tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47759953074612068362024-03-19T15:53:35.671-04:00THE BIGGERNESSWhere what matters is the BIGGERNESS of GodJon Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895342112270568998noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775995307461206836.post-55633529036652913302013-12-01T05:25:00.002-05:002013-12-01T05:25:34.766-05:00The Prodigal by Brennan Manning (A book Review)Brennan Manning spent the majority of his life teaching and living out the love and grace of God. Being a man who had experienced much pain and failure in life, Manning understood life as a ragamuffin and knew he was but a beggar at the door of God's mercy. He was a man that was overwhelmed by the grace of God. He wrote many books about this grace with his most famous being The Ragamuffin Gospel, a book that has impacted millions including myself.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Qd4BxLp4Scj4aRZspFMKbViFl3M4-Cappk-cFnNoRIy_WhDyxrcgRImV0sllfIU-dgbzDbYRX6PT6KErSw_7tOVs99f_98GzW2tdmX1DoASG_trbU7N3MSMrUVS96eU8_IBgj4lQiIha/s1600/_225_350_Book.998.cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Qd4BxLp4Scj4aRZspFMKbViFl3M4-Cappk-cFnNoRIy_WhDyxrcgRImV0sllfIU-dgbzDbYRX6PT6KErSw_7tOVs99f_98GzW2tdmX1DoASG_trbU7N3MSMrUVS96eU8_IBgj4lQiIha/s320/_225_350_Book.998.cover.jpg" width="209" /></a>Manning chose to write a novel for his final book before his death, and he chose to do a retelling of the parable of the prodigal son, a parable that was the parable of his own life and experience coming home to God his father. The novel is called simply <b>The Prodigal </b>and is coauthored by Greg Garrett.<br />
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The Prodigal tells the story of Jack Chisholm, a mega-church pastor and author known for his slogan, "We have got to do better." After a night of drinking in Mexico which leads to an affair with his assistant, Jack's world crumbles in on him. He loses his family and is dismissed from his pastoral position and goes back to Mexico to drink his pain away and consider what few options he has left. His father that he hasn't spoken to in years comes to Mexico to take him home, the small town in Texas where he grew up. While at home, Jack reconnects with his family, with himself, and ultimately with the God who loves him.<br />
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The Prodigal, like the parable, is a story of grace. It is a story of failure and disappointment and how God's love and grace toward his children is much greater than any failure and disappointment. Life is full of pain and trouble but God's love never changes and his grace is never ending.<br />
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This is a good book for those wanting to read a story of how grace extended and received can impact an individual life, a family, and a community. It was Brennan Manning's story and it is our story if we return to the father.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This book was provided by Booksneeze.com in exchange for an honest review.</span><br />
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<br />Jon Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895342112270568998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775995307461206836.post-26840015570170767372013-11-20T05:18:00.001-05:002013-11-20T05:18:43.699-05:00A Call to Resurgence by Mark Driscoll <div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“For those Christians
concerned that culture is trending more hostile to the faith, I assure you
after two decades on the front line that this is not a time of retreat but
rather resurgence. This is not a time of retreat but rather resurgence. This is
not a time for compromise, but rather courage. The fields are ripe”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXW2Q4qO_-_FUd8C6nFO3QMkFJrc-ew_01899LUYbtDFR2atqq_I1uOraAPdLtFWPHZNSrftrO8liNVgMFwBklzjJbVJIcCbNXjNev886i263NS4lwYnYoXp2md50K4CU15ga4MoFHEks/s1600/resurgence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXW2Q4qO_-_FUd8C6nFO3QMkFJrc-ew_01899LUYbtDFR2atqq_I1uOraAPdLtFWPHZNSrftrO8liNVgMFwBklzjJbVJIcCbNXjNev886i263NS4lwYnYoXp2md50K4CU15ga4MoFHEks/s1600/resurgence.jpg" /></a>So writes Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church Seattle,
in his latest book <b><i>A Call to Resurgence: Will Christianity Have a Funeral or a Future? </i></b>Driscoll
rightly proclaims that Christendom in the United States is over, pointing out
that the days of social benefits existing for those claiming to be a Christian
are gone. According to statistics, only about 8% of Americans claim faith in
Christ <u>and </u>have lives that demonstrate that faith. These alarming
numbers cause one to wonder about the future of the church in America. </div>
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In Chapter 2 of his book, Driscoll details the things that
have “rung our bell.” This list includes New Paganism, homosexuality,
pornography, intolerant tolerance, bad dads, and cheap Christians. In all of
these areas where Christianity has lost its voice, Driscoll calls for
Spirit-Filled Christians to stand up and move forward in battle, regardless of
the costs. And there will be costs.</div>
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Driscoll points to the “tribes” of Christianity, those
groupings of believers that have specific theological emphases that determine
tribal membership and leaders that are known to all tribe members. One of the
problems, Driscoll contends, is that the leaders of the differing tribes do not
know each other so end up being on separate missions when the Bible calls
believers to one united mission – to make disciples. Driscoll calls primary
borders (national borders)--those that separate Christians and non-Christians.
All other borders should not be ones that separate us from our mission. They
are distinctives of the tribes but not hills worth dying on.</div>
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In chapters 5-7, Driscoll writes about The Holy Spirit,
Repentance, and Mission. These three chapters alone make the book worth your
time. I couldn't help but read these
chapters and want more out of myself and the church. His words will give hope
for the church and encourage action toward the mission of the church.</div>
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Though Driscoll shows how the church has lost ground in
America, he is optimistic about what the church will accomplish if resurgence
takes place.<a href="" name="_GoBack"></a> For more information go to <span style="background: white; color: #954f72; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><a href="http://theresurgence.com/" target="_blank">http://theresurgence.com/</a></span></div>
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I recommend this book for those wanting to explore further
what has happened to Christianity in American and how to take back what the
enemy has stolen.</div>
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This book was provided at no cost from Tyndale House Publishers
in exchange for an honest review.</div>
Jon Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895342112270568998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775995307461206836.post-16879669622359716012013-10-11T05:23:00.003-04:002013-10-11T05:23:32.586-04:00The Total Money Makeover by Dave RamseyDo you want to be financially fit or flabby? Do you want to control your money or have it control you? These are questions that each of us face at some point. Each of us must make decisions on how we are going to manage our money because if we don't, then our money will manage us. Dave Ramsey provides a plan for financial fitness in his book <i><b>The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness</b></i>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUSYTuPb-JMQ9Mxt5FNKyfjmwG-WEYJbbYZuob-_9jNAOm-mOj9UzBAiKydB1UFUZ5QlHdmD8pv-Al0bWL6LG29lUP0OxPpgiY8VlJPwV7AEhD3FySB2yrgNpaa4JKP4HNAtqGgv205fi/s1600/Ramsey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUSYTuPb-JMQ9Mxt5FNKyfjmwG-WEYJbbYZuob-_9jNAOm-mOj9UzBAiKydB1UFUZ5QlHdmD8pv-Al0bWL6LG29lUP0OxPpgiY8VlJPwV7AEhD3FySB2yrgNpaa4JKP4HNAtqGgv205fi/s1600/Ramsey.jpg" /></a>In his book, Ramsey walks through the steps, Baby Steps, to guide you through a process that will result in financial stability and a debt-free life. He understands that getting to complete financial freedom is difficult and requires what he calls "gazelle intensity." Much of the pain comes from the reality that personal finance is only 20% knowledge and the remaining 80% is behavior. So we are battling ourselves and reshaping our entire financial worldview when begin to do things differently than all of those around us. But, Ramsey points out, the goal is to live like no one else now, so we can live like no one else later.<br />
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One thing I appreciate about Ramsey (and this book) is his simple common sense approach to finances. He doesn't over complicate the steps, but he understands it is difficult and requires discipline. To accentuate and give credence to his system, he includes numerous stories from real people who have implemented the Makeover and experienced major freedom and life-change from it. These stories provide a wide variety of examples of ways people became debt free. I will warn you that Ramsey will be in your face regarding the ignorance of debt accumulation. He has experienced first hand the danger and disaster of bad financial management so he hits debt pretty hard, but makes his point. Through the hard-hitting words, you can tell he does it because he wants to help you avoid what he and many others have learned the hard way.<br />
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I initially wanted to read this book for the investment portion but received much more than that. This book instructs about the myths regarding money that abound in our culture and addresses the spiritual nature of money and life. This is a book that I wish I had been given when I was much younger. These principles should be taught in high school personal finance.<br />
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I recommend this book to anyone wanting to be financially free and I hope that is everyone.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I received this book from Booksneeze.com in exchange for an honest review.</span>Jon Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895342112270568998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775995307461206836.post-57246611920251614122013-09-22T08:15:00.000-04:002013-09-22T08:15:49.450-04:00Forgiveness by Matthew West<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Ov2PfSrQ7jFYxpZk5xDK2Q-JPyKwc97K7kHwfPMSocjZ27alE87CAZWfKyRWlbqDCed3bF3NtB4tqovPorpIFo21A1sCyKM13Ab9xIc84H7tb1R0dSqfBQuL6MOK_hLQBXItFa_XBY6E/s1600/Forgiveness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Ov2PfSrQ7jFYxpZk5xDK2Q-JPyKwc97K7kHwfPMSocjZ27alE87CAZWfKyRWlbqDCed3bF3NtB4tqovPorpIFo21A1sCyKM13Ab9xIc84H7tb1R0dSqfBQuL6MOK_hLQBXItFa_XBY6E/s1600/Forgiveness.jpg" /></a><i>It's the hardest thing to give away</i><br />
