Posts Tagged ‘books’

Well, the last book update was quite awhile ago.

Quick Reviews:

I finished the Big Idea and loved it. I think the collaboration that Dave Furgeson talks about makes a whole lot of sense on many levels. Its a recommended read to anyone involved in ministry. Even if you aren’t on a pastoral staff, you could glean a lot of information of how to curtail information overload by simplifying the message.

On the other hand, I never finished Organic Church. While I agreed with some of what Neil Cole was talking about, I felt he may have gone a little to the extreme on the future of the church and focused a wee much that home or organic churches are where it’s at. I have to agree more with Tony Morgan who believes that many different types of churches, both home and mega-churches and all those in between can coexist as long as it is the design of the Lord. I’ll probably go back and try finishing the book, but I needed a break from it.

Next Up:

unChristian by David Kinnaman – This book talks about the state of perception of Christians in the minds of 16-29 year olds. So far the book isn’t surprising on its results, but nevertheless it is still as thought provoking as it could be. Kinnaman not only presents the results of their surveys, he offers ways in which we can help change perception without compromising our moral beliefs. So far so good.

Absolute Friends by John Le Carre – Everyone needs a little fun reading. I like spy novels. Most guys like spies.. so its fitting. With all the stats and serious talk and work, I need a mental break. Le Carre wrote the Spy Who Came in From the Cold and The Russia House, both very good books turned films.

First, I mentioned last month I received Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman.  The devotional is absolutely incredible.  I recommend it to anyone looking for a daily devotional.  Google has the original version for reading online as well.

I also got My Savior Lives by New Life Church.  I love the album.

Just thought I’d share.

So Christmas morning, the opening of the gifts, is over. And here are the results.

• unChristian by David Kinnaman
• Chazown by Craig Groeschel
• Confessions of a Pastor by Craig Groeschel
• Revolution by George Barna
• English Standard Version Thin Line Bible with Celtic Cross
• Talespin Vol I
• Disney’s Rescuers Down Under
• Disney’s Cars
• Call of Duty 4 for the PC
• Christmas Story Leg Lamp Ornament
• and some dress shirts and sweaters

An addendum to my birthday gifts, I also received Orthodoxy by G. K. Chesterton.

I have a lot of reading to do!! Yay.  I love books.

Lord God, we praise you for creating man, and still more for restoring him in Christ. Your Son shared our weakness; may we share his glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

I have finished In a Pit With a Lion On a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson.  I found that book to be absolutely amazing.  It is a recommended read to everyone.  Mark challenged me to assess what I was doing and my thoughts on what I wanted to do versus what I felt I can do.  

I had a whole bunch of thoughts and quotes I wanted to put up on a post, but due to the recent winter weather mayhem, the craziness of recovery at work and the lack of immediate access to a working computer, with free time, when I needed it, I lost all the thoughts I had.  So you get a condensed version.

There have been a few things on my list that I’ve always thought about doing, but always kind of shrugged them off as nothing more than a mere whim.  After reading the book and what it had to say, I have come to the internal conclusion that they are, in fact, God inspired.  I’ve mentioned one of the thoughts to a few close friends, as I do not feel it is the time to publically discuss them, though I cannot promise they won’t be influencing my future posts.

As for the other books, I have tentatively placed Going All the Way by Craig Groeschel on hold.  I just don’t feel that I can commit the time to read and post on it adequately with everything going on; work, storm clean up, and Christmas stuff.  I will pick it back up. 

Instead, I have started reading Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens by Neil Cole and The Big Idea by Dave Ferguson.  I think both will be good reads.  

Alright so the craziness I think has subsided.. for now at least.  I am starting to reconnect back to the world around me and also back to a somewhat normal lifestyle… that’s my plan at least.  That being said here is a quick list of what’s going on!

• - I have three books I am starting to work on.  I will be putting my thoughts as I go on here.  Every last one of these guys are great bloggers so go check out their blog if you aren’t already!
  • -In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson 
  • -Going All The Way by Craig Groeschel
  • -The Blogging Church by Brian Bailey and Terry Storch
• -Video games are back!  I haven’t really touched any games since Christmas, but in an effort to have some fun I picked back up Day of Defeat:Source and Counter-Strike:Source; both Half-Life based.  I am excited about Call of Duty 4
• -Went to a lunch provided by VMWare, Equalogic, and Riverbed.  Some amazing technologies for sure. I still am in the stages of trying to figure out what is the best SAN-wise. 
• -My mac is busted. LCD is going out.. Anyone have a g4 aluminum screen that they dont need anymore?
• -I did get leopard installed though.. Pretty slick so far.
• -Being that I am in Tulsa.. Kent Shaffer over at Church Relevance linked to an article in Charisma Mag that I found very good overall. 
• -And lastly, MinistryTech is coming!

I need to spend some more time on the site.. it needs a lot of help still.Anyone out there planning on going to MinistryTech??