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What the Staff is Reading
By Paul | January 16, 2008
Debbie Gatherer: When Godly People Do Ungodly Things: learning that even though we try to live as close to God as possible, we still need to be on our guard for satan’s attacks. He is here to destroy everything about me and make me think that I am no good; Fit to be Tied: helping me to understand my relationship with my husband and helpful tips to making our marriage stronger; and One Hour with God: this week I am focusing on my attitude. Each week is a different characteristic.
Dave Stone: I’m listening to John Piper preach through the book of Romans on my ipod.
I subscribe to the following blogs by
Bob Kauflin (www.worshipmatters.org),
Marc Driscoll (www.theresurgence.com/md_blog), and
John Piper (http://www.desiringgod.org/feeds/tasteandsee/ and http://feeds.feedburner.com/DGBlog) God has been showing me the beauty of His grace in more and more ways. I’m experiencing a season of life in which my desires are being purified and it is catching me by surprise. The only explanation I have is the grace of God. For instance, instead of desiring food for comfort in times of difficulty (e.g, anger, loneliness, depression, fatigue) I now desire to seek refuge in God through prayer or Scripture reading. I still stumble in this, but like never before there is now an underlying sense of hopeful expectation that one day God’s grace will have its complete and perfect effect in me. I’m learning that any and all redemptive work in my life is a result of God’s grace and not by my works. And, really, there are two beautiful implications here. First, I can joyfully boast in the Lord because it is truly from Him that I gain strength. Second, when I do stumble, I can get back on track quickly knowing that the same grace that gives me strength has also covered all my sins.
John Stone: How to Develop a Powerful Prayer Life (Gregory Frizzell). Personal prayer time has never been easy for me, so I don’t think I’ve ever really attempted to give the time to cultivate it. This short book has had a mighty impact on my prayer life lately and I heartily recommend it! The first part is a foundational basis of the “Why” behind prayer, and the next part moves very practically into the “What” prayer is and the “How” to do it. I would encourage every believer to go through this book. It is available in the Tool Shed during the month of January.
The Pursuit of God (A.W. Tozer). Recommended to me by a young man I know, I have only started this recently. Tozer never received any formal education, yet his writing style and ability to think and express truth clearly is obviously a gift from the Spirit. This is a devotional type reading that lifts up the reality that we must pursue God and make that the largest priority of our lives. I’m eager to move further in to it.
Dave Dawson: I am reading an extremely cool fiction book called The Shack. It is about a man who suffers a horrendous tragedy in his family. In his grief, he ends up meeting with and talking to God in the very shack where the tragedy took place. It conversational form, he and God talk through the big questions that we all ask.
Kelli Templeton: The Peacemaking Pastor by Alfred Poirier is showing me that peacemaking between man and God/man and man is THE role of the person in ministry, not a ministry distraction. The author has pointed us to the Incarnate Peacemaker, Jesus Christ, as we learn what kind of mediator we are called to be versus avoiding or becoming irritated with conflict. This book is not just for full-time people in the ministry but for all that call themselves disciples. Also, it has been helpful as a parent and small group leader.
Kent Ladendorf: I am currently reading Sex God by Rob Bell. This book explores the endless connections between sexuality and spirituality. The author makes the point that if we view sex as a base need just like food then we are no different than animals. If we view it as only for procreation then we attempt to turn our sexuality off and try to be more like another created being, angels. This book is helpful to understand today’s culture, particularly the post-modern views.
A web site of great value to me as the director of college-age ministries is www.ivyjungle.org. This website provides a monthly update on current trends on campuses around the country. It also explores the culture and mindset of those in this age group.
Topics: Inspire |
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