Tag: book

Check out “Real-life Discipleship” by Jim Putman (this guy gets it)

On By pastorjonathanIn books, discipleship2 Comments

Real-Life Discipleship: Building Churches That Make Disciples by Jim Putman is a must read for anyone serious about discipleship!  It is packed with Biblical, simple, and time-tested  strategy on how to help people grow in Christ. I really appreciated Jim’s pastoral style of writing that bleeds through on every page.  While handling the truth of God’s word, Jim is sure to pull readers into the story of redemption and call them to take up the mantle of discipleship. After reading hundreds of books I have come to learn that not all books are equal.  If you had to read only one book on discipleship (besides the Bible), this is the book. I was blessed, encouraged and even rebuked in areas of my own life while reading this book.

I was first turned on to this resource after reading Avery Willis and Mark Snowden’s book Truth that Sticks (another book well worth a read).  After reading that book I commented that more books would be needed, this is one of those books!  I am excited an encouraged all at once about the series of books that are coming out of NavPress on the topics of discipleship.

Real-life Discipleship is a clarion call back to a biblical model of discipleship.  I highly recommend it to anyone interested in developing a biblical model of discipleship in their church.  The retail price is $17.99 (Hardcover), and is available at a discount at  Amazon.com for $12.23. I gave it FIVE stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

On This Day in Christian History (A Review)

On By pastorjonathanIn books, MinistryLeave a comment

I like history.  I really like Christian History.  Just take one glance around my office and you will notice that most of the books on my shelves were written by dead guys (actually they wrote the books and then they died).  You might also notice a long shelve filled with biographies and still another shelf filled with volumes of Church history.  You will also notice a magazine stack of Christian History Magazines.  I’m a history guy.  I’m a Christian history guy.

So when On This Day in Christian History: 365 Amazing and Inspiring Stories about Saints, Martyrs and Heroes came up for review, I jumped at the chance to review it.  And it didn’t disappoint.  There are so many things that I like about this book and  it is hard to summarize in just a few words, so let me say this… it’s the perfect gift for a guy like me.  I can also see it being a great read for someone who is interested in getting a glimps at the people and events of Christian history.

The stories are generally inspiring.  There is a scripture verse at the bottom of the page that brings relevance and meaning to the previously read story.  There is a fascinating topic index in the back of the book allowing readers to look up stories according to topic. Over all it does a great job at achieving its purpose (a bite sized reading of what happened in Christian history on a particular day) in a way that encourages readers to stay engaged in the book.  I dare you to just read one day’s history when you get the book.

I  highly recommend On This Day in Christian History to anyone interested in Christian history.  To beginners its an easy read, small commitment book that will give you a broad spectrum view of Christian History.  To well educated history nerds like myself it will allow you to pull out of a narrowed genre of Church history (I find myself often in the Reformation and the Puritan Eras)  to appreciate a broader scope of history in a way that doesn’t take a lot of time.  Plus, everyone wants to know what happened in Christian history on your birthday.   The retail price is $12.99 (paperback), and is available around the web in places like Amazon.com for $9.35. I really like this book and at under $10 it makes a great dirty Santa gift when you are getting together with history nerds… unfortunately, we are a rare breed.  I gave it five stars.

    Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson as part of the BookSneeze program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

    The Best book I’ve Read on Communicating Truth

    On By pastorjonathanIn books, MinistryLeave a comment

    Truth That Sticks: How to Communicate Velcro Truth in a Teflon World by Avery T. Willis Jr. and Mark Snowden is by far one of the best books I’ve read on how to communicate the biblical message.  I’ve read dozens of books just on the subject matter of speaking and dozens more on preaching, yet none with the simplicity and authenticating case studies presented in this book.  The idea is simple: The Bible has lots of truth telling stories and stories stick.

    The idea is so simple that we were already practicing it with the non-readers in our house.  I’ve read the Jesus Storybook Bible to my daughter 4 or 5 times now just by reading a few stories per night.  Sunday afternoons we pull out a set of pictures we have that tell the major stories of the Bible and she asks questions about the pictures and I tell the stories.  I just never thought of teaching adults, or students through stories… that is until I read Made to Stick by Dan and Chip Heath.  Then I thought it was possible, but I struggles with how to go about teaching adults through story.  Then this book made it’s way to my hands and has become a primer.

    To be honest another book is needed (and I think one is on the way) with more specifics on how to teach small groups, large group, etc. through the power of Biblical stories.