<i>The last thing on your mind today</i><br />
<i>It always goes to those who don't deserve</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>It's the opposite of how you feel</i><br />
<i>When the pain they caused is just too real</i><br />
<i>Takes everything you have to say the word...</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Forgiveness</i><br />
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These words by Matthew West from his song <i>Forgiveness</i> ring true. I can relate to them and, if you are honest, you can too. Forgiveness is one of those acts that we know is the right thing to do, but incredibly difficult to follow through in application. We want justice. For things to be made right. Someone has to pay, right? Often we carry unforgiveness around inside that weighs us down, sometimes resulting in a life of bitterness, pain, and distrust. When Jesus is hanging on the cross, he asks his Father to forgive those who are crucifying him. These words just do not compute in my finite mind because I know inside that wanting them to be forgiven would not be my top priority at that moment. Yet, Jesus used some of his last breaths to utter those words. Jesus understood and wanted us to understand as well.<br />
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Forgiveness. Easy to receive, hard to give.<br />
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Matthew West has taken on this difficult subject in his new book, <i>Forgiveness: Overcoming the Impossible</i>. Known for his songs that tell stories of life, West continues this style to bring us face to face with forgiveness through sharing true stories of forgiveness and unforgiveness to shed light on how both affect a life. Over the past few years, West collected stories that individuals shared with him and in this book he presents eighteen of them in four main sections: Forgiving Others, Asking for Forgiveness, Forgiving Yourself, and Embracing God's Forgiveness. These stories will move you to face the unforgiveness in your own heart.<br />
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This book is recommended for all and is one of the best things I have read on the subject. I believe we have all struggled with the issue of forgiveness and my guess is that most of us are currently wrestling with this on varying levels, whether offering or receiving forgiveness from others or even from God. I believe your story will connect with at least one of the stories shared in this book. <br />
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We all have a story. Don't let it end with unforgiveness.West writes about the result of forgiveness in his song and in his book with these words:<br />
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<i>It'll clear the bitterness away</i><br />
<i>It can even set a prisoner free</i><br />
<i>There is no end to what its power can do</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>So let it go and be amazed</i><br />
<i>By what you see through eyes of grace</i><br />
<i>The prisoner that it really frees is you.</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I received this book from Booksneeze.com in exchange for an honest review.<i> </i></span><br />
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<br />Jon Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895342112270568998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775995307461206836.post-66610606789858795492013-07-02T13:01:00.002-04:002013-07-02T13:04:17.012-04:00Frame 232 by Wil Mara (A book review)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjKXdHyms7aieytxOZSdYzIYtUjSWzDNswkrvfClx3Ce6Eq8Fi1tsyEP9U3hFMXQ168wW5L_E6fTZp02u2tEO0CjDJ1cLze2I9FHxrPMR4HiIRH2a4wn5QdWMaZOolAfHEjJ891sLEoAA/s222/imagesCA0WVL6D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjKXdHyms7aieytxOZSdYzIYtUjSWzDNswkrvfClx3Ce6Eq8Fi1tsyEP9U3hFMXQ168wW5L_E6fTZp02u2tEO0CjDJ1cLze2I9FHxrPMR4HiIRH2a4wn5QdWMaZOolAfHEjJ891sLEoAA/s320/imagesCA0WVL6D.jpg" width="212" /></a>What would you do if you received an inheritance, part of which is a secret that can turn the world upside down and provide new clues to a major event of history? Would you tell someone or let secrets remain secrets? Sheila Baker is faced with these decisions in <u>Frame 232</u>, the new novel from Wil Mara. <br />
After her mother's death, Sheila inherits everything, including a key to a safety deposit box. Inside the box is a film. And on the film is the footage made by the "Babushka Lady," a lady seen in photos taken at Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963, the day of President Kennedy's assassination. The Babushka lady had remained unidentified until now, over 40 years later. Sheila's mother was the Babushka Lady. <br />
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After watching the video, Sheila discovers why her Mom had kept it secret. Not knowing what to do, Sheila contacts billionaire Jason Hammond, a man who involves himself and funds the search for answers to secrets of the unknown. Sheila and Jason are propelled headlong into a whirlwind of shady characters and governmental figures that will stop at nothing to keep the truth of the Kennedy Assassination from being revealed.<br />
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Having been born 2 years after the assassination of Kennedy, I only know what I have read or heard about, including all of the conspiracy theories. I didn't know much about the Babushka lady, so I found this book to be very interesting, even though it was only a fictional "what-if" thriller. Mara keeps his readers on the edge of their seats as the bad guys do everything they can to keep the incriminating film from going public. The characters are well developed and he makes you care what happens to them, a quality of a well told story.<br />
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I had a great time reading this book. It was great fun to enter the Kennedy assassination story, one fraught with conspiracy theories and a wide assortment of opinions. I recommend this book to anyone simply wanting to read a thriller novel, but especially anyone interested in the Kennedy assassination. <br />
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Watch the video below as Wil Mara introduces his new book.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/1WYLFVKtw5Y" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I received a copy of this book from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for an honest review.</span>Jon Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895342112270568998noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775995307461206836.post-55920846322904096022013-06-16T07:07:00.000-04:002013-06-16T07:07:04.933-04:00Clear Winter Nights by Trevin Wax (a book review)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wEWr0cP2XpKnih6hYIZlxtsISwRZYQe4wzOoK5FU5n5nRGAXBig0maHhglbrs0izsuun78ZHtkGXRQIli8po9fUSeT6gTCg9SXByGWRnjeLcp8UdSgTbV1DrtlpvJ9PAnznmFufj_Jvt/s1600/clear+winter+nights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wEWr0cP2XpKnih6hYIZlxtsISwRZYQe4wzOoK5FU5n5nRGAXBig0maHhglbrs0izsuun78ZHtkGXRQIli8po9fUSeT6gTCg9SXByGWRnjeLcp8UdSgTbV1DrtlpvJ9PAnznmFufj_Jvt/s320/clear+winter+nights.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
Chris Walker is at a breaking point. He is a recent college graduate, is engaged to be married to the love of his life, and is soon to be a leader of a new church. But Chris is doubtful about it all. He doesn't know what he believes about life anymore. Breaking off the engagement and stepping away from all of his life plans, he goes to the only person that has ever been able to provide him clarity, his grandfather, a retired minister. <br />
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In one weekend together, Chris and his grandfather embark on theological discussions that cover most of the hot topics of the Christian faith and why many object to it. The grandfather, Gil, provides clear explanations of his Christian faith and gives Chris much to think about and chew on. Chris is confronted with himself and has to make decisions about who he is.<br />
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Clear Winter Nights, the debut novel of blogger Trevin Wax, is called "theology in story" (says so right on the cover). It is exactly that. When I first started the book, I expected it to be contrived and preachy. I was wrong. I could relate to some of the doubt of Chris and his frustrations with what he believes about Christianity and how it contrasts to what he sees in the lives of people professing it, like my own. I found myself learning the basics of Christian theology all over again while engaged in a story with doubts not unlike many we all share from time to time. Though the discussions between Chris and Gil felt rushed at times, the main points were still made.<br />
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This book will be good for people struggling with their faith. It is a quick read, coming in at 147 pages in an undersized paperback. It has a conversation guide with questions in the back as well.<br />
This book will also be helpful for people with no faith but are wanting to at least understand where Christians are coming from. It will give them a more accurate picture than what they would see or hear on their television or favorite news program.Caution: this book is not intended to and will not replace the more comprehensive books on theology<br />
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I enjoyed this book, but I would have liked to know more about some of the story items that were left incomplete. Not sure if Wax has sequels in mind, but I want to know more about what happens with the father and girlfriend...and even the grandfather.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(I received this book from the Waterbrook-Multnomah Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review.)</span><br />
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<br />Jon Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895342112270568998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775995307461206836.post-7931643814634075162013-06-13T13:03:00.000-04:002013-06-13T13:07:26.993-04:00when mockingbirds sing by Billy Coffey (a review)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKpuIaJieQb2W-61VQx5WSVshM3e0JZnKdBMRGTaOMLvIKlQAzEqISHAcrvkOoYdt7V4wQGwKqdXiEXSTVAppFp3wBfktzAbrQ7dMwASUgCJe7Y_l923oIMcPcDmIXhXORbn6f2G4szDa/s1600/mockingbird+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKpuIaJieQb2W-61VQx5WSVshM3e0JZnKdBMRGTaOMLvIKlQAzEqISHAcrvkOoYdt7V4wQGwKqdXiEXSTVAppFp3wBfktzAbrQ7dMwASUgCJe7Y_l923oIMcPcDmIXhXORbn6f2G4szDa/s320/mockingbird+cover.jpg" width="208" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Leah Norcross and her family are new to the town of Mattingly
