A Book You Must Own At The Best Price Ever

When I stumble upon a book that has been valuable in my life at a good deal, I like to pass it on. A.W. Pink's The Attributes of God has encouraged and challenged me since I was given a copy back in college. It's a relatively short book that works through various attributes of God. It's a wonderful way to spend some devotional time during your day and right now it is absolutely free as an e-book at Amazon. You can download it to your kindle, phone, or computer to read. You can find it here:


A.W. Pink: The Attributes of God


Grab a copy and let me know what you think!

My Favorite Reads From 2014

I love books, and I love reading posts about books. I have stumbled upon some amazing works by amazing authors by reading blog recommendations from others. It struck me that taking advantage of this great benefit without offering up my own thoughts was a bit selfish, so this is my attempt to share recommendations on books I have enjoyed.   I try to read books from set categories each year, in an attempt to be balanced in my reading. The following books reflect some of those categories.So, here are some of my favorite reads from the last year, I heartily recommend them and hope you enjoy them as much as I did. Also, if you have recommendations from your reading, I would love to hear them!!!!!

Novels:

All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

I had only known Doerr from his collections of short stories which I had enjoyed. So, when I saw his novel pop up on Amazon, I thought I would give it a try. I am incredibly glad I did. Doerr tells a hauntingly beautiful tale about love and loss among the less fortunate during World War II. Doerr’s prose is straight forward and melodic at times. He draws you in and engages not only your mind, but your heart.

The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson

In order to avoid his upcoming 100^th birthday party at his nursing home, Allan Karlsson climbs out of his window and embarks on an absurb and humorous journey through some of the most seminal events of his time. Think Forest Gump as a centenarian. Sometimes in life you just want to get lost in a book with a likable character on an enjoyable journey. This book was that and more.

Inspiration:

Still: Notes on a Mid-Faith Crisis by Lauren Winner

We live in a literary and blog world filled with people recounting the events of their daily lives. Mostly they are tedious, (my attempts included). This is an odd thing to admit, but I keep expecting to be disappointed by Winner’s writings. Instead, I have loved everything she has written. Still was honest and moving, covering a difficult time in Winner’s life with great humility. It made me think, feel, and I believe encouraged me to be better person.

Seven Men by Eric Metaxes

I actually have a subcategory of Inspiration that is just Biographies, because I find them so inspiring and encouraging. It try to read 3-4 biographies a year, and this year it was Seven Men that stood out. Metaxes recounts short and very readable insights into the lives of George Washington, William Wilberforce, Jackie Robinson, Eric Liddell, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Pope John Paul II, and Chuck Colson. The link below is a short video promo of the book.

                Promo for Seven Men

Personal Growth:

Start With Why by Simon Sinek

This book should be required reading for all church, business, and civic leaders. I sought out this book after seeing Sinek’s talk on TED Talks. The power of fully embracing why you do what you do or are attempting to do was driven home in understandable and enjoyable language. I encourage you to read the book and watch the TED Talk!

Daily Rituals: How Artists Work by Mason Currey

I honestly don’t fully understand why this book was so addictive, I just know that I couldn’t put it down. Currey compiled brief excerpts into the daily work habits of prominent writers, musicians, architects, actors, and countless others. It was a fascinating glimpse behind the process of so many skilled and successful artists. It’s a book I will return to from time to time when I get derailed and discouraged.

Other great books that crossed my path in 2014:

Simply Jesus by NT Wright (Theology). Everyone should read one book by NT Wright each year.

Sabbath As Resistance by Walter Brueggeman (Theology)

Jesus Feminist by Sarah Bessey (Inspiration)

Balzac And The Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie (Novel)

Friday Finds - August 22

Kick up your feet, grab your tech tool of choice and enjoy some of the best thoughts the web has to offer:



Right Theology or Right Action

Check out this brief article by Rick McKinley on finding the balance between doctrinal truth and social action. If you don’t have both, you don't really have either. 

          Rick McKinley: The Gospel and the Kingdom

You Are Probably Already Infected!!!!!

