Sep 3, 2010
“What do you think of when you see a picture of Muslims at prayer? Maybe they’re onto something we as Christians may be missing. The chief word in the Old Testament for a right relationship to God is not faith or love, but fear – you prostrate yourself before deity in humble awe. We like to think of the “man upstairs”, the lover, the friend, the brother. We seem to have lost the majesty, the grandeur, the holiness – the wholly otherness of our God. Most of us never prostrate ourselves before His majesty.”
Robertson McQuilkin, the five smooth stones
Aug 25, 2010
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” – 1 Peter 2:9
Feb 18, 2010
The Joseph Road by Jerry White is a practical and illustrative book with a powerful message. Systematically investigating and developing the story of Joseph and applying it to real life, Jerry White deals with hard and important issues we all face as we walk the Christian road, such as pain, hardship, and ill-fortune. Through the life of Joseph, Jerry White shows us how to cope with trials and tribulations that we face, how to overcome these issues, how to have peace and joy through these times, and how to glorify our Lord in our sufferings. Perseverance, the sovereignty of God in our testings, brokenness, and grace are themes that Dr. White returns to continually throughout his exposition. It is a clearly written and personal book, in which Dr. White shares some of his own travels on “The Joseph Road.” Each chapter concludes with brief study and reflection questions the reader or a small group may benefit from. It is an encouraging book for anyone who honestly wishes to deal with the setbacks of life; it will give you hope and direction and endurance in your walk.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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.”
Feb 11, 2010
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“The Glory of the Lord” is from Ezekiel 1 and it begins a year-long sermon series from Ezekiel. In Ezekiel 1 we see God’s glory and consider our response to His glory.
Jan 2, 2010
On the 9marks blog at www.blog.9marks.org, the post is made by Deepak Reju about Don Whitney, author of Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian life, who has ten good questions to ask at the start of the new year:
1. What’s one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?
2. What’s the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?
3. What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?
4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?
5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?
6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?
7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?
8. What’s the most important way you will, by God’s grace, try to make this year different from last year?
9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?
10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?
These are some powerful and probing quetions to consider.
I pray you have a good start to the new year!
Dec 23, 2009
The Liturgical Year by Sister Joan Chillister is a stretching, challenging and insightful book to read. Written from the perspective of a Benedictine Roman Catholic background, Sr. Joan Chillister provides a spiritual richness and depth in her writing as you might read from Henri Nouwen’s works. The purpose of the book is to present the reader with the liturgy seasons and festivals, from Sunday to Advent and Lent and commemorations of the saints and “ordinary times”, with the intent of the reader growing deeper with Christ through the celebrations that occur in a year. A believer’s focus on Christ and walk with Him and worship of Him every week and month can be renewed through acknowledgment, understanding and participation in the liturgical year. Depending on your spiritual background and upbringing, much of this book may be foreign to your current style of worship; Sr. Chillister provides extensive history and context background for the liturgy seasons and festivals, explaining how and when these events came about, and gives insights into practical ways to observe and incorporate the liturgy into all of life. Again, depending on your spiritual background and upbringing, you may not agree with every aspect of Sr. Chillister’s theology, but it is her heart as the author to enrich the worship and glory given to Christ through the liturgical year. This is a worthy book that will broaden a person’s vision and worship of Christ.
I am a member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger program at http://brb.thomasnelson.com/
Nov 23, 2009
The Pocket Dictionary of Liturgy and Worship by Brett Scott Provance is a compact yet valuable (and inexpensive) resource for leaders, students, and lay-people of the church who want to renew, check, or expand their knowledge concerning matters of liturgy and worship. It is part of a series of pocket dictionaries that IVP has published. It provides over 600 entries concerning people, history, forms, dates, denominations, holidays, seasons and styles that shape church liturgy and worship service across the lines of denominations and throughout the history of the church. A system of cross references, table of abbreviations, and a detailed bibliography are included to help in further study. This is by no means a complete and detailed reporting of all that is “Christian liturgy and worship”, but it does provide clarification on what and who has most impacted worship in the church from its birth to the modern day. It is a helpful reference for every leader, student, and lay-person to keep on his or her bookshelf.
This is a book review written for Intervarsity Press at www.ivpress.com
Oct 13, 2009
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My sermon on October 11 focused on Zechariah 11 and what it means to serve in a godly way, with a true heart. It also stands as a warning against serving with wrong intentions.
Oct 5, 2009
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Are we fake in our walk with God? What is true worship? This is my sermon from October 4 on Zechariah 7.
Sep 29, 2009
As you view the homepage, don’t forget to scroll down to find more good stuff. There are some links on the right to some good blogs I like to read from time-to-time, some helpful links, and a people-group-of-the-day to pray for. I hope this blesses you in your walk with the Lord
“What do you think of when you see a picture of Muslims at prayer? Maybe they’re onto something we as Christians may be missing. The chief word in the Old Testament for a right relationship to God is not faith or love, but fear – you prostrate yourself before deity in humble awe. We like to think of the “man upstairs”, the lover, the friend, the brother. We seem to have lost the majesty, the grandeur, the holiness – the wholly otherness of our God. Most of us never prostrate ourselves before His majesty.”
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