and are not feeling very welcome, since people from Away are viewed with
suspicion. Leah mostly keeps to herself and her stutter just adds to her lonely
existence. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Leah begins painting detailed
pictures depicting future events, given to her by her imaginary friend, the
Rainbow Man, the quiet community of Mattingly is plunged into chaos and
confusion. Could the Rainbow Man be God or is he evil or does he exist at all? Does
Leah have a special gift or is she crazy? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Such is the basic plot of Billy Coffey’s latest novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">when mockingbirds sing </i>(Thomas
Nelson Publishers).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being from a small
town myself, I am a fan of stories that portray small town life. Coffey has accurately
described the possibilities of what could, and would, likely happen when the normal
is disrupted by the magical or supernatural in a small “leave us to our ways’
type of place. The reader of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">when
mockingbirds sing</i> will walk with a host of characters (including Leah’s
spunky best friend Allie) through Mattingly and wrestle alongside them with the
deeper issues of life, including relationships, priorities, friendship and
family, faith and doubt, good and evil, and questions about the existence of
the unseen. Along the way, you will laugh and cry and, in the end, you will be
satisfied with a story well told. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I
turned the last page, I was somewhat sad to leave Mattingly, but I was pleased
to find out that Coffey would return there with another upcoming novel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you want a good summer read, this is one you
should pick up. I am confident you will be glad you did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(I received this book from Booksneeze.com in exchange for an honest review)</span>Jon Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895342112270568998noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775995307461206836.post-85304495485831164732013-05-03T06:24:00.001-04:002013-05-03T06:24:36.172-04:00A Dream So Big by Steve Peifer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXf4dvYC9iD_ZxYBU4dX9sZxpcbJHgJxagukeg4WHm9uomyXsybf1P-T4Jk88ohseXFOH3u4HQNyuGXmseJek0wif_yoXBym5Xlcv3fhXDdFVhL0uX_eSm8Wx6SFq0gU4Ub9_BapYdRaE/s1600/A+dream+so+big+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXf4dvYC9iD_ZxYBU4dX9sZxpcbJHgJxagukeg4WHm9uomyXsybf1P-T4Jk88ohseXFOH3u4HQNyuGXmseJek0wif_yoXBym5Xlcv3fhXDdFVhL0uX_eSm8Wx6SFq0gU4Ub9_BapYdRaE/s400/A+dream+so+big+cover.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
Steve and Nancy Peifer experienced tragedy when their son Stephen was born with trisomy 13 and died after only eight days. Overtaken with grief and seeking God to make sense of the pain, Steve sensed God saying to him, "Make your wife's dream come true." Nancy's dream was to be a missionary. Out of tragedy, God took a grieving heartbroken couple and their family to rural Kenya to be dorm parents at Rift Valley Academy, a boarding school for missionary kids. A Dream So Big recounts their journey and how God made beauty from ashes, taking an unlikely man and using him to start a feeding program in schools throughout Kenya and to build computer centers to train these children in technology to help educate them out of poverty. <br />
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I have a heart for Africa and read books any chance I get on how people are making a difference there. This book was different than most I had read. I think it is the honesty in which it is written. I appreciated and could relate to the struggles that Steve encountered as he wrestled with Kenyan culture and the obstacles he faced in trying to feed the children. Much of the story is told through excerpts from emails he sent to financial supporters in the states. Some of the emails were humorous stories of life at a boarding school with the students and other were heartbreaking stories of poverty.<br />
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A Dream So Big has something for everyone. While reading this book, I learned more about third world relief work, about boarding school life, and about how God makes heroes out of people who will for the most part live in obscurity with virtually no recognition for the difference they have made. These people, like the Peifers and others you will meet through this book, are the modern day heroes of the faith.<br />
<br />
This book will educate, challenge and inspire you to dream big, to live a life of purpose in service for others, especially those who have are born into and live in poverty.<br />
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I received this book from Booksneeze.com in exchange for an honest review.Jon Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895342112270568998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775995307461206836.post-55826613103251693792013-02-07T12:57:00.000-05:002013-02-07T12:57:33.027-05:00Jeremy Camp-I Still Believe (A Review)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMltvSYEEVIN37hYXY4ddXsyAAScz6DlMl4PrO4vLEsNvmbBsMoxqeRP-zwO8jVc2IlpcQOLusYrRANY46TuPCAozxKCsXq_YzNYY3d9kJATif3NtIZIkT2XuBBGZMdUTFcklciJ5DNq0h/s1600/untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMltvSYEEVIN37hYXY4ddXsyAAScz6DlMl4PrO4vLEsNvmbBsMoxqeRP-zwO8jVc2IlpcQOLusYrRANY46TuPCAozxKCsXq_YzNYY3d9kJATif3NtIZIkT2XuBBGZMdUTFcklciJ5DNq0h/s1600/untitled.png" /></a><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even when I don’t
see, I still believe<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeremy Camp penned these words to a now familiar song just
two weeks after the death of his first wife, Melissa. They had been married
only 3 ½ months when ovarian cancer took her life. He was in a fog and felt
like God wasn’t there and even if he was, he wasn’t listening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After crying out to God, he received an
answer to his sadness from God: “Pick up your guitar.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeremy did and wrote “I Still Believe,” a
song that summarized that moment in his life but was a reality in all that had
come before that and all that has followed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In his recent book, <u>I Still Believe: a memoir</u>
(previously released in 2011 under the same title but different subtitle), Camp
shares his story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He begins with the
early years and speaks openly of the mountaintops and valleys of his life journey.
He speaks openly about his father’s drinking and his father’s <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>conversion to Christ, which takes the Camp family
on a completely different course. Jeremy writes about what it was like growing
up in poverty, yet having parents that were rich in the Lord. Surrendering to
Jesus is a trait that Jeremy learned from his parents and one that he carries
to this day. He recounts his battling of competing desires in his heart and the
triumph of Christ as his chief desire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The greatest test of his faith came in the death of his
wife. Struggling for answers and wrestling with God about why this happened to
such a faithful girl, Jeremy ultimately surrenders to the foundational timeless
truth: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John
6:68).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeremy Camp began using his place as a young widower to magnify
the glory of God in the pain so others could see and believe that God truly can
and will make all things new for those who believe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even when I don’t
see, I still believe.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since the passing of his wife, God has blessed Jeremy Camp
with a new love, three children, and ever-increasing career success. I am
inspired to read of how his second wife is strengthened by the story of Jeremy’s
first wife and wants him to keep sharing the story so others can grow in their
faith for the glory of God’s name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This story is an illustration of how God makes beauty out of
ashes. Fans of the music of Jeremy Camp would benefit from reading about the
life behind the songs. It will give new meaning to the words that will drive us
all forward in the journey:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even when I don’t
see, I still believe.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<object data="http://www.tyndale.com/player.swf" style="height: 260px; width: 320px;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="movie" value="http://www.tyndale.com/player.swf" /><param name="flashvars" value="file=http://www.tyndale.com/assets/flv/JeremyCamp_QRcode_1.flv" /><embed src="http://www.tyndale.com/player.swf?file=http://www.tyndale.com/assets/flv/JeremyCamp_QRcode_1.flv" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="240"></embed></object><br />
<div style="font-size: 0.8em;">
<a href="http://www.tyndale.com/video/422">watch on tyndale.com</a></div>
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This book was
provided by the Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for an honest review.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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Jon Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895342112270568998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775995307461206836.post-44987456802292435572013-01-15T12:37:00.001-05:002013-01-15T12:37:22.649-05:00Dirty God by Johnnie Moore (A review)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLWsBOIldPVIWXHXuH5fESqgWGerzH-Y1JKbZ_780tjqAk6tuRWykDUOLe3vEbrQebes7AZYm4LDjosam8GFk6MNQB_qEkodh9MZG5BPU8-q7FkwYZILoLv9XImvaku4EPuONqn9ZNOej/s1600/_225_350_Book_750_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLWsBOIldPVIWXHXuH5fESqgWGerzH-Y1JKbZ_780tjqAk6tuRWykDUOLe3vEbrQebes7AZYm4LDjosam8GFk6MNQB_qEkodh9MZG5BPU8-q7FkwYZILoLv9XImvaku4EPuONqn9ZNOej/s320/_225_350_Book_750_cover.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When asked what is unique about Christianity as compared to
other world religions, C.S. Lewis answered without hesitation, “It is grace.”
