His Word: 2 Timothy 2:14 (NKJV) Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
PASTOR TO PASTOR
Verse 15 of the above quoted passage says "study" in the KJV. It is the way many of us memorized it.
Study, including reading, is an important part of our work. Obviously that starts with the Word of God. We must be men and women of THE BOOK.
However, we should attempt to read or listen to other resources as well. Being a life long learner assumes that we will read.
Some find reading easier, more enjoyable, more fulfilling than others. I have very successful friends who read very little. I like to read and so find it more fulfilling. However, if we are going to be effective, all of us need to embrace some reading.
I like all kinds of reading. It won't surprise you to know that I read books on theology, preaching, leadership, and the church. It probably won't surprise you that I read books on sports and sports figures. It may surprise you that I like to read about American Presidents and Louisiana/Mississippi history. You may not have known that I like to read crime and courtroom novels like James Patterson and John Grisham.
I wanted to share with you some very good reading that I have done recently and then to share with you some very inexpensive resources to enhance your own reading.
READING ENRICHMENT (0-5 Stars)
The following books are some I have read recently that have interested me. Some have helped me more than others. Some of these I have recommended or highlighted in past blogs. I keep a diary of books I read and try to average one book a week. (I am slow.) In my journal I rank books between 0 and 5 stars. Very few get less than 3 stars, because if they are that bad I usually don't finish them.
They are listed in no particular order. You can find reviews of all of these books on Amazon and elsewhere so I will not spend too much time on most of them.
1. LOVE WINS by Rob Bell - this is the most controversial "religious" book published in recent months. It is Bell's observations centered on eternal life including heaven or hell. It has been quoted (generally out of context) and roundly ridiculed as heresy. I will agree that in the wrong hands, it is a dangerous book. It is mostly questions (day dreams if you will) with very few answers. It is interesting to think about some of the things Bell ponders, but he is very non committal about anything. I will say that the last couple of chapters are pretty good. ***
2. PRIMAL by Mark Batterson -- The author uses the Great Commandment as the stage for reviewing the basics of living out our faith in the post modern culture. He explores loving God with compassion, wonder, curiosity, and power. This is a great book. *****
3. RADICAL by David Platt -- Really Good ****
4. RADICAL TOGETHER by David Platt -- Living out Radical in community or in the church. I liked this one better. It is more practical. Great *****
5. LOVE MADE PERFECT by William Greathouse -- A wonderful book on Holiness. Read it years ago and then just last month. (See below about downloading classics from NPH). When you read it you will say, "I didn't know that's what we believed, but that's what I believe." Really good ****
6. CRAZY LOVE by Francis Chan -- Awesome. Read it twice. *****
7. FORGOTTEN GOD by Francis Chan -- Good. Not as good as CL but worth the read. ****
8. A HOLY PURPOSE by Bill Wiesman, et all. Strategies for Making Christlike Disciples. Very practical. Our own Matt Friedeman has a great chapter in this book. Really good. ****
9. PLANTING MISSIONAL CHURCHES by Ed Stetzer - Just getting into it but it has been recommended by lots of my colleagues. As I have scanned it I am challenged by the chapter titles, etc.
10. THE HOLY BIBLE -- didn't expect to see this here did you. It's a given. However, I recently picked up a new version that I had seen for a couple of years but had not purchased. It's the ESV published by Crossway. I got a mock leather type at LifeWay for about $15 I think. I have been using it for my devotions. I kind of like it. ***
PASTOR TO PASTOR
Verse 15 of the above quoted passage says "study" in the KJV. It is the way many of us memorized it.
Study, including reading, is an important part of our work. Obviously that starts with the Word of God. We must be men and women of THE BOOK.
However, we should attempt to read or listen to other resources as well. Being a life long learner assumes that we will read.
Some find reading easier, more enjoyable, more fulfilling than others. I have very successful friends who read very little. I like to read and so find it more fulfilling. However, if we are going to be effective, all of us need to embrace some reading.