    This book is a great for people looking to share the gospel or  help disciple others, Sunday school teachers, pastors, etc. I highly recommend it.  The retail price is $14.99 (Paperback), and is available at a discount at  Amazon.com for $10.19. I gave it FIVE stars

    Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

    Really Woolly Bible Stories (children’s book review)

    On By pastorjonathanIn books, Family, parentingLeave a comment

    Really Woolly Bible Stories is a collection of 16 Bible stories, illustrated for young children and told in a few short stanzas of rhyme.  Really Woolly Bible Stories is a great introduction to important bible stories for infants and toddlers.  I appreciate the padded hardback nature of the book ensuring that it can tolerate a gumming by your youngster.  Of course you know nothings fool-proof once your child gets those first teeth.  None-the-less this book is set up for the usual wear and tear that accompanies an active nursery.

    I feel that this book does a great job of balancing accuracy with age appropriate censorship.  For example while covering the ten commandments the writer states, “Mind your parents, do not kill.  If you we, your vows fulfill.”  Which given in the context of infants and toddlers is a good introductory statement to what it means to commit adultery (break a promise that you made when you got married), without broaching a larger subject that is implied in the command.

    I recommend Really Woolly Bible Stories to parent and grandparents of infants and toddlers.  Your kids will enjoy the thick pages, the art work and hearing you rhyme the stories.  Hopefully, along the way you will plan kernels of truth in the lives of the children you care about.   The retail price is $9.99 (padded board book), and is available around the web in places like Amazon.com. I gave it four stars.

    If you are looking for a really great Childrens Bible, check out the Jesus Story Book Bible.  I can’t recommend it enough.  We have read through ours several times now.

    Here are some other childrens books and resources I also like…

    Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson as part of the BookSneeze program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

    Finally A Way Forward in Authentically Expressing the Gospel Through Social Action

    On By pastorjonathanIn books, Just Thinking, student ministryLeave a comment

    In order to keep this post brief I am using a few theological words to express my understanding of the root issue.  Much like doctors conversing over a particular condition of a patient would use medical terms in discussing the issue with one another.  To get a more sensible break out of my thought process without the theological back story (like a doctor talking to a patient) skip to the second gray block quote below… 

    Encounter God in the City: Onramps to Personal And Community Transformation by Randy White is the book I have been looking to read for over a year now.  I didn’t know that this was the book I needed, but I am very grateful now that I have found it.  Randy does an excellent job of carrying the balance of how to express the gospel through social action.

    For far too long I’ve been reading authors who have heavily influenced by peculiar reading of the Sermon on the Mount.  Not that such a reading is without warrant or precedent in Christian history, however many of the authors who are proposing a “Sermon on the Mount” hermeneutic are living in a reactionary state against a type of rigid premillennial fundamentalism that has taught that the world is getting worse, causing followers to withdraw influence from the market place and create a separatist movement complete with its own knock-off “Christian” music sub culture.  In essence they claim that rather than engaging the world with the gospel, many churches have effectually created fortresses to protect the Christian sub-culture from the world.  The allegation is that our churches have become islands in the community rather than a shaping force… I understand the problem and often agree with their assessment of where we are (or at least where we were headed). When we focus so exclusively on gospel content that we forget to express the gospel, there is a problem.

    But where many of these authors and my friends who follow them go wrong is that they throw stones at the institution and forge a reactionary trail that is full of expression, but not always “gospel” expression.

    In general its a juvenile reaction to finding out that you were taught a different position or way of thinking.  Rather than cautiously moving forward assessing the new information in light of your current beliefs, you abandon your previously held beliefs and focus on the “new truth” with a nearly exclusive focus.  Think of the young man who comes back from college a Calvinist.  Suddenly Calvinism is all he knows and without guidance he is likely to become a hyper-Calvinist and forget evangelism because of his angst against a pastor or teacher who didn’t cover Romans 9 in Bible study.  The same thing is now happening with the social aspect of the gospel.  There is a social aspect to sharing the gospel.  But we haven’t been teaching about it in many mainline churches and now the reaction is to jettison the doctrinal aspects of the gospel in favor of pure social action… Its a juvenile over-reaction to a faltering world view…

    Are you a Forward or Backward Thinker? More on this issue Here.

    With “mission” emerging (no pun intended) as one of the predominant way to proclaim this new sense of expressing the gospel through social action this leads to the questions… What makes “mission” Christian? Essentially, at what point does social concern translate into gospel message?

    Many have used words like “mission” and “incarnational” unfairly to mean work amongst the poor or less fortunate.  Lets be clear the mission is to make disciples (Matthew 18).  The incarnation was about God becoming man and walking among “sinners” many of whom were poor, many of whom were not.  The ultimate goal is the glory of God (Philippians 2).

    We miss the mark when we replace the word “poor” for “sin.” (Though poverty is an issue in its own right, it is not the central issue, but rather the expression of the root issue of sin.)  I know that many times and in most places people are bound in poverty by oppression (the sins of others).   I know the world groans under the curse and oppressive poverty can be understood as the mark of sin on the world, but the issue remains… removing poverty does not remove sin.  Feeding a man or teaching a man to feed himself are worthwhile goals (and even maybe gospel oriented goals), but they are not the end.  To be called mission or missional we must be reconciling men to God by pointing to the work of Jesus on the cross otherwise the faith we are trying so hard to evidence by our deeds is no faith at all (Matthew 7:22-23… and that’s in the Sermon on the Mount).