Grace is what I need so desperately and what you need as well. It is the only
thing that can give each of us that offend God a chance at peace with Him. It
is a gift from God and cannot be earned. We are saved by grace and depend on
grace for every breath we take.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Dirty<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </span>God</b> is a
book about grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Johnnie Moore, vice president of Liberty University, divides
his book into two parts: Getting Grace and Giving Grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In part one, Moore writes about the
God who didn’t mind getting his hands dirty to extend his love to people in
need. Jesus entered without reservation into leper colonies and into the homes
of social rejects. His entire life and ministry was characterized by grace.
Through impactful stories and anecdotes, Moore calls for believers, who are the
recipients of God’s grace, to be happy and free in who they are in Christ. God
accepts and loves imperfect people. He has used ragtag people in the past for
his purposes and continues to pour out favor on the outcasts to this day. Jesus
is in the business of being a friend to the friendless. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the last chapter of the first section, “How
to Miss the Grace of God,” Moore warns of the dangers of faking, pretending to
have a relationship with God. He writes that “Looking good isn’t the same as
being good. Faking it never works.” In faking, we miss grace because grace is
in opposition of looking good and living to impress others.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Part two of<b> Dirty God</b> is a call for
grace in action. “Grace is radical, and it’s meant to be lived in radical
ways.” Moore writes:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.4in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The kind of grace the world needs, and the kind of grace Jesus gives,
is the kind of grace that will cost us something. It’s the tough grace that
causes us to chance losing a friend because we finally tell her what she needs
to hear. It’s the kind of grace that causes you to put yourself in great
personal danger to stand up for the disenfranchised or enslaved. It’s the kind
of grace that might make people think you’re weak, when you’re actually strong
– the kind of grace that will be misunderstood in a world that looks out for
number one…grace intervenes…grace stands up for truth when people don’t want to
hear it and grace stands in the gap for those who haven’t a voice. Grace takes
the hit. Grace decides to charge injustice from the front lines. Grace
sometimes says what no one wants to hear and then keeps saying it until
everyone has heard it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Dirty God</b> is a book that will help
you understand the grace of a loving God who was willing to sacrifice His son
to save us. Moore will challenge and inspire you to be a giver of grace to this
grace-starved planet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is time to get
our hands and feet dirty in the trenches with Jesus as we live out grace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.4in 10pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(I received this book in exchange for an honest review from
Booksneeze.com )<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Jon Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895342112270568998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775995307461206836.post-88591299561326188202012-12-12T15:14:00.002-05:002012-12-12T15:16:38.768-05:0020,000 Days and Counting by Robert D. Smith <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMohv0C-4ezj8IFM-8dzjJr1cZXoRoE9nHqIbHmsugQKyqbUSc6qDUv4tvaoTQ648vRIveY1YsGZ9OTwM72Zk47VYVWrFtz0GvcPvo48o-ABLOZyL2VPO3tDecV_ANLygVWauorUAOYD-/s1600/20000days.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMohv0C-4ezj8IFM-8dzjJr1cZXoRoE9nHqIbHmsugQKyqbUSc6qDUv4tvaoTQ648vRIveY1YsGZ9OTwM72Zk47VYVWrFtz0GvcPvo48o-ABLOZyL2VPO3tDecV_ANLygVWauorUAOYD-/s320/20000days.jpg" width="209" /></a>We all want meaning. We all want our lives to count for something, to make a difference that outlives our time here. When I first saw <strong>20,000 days and Counting</strong>, a new book by Robert D. Smith, I was curious and skeptical. Curious as to what the 20,000 days represented and skeptical primarily because of the subtitle which says the book is "the crash course for mastering your life right now." I have read many books (far too many,actually) about life meaning and making the most of your life, living a life that counts, etc.so when I here THE crash course, I was questioning if the author was making some sort of claim to his course being the definitive course in life planning or maybe it is just the only "crash course" he knows of. After brief research, I agreed to read and review the book. And I liked it. <br />
So what is 20,000 days? Smith recounts how in his 54th year of life, it hit him that he had been alive almost 20,000 days. On his 20,000th day, he celebrated the occasion by putting himself through a crash course in planning his next 20,000 days. The result is contained in this book.<br />
<br />
Smith explains in the beginning that he wrote the book so it could be read quickly ( I finished it in about 30 minutes or so). His short chapters and straight-to-the point writing style help to make it a fast read. He did this "because this could be your last day...and you have important things to do." I was impressed that he doesn't want us passing time reading his book. His desire is for us to grasp the concepts and principles quickly and get busy living them out. <br />
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I found this book to be beneficial in bringing clarity to some problem areas in life planning. His steps, questions and "things you can do now" are helpful to get me moving. Reader will find something in this book that connects, whether it be his words about motivation being a myth, the importance of eating dessert first, or the story of William Borden and his "No reserves, No retreats, No regrets" life.<br />
Whether or not this book helps you master your life will depend on how serious you are at changing and how quickly you implement Smith's point that you have only two choices which encompass every decision you make for your life. You can decide yes or no. He quotes Yoda from <em>The Empire Strikes Back</em>: "Do or do not: there is no try."<br />
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Great gift for people struggling with finding meaning or needing a nudge to get over a hump or lull in life. People like me. I will keep this one handy for when I need a nudge.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I received this book free of charge from Thomas Nelson's Booksneeze Blogger Program in exchange for an honest review.</span><br />
<br />Jon Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895342112270568998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775995307461206836.post-40434400799219513722012-10-08T15:14:00.000-04:002012-10-08T15:14:02.350-04:00The Holy and the Common<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAeuY6m0elRAdREtG8wMDlnWy6yq1Q3Wer9Vk5JJKuzS_9p-GRAlgdi8Emv_7_OprgkeIWq_Ua9dJT71HMNCZzjk9D2Hg335ZNlZF1QXMAHgAZwnHZsHn-G3LkZcpGw7RXUcyzVXQ7jbo/s1600/golden-rays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAeuY6m0elRAdREtG8wMDlnWy6yq1Q3Wer9Vk5JJKuzS_9p-GRAlgdi8Emv_7_OprgkeIWq_Ua9dJT71HMNCZzjk9D2Hg335ZNlZF1QXMAHgAZwnHZsHn-G3LkZcpGw7RXUcyzVXQ7jbo/s320/golden-rays.jpg" width="320" /></a>One thing I love about the church I attend is that we still practice the reading of longer passages of scripture in the service each week. In recent months we have been hearing the book of Ezekiel read aloud. It is easy to get lost in some of the details and visitors may sometimes wonder why we are reading a particular section of the Bible. We read books of the Bible in their entirety so some weeks may seem random for a first-time visitor.<br />
As is often the case when I am reading (or in this case hearing) Old Testament prophets, I will be struck by a simple phrase or statement that is a jewel to be pondered. Yesterday, it was Ezekiel 42:20. The Lord is giving Ezekiel the details and measurements of the new temple chambers when at the end of the chapter he writes, "It had a wall around it...to make a separation between the holy and the common."It hit me that this is something that is lost in our time and culture, even in the church. <br />
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There is to be a wall between what is holy and what is common. <br />
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That which is common is for everyday use and available to all. There is nothing special about the common. It is precisely that...common. When we take things that are common and try to blend them with the holy, we contaminate the purity of what God has declared as his own and we defile it, making it a stench that dishonors his name,which is Holy. In our services, if we are not attune to the holiness of God we can easily become so focused on being culturally relevant and unoffensive that we lose the holiness and reverence of our gathering to worship the living God, maker and sustainer of all things.<br />
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That which is holy is set apart for God and his purposes. God takes people and purifies them, making them holy for himself. Peter writes that we 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 ESV). We are called saints.<br />
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Our lives should be characterized by a pursuit of holiness.<br />
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"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. (1 Peter 1:13-19 ESV). <br />
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We have been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 7:23 ESV) and do not belong to ourselves. We belong to God and since he has set us apart for his purposes, we are holy. <br />
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To preserve the holiness of God's name, we must guared against the temptation for our lives and the church to become common. We must make a separation between the holy and the common.We and the church are anything but common.Jon Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895342112270568998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775995307461206836.post-59363291174204129912012-10-02T05:15:00.000-04:002012-10-02T05:16:33.252-04:00Sinner's Creed by Scott Stapp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8y2atiCbqGEfsUNlsRw3ZYivdlxGhKaV0GIL964hjs5GxbDPgEBBHdejAe91iF4bMWYi5QJU91n6_eV6wDjn63fDa2-uvxId9YpY5kFV-PaZYHLieh87W7fXPrl7-2Glx6kjfkdyq0AB/s1600/sinner's+creed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8y2atiCbqGEfsUNlsRw3ZYivdlxGhKaV0GIL964hjs5GxbDPgEBBHdejAe91iF4bMWYi5QJU91n6_eV6wDjn63fDa2-uvxId9YpY5kFV-PaZYHLieh87W7fXPrl7-2Glx6kjfkdyq0AB/s320/sinner's+creed.jpg" width="215" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was stocking groceries at Winn-Dixie on the graveyard
shift the first time I heard Creed. Because the store closed at midnight, the
crew would alternate choosing the music to listen to. We would play it through
the often crackling PA system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a
Bible college student at the time in Knoxville, TN at the time and the crew
knew what I believed and we had some good conversations about faith and music.
