Life usually doesn't fit into nice neat little lists, but that
doesn't keep me from trying. Welcome to my Tuesday 10, where I try to fit
the messiness of life into a list of ten. Today I'm adding one.
I learned how to read when I was four and, except for a brief period during junior high when well-meaning English teachers tried to force me to read really boring girly stuff, I have been doing it pretty much ever since. I've read a lot of books. I won't even pretend like I know the number. Some were fun, some were serious, some were both; but a handful really made an impact on me. Here is a list of ten books that changed me. I hope you'll pick one, or more, of these titles up soon.
1.The Holy Bible - Obviously this one was gonna make the list. It's a library in and of itself. I've been reading it regularly for twenty years. No other written work has, or could, impact me the way the Bible continues to on a daily basis.
2. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis - It took me almost two years to read it through for the first time because I didn't want to move on to the next page without being able to absorb and understand what I had just read. I've read it a few more times since and it gets a little easier every time, but it is always challenging. More than any other apologetic work this book helped me learn to connect my brain to my faith in a way that no preacher, teacher, sermon, or Sunday School lesson ever could. Read it online for free here.
3. Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller - This is an interesting little book. It challenged me in a lot of ways, but it changed how I look at people, including myself, forever. This book explains the actual relational aspect of the Christian faith better than any other work I have ever read.
4. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl - Before I knew anything about Gene Wilder's whimsical film adaptation, and way before Johnny Depp and Tim Burton vomited their nauseous "artistry" on the mythos; a teacher started reading this book aloud to my class. I couldn't wait for her to finish, so I checked out a copy from our school library and started reading it on my own. As a kid with an incredibly active imagination, it was like candy for my soul. I think my life has been a little sweeter because of it. And my imagination is just as active now as it was when my little third grade self read the last words of the last page.
5. Wild at Heart by John Eldredge - During the darkest season, of the worst part of my life, a coworker who has sense grown to be a great friend told me to read Wild at Heart. I didn't learn a single thing reading this book; instead I began to understand myself with an acute awareness that connected me to my heavenly, and earthly, father in such a truly profound way. In the time since I have taught it's pages, walked dozens of guys through it's principles, and witnessed that same light-bulb light up in other young eyes. It is incredibly special to my heart.
6. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (and Huckleberry Finn) by Mark Twain - The same junior high English teacher that tried, unsuccessfully, to force me to read The Diary of Anne Frank introduced me to Mark Twain. In fact, when I saw that Huck Finn was on the list I prepared myself by reading Tom Sawyer instead of the drab diary. Because of the misadventures of two southern country boys I spent a lot of summers building tree houses and makeshift rafts--and thanks to young Tom, I love exploring caves. Read it online for free here.
7. Servolution by Dino Rizzo - It's a short story about a church called "The Healing Place" and how a pastor's vision connected with his parishioners. It has challenged me to love people without condition, and to serve them without any hidden agenda, because that's what Jesus did.
8. Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer - I've been walking though this book a paragraph at a time with a small group of young men for the last seven months. Each page is like unwrapping a delightful little package of theological wonder. Truly what goes through someone's mind when they think about God is the most important thing about them.
9. Jesus Freaks by The Voice of the Martyrs - I heard a lot of stories about persecuted Christians growing up; but this book colored in those old ambiguous tales with names, locations, and verifiable facts. A volume that could easily be depressing if read with the wrong intentions is actually one of the most encouraging books on my shelves.
10. The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien - I grew up in an era when anything with magic, dragons, or imagination for that matter, was pretty much frowned upon by the American Church. So, in the eleventh grade when my pastor, who was also my English teacher, handed me a copy of The Hobbit: There and Back Again and told me that I would enjoy it, I believed him. I read it. I enjoyed it. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that it began a love for fantasy fiction that I still enjoy to this day. It also taught me that people can really miss the boat sometimes, and that I should make up my own mind about issues, rather than letting outspoken naysayers make it up for me.
