that the idea should have got about that Christianity is an otherworldly, unreal, idealistic kind of religion that suggests that if we are good we shall be happy - or if not, it will all be made up to us in the next existence. On the contrary, it is fiercely and even harshly realistic, insisting that the kingdom of heaven can never be attained in this world

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-12385922318725441132012-01-23T16:19:00.003-07:002012-01-23T16:20:04.217-07:00

Gary Thomas. Every Body Matters: Strengthening Your Body to Strengthen Your Soul. Zondervan, 2011. 256 pgs.  In Every Body Matters Gary Thomas explores some of the interactions between our bodies and our soul. More specifically, he argues that treating our body well is an important part of spiritual discipline and living well. He urges us to "stop treating our bodies like ornaments...

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-24949523607420565702012-01-22T16:13:00.001-07:002012-01-22T16:13:33.855-07:00

Links in no particular order.  Unique life form is half plant, half animal - Half plant, half animal, all cool!The Science Behind a Bad Mood (and what you can do about it) - Common sense stuff, but if you find your moods have more control over you than you have over them, you should read on. TED Video: Be Suspicious - Indeed, be suspicious. Watch carefully any device which easily slips behind

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-79171056551394124482012-01-17T19:16:00.003-07:002012-01-17T19:16:23.377-07:00

Rick Richards. Simply God. Westbow Press, 2011. 192 pgs.  The description of this book promises to discuss the difference between convincing people and equipping people. It is supposed to be about seeing and knowing God, making these things our priorities. That is, what we need is simply God. These are, in themselves, excellent points. We do need God more than anything, and we ought to

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-43291383822445567262012-01-16T15:05:00.001-07:002012-01-22T16:03:08.990-07:00

Here is the first post of other links you should check out. Normally I would wait until this list was longer, but 2 of these are time sensitive - by next week you may not remember the video they refer to :) 1. Matthew 24, Genesis 1, and the Eternal Reign of King Jesus - ever wonder about end times predictions in the bible? Or how to interpret Matthew 24? Wonder no more. 2. 35 MacGyver Tips 

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-3384669147109260662012-01-14T21:35:00.001-07:002012-01-14T21:42:37.872-07:00

Thanks to Jeremy Rios for his invaluable help in writing this response. What do you do when a renowned, intelligent, and influential Christian from the past disagrees with you? The obvious answer is nothing; you disagree, he's dead, and there is not much more to say. That is, unless you have some compelling reason to go further. Perhaps you really enjoy the writings of this particular individual

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-9883341679829557132012-01-13T18:41:00.001-07:002012-01-13T18:46:27.242-07:00

A new year seems to demand new resolutions, if only by weight of expectation and pressure of resurrection. We must envision what lies before us, mold it and craft it into a shape pleasing to our desires, and so seize the future before it seizes us. We must stand, heads held high, and bravely wrest from the unknown something of worth. We must PLAN! Well, I don't know about all of that. Frankly,

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-5748104890042086262012-01-11T15:59:00.000-07:002012-01-11T16:00:08.478-07:00

Ed. Bart R. Leib. Subversion: Science Fiction & Fantasy tales of challenging the norm. Crossed Genres Publishing, 2011. 172 pgs.  Traitor or Revolutionary? Hero or Villain? Don't these titles mean the same thing, just from a different side? History, as they say, is written by the victors, but what would it be like to get a look before those histories were written? Here, you will find

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-15995583537029643702012-01-08T15:39:00.002-07:002012-01-08T15:40:42.267-07:00

I have been a pastor for 2.5 years now. Such a short time. In so many ways I know that I have barely begun. Yet, there is still more to reflect upon than I am able to process.  No place, and no person, is perfect, but this place, and these people (in other words: this church) are pretty awesome! I am both blessed and privileged to work where I do. Our church has a great community, the other

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-35929559189208866162012-01-06T17:22:00.000-07:002012-01-06T17:22:35.539-07:00

I hear babies cry... I watch them grow.  They'll learn much more...Than we'll know And I think to myself... What a wonderful world.  I don't know what I can add to that song, other than you should listen to this version of it (A medley with 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole).  I am blessed in the family God has given to me. My dreams are already coming true,

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-63619836738471599162012-01-02T23:35:00.000-07:002012-01-03T11:18:13.181-07:00

Do you ever get tired of creeping people on facebook? Does the sound of chirping birds just gets to be too much to follow? If so, you can always get that little social media stalking fix by glancing down the sidebar of my blog. The observant reader will find there a librarything widget labeled "Currently Reading." Indeed, this is precisely what the widget contains; a list of books I am currently

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-67171453595228955932011-12-31T17:29:00.000-07:002012-01-01T14:32:34.715-07:00

Yet another year gone. Another month, another day, another minute, just like any other. Did you know that for centuries the Christian new year began on March 25th? It's true. Think about that for a minute, and remember that whatever you did last night was to celebrate an utterly arbitrary decision, made by some random person you have never heard of, about when the year should end and begin. I

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-73129083034632225012011-12-31T17:11:00.000-07:002011-12-31T17:11:20.762-07:00