One of the guys put on a new CD one night and said to me, “You’ll probably like
this one.” He told me it was a new band, Creed, and the name of the album was
My Own Prison. He was right, I did like it. I was blown away by the intensity
of the lyrics and of course the amazing guitar riffs. Not long after that,
everyone knew who Creed was.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love a good rock and roll story. I also love to hear of
people’s journeys of faith. <strong>Sinner’s Creed</strong>, by Creed lead singer and lyricist
Scott Stapp, is both. It is an intimate look into the Stapp childhood home and
a backstage pass to the story of Creed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is a memoir paved with love and pain, disappointment and success, faith
and doubt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stapp recounts with brutal honesty his father’s abandonment
of the family and the joy he felt when his mother remarries and his step-father
fills in the gap and makes him feel special and loved. But when his step father
turns abusive, both physically and spiritually, he was disillusioned. Scott was
introduced to rock and roll during this time which was forbidden in his home. At
the same time, he was comforted and inspired by the lyrics of King David in the
Psalms. Rock and roll would be the best thing that ever happened to him….and
the worst.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Creed was born at Florida State University in 1994 and by
1998 My Own Prison had launched them into the big time. Their follow up album,
Human Clay, made them megastars. The members of Creed were living their dreams
as rock stars, but for Scott Stapp it was the fulfillment of the prophecy of
the title of the debut album. He was in his own prison.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Conflict with his bandmates was intensifying because so much
focus was on the Christian spiritual themes of his lyrics. The media and many
fans were referring to Creed as a “Christian” band, which angered the other
members of the band. They never considered themselves to be a Christian band,
so what was going on? Scott just wrote what he was feeling and how he wrestled
with matters of faith, foundations coming from what he gained from his mother,
step- father and grandfather. Scott was also becoming addicted to pain
medicines his “rock and roll doctor” was giving him for his throat and he was
also drinking heavily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say,
the combination of all this almost killed him and it did kill Creed for a
season. He couldn’t go on.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But God holds on to his people. Scott shares of the deep hurt
and his return to God and life-giving faith. His wife and children are
motivations for him to press on and he continues to understand the dangers of
life as a rock and roller but he knows who is in control of all things. I love
how he summarizes the first 3 steps of his recovery from drugs and alcohol. It
will also serve as a fitting summary of his memoir, Sinner’s Creed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scott can’t</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God can.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scott lets God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We come Full Circle, like the title of the Creed reunion
project. This is a rock and roll story. It is also a story of the journey of
faith. It is a painful story. It is an inspirational story. It is Scott Stapp’s
story. But ultimately, it is God’s story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don’t miss it...it hits the shelves on October 2.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">(This book was provided free of charge from the Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for an honest review.)</span></div>
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<br />Jon Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895342112270568998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775995307461206836.post-67685485978582759792012-09-09T19:55:00.000-04:002012-09-09T19:56:22.214-04:00You Were Made for The RIver<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLY5ythR3_gnwQ4MJUi8xBsiTLc65YWOSULswRrn-EZyERQNutkNtJV638RxGuTVSKPq6x7wQUrLOmRTUt5hw7Pm1ikCde-Lw1ROgumg5vW4j-bV0DPnEcfjrCQHvaRDku12ZDAdCNkKCQ/s1600/River+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLY5ythR3_gnwQ4MJUi8xBsiTLc65YWOSULswRrn-EZyERQNutkNtJV638RxGuTVSKPq6x7wQUrLOmRTUt5hw7Pm1ikCde-Lw1ROgumg5vW4j-bV0DPnEcfjrCQHvaRDku12ZDAdCNkKCQ/s320/River+cover.jpg" width="218" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The River is magical…The River is wild, free, and untamable…The
River is alive. The River is timeless, and it’s moving all over the world.”</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gabriel Clarke was at home with the River, as was his father
and his father before him. It was safe to say he loved the River. But when
Gabriel was only five years old, he was witness to an event that forever
changed his life, an event that built an impenetrable wall between his heart
and the River. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But the River never stops moving. It never stops calling. “You
were made for the River.”</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The story of The River begins in Colorado, winds to Kansas,
and cascades back to Colorado and finally into every crevice and gorge of the human
heart, leaving everything changed in its steady current.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Michael Neale, Grammy award winning songwriter, forges ahead
with his debut novel, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The River</i></b>. It is passionately filled with characters you will come to know and love in just a few pages
and ones you will cry with before you are done. Neale will raft into your heart
as the River opens up new points of entry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The River</i></b> will lead the reader to reflect on life and inspire to
live a life of purpose. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a book
saturated with real-life hurt and pain, but never without hope for overcoming. When
looking your greatest fear directly in the face, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">River</i></b> is the book saying, “Go for It!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the characters in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The River</i></b> says: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve run The River hundreds of
times, and right before I hit those rapids, I still get that butterfly feeling
in my gut—and then the rush of adrenaline takes over. I think that feeling will
always be there whenever you connect with something bigger than you are. It’s
part of what makes life beautiful. If you stay connected only to that which is
small enough for you to understand and control, then you have nothing—no adventure,
no destiny, and no purpose.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I recommend this book
to anyone wanting to leave the safety of the bank and ride the rapids of life
to the other side of the places that have dammed up the heart. This is for
those who need to know and believe and hear that:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">You
were made for The River</b>!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(This book
was provided at no cost from the Thomas Nelson Blogging for Books program in
exchange for an honest review.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Jon Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895342112270568998noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775995307461206836.post-54325833415035026882012-06-26T19:55:00.000-04:002012-06-26T20:03:18.898-04:00No Greater Love by Levi Benkert with Candy Chand<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoywPelafIrpsyLshG6nU1npE2gEP69hzLe4NRV1tVPwtnvTELjoRCn9ZFaoXZwjksHmLKx7CG8zxNXnxNRvGmKljxecI7cY07ZlQwzqktTuXBQGv5EMm6uTLYUzcpSv7meKQ1G3lOdwgE/s1600/no+greater+love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoywPelafIrpsyLshG6nU1npE2gEP69hzLe4NRV1tVPwtnvTELjoRCn9ZFaoXZwjksHmLKx7CG8zxNXnxNRvGmKljxecI7cY07ZlQwzqktTuXBQGv5EMm6uTLYUzcpSv7meKQ1G3lOdwgE/s400/no+greater+love.jpg" width="286" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have you ever been moved by a story or a ministry to the
point where it crossed your mind to sell everything you own and move to a
far-away land to help the poor, all in the name of Jesus? That is exactly what
happened to Levi Benkert. When everything seemed to be falling apart in his
life due to the real estate market collapse, God called him to something
completely new. But this time he would not be building houses in American
subdivisions, but building lives and families in the heart of Ethiopia.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A single phone call from a friend to help with a crisis
involving a tribal custom of killing babies led to Levi, his wife Jessie and
their children to sell all their possessions and move to Ethiopia to serve. In
“No Greater Love: One Man’s Radical Journey Through the Heart of Ethiopia,” he
recounts the countless ups and downs of adjusting to African life and the
struggles with government and tribal customs and policies. Mixed into the
heartache are the joys of God’s mercy and grace toward his people and His heart
for orphans, widows and anyone who calls on His name for deliverance.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At certain points, this book was not an easy read because of its complete honesty in portraying mission work. This was the element I appreciated most because it didn't paint a rosy picture of life in Africa, a life that is hard in most every way. The book did, however, show that as lives are changed, the discomfort and inconvenience fade in importance. God is still good in the daily wrestling matches with Him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No Greater Love will inspire you to consider more radical
involvement in what God is doing to rescue orphans and to make His Name great
among the nations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I recommend this book for anyone interested in orphan care
or simply wanting to be inspired by all God is doing in Africa.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This book was provided to me free of charge in exchange for