I like all kinds of reading. It won't surprise you to know that I read books on theology, preaching, leadership, and the church. It probably won't surprise you that I read books on sports and sports figures. It may surprise you that I like to read about American Presidents and Louisiana/Mississippi history. You may not have known that I like to read crime and courtroom novels like James Patterson and John Grisham.
I wanted to share with you some very good reading that I have done recently and then to share with you some very inexpensive resources to enhance your own reading.
READING ENRICHMENT (0-5 Stars)
The following books are some I have read recently that have interested me. Some have helped me more than others. Some of these I have recommended or highlighted in past blogs. I keep a diary of books I read and try to average one book a week. (I am slow.) In my journal I rank books between 0 and 5 stars. Very few get less than 3 stars, because if they are that bad I usually don't finish them.
They are listed in no particular order. You can find reviews of all of these books on Amazon and elsewhere so I will not spend too much time on most of them.
1. LOVE WINS by Rob Bell - this is the most controversial "religious" book published in recent months. It is Bell's observations centered on eternal life including heaven or hell. It has been quoted (generally out of context) and roundly ridiculed as heresy. I will agree that in the wrong hands, it is a dangerous book. It is mostly questions (day dreams if you will) with very few answers. It is interesting to think about some of the things Bell ponders, but he is very non committal about anything. I will say that the last couple of chapters are pretty good. ***
2. PRIMAL by Mark Batterson -- The author uses the Great Commandment as the stage for reviewing the basics of living out our faith in the post modern culture. He explores loving God with compassion, wonder, curiosity, and power. This is a great book. *****
3. RADICAL by David Platt -- Really Good ****
4. RADICAL TOGETHER by David Platt -- Living out Radical in community or in the church. I liked this one better. It is more practical. Great *****
5. LOVE MADE PERFECT by William Greathouse -- A wonderful book on Holiness. Read it years ago and then just last month. (See below about downloading classics from NPH). When you read it you will say, "I didn't know that's what we believed, but that's what I believe." Really good ****
6. CRAZY LOVE by Francis Chan -- Awesome. Read it twice. *****
7. FORGOTTEN GOD by Francis Chan -- Good. Not as good as CL but worth the read. ****
8. A HOLY PURPOSE by Bill Wiesman, et all. Strategies for Making Christlike Disciples. Very practical. Our own Matt Friedeman has a great chapter in this book. Really good. ****
9. PLANTING MISSIONAL CHURCHES by Ed Stetzer - Just getting into it but it has been recommended by lots of my colleagues. As I have scanned it I am challenged by the chapter titles, etc.
10. THE HOLY BIBLE -- didn't expect to see this here did you. It's a given. However, I recently picked up a new version that I had seen for a couple of years but had not purchased. It's the ESV published by Crossway. I got a mock leather type at LifeWay for about $15 I think. I have been using it for my devotions. I kind of like it. ***
11. DISCIPLESHIP IN THE HOME by Matt Friedeman -- I would recommend this book for every parent. It is good for grandparents to give as gifts to your children. Parents of six kids Matt and wife Mary present some outstanding practical helps in "training up a child in the way he/she should go." I wish I would have had this book when I was starting my family. *****
12. HEAVEN IS FOR REAL by Todd Burpo -- The story of a 4 year old's insight into heaven. A quick read but very meaningful.
BOOKS FOR CHEAP I, like some of you, have shelves upon shelves of books and don't know what to do about it. They are about the only thing of value that I own, and yet I cannot envision reading most of them a second time. So they collect dust. And like cars, once you buy them they lose their value. (See the difference in prices on Amazon between new and used books)
I decided I was about finished with buying books that are just for fun. I have shelves at home filled with very nice hardback books that are worthless now that I have read them, i.e. Patterson, Grisham, etc. I first started using the local library. What a thought. Free books. Then I invested in an e-reader. In fact I invested, with the help of my family and friends at Christmas time, in an IPad so I could have all of the e-readers on one device. When you have an e-reader (which you can also download to a smart phone), you also have it on your computer. Therefore you can read the books you purchase or get for free, on your reader, phone, or computer.