"Here we go round the prickly pear Prickly pear prickly pear Here we go round the prickly pear At five o'clock in the morning. Between the idea And the reality Between the motion And the act Falls the Shadow                                         For Thine is the Kingdom Between the conception And the creation Between the emotion And the response Falls the Shadow

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-25178560816620759542011-12-27T22:15:00.002-07:002011-12-27T22:27:58.553-07:00

Andrew Murray. Power in Prayer: Classic Devotions to Inspire and Deepen Your Prayer Life. Bethany House, 2011. 167 pgs.  A second good devotional book in the same month? What are the odds? Then again, when one of them is by Andrew Murray, those odds go up significantly.  What we have here is an edited, and updated, collection of over 150 select devotions on prayer from the vast array

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-74284625606153372762011-12-23T17:34:00.001-07:002011-12-23T18:26:24.094-07:00

Often I have the wrong perspective on life. I wonder why Kristina hasn't done some specific chore, when I ought to be realizing how little I have done. I feel how good I am doing, but only because I have forgotten all that I have forgotten and left undone. I search for something thinking I know where it is only to find that if I had instead searched with eyes open I would have found it much

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-22963133949039719622011-12-22T12:34:00.000-07:002011-12-22T12:34:23.238-07:00

The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is an interesting, and often ill-used, piece of the Old Testament. In recent days it has become something of a prop to be toted out whenever we need to discuss the moral standing of homosexuality. It is interesting, and perhaps uncomfortably revealing, that we have reduced this great biblical type to a word on one moral issue when it ought to be a paradigm of our

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-10821938263192655382011-12-14T10:28:00.002-07:002011-12-14T10:30:28.534-07:00

We have all heard it before. Something like: your not going to reach the end of your life and wish you had spent more time at work. Or: what really matters is giving to the people you love.  Yes, such sayings abound, and with good reason. Yet it is somehow easy to forget the deep truths behind those words. And then something happens to remind us. I had such a reminder recently.  I was

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-22881776422033756262011-12-13T15:41:00.000-07:002011-12-13T15:44:45.208-07:00

Ann Spangler, General Editor. The Names of God Bible. Revell, 2011. 1730 pgs.  Reviewing a bible... this is most definitely a first. What am I going to say? Recommended? Obviously, what follows is a review of the particularities of this version and this translation. What you have here is a version of the "God's Word Translation." The entire thing focuses on the names of God. The

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-63635482354830812532011-12-11T22:38:00.002-07:002011-12-11T22:46:37.398-07:00

  Mark Batterson. In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day: How To Survive and Thrive When Opportunity Roars. Multnomah Books, 2006. 192 pgs. What do you do when opportunity roars? Batterson urges us to give chase, lock eyes with our lion, and charge directly at it. Through nine chapters Batterson makes this point again and again. That opportunity often comes in threatening forms, and if we

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-26972607358411475512011-12-07T13:52:00.001-07:002011-12-07T13:58:56.133-07:00

"As God lives in his own will, and we live in him, so has he given to us power to will in ourselves. How much better should we not fare if, finding that we are standing with our heads bowed away from the good, finding that we have no feeble inclination to seek the source of our life, we should yet will upwards toward God, rousing that essence of life in us, which he has given us from his own

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-324542851679705822011-12-06T17:34:00.001-07:002011-12-06T18:31:26.624-07:00

The Allegory Another scream echoed from the stern. Justin twisted his head sharply to see who had gone overboard, but was unable. The storm was worse than any before and the old ways were failing. The collapsing railing that scream evinced was proof enough for Justin. As he firmed his grip on the wheel, trying to fight the storm, Justin looked down at the rope holding him to the

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-39476056217723584232011-12-03T15:36:00.001-07:002011-12-03T15:49:33.428-07:00

John I. Snyder, Your 100 Day Prayer: The Transforming Power of Actively Waiting on God. Thomas Nelson, 2011. 240 pgs. This books is supposed to be a 100 day journey which guides one through intentional prayer and biblical truths which will "transform their spiritual lives and reveal God's provision for their needs." It takes much the form you would expect: A prayer, a guide, an introduction

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-52012287646621671432011-12-02T11:05:00.001-07:002011-12-02T11:05:30.507-07:00

Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. The Love & Respect Experience: A Husband-Friendly Devotional That Wives Truly Love. Thomas Nelson, 2011. 320 pgs. Reviewing a book such as this can be difficult. Devotionals and prayer books are designed to be ready slowly, one day at a time, over weeks, months, or even years. As a reviewer I am rarely given the time to take such an approach to a book. Add to

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-80885512129840258672011-12-01T13:52:00.001-07:002011-12-01T14:00:12.399-07:00

Yes, Christmas is now only 24 days away. Tis the season... Top 3 Posts from November: 1. Pull Up a Chair - A game, an illustration, a parable. Designed to illustrate how we think, or don't think, about God.  2. Wrong Worship - Mostly just a link to a hilarious video.  3. Church Not Manly - A quote and a question. Is church not manly?  On the whole, November is a

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-25830368104693363782011-11-29T17:42:00.001-07:002011-11-29T17:43:05.493-07:00

Here are few poignant words from George MacDonald: "What I want to say and show, if I may, is, that a man will please God better by believing some things that are not told him, than by confining his faith to those things that are expressly said... If he is not taught of God in that which he hopes for, God will let him know it. He will receive something else than he prays for... The

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-18114339142579804532011-11-28T21:28:00.001-07:002011-12-07T14:18:46.196-07:00

David Murrow. Why Men Hate Going to Church. Thomas Nelson, 2011. 256 pgs. We all know that not all men hate going to church. I think we also all know that in most churches there are more women than men. Why is this? Where are the men? According to David Murrow we have made church an overly, and overtly, feminine experience and are now reaping the dubious rewards of such efforts.