an honest review by the Tyndale Blog Network.</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="_GoBack"></a></div>Jon Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895342112270568998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775995307461206836.post-89564192580843063372012-06-10T19:59:00.000-04:002012-06-10T19:59:08.625-04:00Surfing for God by Michael John Cusick<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzMWiSBd9HUyLe530QyCHyXmDKi2c_vuFCNtseyZ6WgdiPKnANJ6eTm3LOul0KLZyw8PtPoprNUoyUZEhu_B_V7piRMrzDpoMnLsfhKsVDEHay8lgKlXwxRay355-aXj2ketTO3jkHWQd/s1600/Surfing+for+God.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzMWiSBd9HUyLe530QyCHyXmDKi2c_vuFCNtseyZ6WgdiPKnANJ6eTm3LOul0KLZyw8PtPoprNUoyUZEhu_B_V7piRMrzDpoMnLsfhKsVDEHay8lgKlXwxRay355-aXj2ketTO3jkHWQd/s320/Surfing+for+God.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
I don't think anyone who has been breathing for the past 10 years would argue that the rampant presence of sexual imagery and sexual activity has grown to epidemic proportions. Statistics show that internet pornography use is growing rapidly among men and women. Odds are that you are struggling with this ( or some other type of sexual temptation or sin) or somebody close to you has struggled, is struggling, or will struggle. Many of those currently struggling will never admit it to even the closest person to them because of the shame and stigma attached to it.<br />
<br />
Individuals can recover from sexual addiction, regardless of how far the addiction has progressed. <br />
<br />
Michael John Cusick, in his new book <u>Surfing for God: Discovering the Divine Desire Beneath Sexual Struggle</u>,<u> </u>believes recovery is possible as well. Drawing from 25 years of working with men struggling in this area, Cusick begins with the foundational truth that men struggling with sex addiction are not pursuing sex, but intimacy...intimacy that can only be found in God. He maps out the "Soul Snare Cycle" to help men identify their own cycle, he unveils shame ( the deadly fuel of sex addiction), explains how the brain is formed in addiction and how to change it back to a healthy place, and moves men to action in living in freedom as they travel down "The Soul Care Highway."<br />
<br />
I have read several books on this topic as I have wrestled with my own struggles in this area. Surfing for God is by far been the most helpful for me in its practical approach and wisdom in communicating sometimes hard to understand ideas. I was pleased with the absence of a "Just Stop"philosophy that is often found in Christian circles. Cusick's words were full of grace and mercy in dealing with this, an approach that models the way I believe Jesus dealt with these issues. One aspect of this book that I think makes it exceptional in comparison to other books on sexual addiction is that the way in which he presents the truth can be applied to any habitual negative habit or sin (or sin in general). He focuses on heart transformation and all lasting change will start there.<br />
<br />
I recommend this book to anyone who wants an understanding of sexual addiction, their own or someone else's. I also recommend anyone who has battled any sin for a long time and wants a new tool for the toolbox to read this (you will just have to substitute your sin wherever it is talking about sexual acting out or porn use). Whatever your sin, don't delay in dealing with it. I will end with a quote form the book:<br />
<br />
<em>"If we want to grow up and learn to live without the cancer that slowly devours our souls, we must go under the knife. The surgery in our souls can only be performed by the Great Physician. And like any reputable surgeon, Jesus will not operate without our consent."</em><br />
<br />
<strong>Will you consent?</strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">A copy of this book was provided to me free of charge by the Booksneeze.com reviewers program in exchange for an honest review.</span></strong><br />
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</div>Jon Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895342112270568998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775995307461206836.post-49526920889157294692012-04-06T08:11:00.004-04:002012-04-06T08:35:11.893-04:00Beckon by Tom Pawlik<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFx4d4nINdRgcUPg34xo1Owp3agYJBi95bCWqRVNWT_WuNq81IqexuNmfFCIIJ9QKOlMknxokbd4RZNbMyqcTrVja81G5p9UzMrpBALhn_pvS2FmSaiL74O9rZ42_hZXdAoxn8xBxjrTu/s1600/978-1-4143-3873-6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 266px; height: 400px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728265147745904386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFx4d4nINdRgcUPg34xo1Owp3agYJBi95bCWqRVNWT_WuNq81IqexuNmfFCIIJ9QKOlMknxokbd4RZNbMyqcTrVja81G5p9UzMrpBALhn_pvS2FmSaiL74O9rZ42_hZXdAoxn8xBxjrTu/s400/978-1-4143-3873-6.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div>Jack Kendrick is in search of his father who went missing 12 years earlier while researching an ancient <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">indian</span> tribe in Wyoming. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Elina</span> Gutierrez is searching for her missing cousin. George Wilcox is searching for a cure for his wife's Alzheimer's.</div><div> </div><div>Three individuals with pure motives converge on the town of Beckon. What they find there is also pure...pure evil. Lurking within, around, and especially beneath, is a darkness that not only eats flesh, but eats one's soul. </div><div> </div><div>Tom <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pawlik</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Christy</span> award winner, brings us his latest story, <strong>Beckon</strong>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pawlik</span> blends suspense, horror, and action/thriller with <strong>Beckon</strong>. I had never read one of his stories so wasn't sure what to expect. Though there were plot situations that made me think of other stories, this one kept my attention and had enough unique elements to not turn me off. I was intrigued by the tribe and found myself asking morality questions of myself when some of the characters were faced with difficult decisions...like how far would I go to save my own life or the life of someone I dearly love?</div><div> </div><div>If you like adventure and thriller stories, you will like this one. It reads like a good movie (Tom, if you read this, I recommend you write a screenplay based on your story) because it is a good blend of genres to satisfy most readers or viewers.</div><div> </div><div>This book was provided free to me from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.</div></div>Jon Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895342112270568998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775995307461206836.post-33412974836552617252012-02-05T21:42:00.007-05:002012-02-06T06:45:08.782-05:00The Devil in Pew Number Seven<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyrDXWsImQiXpsc9JVXhvdbhT0I2G3ChN3-AL1J5BMC8tqi2V-vblzRCcmIWjkvVrkFquQj7n-qgdKgsgfzu9x-ReLMWg4Ql3rLmLQlND5AHIDwG1xVBJYJow3SQpjhCi0MfpECNMnWSI/s1600/TheDevilInPewSeven.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 266px; height: 400px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705987299451496946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyrDXWsImQiXpsc9JVXhvdbhT0I2G3ChN3-AL1J5BMC8tqi2V-vblzRCcmIWjkvVrkFquQj7n-qgdKgsgfzu9x-ReLMWg4Ql3rLmLQlND5AHIDwG1xVBJYJow3SQpjhCi0MfpECNMnWSI/s400/TheDevilInPewSeven.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div>Ramona and Robert Nichols moved to Sellerstown, North Carolina in 1969 where Robert would be the pastor of the Free Welcome Holiness Church. All seemed well for the Nichols, yet in the church, in pew seven, an adversary was beginning his plot to end the Nichols' time of blissful service of Jesus and his church. Mr. Watts had spent years controlling the church and community. When his control of the church slipped through his fingers while support for the new pastor grew, Mr. Watts unleashed a plan of terror on the young family. He sent threatening letters and disrupted worship services. Bombs being detonated on the parsonage property within feet of the parsonage on multiple occasions, causing windows to break from the blasts. </div><div>Even though the whole community knew Mr. Watts was behind it all, law enforcement couldn't collect evidence enough for an arrest, one reason being he always hired others to do his dirty work.</div><div>Just before Easter 1978, the terror came to a head when an angry man with a gun entered the Nichols home. Shots were fired and young Rebecca, age 7, witnessed this tragic end of years of torment. Sadly, Rebecca still carried the scars from this dark day in her life and many dark days followed. <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Devil in Pew Number Seven</span> is her story. Now in her 40's and with a family of her own, Rebecca Nichols Alonzo shares her journey through the valley of death and into the light on the other side. </div><div> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Devil in Pew Number Seven</span> is a beautiful example of how "we know that for those who love God all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). Rebecca Nichols Alonzo shares her life and offers help and hope for those who have endured deep pain in their lives. This book shows how faith is an anchor when stormy seas abound and what it means to cling to the old rugged cross when there is a devil in pew number seven.</div><div>(A free copy of this book was provided by Tyndale Publishers in exchange for an honest review.)</div><div> </div></div>Jon Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895342112270568998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775995307461206836.post-8351898614382492312012-01-13T09:16:00.013-05:002012-01-13T10:15:14.868-05:00I am Second<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgjZ0xh5PumYY6x_TDlFpZESLbx4vaEI3H4PBUxLp7zqX1SwX1Bn2_NMUcSpXr6zJttCVxM04Floi7P8S1KBQD5q0TVAC1prbVtlT4-nv_j1Dg4bJLs2_BmKJMEZMB7fxASF8zlI8bbZX/s1600/I+am+Second+cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 225px; height: 343px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697129701674866114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgjZ0xh5PumYY6x_TDlFpZESLbx4vaEI3H4PBUxLp7zqX1SwX1Bn2_NMUcSpXr6zJttCVxM04Floi7P8S1KBQD5q0TVAC1prbVtlT4-nv_j1Dg4bJLs2_BmKJMEZMB7fxASF8zlI8bbZX/s400/I+am+Second+cover.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Everyone loves a good story, whether it be told on the big screen in visual form, in a book, or in conversation with a friend. We all seem to be moved especially by a story that actually happened. These stories inspire us to be better people and to appreciate life and others at a deeper level. God is the great storyteller and He is writing each and everyone of our stories, even if we don't accept it or even like it. His desire is for us to surrender our stories to Him. In the surrender, He becomes the focal point and we are given peace, forgiveness, and purpose. We must say the God is first and I am second. In their recent book <strong><u>I Am Second</u></strong>, Doug Bender and Dave Sterrett share 20 stories from people who have made God first and made the proclamation that "I am Second."