In the Book of Proverbs the author describes two different types of people. You are either wise or a fool. The author throughout the book of Proverbs provides descriptors of what a wise person would do and what their rewards are for being wise, and contrasts that with the actions of the foolish, which should always result in some form of punishment for their actions.
In Proverbs, the author views the wise person is the person who as Proverbs 3:5-6 states trusts in God and relies on Him. A wise person does not do whatever they think is right, but acknowledges and listens to God’s direction in life. A fool, in contrast, ignores God. A fool acts as they feel is right.
Leading Change Without Losing it is a book by canadian Pastor Carey Neiuwhof.Carey is the lead pastor of Connexus Community church with satellite churches in Orillia and Barrie, Ontario. I bought this book a few months ago and read it instantly, but have been waiting to write this review.
First I have a confession. This is a biased review. I was fortunate enough to get to know Carey about 9 years ago. He taught a course at the school I was attending and I was privileged enough to spend that time learning from him. I can say without a single doubt, God used Carey in huge ways in my life. If it wasn’t for that time in that course I probably would not work in a church. Read more
A little known fact, but St Patrick didn’t make green beer. Actually the life of St Patrick has little to do with beer at all, hard to believe I know. St Patrick had nothing to do with leprechauns or pots of gold either. And he probably wouldn’t have been a fan of parades, but that one is just a guess on my part.
Like most festive days that are associated with Saints, St Patrick’s day as we celebrate it has little to do with the Saint it is named after. Which is unfortunate, because there is much we can learn from the lives of historical Saints.
Also unfortunate, is that the lives of most Saints are surrounded by fantastical stories, which, probably are not true, but easily remembered. Such as St Patrick removing all the snakes from Ireland, or that St Patrick taught the pagan people of Ireland about the trinity by using a shamrock. Great stories, but probably not true. Read more
Yesterday the Roman Catholic church elected their new Pope. While I am not Roman Catholic, I do have a deep appreciation for some aspects of Catholic history and tradition, as well as an admiration of the truly devout. And I do believe that Christians from various traditions and denominations can learn a lot form each other.
When the former Pope was elected, I knew a little about him because I had read some of his writings. His book on Eschatology is a gem and I think should be read, even if you disagree. I thought he could have a very positive impact on the Catholic church in establishing some more Christocentric practices and could help the wider church.
The new Pope elected yesterday, I knew nothing about, and I secretly wanted a Canadian to get in. But I have been looking some stuff up on him, and have been really amazed at what I’ve read. Now I’m sure soon there will be stuff that comes up like he was part of a nazi group as a child or that he is a communist, but from what I’ve read the new pope appears to be a very humble man who deeply wants people to be connected to Christ.
Here is something I came across:
“In our ecclesiastical region there are priests who don’t baptize the children of single mothers because they weren’t conceived in the sanctity of marriage,” Bergoglio told his priests. “These are today’s hypocrites. Those who clericalize the Church. Those who separate the people of God from salvation. And this poor girl who, rather than returning the child to sender, had the courage to carry it into the world, must wander from parish to parish so that it’s baptized!”
Bergoglio compared this concept of Catholicism to the Pharisees of Christ’s time: people who congratulate themselves while condemning others.
“Jesus teaches us another way: Go out. Go out and share your testimony, go out and interact with your brothers, go out and share, go out and ask. Become the Word in body as well as spirit,” Bergoglio said.
He actually sounds a little like Martin Luther if you ask me.
I just began watching the Bible Miniseries on History Channel. Well actually I’m not watching on the History Channel, because we don’t have cable, so I got it from that wonderful thing known as the internet, have you heard of it? Its a grand place.
