The trials in Egypt were meant to solidify a need for God and to show His power. Look at the marvelous way that God delivered His people. When He first set the plan to release them was before time. And look at Exodus 2:24-25 compare to Exodus 6:5-6. God's heart is toward His people. Even in the midst of adversity He uses it to draw us to Him.
This all sounds good, from this side of the desk. My heart groans thinking about the loss I may endure for His glory. Am I strong enough?
Your thoughts?
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Man Alive by Patrick Morley
Man Alive by Patrick Morley
Man Alive is written for men who are willing to seek God. By exploring 7 primal truths, Patrick takes men on a look at how their lives can be different if they are willing to change. These 7 truths address issues that keep us as men from what God wants us to be. Now, this is not a cold, analytical study guide. Rather, it is filled with stories of real people who have done well and some that have failed. The entire book is scripturally based and works well in small groups or self-study.
This book is great. In this season of my life I need to read these truths. I meet with several men who need a push in at least one of the 7 areas addressed. I am one of the ones that need a push. The entire book speaks directly to the primal side of a man, not what the oafish image the world pushes. The author's mandate is that it is not a solo sport. Join up with other men and be willing to fight for your soul.
As the author says, "If He can die for us, the least we can do is live for Him."
I'd give it 5 out of 5 stars.
CLICK HERE to Read Chapter 1
CLICK HERE to Buy Now
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Man Alive is written for men who are willing to seek God. By exploring 7 primal truths, Patrick takes men on a look at how their lives can be different if they are willing to change. These 7 truths address issues that keep us as men from what God wants us to be. Now, this is not a cold, analytical study guide. Rather, it is filled with stories of real people who have done well and some that have failed. The entire book is scripturally based and works well in small groups or self-study.
This book is great. In this season of my life I need to read these truths. I meet with several men who need a push in at least one of the 7 areas addressed. I am one of the ones that need a push. The entire book speaks directly to the primal side of a man, not what the oafish image the world pushes. The author's mandate is that it is not a solo sport. Join up with other men and be willing to fight for your soul.
As the author says, "If He can die for us, the least we can do is live for Him."
I'd give it 5 out of 5 stars.
CLICK HERE to Read Chapter 1
CLICK HERE to Buy Now
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah as part of their
Monday, January 2, 2012
The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn
The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn
The Treasure Principle seeks to unlock a "lost" truth. That truth, the secret of joyful giving. Through telling his own story and scriptural, the author shows us that the true joy of giving is just that, giving. Randy's personal story of giving up all he had is a great example of this principle lived out. His own persecution led him to the need, which led him to the lesson. How great is our God!
I loved this book. When you read the truth of God, it affects your soul. That's how I felt when I read this book. Though the concepts are simplistic, the life change is monumental. I love the challenge that is presented, the struggle outlined, and the reward so plainly seen. God cares about us. He gave us all we have. We are just money managers right now. Know this, there is no prosperity gospel here, just truth.
When faced with this truth from Jesus, what do you do? Act!
I'd give it 5 out of 5 stars.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
The Treasure Principle seeks to unlock a "lost" truth. That truth, the secret of joyful giving. Through telling his own story and scriptural, the author shows us that the true joy of giving is just that, giving. Randy's personal story of giving up all he had is a great example of this principle lived out. His own persecution led him to the need, which led him to the lesson. How great is our God!
I loved this book. When you read the truth of God, it affects your soul. That's how I felt when I read this book. Though the concepts are simplistic, the life change is monumental. I love the challenge that is presented, the struggle outlined, and the reward so plainly seen. God cares about us. He gave us all we have. We are just money managers right now. Know this, there is no prosperity gospel here, just truth.
When faced with this truth from Jesus, what do you do? Act!
I'd give it 5 out of 5 stars.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah as part of their
Give Honor
A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? Malachi 1:6
As sons and daughters of the Most High God, do we honor Him? God asks that question of His people. Where is the honor He deserves? If He is our master, why is there no fear of Him?
There seems to be a lost perspective. The Gospel has become more watered down. God is a grandfather we a fuzzy beard. Jesus is a loving and suffering servant always forgiving. The Holy Spirit is a giver of powers to amaze. Blasphemy!
Welcome to 2012. The year of the hammer.
LISTEN HERE
As sons and daughters of the Most High God, do we honor Him? God asks that question of His people. Where is the honor He deserves? If He is our master, why is there no fear of Him?
There seems to be a lost perspective. The Gospel has become more watered down. God is a grandfather we a fuzzy beard. Jesus is a loving and suffering servant always forgiving. The Holy Spirit is a giver of powers to amaze. Blasphemy!
Welcome to 2012. The year of the hammer.
