Do You Read Much?

I’m a bit of a late bloomer. I’m convinced that it was God’s grace moving in and through my call to ordained ministry that empowered and encouraged me to become someone who enjoys reading. Prior to that… all the way through college (to my parent’s horror) I seldom picked up a book (my grades reflected this fact).

Yet, even in college, when I was interested in something, such as politics, I would actually pick up a book and read it. It was after I graduated from college that I found myself reading books, mostly on theology. It was partly through reading that God ignited my heart and mind for him and for ministry. I’ve been a fairly active and consistent reader ever since.

However, to my frustration, there are just too many good books worth reading and not nearly enough time. Therefore, the discernment process is key… which  books to read and when. This process is a work in progress for me.

One thing has been very helpful is reading book summaries and reviews. I once heard Os Guinness say that we can’t possibly read everything we want to, so why not benefit from others who have read and summarized (and even evaluated) some of the same books that you have been meaning to read, but just haven’t gotten around to yet. If the summary of the book really excites you, you can always buy the book for yourself.

There’s a very helpful post today at Church Relevance on this point. I recommend that you read it as well.

Here are a few Book Summary providers that I’ve come across. Two of them I have already subscribed to. A couple of others I’m considering. If you have other recommendations, I’d love to hear from you.

• Christian Book Summaries - This is a free service. They have a great collection of Christian books on a wide variety of topics.
• Success Book Summaries - I have also subscribed to this. It comes in both audio and print. They cover books on leadership, personal development, business, etc.
• Leaders Book Summaries - This is one that I’m about ready to pull the trigger on. It looks great. The Church Relevance blog specifically mentioned this one in today’s post.
• Business Book Summaries Reviews is a website that reviews other “book summary” websites. They have a great list of other good services with their respective strengths and weaknesses.

Again, let me hear from you if you have some other good suggestions. I’m always looking for ways to read more (as well as to remember what I read).

Happy Reading,
Dale

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Man Alive Countdown… New Book by Pat Morley

NEW from Man in the Mirror…

by Pat Morley

Men, my new book MAN ALIVE comes out on January 17. I would like to enlist your help to get the word out.

90% of Christian men lead lukewarm, often defeated lives — and they hate it. But it doesn’t have to be that way. MAN ALIVE will show men how to harness the raw energy they feel into a powerful spiritual life.

But how do we engage these men? We need to put a little bait on the hook.

So we’ve produced a heart-pumping, 75-second video trailer that you can view at www.ManAliveBook.com. (Yes, I’m the driver.) (See video below)

The plan is to get as many people as possible to watch the video trailer to create awareness for the book and its message.

Would you please share the trailer with your friends? Here are some ways you can help get the word out:

Twitter:
Copy and paste to Twitter:
Check out this heart-pumping video trailer for Pat Morley’s new book MAN ALIVE at www.ManAliveBook.com.

Facebook:
Copy and paste to Facebook:
Share trailer w/ your friends via Facebook, Twitter, blog, or email list. Let him know at manalive@maninthemirror.org. He’ll enter you for daily drawings. Each daily winner will receive a signed MAN ALIVE, DVD Study Resource, & 10 “Becoming a Man Alive” booklets — a $60 value. Enter once, eligible every day through January 17.

Email: Forward this email to your friends.

Bloggers:
If you want to review the book, email me at manalive@maninthemirror.org and I’ll send you an Advanced Reading Copy.

#453 © 2011. Patrick Morley. All rights reserved. This article may be reproduced for non-commercial ministry purposes with proper attribution.

Thanks in advance for your interest and help,

Pat Morley

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The Sermon on the Mount: The Message of the Kingdom

Kent Hughes has done a wonderful job putting together the Preaching the Word commentary series. It combines the best of expository, devotional, and proclamatory emphases. This particular commentary on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is simply outstanding. I highly recommend it.

Here’s a description…

Within the three chapters of Matthew known as the Sermon on the Mount are truths so rich and deep that no matter how often or how closely we examine their words, they continually bring new relevance to our lives. Do you want to know what kind of character you should have as a Christian? What should define your outer way of life and your inner habit of mind? Then study the Sermon. Ponder each sentence and test yourself by it.

Click here to learn more about it or to order it.

Happy Reading,
Dale

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Bibliography

As a pastor, I’m often asked to recommend books on a variety of topics related to the Christian faith. Since I think our faith touches every sphere of life, that’s a great deal of ground to cover. Therefore, I thought it might be a helpful exercise to add this bibliographic page to my blog that includes a few of the books that I pull off the shelf when I want to study a particular subject.