11. Mossflower by Brian Jacques - I worked in a library my senior year of high school for a very wonderful lady. She frequently let me check out books and one week I picked up Mossflower. It is a fantasy story about anthropomorphic animals (read "animals that walk upright and talk") written by a former sailor and adventurer for blind children. I absolutely fell in love with the writing style, the adventure, and the innocence of the story. By the end of the week I had finished the first four books in the series, by the end of the month I had inhaled the author's entire volume of work and was anxiously awaiting the next in the series. The way that it changed me though has nothing to do with the story itself. The best word I know to use is that something about the nature of the writing and the way it connected with me, unlocked a desire within me to write. I've been writing ever since. Some I share, some I keep in private to be enjoyed first by my family and friends. One day I plan to publish a lot of it.
Books are more powerful than we often realize. I connect with stories on a deep level. Thanks for taking the time to read this. This list could have easily been expanded to include twenty or more books. What are some things that you've read that really challenged or changed you?
Showing posts with label bible. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bible. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Pick Up Your Sword
The large majority of Americans are incredibly spoiled. This shows in
every aspect of our existence, and especially in our faith.
The simple truth is that many believers just take their faith for granted. What we believe, why we believe, and what we ultimately must do about it seems to get lost somewhere--buried by the blistering pace of a life lived for self.
This is often taken so far that we all-together ignore some of the most basic tenets of Christian discipline. One of these that is so often neglected is the reading of the Bible.
Every year my pastor initiates what he calls Bible Sunday, if memory serves me correctly it should be just around the corner. This Sunday morning service is a public challenge to our entire congregation to read the entire Bible in a year. For the last several years I've accepted this challenge, and completed it.
I've been reading the Bible for most of my life. I started reading it regularly around the age of twelve. I started studying it as well in my teens. But for these last few years, challenging myself to read and study it with such an enthusiastic goal in mind has propelled my faith into brand new territory.
My passion for the Word is higher than ever. My devotion to sharing the eternal truths contained within is stronger than ever. My hunger for understanding is more heart-felt than ever. My capacity for Christian love and the fruits of the Spirit is more authentic than ever. My faith is better than ever.
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. - Romans 10:17
To be the kind of creature God created us to be; we must pick up our Sword. We must learn it. We must love it. We must live it.
The simple truth is that many believers just take their faith for granted. What we believe, why we believe, and what we ultimately must do about it seems to get lost somewhere--buried by the blistering pace of a life lived for self.
This is often taken so far that we all-together ignore some of the most basic tenets of Christian discipline. One of these that is so often neglected is the reading of the Bible.
Every year my pastor initiates what he calls Bible Sunday, if memory serves me correctly it should be just around the corner. This Sunday morning service is a public challenge to our entire congregation to read the entire Bible in a year. For the last several years I've accepted this challenge, and completed it.
I've been reading the Bible for most of my life. I started reading it regularly around the age of twelve. I started studying it as well in my teens. But for these last few years, challenging myself to read and study it with such an enthusiastic goal in mind has propelled my faith into brand new territory.
My passion for the Word is higher than ever. My devotion to sharing the eternal truths contained within is stronger than ever. My hunger for understanding is more heart-felt than ever. My capacity for Christian love and the fruits of the Spirit is more authentic than ever. My faith is better than ever.
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. - Romans 10:17
To be the kind of creature God created us to be; we must pick up our Sword. We must learn it. We must love it. We must live it.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Who do you think you are?
When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table,
he told them this parable: "When someone invites you to a wedding feast,
do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than
you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will
come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you
will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited,
take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you,
'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the
presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will
be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." -- Luke 14:
7-11
The average Joe would more than likely agree with the idea that many people who find themselves in leadership positions in this day and age arrive to their position not due in any part to merit or worthiness. Sure there are some, but they are far and away outnumbered by those who have climbed the ranks due to charisma, personality, and their willingness to appease others in authority.
News flash! Self-centered personality driven leadership is old and ineffective. Take a look at the political arena today. People squabble over stupidity and the media jumps on it like a basset hound on a pork chop. People have lost faith in leaders of all kinds.
Politicians are constantly the source of jokes and bitter stories, and for good reason. Ask almost any common man or woman a few simple questions and it will not take you long to realize that most look on this nation's leadership with a skewed perception. We are almost numb to the idea that our leaders are self serving. That mentality has penetrated almost every walk of life we endeavor ourselves to.