LISTEN HERE
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
The 21-Day Dad's Challenge by Carey Casey, et al
The 21-Day Dad's Challenge by Carey Casey, et al
The idea is simple: Families need Fathers. However, the practical steps are sometimes elusive. In this book, Carey recruits several other Christian men to write 21 challenges for 21 days. Each challenge deals with an aspect of Christian character, fatherhood or marriage.
I read this book not being sure what to expect. I was excited to see a great resource that could be used to help bring men along. Admittedly, I had trouble relating to some of the challenges. I do not travel for business a lot, so a section on that didn't click with me. However, that doesn't mean its not needed. I talk with many dads who do need help in this area. Overall, the book is a great resource. I personally think the best use of the book would be in a small core group of men to encourage accountability.
I'd give the book 4 out of 5.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
The idea is simple: Families need Fathers. However, the practical steps are sometimes elusive. In this book, Carey recruits several other Christian men to write 21 challenges for 21 days. Each challenge deals with an aspect of Christian character, fatherhood or marriage.
I read this book not being sure what to expect. I was excited to see a great resource that could be used to help bring men along. Admittedly, I had trouble relating to some of the challenges. I do not travel for business a lot, so a section on that didn't click with me. However, that doesn't mean its not needed. I talk with many dads who do need help in this area. Overall, the book is a great resource. I personally think the best use of the book would be in a small core group of men to encourage accountability.
I'd give the book 4 out of 5.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
A Year with Jesus : Daily Readings and Reflections On Jesus' Own Words By R.P. Nettelhorst
A Year with Jesus : Daily Readings and Reflections On Jesus' Own Words By R.P. Nettelhorst
A Year With Jesus is a devotional book written completely from the words of Jesus. The author begins with the premise that one of the best ways to learn about our Savior is to see what He said. To this end, the scripture provides us with the words of Jesus to reflect on. The author picks a few categories to base on and then thoughtfully uses a passage to start discussion. Each day starts with a section of scripture and is followed by the author's thoughts.
I really like the setup of this book. It is broken into days by ordinal (1,2,3,4,etc) rather than a calendar. That's great to be able to start at any time in the year. Secondly, the author let's Jesus do the teaching. Each day's devotion is only one page long. Pleasingly, scripture is the majority of the page. This humility in the design comes across in the author's thoughts. The premise is simple, what an awesome teacher we have in our Savior!
I'd give this book 5 out of 5.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Tozer
"Another real problem created by the doctrine of the divine sovereignty has to do with the will of man. If God rules His universe by His sovereign decrees, how is it possible for man to exercise free choice? And if he can not exercise freedom of choice, how can he be held responsible for his conduct? Is he not a mere puppet whose actions are determined by a behind-the-scenes God who pulls the strings as it pleases Him?"
"The attempt to answer these questions [those three questions raised in the passage above] has divided the Christian church neatly into two camps which have borne the names of two distinguished theologians, Jacobus Arminius and John Calvin. Most Christians are content to get into one camp or the other and deny either sovereignty to God or free will to man. It appears possible, however, to reconcile these two positions without doing violence to either, although the effort that follows may prove deficient to partisans of one camp or the other."
God sovereignly decreed that man should be free to exercise moral choice, and man from the beginning has fulfilled that decree by making his choice between good and evil. When he chooses to do evil, he does not thereby countervail the sovereign will of God but fulfills it, inasmuch as the eternal decree decided not which choice the man should make but that he should be free to make it. If in His absolute freedom God has willed to give man limited freedom, who is there to stay His hand or say, "What doest thou?" Man's will is free because God is sovereign. A God less than sovereign could not bestow moral freedom upon His creatures. He would be afraid to do so."
-A.W. Tozer
"The attempt to answer these questions [those three questions raised in the passage above] has divided the Christian church neatly into two camps which have borne the names of two distinguished theologians, Jacobus Arminius and John Calvin. Most Christians are content to get into one camp or the other and deny either sovereignty to God or free will to man. It appears possible, however, to reconcile these two positions without doing violence to either, although the effort that follows may prove deficient to partisans of one camp or the other."
God sovereignly decreed that man should be free to exercise moral choice, and man from the beginning has fulfilled that decree by making his choice between good and evil. When he chooses to do evil, he does not thereby countervail the sovereign will of God but fulfills it, inasmuch as the eternal decree decided not which choice the man should make but that he should be free to make it. If in His absolute freedom God has willed to give man limited freedom, who is there to stay His hand or say, "What doest thou?" Man's will is free because God is sovereign. A God less than sovereign could not bestow moral freedom upon His creatures. He would be afraid to do so."
-A.W. Tozer
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