HERE IS THE GOOD PART -- Nazarene Publishing House has republished 100 classics as e-books. (That's where I found Love made Perfect) These include the Beacon Bible Commentary and many, many more. When you choose the book you want to buy or at least consider, you find out that many of them are very inexpensive. Love Made Perfect was $1.49.
HERE IS THE GREAT PART -- I received an Amazon gift certificate from one of my kids for Father's Day. I decided to see what I could find on the NPH classics list. I scrolled down the list and clicked on Amazon. There I discovered a pearl in a field. I noticed that they had H. Orton Wiley's Christian Theology, Vol. 1, for free. YEP! FREE!. So I downloaded it. When I did, Amazon (as always) showed me similar products. I discovered dozens of free books. I got the rest of Wiley's, Vol. 2 and 3, FOR FREE!. (I have these in my library, but now I have them wherever I go.)
I also downloaded E. P. Ellyson's "Bible Holiness", FOR FREE. I could have downloaded books from Bresee, Wesley, Andrew Murray, and so many others. FREE.
I know some will find the Kindle or Nook readers a tad expensive but they cost less now than ever. In order to get my IPad I just told those who asked what I wanted for Christmas to get me a Best Buy gift card. When it was all said and done, I had quite a down payment on this helpful tool. But if you have a smart phone, you can download these to your computer for FREE.
All of us can "study" to show ourselves as workman who need not be ashamed...for less that ever before.
EXCELLENT ADVENTURES
Since I last blogged I have been to Cleveland First (MS) Revival, Magnolia (MS), Columbia (MS), Baker (LA) Revival, Senatobia (MS), Clarksdale (MS), Bossier City (LA), Natchitoches (LA) Installation, Meridian Northside (MS) Installation, Lucedale (MS), Emmanuel (MS), Greenville (MS), Rosebloom (MS), Gracepoint (LA), Crosspoint (LA), GracePointe (LA) Installation.
June 26 -- Slidell (LA)
July 3 -- Lake Charles First (LA) am,
July 10 -- Hazlehurst (MS) am and pm
July 17 -- Meridian Fitkins (MS) am and pm
July 24 -- Ft. Jesup Camp Meeting am and pm
July 31 -- Vacation
August 7 -- Pearson Chapel (MS) am
August 14 -- Available (preferably LA)
August 21 -- Available (preferably MS)
August 28 -- Inglesia Del Tellar (MS)
To schedule me please contact Pam. I would love to come to your church.
NEWS Both District Assemblies and all of the Conventions were great. We have completed youth and children's camps in MS and Family Camp in LA. These have been great.
The MS District Advisory Board has voted to close the Lucedale church. We are appreciative of Rev. Ruby Walters for many years of faithful ministry. The Inglesia Tellar church in Pascagoula is working to start a new Hispanic work in the building.
Rev. Darwin Enicks has retired from Baker. He and Lucy will be moving to San Antonio to be near their daughter.
Rev. David Craig has accepted a call to Gracepointe (LA). He comes to us from Lufkin First on the South Texas District. He is married to Dawn and has two sons Caleb and Adam. We welcome them to Louisiana. He was installed on June 12th.
Rev. David Kelly has accepted a call to Blountstown on the North Florida District and has resigned Crystal Springs. We will miss David, Nancy and the boys.
Rev. Rob Pocai has resigned as pastor at Bridgepoint in Brandon (MS). He and Holly will be moving to Kentucky where he will pursue his DMin at Asbury. We appreciate their ministry in MS.
PRAY FOR Remember Rev. Raymond Teston (Moss Bluff Trinity, LA) who underwent recent gall bladder surgery and immediately contracted shingles. He is in deep pain and misery.
Pray for Rev. Howard Green (Grenada First, MS) who is suffering from cataracts and is awaiting surgery in July.