</div><div>The stories include rock stars, successful businessmen and athletes, and others who are not as widely known or not known at all. When faced with God, they all found that they have the same need. They needed to be rescued from the wreckage and chaos that their lives had become. In the rubble, God became real and their lives were changed forever.</div><div><strong><u>I Am Second</u></strong> has such varied stories that the readers will find personal connection at some point in the reading and will most likely see pieces of their own stories scattered throughout the book. If you prefer to watch a video and hear the story told by the actual person, a QR code is provided so you can do just that. Additional codes are added at the end of each story if you want to watch other videos for stories not included as part of the book.</div><div> </div><div>I recommend this book to anyone searching for God and meaning, but also to those (like myself) who have those moments of wondering what God is doing or possibly struggling with purpose and sensing God's presence. This book is a powerful reminder of what can happen when you put God first in your life and boldly claim: I am Second!!</div><div> </div><div>To learn more about "I am Second" go to <a href="http://www.iamsecond.com">www.iamsecond.com</a> </div><div> </div><div>I received a copy of this book free of charge from Booksneeze.com in exchange for an honest review.</div>Jon Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895342112270568998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775995307461206836.post-3088843215868524302011-09-19T04:54:00.006-04:002011-09-19T05:35:13.876-04:00Ascent from Darkness by Michael Leehan<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fvUA2O9xM9P4-2VMAbGEMq-xwrfyw794qJ4bOVoftfJHovmZpWkyuctXI7vpDz4i2CYrrLlN58Rnt9qDUUcoipnWgejkD80Q9hJC7yFDzHaJZf9ebnbFJUSvIIc3AK4M8ffBbx8G1EB3/s1600/Ascent+from+Darkness.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 225px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 343px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654001527216410850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fvUA2O9xM9P4-2VMAbGEMq-xwrfyw794qJ4bOVoftfJHovmZpWkyuctXI7vpDz4i2CYrrLlN58Rnt9qDUUcoipnWgejkD80Q9hJC7yFDzHaJZf9ebnbFJUSvIIc3AK4M8ffBbx8G1EB3/s400/Ascent+from+Darkness.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>Michael Leehan served Satan for twenty years. His life consisted of ritualistic cuttings on his arms to draw blood used to invite demons in, depression, jail time, ruined relationships, and doing spiritual battle with his enemies, the followers of Jesus. There was no end to what Leehan would do to serve his master, Satan, and it eventually led to his utimate assignment for the father of lies. The assignment: to kill Craig Groeschel, the senior pastor of Lifechurch.tv. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>In his first book, Ascent from Darkness, Michael Leehan takes his readers on a journey unlike any they have ever been on as he recounts in detail his descent into Satanism. This is a true story of one man's giving up of himself for the darkness and emptying his entire being to evil. It contains tragedy and terror, but is filled with hope as he begins his ascent out of it.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>I have read many books that deal with supernatural and spiritual issues, but this is one of the best I have given my time to. Leehan is open and honest about what he was thinking as he did the things that he did, and gives an honest assessment of what he experienced with Christians, the good and the bad. I am moved spiritually by this book as I look seriously at my heart condition and my commitment to Jesus. At one point in the book, Leehan writes <em>"What is the difference between a Satanist and a lukewarm Christian...Nothing." </em>Encouragement abounds between the covers of this book as you read about the many Christians that were not lukewarm as they pursued Leehan, prayed for him, and loved him where he was until God rescued him.<br /></div><br /><div>I recommend that everyone read this book, Christians and non-Christians alike. It will provide a realistic encounter with what the spiritual realm looks like and why the battle is there and not in the flesh. It also provide answers to the only hope we have in surviving....Jesus Christ.<br /></div><br /><div>I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze program in exchange for my honest review.</div>Jon Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895342112270568998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775995307461206836.post-37016227437572145272011-09-10T14:50:00.005-04:002011-09-12T06:22:53.596-04:00Vigilante by Robin Parrish<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnnAluVjZmj1WgSx41MOnRrCJ_PX5oW3UKjFvYJCg4o9VTsKZGWlOlBCtoFrp-4ncTRh1DwEURaBx_srYcaesdMTPbLNrRGgMdQiO3XxF1uvFYWFXW97tXkugwIwdSjXuqg1hBYVyg5XB/s1600/vigilante_front.png"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 129px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650806030707191522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnnAluVjZmj1WgSx41MOnRrCJ_PX5oW3UKjFvYJCg4o9VTsKZGWlOlBCtoFrp-4ncTRh1DwEURaBx_srYcaesdMTPbLNrRGgMdQiO3XxF1uvFYWFXW97tXkugwIwdSjXuqg1hBYVyg5XB/s400/vigilante_front.png" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>The world is controlled by evil men, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">crime lords</span> that have no limit to the pain and and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">agony</span> they are willing to inflict on the innocent. Everyday citizens live in a state of fear, with no hope of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">positive</span> change coming anytime soon. Is there anyone or anything out there to rescue and bring light to the darkness overshadowing all of mankind?</div><br /><br /><div>Nolan Gray, the most highly decorated soldier in American war history, has been killed. Can the U.S. take anymore? Gray, a symbol of heroism, taken down. Another sign of defeat and despair.</div><br /><br /><div>However, Gray has faked his murder only to become "The Hand" to SHOW EVERYONE A BETTER WAY. Gray, with the help of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Branford</span>, an old military buddy, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Arjay</span>, a genius at making high-tech weaponry and gadgets, takes on crime in New York City. His vision is that his mission will change the hearts of people, reviving hope that crime is not the way to live and that there is a better way. Along the way, Gray and his team make an enemy of Yuri <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Vasko</span>, the most powerful <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">crime lord</span> in New York City, and the battle is on.</div><br /><br /><div>This is the first book of Robin Parrish's that I have read and it was worth the time. It is a fast-paced, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">adrenalin</span>-rushing, action thriller. The short chapters keep you turning pages until the satisfying ending is reached. Parrish has created a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">crime fighter</span> in Nolan Gray that you can relate to in his humanity, as he is passionately seeking justice one minute and battling his own will and desire for vengeance the next. He was a real person with real personal demons that haunt him from the past. </div><br /><br /><div>Parrish has done well with Vigilante and I look <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">forward</span> to my next read by this gifted writer.</div><br /><br /><div>(I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest review.)</div>Jon Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895342112270568998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775995307461206836.post-10820400942024364862011-08-24T05:56:00.009-04:002011-08-24T16:28:47.424-04:00100 Read and Sing Devotions<div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVAyk51GZQC7_3Xcc1bTLXz9S7_0nKa1sAn0AiXiu7CCU73Lo587NcMUy_4QTVdBWc1y4ni0UgemumsOZNsFor0OuV-4VKSIj3nXzk5Dgy2w4L-K77oVtu3PHLPPRON4jDbCSaz_to3Mt/s1600/100+Read+and+Sing+Devotions.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 225px; height: 284px; float: left;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644369104366508722" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVAyk51GZQC7_3Xcc1bTLXz9S7_0nKa1sAn0AiXiu7CCU73Lo587NcMUy_4QTVdBWc1y4ni0UgemumsOZNsFor0OuV-4VKSIj3nXzk5Dgy2w4L-K77oVtu3PHLPPRON4jDbCSaz_to3Mt/s400/100+Read+and+Sing+Devotions.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>God created us for praise and worship of Him. He desires for us to sing praises to Him, study His Word, and communicate with Him in prayer. He also has a special place in his heart for children, which we see in Jesus as He continually gathered the children around himself to show what the Kingdom of God looks like. <span style="color:#ff0000;">100 Read and Sing Devotions </span>by Stephen <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Elkins</span></span> and beautifully illustrated by Tim O'Connor is a great book to help in leading children into Kingdom life.</div><div>
<br />This devotional book is unlike most I have seen for children in that it combines several important elements to disciple a child's heart. These elements are found as the devotions follow the following format:</div>
<br /><ol><li> A Bible song: The song provides the foundation for what the focus of that particular devotion. The book comes with 2 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">cd's</span></span> containing <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">all</span></span> 100 songs. </li><li> A short, easy to understand devotion that points to God and Jesus.</li><li>"Word Watch": A short scripture highlighting that devotion's topic.</li><li>"My Prayer for Today": A short (one or two sentence/phrase) prayer.</li></ol><p>Also, the book is designed in a "padded" hard cover format, having the feel of a soft cover with the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">durability</span></span> of a hardback. Some kids are hard on books and this one should be able to take it. </p><p>I really only have one minor complaint about this book, but it is good for potential purchasers to know. It contains the 100 songs (each running at about a minute in length) but the book only contains the first line or two of the lyrics. Complete lyrics would be helpful in helping parents (or grandparents) to teach the songs, since some of the songs may be unfamiliar. An online site to download the lyrics, if needed, would have been acceptable, but I couldn't find anything anything in the book addressing this. </p><div>I am impressed with this book and look forward to using it to read and sing songs with my granddaughter.</div><div> </div><div>I received this book free of charge from the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Booksneeze</span></span>.com program in exchange for my honest review. </div>