This article goes out to all of my germophobe friends out there. Good luck sleeping tonight:

          The Dirtiest Things You Touch Everyday

No Trust, No Relationship

An excellent article by my good friend Neil McLamb on the importance of trust in our relationships. After you check out the article take a second and look around his new website!

          Neil McLamb: Being Trustworthy

Repentance Is Good But Not Easy

Any article that references The Mission, which was a great movie, deserves a look. Check out this great article by Zack Hunt from The American Jesus on the cost of repentance.

          Zack Hunt: The Cost of Repentance

Have a great weekend, and if you haven't, take a second and become a follower of this blog! I like having you around!

Photo Courtesy of Death To The Stock Photo

Friday Finds - August 8

Here's a few inspiring thoughts from talented bloggers around the web:

We all want what we want, but getting it could be easier than you thought. Allison Vesterfelt over at Storyline has an excellent piece on the art of getting what you want…

     The Easiest Way To Get Exactly What You Want

To live with courage and conviction is all anyone could hope for. Maximilian Kolbe was that and more. Follow along as author of One Thousand Gifts, Ann Voskamp recounts his story…

     How To Get Really Living Instead of Merely Existing 

We all mess up, and most of us do it hourly. Check out Carlos Whitaker’s take about improving your skills when it comes time to say “I’m sorry”.

      Carlos Whitaker's I'm Sorry Skills

If you are looking for an intelligent and insightful piece from a very gifted pastor, take a few minutes and read why Nadia Bolz-Weber hated her pastoral care classes in seminary…

     Nadia Bolz-Weber

               Have a great weekend!!!!!

Friday Finds - August 1

In his letter to early Jewish followers of Jesus, Paul encouraged the people to remember other followers who were suffering as a result of their faith. (Hebrews 13:3) The following article and many others on the web concerning the suffering of Christians in Iraq reminds us that Paul’s words are as applicable today as they were 2000 years ago. I encourage you to pray for our brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering as you read this.....

Christian's Persecuted in Iraq

If you haven’t been spending hours watching various Ted Talks, then I apologize for introducing you to what will no doubt become a new addiction for you. If you are in need of a bit of inspiration this weekend, watch Benjamin Zander’s (pictured above) wonderful talk about his passion for classical music.

Benjamin Zander: On Music and Passion

You may not be up to date on all of the conversations flying around the Christian blog community about Mark Driscoll as of late. I have thoughts about Driscoll and all that is going on, but this is not the time, nor is this blog the space for it. You don’t have to know anything about Driscoll, however to appreciate Matthew Paul Turner’s timely reminder about the true nature of grace. Read and then re-read Turner's post!

Matthew Paul Turner On Grace

I am so proud of this new blogger! I was proud of her when she was a student in a youth group I worked with, and she continues to amaze! Follow DeAnna and Jonathan’s journey into adoption here:

Truths From a Joy Filled Very Tired Mama

 Photo courtesy of poptech.org

Forgiveness Wins - A Tribute to Louis Zamperini

Louis Zamperini died Wednesday at the age of 97. Zamperini competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin as a distance runner. A budding star in the track community, Zamperini retired from track to serve his country during World War II. During the war,  he and his fellow soldier’s plane was shot down over the Pacific Ocean. He and one other crewmate survived for 47 days on a lifeboat before being found by the Japanese. He was then detained in a POW camp for over two years, enduring horrific physical and mental torture. After he returned home, Zamperini began having nightmares. What would later become known as post-traumatic stress disorder, was tearing his life apart. He became a Christian in 1949 after attending a crusade meeting led by Billy Graham. It was at that point that this extraordinary American made one of the most difficult decisions of his incredible life. He chose to forgive the Japanese soldiers who had tortured him. Zamperini found peace and his nightmares subsided. He travelled back to Japan later and personally forgave many of the soldiers he had encountered during the war. He was even willing to meet with the one soldier who had singled him out for severe, unrelenting torture, but Mutsuhiro Watanabe refused to meet with him. Zamperini’s life is brilliantly and beautifully presented in Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken. A movie by the same title is set to hit movie theatres in December of this year.