    Randy White expresses an awesome way forward in reaching our cities with the gospel.  He understands that incarnational isn’t just about getting your hands dirty, but sitting with sinners for the sake of demonstrating and authentically sharing the gospel.  I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in urban ministry.  The retail price is $15.00 (Paperback), I got my copy for $10.20 at  Amazon.com.  I gave it five stars.

    Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

    The Book Every Young Pastor in a Small Church Needs to Read

    On By pastorjonathanIn books, MinistryLeave a comment

    Transforming Church in Rural America by Shannon O’Dell is a must read for any young pastor leading a congregation in rural America!  I was deeply blessed by almost every page in this book and even a little humbled.  Having grown up in rural churches and having many friends who are pastoring rural churches I can testify that Shannon has hit the mark.  What you will find with this book is a no-nonsense, practical, count-the-cost design for much needed change in many of our rural churches.  Shannon knows from first hand experience the cost of bringing change and leading a dying church back to vibrant health and he has a story to tell.

    Throughout Transforming Church in Rural America, Shannon tells the story of how he was called by God from being on staff at a large church to pastoring a small South Side Baptist Church in an 88 resident town in Arkansas.  Over the last six years God has blessed Shannon to be at the forefront of change in rural America to reach people with the gospel.  Today Shannon’s church, now renamed, Brand New Church reaches out to thousands of people each week through multiple campuses. Shannon’s passion to reach rural America at any cost is contagious.  Note this quote from the book…

    As far as too many soldiers have shown us, it takes great personal sacrifice to willingly enter a conflict.  But if we are to fulfill our vision, we have no other choice.  It’s change, conflict, growth; change, conflict, growth; and you have to walk through that process.  It happens on a personal level every time we see someone freed from a massive addiction. The person makes a change, then there is a major conflict, but then there is unbelievable growth. It’s the same with church; we must go through change and then conflict in order to see growth. Nobody told me that before I went to rural America.  but it’s part of the game – one of the rules you will have to abide by play after play. When conflict comes most rural pastors give up on change. It’s just too hard. What can we do? We must be resolved to conflict in its many forms; we must pick our battles carefully, and we must choose which hills we are willing to die on- just as Jesus chose Golgotha. (page 81-82).

    I highly recommend Transforming Church in Rural America.  In fact if you are considering a call to pastor a small church or a church in rural America, its a must read.  You won’t find this kind of transparency and passion for rural churches anywhere else. The retail price is $12.99 (hardcover), and is available around the web in places like Amazon.com for $10.39. I gave it four stars.

    Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson as part of the BookSneeze program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

    “Outlive Your Life” by Max Lucado (a Review)

    On By pastorjonathanIn booksLeave a comment

    Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make A Difference Max Lucado is a really great inspirational book.  I’m generally not a Lucado fan, but I was blown away by this book.  The book is well written, well paced, well packaged, and worth a read (even if you aren’t a Lucado fan).

    Max Lucado does a great job of calling and encouraging the reader to participate in spreading the hope of the gospel through all the world.  I was deeply impressed with how well-balanced Lucado was in his presentation of finding purpose and making a difference beyond the few years we live here.  As a bonus Lucado has graciously donated all the royalties from this book and other outlive your life products to World Vision and other ministries of faith-based  compassion.

    I highly recommend Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make A Difference. The retail price is $24.99 (hardcover), and is available around the web in places like Amazon.com for $12.95. I gave it five stars.

    Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson as part of the BookSneeze program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

    “The Treasure of God’s Word” by Jack Countryman (A Review)

    On By pastorjonathanIn booksLeave a comment

    The Treasure of God’s Word: Celebrating 400 Years of the King James Bible by Jack Countryman is more or less a coffee table book.  It is an attractively bound hardcover book with a soft leathery feel.  The pages have golden edge and the books general appearance is one of quality and value.  Unfortunately the pages themselves are thick and glossy, contradicting by nature the cover and golden edged nature of the work.

    The Treasure of God’s Word is a celebration of the King James Bible complete with several small articles on how we God the King James Version and its influence through the years.  Stretched out between the articles are various verses and passages of scripture displayed according to theme.  At the end of the day its a great coffee table book, but not much more. Sadly once opened it lacks the elegance that it’s cover suggests.

    Personally I was disappointed in how little genuine history there was to a book celebrating the 400th year of the King James Version of the Bible.  I did appreciate the encouraging selection of verses, but felt that they were under-served in their presentation.  Overall this will make a great coffee table book, but only for those who really prize the King James Version (almost to a fault).