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-80694257838181443052011-11-25T16:20:00.001-07:002011-11-25T16:56:23.268-07:00

I am a failure.  How do you feel when you read those words? Does a part of you revolt, wanting to immediately respond by offering encouragement, telling me how wrong I am, and righting the obvious wrong in the sentence? Or, does a part of you cringe in recognition? Do you see in those words your assessment of yourself?  Either way, I have to tell you this: it is true. I am a failure.

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-72461691813937258162011-11-22T18:22:00.001-07:002011-11-22T18:22:09.471-07:00

"Unfortunately for the church, many men see churchgoing as womanly behavior. It's the polar opposite of the risky, dangerous image they try to project. Men don't go to church for the same reason they refuse to carry anything that resembles a purse - it's not something guys do. Imagine this scene one Wednesday night after a long, hot day on the construction site: Bill: Hey, where you guys going

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-77481470934857464432011-11-22T16:58:00.001-07:002011-11-23T17:55:15.159-07:00

I know it is early, but I can't help it. Each year part of me despairs as all of the wrong things about Christmas show up earlier and earlier. Yet, each year another part of me can't wait. It is a joyous season and I enjoy celebrating the incarnation of Jesus the Christ.  At various times in Christian history Christmas has been a non-event, a major festival day, a day reviled as nothing

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-48143722986008341042011-11-20T20:11:00.001-07:002011-11-20T20:12:58.102-07:00

And now, in the same vein as "Contempervant Growtivation" I am proud to pass on another sadly funny video parody of church: "Wrong Worship"

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-18256011889213903782011-11-17T15:31:00.001-07:002011-11-22T17:47:32.727-07:00

Carl E. Begley. Afraid to Believe in Free Will: The Human Tendency to Avoid Responsibility for Free Choices. Westbow Press, 2010. 176 pgs.  Don't you wish that there was someone else to blame for all of your mistakes? Of course you do. So do I. In the world of my self-deception I am to be praised for all the good in my life, able to take credit for my success, but all of my failures and

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-70535889791057484202011-11-14T14:51:00.001-07:002011-11-14T20:17:26.278-07:00

Who is God? No, I am not going to attempt an answer to that question in a blog post. In fact, I am not going to attempt to answer that question at all.  Instead, I have a question for you; but first, a prologue. As a Christian I know and believe that the place to go to find out who God is would be the bible. However, I have not always had this faith. I started to look for, and find, answers

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-9481534345120722382011-11-08T22:46:00.002-07:002011-12-01T14:06:47.935-07:00

Pull up a chair and play a game with me.  Sounds like fun.  Do you know how to play chess? A bit; I'm not very good. That's OK. We're not going to play real chess.  Huh? Did you catch the mischievous glint in my eye? Nope. We are going to play dream chess. Right... Exactly. Before we can play, you have to tell me  your dream of your future.  What does

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-82573913225602734912011-11-01T17:21:00.001-06:002011-11-01T17:21:27.348-06:00

Forgiving means to pardon the unpardonable, faith means believing the unbelievable, and hoping means to hope when things are hopeless.- G. K. Chesterton Top Posts for October: 1. Heaven and Hell - Let the humbling continue. My most popular post of all time, now by a nearly a factor of 4, continues to be a nearly content free one. Hooray! 2. To Whom Do You Compare Yourself -

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-38632742576412393262011-10-28T18:28:00.000-06:002011-11-22T17:48:49.292-07:00

Mark Galli. Chaos and Grace: Discovering the Liberating Work of the Holy Spirit. Baker, 2011. 203 pgs. In Chaos and Grace, Galli asserts that the church has forgotten the character of the God we serve. We have forgotten that He is beyond our control, unpredictable, untamable, and mysterious. In His place many churches have centered their life on idols of control, peace, and

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-84532050737457015852011-10-25T17:12:00.000-06:002011-11-22T17:49:47.681-07:00

Hugh Halter. Sacrilege: Finding Life in the Unorthodox Ways of Jesus. Baker, 2011.  Sacrilege is a book out to answer one question: What does it mean to be like Jesus? The premise of the book is that Jesus was sacrilegious (that is, he de-sacralized, treated as not holy, things which had been treated as holy) and as his followers we ought to be as well. To explain what he means by

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-64698440776224612582011-10-19T16:35:00.001-06:002011-11-22T17:50:29.094-07:00

Glen G. Scorgie, General Editor. Dictionary of Christian Spirituality. Zondervan, 2011. 864 pgs.  Christian Spirituality has been a topic exploding with publications for a few decades now. My own introduction to the topic came through Foster's A Celebration of Discipline. Now, newly published from Zondervan, we have a dictionary devoted to this topic. This dictionary is divided into two

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-43531054744140743592011-10-18T19:32:00.001-06:002011-11-22T17:51:04.496-07:00