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<br /><p></p></div></div></div>Jon Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895342112270568998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775995307461206836.post-29602545978579283522011-06-18T07:01:00.003-04:002011-06-18T08:56:11.067-04:00Billy Graham in Quotes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iaweoYQCpHvY9dowtdHKoRbubjY3VVTx2HUXPx0STSCiGliI1Hu0yluMBeTiXOWFgu4flwhBkGCoFbdJmghv0camwXIMlGPiNcBlAocp1y9fUAKi7boRzat4DLbCQXPNjO1hhEOOynn6/s1600/Billy+Graham+in+Quotes.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 225px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 307px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619513368810988626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iaweoYQCpHvY9dowtdHKoRbubjY3VVTx2HUXPx0STSCiGliI1Hu0yluMBeTiXOWFgu4flwhBkGCoFbdJmghv0camwXIMlGPiNcBlAocp1y9fUAKi7boRzat4DLbCQXPNjO1hhEOOynn6/s400/Billy+Graham+in+Quotes.jpg" /></a> I remember as a child going to a Billy Graham crusade at the Atlanta Stadium. The sight of hundreds of people walking onto the field toward the platform where Graham was preaching the Gospel amazed me. What was it about this man? Now 40 years later, I realize it wasn't this man, but the Word preached that moved people out of their seats and onto the field. The Word demanded a response. Graham has been in ministry for over 70 years and has managed to not be involved in any major controversy. He has received his share of criticism, but has stayed true to his calling to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. <br /><div>Because of this, it would do us good to listen to what this preacher has to say. Now, with <u>Billy Graham in Quotes</u>, we can hear what he has to say. This book, compiled by his son Franklin Graham, is arranged topically (A-Z) so we can find a quote from this great minister on a variety of topics. </div><br /><div>Here are just a few samples:</div><br /><div>" In some churches today and on some religious television programs, we see the attempt to make Christianity popular and pleasant. We have taken the cross away and substituted cushions."</div><br /><div>" The cross shows the seriousness of our sin - but it also shows us the immeasurable love of God."</div><br /><div>"Many Christians want the benefits of their belief, but they hesitate at the cost of discipleship."</div><br /><div>"The will of God will never take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us."</div><br /><div>"Envy and greed starve on a steady diet of thanksgiving."</div><br /><div>"End your journey well. Don't waste your life, and don't be satisfied with anything less than God's plan."</div><br /><div>"The Christian life isn't a playground but a battlefield."</div><br /><div>"If we are at peace with this world, it may be because we have sold out to it and compromised with it."</div><br /><div>"The more <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">worldly</span> pleasure we enjoy, the less satisfied and contented we are with life."</div><br /><div>"Salvation is an act of God. It is initiated by God, wrought by God, and sustained by God."</div><br /><div>"Our chaotic, confused world has no greater need than to hear the Gospel truth." </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Hundreds more gems like these are found in this collection of quotes.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This book is a great reference tool for times when you need some encouragement or insight into a particular area of struggle in your life, or if you need simply to to be refocused and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">re-centered</span> on what matters most...Jesus Christ. This would make a great gift book as well.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This book was provided free in exchange for a review through the Thomas Nelson <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Booksneeze</span> program for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">bloggers</span>.</div>Jon Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895342112270568998noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775995307461206836.post-88080797074237819142011-06-03T06:41:00.003-04:002011-06-03T07:16:47.660-04:00Psalm 18This great psalm of David spoke to me this morning through the Holy Spirit. The words reveal the promises of God to protect and care for His own. The Lord is called a rock, a fortress, deliverer, a refuge, a shield, a stronghold...and all this in only the 1st 3 verses.<br />David writes from a place of knowing what it means to be ensnared and strangled by the very throes of death (v.4-5) and be delivered. When I am distressed, as David was, I can cry out to God because He is<u> my</u> God, and He will hear <u>my</u> voice and <u>my</u> cry. It will reach His ears.<br />When God moves, nature responds. In fact, God is speaking to us all the time in nature as he command it. He uses nature to act on behalf of His people. God always delivers his people. We see it throughout scripture: we see it on the cross and in the resurrection as Jesus provides deliverance from the eternal consequences of sin and from the wrath of God that we all deserve, but was absorbed by Christ.<br />The question that always lingers and hovers over all of this, and completely baffles me at times, is Why?<br /><br /><ul><br /><li>Why does God even put up with us?</li><br /><li>Why does He speak to us and deliver us, even through natural means?</li><br /><li>Why does He hear our cries, cries that often come from a place of being in the middle of the mess we created for ourselves?</li></ul><br /><p>The answer is found in Psalm 18:19 when David writes these words of healing:</p><br /><p align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">...because he delighted in me.</span></strong></p><br /><p align="left">Imagine that:</p><br /><ul><br /><li><br /><div align="left">The God that made everything and can destroy all things to dust with one breath</div></li><br /><li><br /><div align="left">This God that holds all things together (Col. 1:17)</div></li><br /><li><br /><div align="left">The God who has always been (Gen.1/John1)</div></li><br /><li><br /><div align="left">The God who said "let there be light and there was light" (Gen 1:3) and then did the same in our hearts (2 Cor. 4:6)</div></li></ul><br /><p align="left">This is the God who delights in us, who delights in me. He wants what is best for me and will go to great length to make sure I get it. He delights in me, like an artist that creates a work of art and looks on it in joy and sees its great worth. Or the joy and delight I see in my wife's eyes when she sees her granddaughter...delight. God's heart overflows with love toward us. He is delighted when we delight in Him.</p><br /><p align="left">Psalm 18 is based on a passage in 2 Samuel 22. The two versions of the song are almost identical, but one difference stood out to me. Psalm 18: 1 says: <strong><em>I love you, O Lord, my strength.</em></strong> The 2 Samuel version doesn't contain this; it begins at Psalm 18:2. Is it possible that Psalm 18:1 is a dedication, where David speaks his love to his Lord before putting the song down on paper, something like this:</p><br /><p align="left"><em><strong>I love you, O Lord, my strength. I delight in you. you have shown your great delight in me through the deliverance of my life from my enemies and from death itself. Here is my song of praise to you."</strong></em></p><br /><p align="left">This great psalm flows out of a heart that delights in God...a heart that knows and understands that God delights in him.</p><br /><p align="left">God delights in you. Immerse yourself in Him!</p><br /><p align="center"></p>Jon Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895342112270568998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775995307461206836.post-33182043424742127432011-05-30T09:31:00.007-04:002011-05-30T09:57:01.554-04:00Desiring God- The DVD study<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBhPVVfsh_Cuys-NKcDdFiUHgnFVhaaFmNhl6gvJcaPg953c5KqiioH3O6y9P6eIs4gcJFgOcdnR75W0qVTd07BmN7fmVAmxs5KkMXsG5eUsSwSvjCu79u_4riYj82I3IY412_9olzwFi/s1600/desiring+god+dvd.png"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 97px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 148px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612506310762646594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBhPVVfsh_Cuys-NKcDdFiUHgnFVhaaFmNhl6gvJcaPg953c5KqiioH3O6y9P6eIs4gcJFgOcdnR75W0qVTd07BmN7fmVAmxs5KkMXsG5eUsSwSvjCu79u_4riYj82I3IY412_9olzwFi/s400/desiring+god+dvd.png" /></a> <br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." This is the main of point of <span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>Desiring God</em></span> by John Piper and is the purpose statement that has directed his ministry over many years. I had already read the book (which I highly recommend that all Christians read), but was excited to receive the DVD set and study guide to view. The DVD set is broken down into 10 short clips of around 30 minutes each and the study guide is arranged to be used as a 12 week group study.<br /></div><br /><div>Piper teaches that the pursuit of pleasure for Christians is not optional, but essential. This pleasure is not a worldly pleasure where we seek to satisfy all of our fleshly cravings, but a pleasure where all desires are satiated in enjoying God. It is joy in God that we pursue and it is joy we are to fight for. Piper unpacks many scriptural texts and you will find precious jewels uncovered in the crevices of familiar passages. I had moments when I asked myself, "How did I miss that?" Piper's method of reading and understanding the Bible, through underling phrases and words and connecting them with lines and arrows, helped me to see the truths he was teaching. He teaches on finding joy in suffering, sanctification, worship, the ministry, evangelism and more.</div><br /><div>After watching, I had an increased desire within me to enjoy God more than anything else and to pursue Him relentlessly. That will be my on-going prayer, for God to strengthen that desire and to help me be most satisfied in Him, so He will get the Glory. These DVDs are well worth the time spent watching.<br /></div><br /><div>I received this book free from Multnomah Blogging for Books program in exchange for a review.</div></div></div>Jon Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895342112270568998noreply@blogger.com1