    If you love the King James Version of the Bible, its poetry and history… This book is for you. The retail price of The Treasure of God’s Word is $16.99 (hardcover), and is available around the web in places like Amazon.com for $11.55. I gave it three stars.

    If you are really wanting to know more about the history of the King James Bible as well as other historical English versions of the Bible check out Wide as the Waters: The Story of the English Bible and the Revolution It Inspired by Benson Bobrick and Bible in Translation, The: Ancient and English Versions by Bruce M. Metzger.  These books are a bit more academic in nature, but provide a great resource for understanding the context from which the English versions of the Bible (including the KJV) emerged.

    Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson as part of the BookSneeze program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

    Is the Kingdom now, not yet, or both? A review of “Chasing Francis” by Ian Morgan Cron

    On By pastorjonathanIn books, Kingdom of GodLeave a comment

    Chasing Francis By Ian Morgan Cron is an interesting and engaging book.  The book is written in novel format, but seeks to serve as an introduction to the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Francis was called by God to “rebuild the church” and set about living a lifestyle and organizing a monastic order that set about to live out the Sermon on the Mount. According to the author and those who endorse the book, St. Francis has a lot to offer the Western church today.  I was impressed with how well the modern-day fictional story of a pastor in the midst of spiritual crisis “chasing” the footsteps of Francis on a pilgrimage really did lend itself to being a catchy introduction to the life of St Francis.

    My fear with the book is philosophical in that while the church is being called to action, little is being said about the truth of who God is. A subtle “kingdom now” utopia of good works theme plays throughout the background of the book.  At one instance there is a suggestion for a church to send part of its missions budget to agencies that are formed around protecting the environment.  The question of the hour then becomes… “What makes Mission, Christian?” In other words, while we are preaching the gospel with our actions and using words (only) if necessary, what distinctively shows our actions to be gospel oriented?  Doesn’t Oprah give generously to just causes and Bill Gates?  Are they ushering in the kingdom or are they just giving money to a good cause?  What does saving the planet really demonstrate about the gospel?  I need words to tell me.

    I know by fan’s of this movement it will seem like I just don’t get it, but the truth is I do.  I get it. I get it all too well.  We will teach social justice and miss the gospel all together.  I know that’s not being said, but I see it being done. Nothing wrong with what has come to be known as social justice (feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, etc…) except when it dominates the platform it eclipses the real issue.  We must not forget why people are hungry, naked, and in need of a savior in the first place.  Social justice is a much needed band-aide to a hurting world, but Jesus is the only solution to the sin issue, please… lets not forget that.

    The book is very well written including a study guide for group study found in the back of the book. I have a hard time recommending it because of the philosophical underpinnings that I have come to find lacking a fair treatment of the gospel.  The retail price is $14.99 (Paperback), and is available at a discount at  Amazon.com for $10.14. I gave it three stars

    Nearly 2 years ago I came across this theme in another book you can read my questions and responses here.

    Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

    Overcoming Money Myths that Christians Believe

    On By pastorjonathanIn booksLeave a comment

    When I first ordered Your Money God’s Way, I was a bit skeptical.  I’ve been through several finance courses, studies, etc.  (By the way, the best studies I’ve come across are Dave Ramsey‘s books).  However, as soon as I saw the cover I was encouraged to see Dave’s endorsement on the front.  As I began to read Your Money God’s Way I was further encouraged and refreshed.

    The author Amie Streater writes in a straight forward, compelling, and conversational manner.  She shares gripping stories or heart ache and heart-break due financial ignorance and petty greed.  The thing I liked most about each chapter is the way that she was able to unveil each “myth” and its root in sin.  The book tackles such obvious sin issues as the health and wealth gospel, issues of entitlement, enabling, etc.  She attacks the misquoted scriptural base that folks sometimes use (sometimes they don’t even need to use scripture to justify their bad behavior).

    As an associate pastor I have found that many people in our churches are ignorant of some of the money myths.  I am thankful that at our church we have great leaders who are providing opportunities for folks to learn about how to handle money in a godly way.  It is true as Amie quotes all through out the book, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

    The only issue I have with the book is the title.  I get where Amie or the publisher is coming from, but I think it would reflect amie’s theology and a more biblical theology to have the title read, “God’s money, God’s way.”  Ultimately in the end we will give an account to Him for how we used or abused money.

    If you are struggling with your finances or trying to help someone who is… This book is for you.  I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to understand the sin issues behind why we spend money, go in debt, live beyond our means, etc.  If you are looking for something practical to help you get out of debt now, check out Dave Ramsey’s books and workbooks.  Financial Peace University
    really set my wife and I up for success early on. The retail price of Your Money God’s Way is $14.99 (Paperback), and is available around the web in places like Amazon.com for $10.79. I gave it four stars.

    Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson as part of the BookSneeze program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”