Greg Paul.  Close Enough to Hear God Breathe: The Great Story of Divine Intimacy. Thomas Nelson, 2011. 224 pgs.  Greg Paul believes that the 'heart of the matter', the important center as we consider our relationship to God, is that we are His beloved children and we need to be in a close, loving, relationship with Him. Paul also believes that the best way to do this is to listen to the

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-5312319563365350692011-10-07T17:53:00.000-06:002011-10-07T17:53:15.892-06:00

"To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else,Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-7503144154490873932011-10-06T12:29:00.002-06:002011-11-22T17:52:16.445-07:00

Compiled by Linda Washington. Everything the Bible Says About Heaven. Bethany House Publishers, 2011. 105 pgs.  This is a book which claims, in the title, to be a collection of everything the bible says about heaven. In terms of format, it is divided 6 chapters exploring Old Testament visions of heaven, New Testament visions of heaven, heaven in Revelation, the time between death and

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-78964328117327429182011-10-06T12:11:00.000-06:002011-10-06T12:31:10.263-06:00

Bam! September is over, and my reflections are 5 days late.... Top 3 Posts of September: 1. Heaven and Hell - For the 3rd month in a row this post is on top. It is now the number one visited post on my blog by quite a ways.  2. TC: Awakening on a Mountaintop - This is one of a series of reflections which I posted following our yearly youth camp.  3. TC 2011: What Would You Do? -

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-6349902860449420022011-09-23T15:53:00.003-06:002011-11-22T17:53:07.568-07:00

Ross Lawhead. The Realms Thereunder (An Ancient Earth). Thomas Nelson, 2011. 400 pgs.  Beneath Great Britian lies a sleeping army ready and waiting for the great battle between good and evil. Daniel Tully and Freya Reynolds are normal school children. Until they accidentally discover, and awaken, two of the sleeping knights in that army. Thus begins their adventures in the realms

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-6481924874666775892011-09-21T10:29:00.002-06:002011-10-06T12:31:44.579-06:00

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw--that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-60648089439827876322011-09-15T23:12:00.000-06:002011-11-22T17:53:56.698-07:00

Scotty Smith. Everyday Prayers: 365 Days to a Gospel-Centered Faith. Baker Books, 2011. 380 pgs.  On the surface, this is a devotional prayer book which has one prayer for each day of the year. However, you do not have to read very far to find out that Scotty Smith intends to communicate far more than this. Through these prayers, Smith desired to find Jesus in every part of the

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-25094147762731542712011-09-12T21:25:00.003-06:002011-10-06T12:35:05.167-06:00

Pride has always been a struggle for me. Blogging has become yet another arena in which that struggle is played out. I reread blog posts and pat myself on the back, congratulate myself when I get new followers, and on and on. Thankfully, by the grace of God something happens just as frequently to keep me humble. I catch stupid mistakes (and I make plenty of those), fail to blog for days or

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-63095598916960277352011-09-08T10:29:00.000-06:002011-10-06T12:34:57.169-06:00

As TC 2011 came to a close our speak, Chris Throness, did an excellent job of asking the question "what's next?" It is a question that looms larger and larger as any retreat or camp comes to a close. Here we are, away from home, having an amazing experience. What happens when we go back? We cannot, and should not, hang onto "the high." Life doesn't work like that. But what should you do to

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-37016757144015193272011-09-07T16:29:00.001-06:002011-10-06T12:34:48.756-06:00

"Sower with the Setting Sun" by Van Gogh Jesus told many stories. They are known as parables. Interesting, shocking, counter-cultural, and confusing, these stories have oft been discussed. This year, at TC 2011, we have lived one... A farmer went out to sow his seed. This farmer, however, was strange. Apparently overburdened with an abundance of seed he abandoned the normal

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-27780458633675340712011-09-06T23:11:00.004-06:002011-10-06T12:34:41.054-06:00

At BAC there has been a "Teen's Camp" every year for 20 years (or more). I have been to three, the most recent one last weekend. Every year we are blessed to be able to do what we can.  We remove ourselves from the familiar in order to enjoy some of God's creation.We plan games and groups, ask questions and are present to talk about them. We worship the Lord together in song, with

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-84792672212474087302011-09-01T23:06:00.002-06:002011-10-06T12:34:30.215-06:00

Yes, we are officially starting a 'new year'. I used to think, for some reason, that once I got out of school I would run on a 'normal' calendar. Clearly that doesn't happen when you are a Youth Pastor :)  Top 3 Posts of August: 1. Heaven and Hell - For a second straight month this older and nearly content-less post has topped the charts.  2. What I Need - A post on needs and wants in

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-49391991760483184122011-08-25T17:23:00.001-06:002011-11-22T17:54:37.754-07:00

James Emery White. What They Didn't Teach You in Seminary: 25 Lessons for Successful Ministry in Your Church.  Baker Books, 2011. 192 pgs.  I came to this book with low expectations. The reputation of the author drew me in but that alone was not enough to overcome the skepticism which the title engendered. Then, add to that a subtitle which promises a list leading to success? Oh

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-68927596999332558362011-08-25T11:37:00.002-06:002011-10-06T12:34:01.046-06:00

It can be difficult to separate my wants and my needs. I do live in a culture which works vociferously against said differentiation. But even if I didn't, my own heart and mind would clamor enough to make this distinction difficult. It is, after all, my own sinful tendencies which make the cultural voices so powerful, not the other way around.  Do I need the newest? The best? To be first?