However, there is a reason that these positions often harbor the moniker "public servant". Isn't it time people in places of leadership started truly serving those under their authority.
This might speak to more than just folks in the political arena.
The average Joe would more than likely agree with the idea that many people who find themselves in leadership positions in this day and age arrive to their position not due in any part to merit or worthiness. Sure there are some, but they are far and away outnumbered by those who have climbed the ranks due to charisma, personality, and their willingness to appease others in authority.
News flash! Self-centered personality driven leadership is old and ineffective. Take a look at the political arena today. People squabble over stupidity and the media jumps on it like a basset hound on a pork chop. People have lost faith in leaders of all kinds.
Politicians are constantly the source of jokes and bitter stories, and for good reason. Ask almost any common man or woman a few simple questions and it will not take you long to realize that most look on this nation's leadership with a skewed perception. We are almost numb to the idea that our leaders are self serving. That mentality has penetrated almost every walk of life we endeavor ourselves to.
However, there is a reason that these positions often harbor the moniker "public servant". Isn't it time people in places of leadership started truly serving those under their authority.
This might speak to more than just folks in the political arena.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Pick Up the Sword
The large majority of Americans are incredibly spoiled. This shows in every aspect of our existence, and especially in our faith.
The simple truth is that many believers just take their faith for granted. What we believe, why we believe, and what we ultimately must do about it seems to get lost somewhere--buried by the blistering pace of a life lived for self.
This is often taken so far that we all-together ignore some of the most basic tenets of Christian discipline. One of these that is so often neglected is the reading of the Bible.
Every year my pastor initiates what he calls Bible Sunday, if memory serves me correctly it should be just around the corner. This Sunday morning service is a public challenge to our entire congregation to read the entire Bible in a year. For the last several years I've accepted this challenge, and completed it.
I've been reading the Bible for most of my life. I started reading it regularly around the age of twelve. I started studying it as well in my teens. But for these last few years, challenging myself to read and study it with such an enthusiastic goal in mind has propelled my faith into brand new territory.
My passion for the Word is higher than ever. My devotion to sharing the eternal truths contained within is stronger than ever. My hunger for understanding is more heart-felt than ever. My capacity for Christian love and the fruits of the Spirit is more authentic than ever. My faith is better than ever.
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. - Romans 10:17
To be the kind of creature God created us to be; we must pick up our Sword. We must learn it. We must love it. We must live it.
The simple truth is that many believers just take their faith for granted. What we believe, why we believe, and what we ultimately must do about it seems to get lost somewhere--buried by the blistering pace of a life lived for self.
This is often taken so far that we all-together ignore some of the most basic tenets of Christian discipline. One of these that is so often neglected is the reading of the Bible.
Every year my pastor initiates what he calls Bible Sunday, if memory serves me correctly it should be just around the corner. This Sunday morning service is a public challenge to our entire congregation to read the entire Bible in a year. For the last several years I've accepted this challenge, and completed it.
I've been reading the Bible for most of my life. I started reading it regularly around the age of twelve. I started studying it as well in my teens. But for these last few years, challenging myself to read and study it with such an enthusiastic goal in mind has propelled my faith into brand new territory.
My passion for the Word is higher than ever. My devotion to sharing the eternal truths contained within is stronger than ever. My hunger for understanding is more heart-felt than ever. My capacity for Christian love and the fruits of the Spirit is more authentic than ever. My faith is better than ever.
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. - Romans 10:17
To be the kind of creature God created us to be; we must pick up our Sword. We must learn it. We must love it. We must live it.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
A is for Available
Just as the first talking point in the “plan of salvation”
is forgiveness, or helping someone to realize their need for it, the second is
the availability of forgiveness to any who come to God seeking it.
For God so loved the
world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not
perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16
Most of us are incredibly familiar with this oft-quoted
passage, but a key component of salvation that often goes overlooked is that it
does require something on our part.
Not everyone who says
to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who
does the will of my Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 7:21
Forgiveness is available for all, but it is not
automatic. It requires acknowledging our
need for God, accepting the forgiveness that is available, and submitting to
God’s will for our lives.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Some Presidential Thoughts
The following is a list of quotes about the bible from American presidents, courtesy of The American Patriot's Bible.