Peace is rarely attained through power. Louis Zamperini was forced to live a nightmarish existence for over 2 years during which he was dominated, insulted, and abused. Any attempt to fight back only led to heightened abuse. Yet, when given the opportunity years later to overcome, expose, and get revenge on his captors, he chose instead to forgive, and thereby found a deep and lasting peace. On the other hand, Watanabe had imprisoned and abused countless soldiers during World War II, he enjoyed limitless power in the POW camp,  but found later that his power led to nothing but shame. He spend the remainder of his life imprisoned by his past, unable to ever face those he had wronged. It takes incredible strength to forgive, but forgiveness is the weapon God has given us with which to change the world. Forgiveness changes everything.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Zamperini family, and I thank God for a man who has shown us all that forgiveness wins. I pray for you today as well that if you have been wronged, you will be able to lay down your hurt and pick up forgiveness in its place. You deserve the peace that it brings!

Friday Finds - June 13

In hopes of making your Friday the 13th better, here's some stuff you might like to check out.....


This is a pic of an ultimate frisbee game I was in last summer. I don't know why I added this, but here it is.... (and yes, of course we won.)

Did you know that there are two kinds of busy? Did you also know that the kind of busy you choose can affect your efficiency and quality of life? This is what leadership guru Seth Godin had to say about it….

Seth Godin: Two Kinds of Busy

Did you know that when you are going through painful experiences your fear and tension can actually make your pain worse? A brilliant video from the brilliant Sarah Bessey…

Sarah Bessey: Lean In

And finally, let’s put some chocolate myths to rest... 

The Truth About Chocolate

I hope your weekend includes lots of frisbees and chocolate!!!!

Friday Finds - June 6

Looking for something good to check out online this weekend? Forget searching around and start here instead:

Finally a post that is both inspiring and helpful, a guide to napping…

Complete Guide to Napping

Know who you probably don’t want to quote on a giant billboard to support your children’s ministry??….Adolf Hitler. Yeah, this is real.

Children's Ministry Billboard Nightmare

Next to llamas squirrels are nature’s most courteous animal…. I can’t stop watching this!

A Courteous Squirrel

Turns out not everyone is putting up a metal building with functional chairs and huge speakers to be their church….(Diary of an Arts Pastor is a brilliant blog to follow)

Liturgical Art on Mission

I’ve always loved the White Stripes, and I love Jack White. I think he’s brilliant…or insane…those aren’t incredibly far apart sometimes. Check out his new album Lazaretto….

Jack White's Lazaretto

Friday Finds - May 2

In case the blue skies don't make it back this weekend, and you are looking for something worthwhile on the internet,  here are a few of things that interest me (and maybe you), collected in one handy place for your viewing/reading pleasure. Enjoy!

A timely reminder of the beauty of simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider:

The Art of Simple

Check in with Seth Godin (author of Linchpin and Tribes, among many others) as he explores what it means to get rich in our changing culture:

Seth's Blog

Also, if you need to have your spirits lifted a bit, here is a video of a hamster eating burritos. I think it's hypnotic because I can’t stop watching it…

Hamster Eating a Burrito

And finally, just in case you’ve been staying up late in the hopes of getting a bit more done, here’s an article that states that you might be paying a bigger price for that extra bit than you realized….

The Dangers of Losing Sleep

Have a great weekend!!!!!

Friday Finds - April 4

Posted by Michael

It's Friday, and here's some of the stuff I am reading.....

Micha Boyette has a new book and a new website. If you haven’t met Micha, do so now, you will be glad you did.....

Meet Micha

If you want to give your brain a workout, Peter Rollins is always a good choice. Here’s his take on the movie everyone seems to be talking about, Noah.

Peter Rollins on Noah

In case you’ve been wondering, here’s the answer to the question, “How much pee in a pool is too much pee?”……

How Much Pee Is Too Much Pee?   


Have a great weekend!!!!!