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-67595574617220426272011-08-23T17:09:00.000-06:002011-11-22T17:55:13.181-07:00

Stephen R. Lawhead. The Bone House (Bright Empires). Thomas Nelson, 2011. 416 pgs.  One year ago, less one week, I posted my review of Stephen Lawheads The Skin Map, which is the first book in the "Bright Empires" series. Here, then, is the second book in that series. The Bone House continues the story of Kit Livingston in his quest for the skin map. One piece has been found, but the

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-40863417537850364402011-08-20T21:39:00.001-06:002011-11-22T17:55:48.003-07:00

Darlene Zschech. Art of Mentoring, The: Embracing the Great Generational Transition. Bethany House, 2011. 187 pgs.  If you read the title and description of this book, even if you read the introduction, you will get the impression that what this book is about is mentoring across the generation gap. Helping those who have more experience in ministry and life to mentor those with less. You

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-5459151162527506042011-08-12T22:55:00.003-06:002011-11-22T17:56:26.795-07:00

Skye Jethani. With: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God. Thomas Nelson, 2011. 224 pgs.  This book was provided by Thomas Nelson, through Booksneeze, for review.  The copy for this book might as well read: Why are there so many problems in the church? (A few specifics are listed: burn out, lack of freedom in Christ, etc.) Is it possible we have misunderstood the call of the Christian

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-37498778566779843392011-08-09T18:04:00.000-06:002011-10-06T12:32:51.863-06:00

"Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit." - Matthew 7:17-18 "One of the most powerful ways to influence the behavior of a system is through its purpose or goal. That's because the goal is the direction-setter of the system, the definer of discrepancies that require action, the indicator of

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-75425790642233053572011-08-04T12:00:00.000-06:002011-11-22T17:57:08.450-07:00

ed: C. Stephen Evans. Exploring Kenotic Christology: The Self-Emptying of God. Regent College Publising, 2009. 360 pgs.  Full disclosure: This book was provided by Regent College Publising for review.  "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God,  did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, 

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-50834882121092258692011-08-03T15:41:00.001-06:002011-08-03T15:41:17.283-06:00

Congratulations to Philip who has won his very own copy of Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller! Good choice by the way; an excellent book :)

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-42969931261230135032011-08-02T17:14:00.002-06:002011-10-06T12:32:19.585-06:00

As we leave July behind for yet another year I cannot help but wonder why this year summer feels like it has barely started. I don't just mean that time has gone by quickly; it always does. I mean that it felt like spring until recently.  Oh well, on to the top 3 posts of this month: 1. Heaven and Hell: This is an old post, from back in February when the whole Rob Bell controversy was

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-79191795724027586672011-07-30T17:59:00.000-06:002011-07-30T17:59:12.437-06:00

Speaking of giveaways, Kristina has one going at her blog as well. You should check that out too! http://mommyingmonkeys.blogspot.com/2011/07/busy-bags-and-giveaway.html

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-26624847380640150432011-07-30T17:41:00.002-06:002011-07-30T17:41:59.536-06:00

Just wanted to remind you all again to enter my 'celebrating 100 book reviews' giveaway.  Details can be found here.

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-68059370457662816002011-07-29T18:48:00.001-06:002011-11-22T17:58:16.395-07:00

Mark Horne.J.R.R. Tolkien (Christian Encounters Series). Thomas Nelson, 2011. 160 pgs. Christian Encounters, a series of biographies from Thomas Nelson Publishers, highlights important lives from all ages and areas of the Church.This particular book is, obviously, a highlight of the life of J.R.R. Tolkien. It is not a full biography, rather it is the outline of his life and a chance for

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-28803730483514173292011-07-28T09:26:00.002-06:002011-11-22T17:59:35.469-07:00

Jeremy Kingsley. Getting Back Up When Life Knocks You Down. Bethany House, 2011. 123 pgs.  The title of this book is very revealing. This is a book of encouragement for when 'life knocks you down.' In each chapter, Kingsley explores a crisis (set backs, rejection, pain, denial, anger, bargaining, responsibility, forgiveness, guilt, and worry) and how working through it in perseverance

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-49371713879911292592011-07-27T11:49:00.001-06:002011-07-27T12:07:55.502-06:00

As you may have noticed, I posted my 100th book review yesterday! I want to celebrate this fact by doing another book giveaway.  Not just any giveaway though, no, that would not be good enough for you, my loyal readers!  Instead, I will be giving away your choice of (almost) any one of these 100 books. The only condition is that I refuse to give away a book that I rated as "not recommended.