Please pray for Sis. Johnnie Childress, mother of Bubba Childress and Brenda Hatcher. She has been diagnosed with kidney cancer.June 26 -- Slidell (LA)
July 3 -- Lake Charles First (LA) am,
July 10 -- Hazlehurst (MS) am and pm
July 17 -- Meridian Fitkins (MS) am and pm
July 24 -- Ft. Jesup Camp Meeting am and pm
July 31 -- Vacation
August 7 -- Pearson Chapel (MS) am
August 14 -- Available (preferably LA)
August 21 -- Available (preferably MS)
August 28 -- Inglesia Del Tellar (MS)
To schedule me please contact Pam. I would love to come to your church.
NEWS Both District Assemblies and all of the Conventions were great. We have completed youth and children's camps in MS and Family Camp in LA. These have been great.
The MS District Advisory Board has voted to close the Lucedale church. We are appreciative of Rev. Ruby Walters for many years of faithful ministry. The Inglesia Tellar church in Pascagoula is working to start a new Hispanic work in the building.
Rev. Darwin Enicks has retired from Baker. He and Lucy will be moving to San Antonio to be near their daughter.
Rev. David Craig has accepted a call to Gracepointe (LA). He comes to us from Lufkin First on the South Texas District. He is married to Dawn and has two sons Caleb and Adam. We welcome them to Louisiana. He was installed on June 12th.
Rev. David Kelly has accepted a call to Blountstown on the North Florida District and has resigned Crystal Springs. We will miss David, Nancy and the boys.
Rev. Rob Pocai has resigned as pastor at Bridgepoint in Brandon (MS). He and Holly will be moving to Kentucky where he will pursue his DMin at Asbury. We appreciate their ministry in MS.
PRAY FOR Remember Rev. Raymond Teston (Moss Bluff Trinity, LA) who underwent recent gall bladder surgery and immediately contracted shingles. He is in deep pain and misery.
Pray for Rev. Howard Green (Grenada First, MS) who is suffering from cataracts and is awaiting surgery in July.
Pray for our teens and sponsors from both districts that will be attending NYC in Louisville the first part of July. This is a once in a lifetime event.
OPEN CHURCHES
MS -- Bridgepoint, Crystal Springs
LA -- Family Community, Baker
The following pastors have had outstanding reviews: Wayne Williams, (Laurel First, MS), David Colegrove (Greenville First, MS), Jerry Hatcher (Rosebloom, MS), Stephen Deese (Gloster, MS)
COME ONE -- COME ALL
MS -- Bridgepoint, Crystal Springs
LA -- Family Community, Baker
The following pastors have had outstanding reviews: Wayne Williams, (Laurel First, MS), David Colegrove (Greenville First, MS), Jerry Hatcher (Rosebloom, MS), Stephen Deese (Gloster, MS)
COME ONE -- COME ALL
DISTRICT BOARD LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
LOUISIANA
Saturday, August 13
Rocky Creek Camp
9 am -- 3:30 pm
MISSISSIPPI
Saturday, August 13
Rocky Creek Camp
9 am -- 3:30 pm
MISSISSIPPI
Saturday, August 20
Jackson Emmanuel
9 am -- 3:30 pm
GUEST SPEAKER
Rev. Hal Perkins
Pastor, Author, Discipleship Expert
Author of Walk with Me: A Biblical Journey in Making Christlike Disciples , IF JESUS WERE A PARENT: COACHING YOUR CHILD TO FOLLOW JESUS, Meeting With Jesus.
Few understand personal discipleship like Hal Perkins. He will challenge and encourage your leaders and Sunday School teachers in the commission of making Christlike Disciples.
Jackson Emmanuel
9 am -- 3:30 pm
GUEST SPEAKER
Rev. Hal Perkins
Pastor, Author, Discipleship Expert
Author of Walk with Me: A Biblical Journey in Making Christlike Disciples , IF JESUS WERE A PARENT: COACHING YOUR CHILD TO FOLLOW JESUS, Meeting With Jesus.
Few understand personal discipleship like Hal Perkins. He will challenge and encourage your leaders and Sunday School teachers in the commission of making Christlike Disciples.
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