I’m not going to include a great deal of explanation for each choice, but I will make sure to link each selection so that you can learn more about the book for yourself… thus helping you decide if it’s for you. However, suffice it to say, if I include it, it’s a “go to” book for me (i.e., I recommend it).

PS – The page for this bibliography is listed at the top of the blog, below the header.

Happy Reading,
Dale

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Systematic Theology by Thomas Oden

One of the things that I love about Oden is that not only is he biblical, but that he doesn’t write as though he is the first (or only) person to have ever read the Bible. He draws (very thoroughly) from Christian history, especially the early Church. He understands what it means to read the Bible in community.

His three volume set on systematic theology is arranged in a Trinitarian fashion: Book 1: The Living God, Book 2: The Word of Life, and Book 3: Life in the Spirit. It’s not necessarily an easy read, but it is thorough and comes from a deep and abiding faith.

Oden is a United Methodist, but in this work his emphasis is focused more on what all (or at least “most”) Christians can and should agree on if we would call ourselves Christian.

Here’s a description of the series from Christianbook.com…

Covering the nature of God, the person of Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit, Oden’s masterful study emphasizes the ecumenical common ground of theological doctrine. Faithful to biblical teaching and classical tradition, his direct, provocative approach articulates the concerns of pastors, teachers, seminarians, and thoughtful laypersons. An indispensable reference at an irresistible price! 1561 pages total, three hardcovers from Hendrickson.

Click here to learn more about it  or to order it.

Happy Reading,
Dale

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A Life-Changing Book

Every now and then God is particularly good. Of course he’s always good… but every now and then, his goodness is lavished in our lives in such a way that we immediately sense how undeserving we really are.

Ten years ago, this past January, I began a weekly men’s discipleship ministry with the hope that a few men would gather together around God’s Word and be saturated and transformed by it. I prayed with all my heart that men would be renewed and revived. I hoped in God that biblical, God-glorifying, Christ-exalting, Spirit-filled disciples would be born – men who would change the world – beginning with themselves, then in and through their families, workplaces, churches, communities, the culture, and then perhaps, one day, the world. God honors such efforts. Reformation and revival happens in such ways.

Unbeknownst to me at the time, something similar happened about 700 years ago, the effects of which, are still being felt to this day. More on that tomorrow.

About twelve years ago I stumbled upon a book that revolutionized my faith, my ministry, and my life. The book is entitled, The Micah Mandate, by George Grant. (Get this book!) It’s a marvelous, God-honoring study of what a biblical worldview is and how it should ignite those who hold it dear. Up to that point I had read every book around on the subject of Christian worldview – but always from an abstract and philosophical perspective. Grant’s book expanded my world and broadened my horizons. He emphasized the notion that the idea of worldview isn’t just something for the ivory towers of academia, but for all of life. Our worldview – our treasured faith – is for every sphere of life. I haven’t been the same since.

My hope for the men’s ministry was for God to penetrate the hearts, minds, and souls of our men with his Word, so thoroughly, that he would cultivate in our lives a framework (worldview) for viewing, interpreting, and applying our faith in every sphere of life. God has been pleased to work mightily in the lives of many of our men in such a way. Soli Deo Gloria.

Tomorrow I’ll post some comments and notes I took from a life-changing audio message, as grace would have it, also by George Grant.

Grace and Truth,
Dale

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Spiritual Life Checkup (Part 4: Attitudes and Motivations)

Click here to read Part 1: Introduction 
Click here to read Part 2: Devotional Life
Click here to read Part 3: Intellectual Life

The recommended article to go along with these questions is a review with Paul Tripp and Timothy Lane about their book, How People Change at CCEF. 

1.      Do you feel you are a more accepting, forgiving, and loving person than you have been? ________ Expand:

2.      Do you feel you are stronger against temptations than you used to be (to be impatient, angry, greedy, lustful, etc.)? ________  Expand:

3.      How do you usually respond to sin in your life?

4.      Do you understand what it means to repent?________ Explain:

5.      What are the primary temptations and sins you find yourself struggling with?  Would you like help in fighting these as you seek to be obedient to God?

6.      Do you understand what it means to become Christlike and find your identity in Christ alone? ________ Expand:

7.      Is there anything in your life that you are putting before God? (your family, your comfort, your job, etc.)?

8.      When you fail, what happens within you?

9.      When you succeed, what happens within you?

10.  Do you worry or experience fear and anxiety often? ________ How do you respond?

Grace and Truth,
Dale

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