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-20149291063254684832011-07-26T19:33:00.002-06:002011-11-22T18:00:17.747-07:00

Jerry Root and Stan Guthrie. The Sacrament of Evangelism. Moody Publishers, 2011. 288 pgs.  Root and Guthrie offer a way of looking at life that makes us open to God's presence everywhere. They then apply to evangelism. The result is an entirely different way of thinking about evangelism; it is not about us doing anything to God, but about allowing God to do things to us. It is about

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-3817851214733278082011-07-25T12:45:00.001-06:002011-07-26T20:06:58.590-06:00

     "But if God is so good as you represent him, and if he knows all that we need, and better far than we do ourselves, why should it be necessary to ask him for anything?      I answer, what if he knows prayer to be the thing we need first and most? What if the main object in God's idea of prayer be the supplying of our great, our endless need - the need of himself? What if the good of all our

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-62146024504880011142011-07-24T23:30:00.005-06:002011-07-26T20:06:49.838-06:00

"There are two tragedies in life. One is not to get your heart's desire. The other is to get it." - George Bernard Shaw Last weekend the young adult fellowship at our church went camping. Our theme was "Mute." We wanted to take a break from the noise and have a chance to "be still and know God," to paraphrase a classic. According to scripture, stillness and quiet are necessary to hear and

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-60090763513876680912011-07-14T11:12:00.001-06:002011-11-22T18:00:55.359-07:00

Warren W. Wiersbe. On Being a Leader for God. Baker Books, 2011. 144 pgs.  I have posted quotes from Warren Wiersbe before. Here is a man experienced in ministry, having served for over 60 years, offering his advice on being a leader for God. Wiersbe begins his book by defining leadership: "Christian leaders are people who, by faith, willingly use their character, abilities, authority,

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-66911771108982680982011-07-12T17:54:00.000-06:002011-11-22T18:01:33.079-07:00

Ian Morgan Cron. Jesus, My Father, The CIA, and Me: A Memoir. . . of Sorts. Thomas Nelson, 2011. 240 pgs.  "This is a memoir, but please understand that (to any writer with a good imagination) all memoirs are false... we can always imagine a better detail than the one we can remember. The correct detail is rarely, exactly, what happened, or what should have." John Irving.  Cron

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-72459930623829930092011-07-11T14:42:00.002-06:002011-07-11T14:42:43.320-06:00

The number, generated on random.org, was 172.  This makes FLORIN the winner!!!  Congratulations :) Also, for anyone nearby, you can grab the other copy from me any time to read. 

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-20227229656178642572011-07-08T16:48:00.001-06:002011-07-08T16:48:45.450-06:00

For the first time in the history of my blog I am giving something away.  Thomas Nelson, the publisher of Jesus, My Father, The CIA, and Me: A Memoir... of Sorts" by Ian Morgan Cron, has not only sent me the book to review myself. They have also sent me a second copy to give away.  I haven't finished reading it myself, but I am half way through and thoroughly enjoying it.  Here is

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-81096715800719689202011-07-05T17:39:00.000-06:002011-11-22T18:02:13.213-07:00

Darren Whitehead and Jon Tyson.  Rumors of God: Experience the Kind of Faith You've Only Heard About. Thomas Nelson, 2011. 208 pgs.  "Rumors of God is a call to Christians seeking a vision of the life God is calling them to, one that transcends the shallowness of our culture." So begins the copy describing this book. Whitehead and Tyson take the reader on a 10 chapter journey through

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-63221004482748395592011-07-01T11:52:00.000-06:002011-07-01T11:52:26.641-06:00

June has been the month that wasn't. I don't know why, but somehow I anticipated June being a relaxing month. It was to be a month of less rushed time of immediate needs and urgent priorities and, therefore, more slow time to catch up on reading, thinking, planning, etc. It wasn't. It was to be a month of writing, working on my ordination materials, and getting ready for the fall.  It wasn't. 

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-80545073187546827392011-06-30T15:52:00.000-06:002011-06-30T15:52:04.010-06:00

I would just like to take a moment to encourage you to read. I love reading, but I also know that it is good to do. I hope to inculcate the value of reading in all of my children and in as many other people as I can.  Reading is important. It is part of growing as an individual and a Christian. The central source of our beliefs is a book. Think about that, and remember again why reading is

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-440920658357919252011-06-29T12:12:00.000-06:002011-11-22T18:02:54.341-07:00

Vishal Mangalwadi. The Book that Made Your World: How the Bible Created the Soul of Western Civilization. Thomas Nelson, 2011. 464 pgs.  Though many people seek wisdom, in recent times the bible has become one of the last places search. Vishal Mangalwadi seeks to reverse that trend by examining how the bible has impacted western civilization. The Book That Made Your World is a

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-77695730767790767722011-06-27T22:39:00.000-06:002011-11-22T18:03:35.709-07:00

Alan Hirsch and Dave Ferguson, On the Verge: A Journey Into the Apostolic Future of the Church (Exponential Series) Zondervan, 2011. 352 pgs.  The church is 'on the verge' of massive changes. It must be, or so these authors argue. The old ways of 'being church' in the west are failing and so we must strive for something new. Hirsch and Ferguson call this new thing a 'verge church'. That

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-90637981482675809842011-06-24T22:10:00.001-06:002011-06-24T23:57:47.833-06:00

Dear Bruce Sanguin, Back in March I posted a book review of your book "If Darwin Prayed." Just recently, you contacted me about this review and brought to my attention two objections.  Your first objection was my characterization of your prayers as "mumbo-jumbo." You rightly pointed out that this goes beyond critical review into derogatory remark. And so, I apologize. As you know, I have already