There has been a lot of hype about the miniseries. And generally speaking, when there is a lot of hype about these sorts of things in the Christian community, I don’t get overly excited. Typically when it comes to Christian media and entertainment , the efforts are usually sub par. Christian movies and TV specials especially tend to lack things like believable characters, actors who have acting ability, a plot, post production skills, and well much of anything enjoyable. (I know I am a bit cynical about Christian media, mostly because I don’t think there should be a ghettoizing sub genre of entertainment media dubbed “Christian,” but that is for another blog post, maybe.) I usually ignore things like the Bible Miniseries, and when people at church or elsewhere ask me if I have watched such programs I can usually use the excuse that I don’t have cable. But I wanted to see this series. Even though I thought I might find the quality lacking, I was/am curious as to how they tell the story of scripture. Read more
I’m an introvert. I actually quite like being an introvert. I enjoy being alone and having time to think. And I think alot.
I would venture to say I am always thinking. Something is always going on between my ears, I’m always processing something. Thinking about what’s next.
And I’ve always been this way. I’ve never been a loner, but I’ve always been an introvert and a thinker. I remember at 15 while others would quickly make impulsive decisions, I would be thinking about what to do and what follow up actions needed to take place. Thats not to say I didn’t make bad decisions, I made many of them, I just thought about them a lot! Read more
Probably about a year ago I signed up to review a book and was sent a copy of Leonard Sweets then new book I am a Follower: The Way, Truth, And Life of Following Jesus. So after having the book spend a year on my shelf, I finally took the time to read it.
I have read Leonard Sweets books on a few other occasions, and have often really appreciated his books, though I often find he uses too many words! Like many times before this is a book I greatly appreciate, though again, I think he could have made it a hundred pages shorter or so!
Generally speaking I grow frustrated in church or in books when the topic of leadership or leadership development comes up. All to often it seems to be a conversation that revolves around natural abilities, business practices and possibly what role we play in our employment position and whether we lead people currently. These conversations frustrate me. I believe this book has a better perspective, to lead you must first follow.
If you desire to be a leader, you must first be a follower of Christ. And through your personal private journey with God, then you can have influence on people. It is not about learning how to lead, but about being a committed follower. It is good to be reminded of Jesus words that the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Too often leadership development pushes us to be first, this is not the way of Jesus.
One complaint I would have with this book is that there could be more practical next steps for people. Philosophically I really appreciate what Sweet shared, it was a great reminder, but I am left wondering what I should do next about it.
Definitely worth the read.
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Peter Scazero wrote a great book. emotionally Healthy Spirituality has been one of the most valuable books I have ever read for myself. The premise is simple and true, in an effort to help people grow and mature in their faith, our discipleship process has turned to be more about book smarts then about being a emotionally healthy whole human being who worships God.
As a result of our quest to further our knowledge and understanding about God, we have missed out on allowing God to transform us, all of us. We need God to transform all of us, not just our minds, we need to mature holistically.
This book was wonderful for me to read. The authors honesty about his own struggles were words I greatly related to. As a pastor and a father I often feel like a failure based on perceptions I have about myself and not doing enough. This book helped me to regain perspective on what baggage I have been carrying. His honesty in sharing humbly where he has been has helped me to be aware of things I do but don’t even notice.
Many times I have felt stuck in my journey with God and in life. I wonder what i am doing wrong, or why things aren’t easier, or the way I want them to be. I read this book at a point where I was beginngin to feel stuck again, and it held me gain perspective as to why, to rethink a little what I am doing, and gave me great next steps in how to move forward.
When I was younger I read Neil Anderson’s Bondage Breaker book, which at the time helped me to identify what needed to change in my life. I think is was maybe 18 at the time. I haven’t read a book since then that helped me as much as Emotionally Healthy Spirituality has, and I would say I wish I read it when I was 18. It could have probably prevented many mistakes I’ve made.
A little known fact, but St Patrick didn’t make green beer. Actually the life of St Patrick has little to do with beer at all, hard to believe I know. St Patrick had nothing to do with leprechauns or pots of gold either. And he probably wouldn’t have been a fan of parades, but that one is just a guess on my part.
I just began watching the Bible Miniseries on History Channel. Well actually I’m not watching on the History Channel, because we don’t have cable, so I got it from that wonderful thing known as the internet, have you heard of it? Its a grand place.
