Monthly Archives: February 2010

Must Read For Any Christian

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I was recently asked what books I thought every Christian should read. While there are many, here are 10 (in no certain order) I would like for everyone in my church to read:


1. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis (OK, this one is in a certain order!)
2. Desiring God by John Piper
3. When I Don’t Desire God by John Piper
4. The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer
5. A Praying Life by Paul Miller
6. Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller
7. Connecting by Larry Crabb
8. Humility by C.J. Mahaney
9. Knowing God by J.I. Packer
10. The Gospel and Personal Evangelism by Mark Dever

29 Reflections On Turning 29

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I turned 29 on February 20th. Here are a few random thoughts.

1. I don’t know Christ nearly as much as I want to.

2. I have so many books to read.
3. One more year to revel in the 20′s, though I don’t fear the 30′s.
4. What is that on my back?
5. I can’t believe I’ve been alive for this long.
6. There is so much to do.
7. I thought certain sins would go away.
8. I never realized I needed other people the way I do.
9. I feel still feel like I am 20.
10. Hair getting a little thin.
11. My son makes me realize what Jesus meant about becoming a child.
12. How does my wife put up with me?
13. I am thankful ministry has been mostly unsuccessful, I couldn’t have handled success in the early 20′s.
14. One more year before 30 to get published.
15. Where did 2001 go?
16. 2009, with the exception of my son being born, sucked! (Pardon the language!)
17. Christ was still enough in 2009.
18. The Bible really is amazing!
19. I am more attracted to my wife than ever.
20. God gave wine to gladden the heart of man (Psalm 104:15).
21. Preaching has gotten no easier.
22. God is always working in my life, even when I can’t see it.
23. Ministry can run your life and be your god.
24. Avatar was surprisingly good.
25. The Saints won the Super Bowl?
26. Being young tricks you into self-sufficiency.
27. I don’t want to waste my life.
28. The time to live is now.
29. I have been given much; much is required.

GB

For Those Anxious About Numbers In Church

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I often rack my brain trying to figure out why some Sundays at worship are better than others. Martyn Lloyd-Jones has perhaps the best word on this I have read:

Let me make a personal confession. This kind of thing has often happened to me in my ministry. Sometimes God has been gracious on a Sunday and I have been conscious of exceptional liberty, and I have been foolish enough to listen to the devil when he says: ‘Now, then, you wait until next Sunday, it is going to be marvelous, there will be even larger congregations.’ And I go into the pulpit the next Sunday and I see a smaller congregation. But then on another occasion I stand in this pulpit laboring, as it were left to myself, preaching badly and utterly weak, and the devil has come and said: ‘There will be nobody there at all next Sunday.’ But thank God, I have found on the following Sunday a larger congregation. That is God’s method of accountancy. You never know. I enter the pulpit in weakness and I end with power. I enter with self-confidence and I am made to feel a fool. It is God’s accountancy. He knows us so much better that we know ourselves. He is always giving us surprises. You never know what He is going to do. His book-keeping is the most romantic think I know of in the whole world. (Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Spiritual Depression, 131)


GB

Going Meatless

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So I have decided not to eat meat for Lent. Thats right, 40 days with no steak, burgers, fajitas, chicken sandwiches, monterey chicken at Chili’s, no chili, no tacos . . . should I keep going!? You get the idea!


I don’t think I have a problem with eating too much meat, I just figured I would do something that would interrupt the routine of my life a bit. Also, I want to enjoy God through what I eat and often, being familiar with something, hinders me from doing so. I can’t wait to tear into a steak in 40 days and remind myself how good God is that He made whole animals from steak! Another thing this fast will do is help me to think a little harder about those who rarely, if ever, get the kind of meals we do in America. Hopefully it will make me more generous and less greedy and demanding when it comes to my stuff! It will definitely challenge me to get a little more creative when it comes to buying groceries and eating out.
Ultimately this fast will remind me of the Gospel, that Christ is enough for me, and that if I never have another steak or burger again, He would be enough for me!

I encourage you to consider giving something up for Lent. For some helpful reasons why you should do so, click HERE.

GB