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-27871994516943772942011-06-15T13:13:00.000-06:002011-11-22T18:04:12.163-07:00

Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch. Faith of Leap, The: Embracing a Theology of Risk, Adventure & Courage (Shapevine). Baker Books, 2011. 224 pgs.  In The Faith of Leap Frost and Hirsch encourage the reader to leave the idols of security and safety behind and live out our adventure with God. They remind us that faith always involves risk, that God calls us to make a leap for him and, in that

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-70374537551728714342011-06-14T17:59:00.000-06:002011-06-14T17:59:43.230-06:00

I often get asked how I know what books are worth reading. I also often get asked how I get all the free books I receive and review. Sadly, doing these two things is often at odds. Many free books are not that good. But, let me give you some tips for each of these categories anyway.  4 Way To Find Good Books 1. The Recommendation of a Friend/Person whose opinion you trust - literally nothing

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-39586316102931538782011-06-02T15:48:00.000-06:002011-06-02T15:48:21.254-06:00

(Last month I wrote a post entitled "It Sounds Good But..." in which I spoke, briefly, on the need to exercise appropriate judgment in the face of bad ideas that sound good. If that topic had become a series then this post would belong in it.) I am sure that you, like me, have heard the phrase "spiritual but not religious." It appears on book covers, in magazine articles, and on the lips of

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-3874701028081323062011-06-01T15:38:00.001-06:002011-06-02T11:21:00.932-06:00

I got nothing.  Top 3 Posts: 1. RCPC 2011 Day 1 - Great conference. 2. April Reflections - This was a surprise; my 'reflections' posts usually fall somewhere on the bottom of each months list of favorite posts. I guess it did include details about the whole hospital visit thing... 3. Books for Pastors - If you like book recommendations then you have come to the right blog.  I hope you had a

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-20217766568234083892011-05-30T14:57:00.002-06:002011-11-22T18:04:46.527-07:00

Tim Challies. The Next Story: Life and Faith after the Digital Explosion. Zondervan, 2011. 208 pgs.  Digital technology is everywhere. We all know it; we see it (or not), experience it, live with it, use it, and are surrounded by it all the time. From cars to cell phones to shopping to reading, 'the digital explosion' is as good a phrase as any to characterize our time. However, there are

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-14917769621750306252011-05-23T17:12:00.002-06:002011-11-22T18:05:33.787-07:00

Todd Cartmell. Project Dad: The Complete Do-It-Yourself Guide for Becoming a Great Father. Revell, 2011. 221 pgs.  Every father wants to be a great dad. We want to do what is best for our children, and be the kind of father they need so that they can flourish in life. But how do you do that? In this book Todd Cartmell, a father and child psychologist, offers his advice on how to be a

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-79646157051195216032011-05-22T18:27:00.000-06:002011-11-22T18:06:05.616-07:00

Wayne Cordeiro. Irresistible Church, The: 12 Traits of a Church Heaven Applauds. Bethany House Publishers, 2011. 176 pgs.  "Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".   Wayne Cordeiro is a mega-church pastor in Hawaii. This

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-88585213465154313072011-05-20T17:01:00.001-06:002011-07-05T18:36:59.324-06:00

Make sure you read the first post in this series for disclaimers and explanations and links to the full series. We are almost done with these lists; I hope they have been helpful.  This last list contains 5 books that I want to strongly recommend to you but which, for one reason or another, did not fit well into any other category.  1. "To Change the World" by James Hunter. There is no better

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-82576127320482909652011-05-19T21:48:00.002-06:002011-07-05T18:36:55.371-06:00

Make sure you read the first post in this series for disclaimers and explanations and links to the full series. Lets face it, most of us don't read many books which are over 100 years old. But we should. Most of the best books ever written are old. Here is a list of five books over 100 years old which pastors should read. 1. "Orthodoxy" by G.K. Chesterton. Ridiculously good book. Still highly

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-81844315222592250732011-05-18T18:24:00.000-06:002011-05-18T18:24:44.053-06:00

"Let the preacher tell the truth. Let him make audible the silence of the news of the world with the sound turned off so that in that silence we can hear the tragic truth of the Gospel, which is that the world where God is absent is a dark and echoing emptiness; and the comic truth of the Gospel, which is that it is into the depths of his absence that God makes himself present in such unlikely

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-52206634327202352262011-05-18T16:19:00.004-06:002011-07-05T18:36:39.251-06:00

Make sure you read the first post in this series for disclaimers and explanations and links to the full series. This is a list of books that are not entirely focused on Christianity or religion in their topic matter (if at all) but are nonetheless very important for pastors to understand. Heads up, this will probably strike you as the strangest of all the lists I am posting.  1. "Thinking in

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-13661040625123978872011-05-17T19:08:00.004-06:002011-05-17T19:20:45.638-06:00

"There are all kinds of pressures on the preacher, both from within and without, to be all kinds of other things and to speak all kinds of other words. To speak the truth with love is to run the risk always of speaking only the truths that people love to hear you speak, and the preacher's temptation, among others, is to deal with those problems only to which there is, however complex and hard to

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-49673090561821104042011-05-17T17:37:00.001-06:002011-07-05T18:36:28.055-06:00