It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible. - George Washington, 1st President
The first and almost the only book deserving of universal attention is the Bible. I speak as a man of the world...and I say to you, "Search the Scriptures." - John Quincy Adams, 6th President
That book, sir, is the rock on which our republic rests. - Andrew Jackson, 7th President
In regard for this Great Book, I have this to say, it is the best gift God has given to man. All the Good Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book. - Abraham Lincoln, 16th President
Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet anchor of your liberties. Write its precepts in your hearts, and practice them in your lives. To the influence of this book are we indebted for all the progress made in true civilization, and to this we must look as our guide in the future. Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. - Ulysses S. Grant, 18th President
If you take out of your statutes, your constitution, your family life all that is taken from the Sacred Book, what would there be left to bind society together? - Benjamin Harrison, 23rd President
The Bible is the one supreme source of revelation of the meaning of life, the nature of God, and spiritual nature and needs of men. It is the only guide of life which really leads the spirit in the way of peace and salvation. America was born a Christian nation. America was born to exemplify that devotion to the elements of righteousness which are derived from the revelations of Holy Scripture. - Woodrow Wilson, 28th President
The strength of our country is the strength of its religious convictions. The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country. - Calvin Coolidge, 30th President
We cannot read the history of our rise and development as a nation without reckoning with the place the Bible has occupied in shaping the advances of the Republic. Where we have been the truest and most consistent in obeying its precepts, we have attained the greatest measure of contentment and prosperity. - Franklin Roosevelt, 32nd President
The fundamental basis of this nation's laws was given to Moses on the Mount. The fundamental basis of our Bill of Rights comes from the teachings we get from Exodus and Saint Matthew, from Isaiah and Saint Paul . . . If we don't have a proper fundamental moral background, we will finally end up with a totalitarian government which does not believe in rights for anybody except the State! - Harry Truman, 33rd President
Inside the Bible's pages lie all the answers to all of the problems man has ever known . . . It is my firm belief that the enduring values presented in its pages have a great meaning for each of us and for our nation. The Bible can touch our hearts, order our minds, and refresh our souls. - Ronald Reagan, 40th President
It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible. - George Washington, 1st President
The first and almost the only book deserving of universal attention is the Bible. I speak as a man of the world...and I say to you, "Search the Scriptures." - John Quincy Adams, 6th President
That book, sir, is the rock on which our republic rests. - Andrew Jackson, 7th President
In regard for this Great Book, I have this to say, it is the best gift God has given to man. All the Good Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book. - Abraham Lincoln, 16th President
Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet anchor of your liberties. Write its precepts in your hearts, and practice them in your lives. To the influence of this book are we indebted for all the progress made in true civilization, and to this we must look as our guide in the future. Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. - Ulysses S. Grant, 18th President
If you take out of your statutes, your constitution, your family life all that is taken from the Sacred Book, what would there be left to bind society together? - Benjamin Harrison, 23rd President
The Bible is the one supreme source of revelation of the meaning of life, the nature of God, and spiritual nature and needs of men. It is the only guide of life which really leads the spirit in the way of peace and salvation. America was born a Christian nation. America was born to exemplify that devotion to the elements of righteousness which are derived from the revelations of Holy Scripture. - Woodrow Wilson, 28th President
The strength of our country is the strength of its religious convictions. The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country. - Calvin Coolidge, 30th President
We cannot read the history of our rise and development as a nation without reckoning with the place the Bible has occupied in shaping the advances of the Republic. Where we have been the truest and most consistent in obeying its precepts, we have attained the greatest measure of contentment and prosperity. - Franklin Roosevelt, 32nd President
The fundamental basis of this nation's laws was given to Moses on the Mount. The fundamental basis of our Bill of Rights comes from the teachings we get from Exodus and Saint Matthew, from Isaiah and Saint Paul . . . If we don't have a proper fundamental moral background, we will finally end up with a totalitarian government which does not believe in rights for anybody except the State! - Harry Truman, 33rd President
Inside the Bible's pages lie all the answers to all of the problems man has ever known . . . It is my firm belief that the enduring values presented in its pages have a great meaning for each of us and for our nation. The Bible can touch our hearts, order our minds, and refresh our souls. - Ronald Reagan, 40th President
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