Make sure you read the first post in this series for disclaimers and explanations and links to the full series. Yes, you read that title correctly. I think there are some important works of fiction that pastors ought to read, and here are my top 5.  1. "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo. The classic tension between law and grace is depicted nowhere so well as in this work. Hugo's insight into

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-43210440204790290932011-05-16T19:37:00.005-06:002011-11-25T16:19:28.533-07:00

Make sure you read the first post in this series for disclaimers and explanations and links to the full series. When Chris first asked me for this list I asked a couple of other guys at the retreat what they would put on it. We started talking about picking the best books in some important categories. That is the origin of this first list, "The Basics."  1. "Under the

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-48429735124013299722011-05-15T16:37:00.003-06:002011-07-05T18:35:09.484-06:00

Nearly a month ago, while I was at a youth pastors retreat, Chris Throness asked me if I would blog a top 5 book list for pastors. Naturally, I said yes. I think I said yes before he even finished the sentence.  But I am not sure if Chris realized that asking a book addict for a list of recommendations is a bit like asking Solomon to get married. 700 women later.... Well, thank the Lord, I

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-53439098996655765362011-05-15T15:48:00.003-06:002011-05-15T15:53:26.610-06:00

Frank Viola. Revise Us Again: Living From a Renewed Christian Spirit. David C. Cook, 2011. 176 pgs.  In this book Viola takes a look at revising the script of our life to be in line with the script of Jesus Christ. Through ten chapters Viola examines various issues in the Christian life, how we think about things, how we talk about things, and how our life needs to be revised in light of Jesus

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-67989975225956827792011-05-13T16:45:00.001-06:002011-05-14T08:47:01.372-06:00

Chris Price and John Morrison. Questions You're Probably Already Asking Yes, a book by John Morrison... or is it Jon Morrison? Is there a type-o on the cover of your book Jo(h?)n? Jon and Chris have written a brief introductory apologetics book for teens. It takes on nine traditional apologetics areas (Creation, Sexuality, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Suffering, Bible, Hell, Science, and Good),

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-29951065988470093622011-05-09T23:09:00.000-06:002011-05-09T23:09:00.915-06:00

Greg Wright. Daddy Dates: Four Daughters, One Clueless Dad, and His Quest to Win Their Hearts. Thomas Nelson, 2011, 224 pgs.  Greg Wright is the father of four daughters. Faced with a house full of women he loved, Greg knew he needed to do some work to live out that love in a way his family would appreciate. So he took a retreat, did some thinking, and came up with the idea of spending time

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-47470033501862193912011-05-07T11:42:00.000-06:002011-05-07T11:42:39.987-06:00

#RCPC2011 Right. Thursday, day 3 of the conference, was far too busy to blog. I got home, had just enough time to eat dinner, and headed off to a meeting. Then, on Friday, I left the conference early because I got the stomach flu and spent the entire rest of the day in bed.  This also means that I don't remember what quotes I was going to put down for those days. Sorry.  Summary Response: The

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-33369382470679963512011-05-04T22:38:00.001-06:002011-05-04T23:11:42.543-06:00

#RCPC2011 (Regent College Pastors Conference 2011) Speaker Quote of the Day:"Evangelical communion can be very christo-monic. Only the second person of the trinity gets mentioned during the Eucharist. The father, well he doesn't really have anything to do with it. And the Spirit, He is busy, off doing His thing with the Pentecostals. But, you can have the other two, we have Jesus and we will

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-22091557989097902512011-05-03T22:53:00.001-06:002011-05-07T11:35:08.845-06:00

#rcpc2011 The first day of the pastors conference is over. It was a great day. Speaker Quote of the Day:"There should be an I in team, as long as it is a perichoretic I." - Ross Hastings Quote of the Day:"To take a person trained in ways and means that are custom-formulated to fit into the world's ways and then place that person in the worshiping,evangelizing, witnessing, reconciling,

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-20351199139423978742011-05-02T16:03:00.004-06:002011-05-02T21:28:27.672-06:00

Yes, this post is a day late.  I normally put up my reflections on the first of each new month. I was planning on doing that yesterday; I even started the post.  Then we left to take Ethan to the hospital at 7:30pm and we didn't get home until 2:30am. He had been throwing up all day and started to seem dehydrated, so off we went. When we finally got to see a doctor, he told us we would have to do

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-44444888857115912732011-05-01T18:36:00.002-06:002011-05-01T18:42:37.438-06:00

Sometimes we need a wake up call. Sometimes we need to put some thought into an idea, movie, message, book, or quote.  I need to do this often. I thoroughly enjoy making others do it as well.  A couple of months ago, during the Sunday School class I was teaching, I asked the students to tell me everything they could about King David. They come up with a huge list. But, it was mostly good stuff.

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-29727737990743064282011-04-28T22:27:00.000-06:002011-04-28T22:27:25.013-06:00

I worked in a coffee shop for part of today. While I was there I witnessed an elderly man teaching English to a Korean woman. Before he left, he stopped to ask my opinion on laptops. He has been considering buying one for some time, and wanted my opinion. I didn't, and don't, even know his name.  Kristina says I have 'one of those trustworthy faces.' I think people need to look closer.  Hannah

Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.com0