I hope this list ends up being comprehensive but I’m really just looking at my book shelf and trying to remember what I read, if for work or pleasure. Of this list I know there are some books i read in full for different courses in the past year that aren’t here because they were from a library somewhere. So as best as i could and in no particular order, aside from how they sit on my bookshelves, here it is! Continue reading
Jordan and I went out Friday and purchased a new phone for me.
I went with the Blackberry 8320 (aka the curve). While it was nearly comparable to the HTC-Dash there was one feature that lead me to choose the curve, UMA (or calls over wifi).
So far the phone has been a great purchase. Initially I was a bit dismayed that none of the phones offered by t-mobile offered GPS. After my brother told me how much of a battery hog the GPS chip can be and that Google Maps would still be there, I decided to remove GPS from my list of non-negotiable features.
So real quick review from my last two days with the phone. I’m quite impressed. The wifi works quite well, and the wifi calling sounds better than expected. I’ve yet to try switch from wifi to normal cell calling (I’ve read that it dropped calls at the initial deployment last year).
Email works well, and setup was super simple, even detecting the type of accounts I’m using. Synced up with outlook quite nicely to get all my contacts onto the phone.
I’m looking forward to being in class and being aware of support/technical issues that might arise at work.
Thanks for your feedback!
This series has become very well known across Christian circles in the united states (and potentially other countries as well) and it is difficult to not see why. It offers a non-confrontational way to proclaim the gospel with those we know. Yet when I read the gospels and epistles I don’t see this strategy ANYWHERE. Now I’m not going to go as far as to say that this method isn’t biblical, but there is a major emphasis missing. We as servants of Christ are to be Bold in proclaiming the King and Creator of EVERYTHING (even time), to the point where we realize our chains to the procession of Christ and nothing else matters. When the full grandeur of God is in your sight there is nothing else that matter but His glory. Your friends and there possible rejection of you/your beliefs is secondary.
Next is the attempt to provide a formula for telling others about Christ. The bible shows us over and over again that there are no formulas. When the prophets where called they were each different (personality), every time Jesus healed someone it was done differently (method), and the only consistency was that it was for the Glory of God.
Nowhere in this book do those truths come forward. If the Apostle Paul needed others to pray for his boldness, how much more we need it! This book does provide a good starting point for people, but it must be followed by the truth that God doesnt like formulas. Every person, life, and moment is uniquely written by Him.
God’s children need tools (like how to first prepare their testimony and an easy starting point with the gospel) to build confidence, which this series does well. If you do go over this with your small group make sure to place emphasis on the uniqueness of God’s plan for everyone, and how to be open and lead by the Spirit. Look into the book of Acts and see how God responded when the Kingdom of God was boldly proclaimed. I would love to see this series completed in a way that encourages people to put God drastically first in their lives.
4/7
While these are two separate books (the former written before the latter) they were together in the edition I was lent to read. Wow is my first reaction. There was such a hard truth laced through the words, a truth that is so often ignored by todays church and believers. I could go on for pages to tell of the things that God challenged me with through this author. Causing me to re-look at scripture that I always used to understand because it was taught to me, not because God revealed it, or I experienced it.
If you are someone who is a Christian, and is wondering if what your faith hold is everything. I encourage you to pick up a copy of either book (or both) and dive in. Youll be challenged and encouraged, see God as bigger and more glorious, and be more excited about what it means to know Jesus.
I give it a Seven out of Seven rating.
(I like rating things out of odd numbers because then you cant cop out and give an average rating).
Review of By the Power of the Spirit and Surprised by the Voice of God by Jack Deere
When I found out that I was to be the new evangelism team leader for Campus Crusade for Christ at UW – Stout I was pretty excited about it. I also realized that I had some learning to do in order to be ready for this upcoming year. Going to france was key in my growth but this book was one on a list of several that was suggested in relation to the coveted ‘E’ word, evangelism.
It isn’t what I expected, I was looking for a sort of how too book of sorts. What it did really well was explain its self in a manner that anyone should be able to understand. Drawing tremendous references from the example that Jesus set forth during the three years of evangelism that He and his disciples did in Israel and the surrounding countryside and cities. While this wasn’t a mind blowing revelation from what I had known and assumed of how evangelism was to work and happen, it was comforting.
The book went through several different steps, one per chapter, of how the process works; Selection, Association, Consecration, Impartation, Demonstration, Delegation, Supervision, and Reproduction. Breaking down to it’s essence the concept of body evangelism. Some of the reviews I read said that the book should be called something along the lines of ‘Master Plan of Discipleship’ and while it would have been a fitting title it wouldn’t transcend the main points of the book. That only those who are strong and found in their faith will see true success in evangelism, that strength comes from following someone who is strong in faith, and when they reach that point they will then be told how to return what they received to others. The natural cycle of evangelism.
All-in-all this was a good book, quick read as well (believe it was about 4 hours for me, if that). Take a moment to sit down and enjoy it, going into it with the proper mindset would be important. Don’t expect a golden key of ministry evangelism, because there isn’t one, rather expect to have a very well thought out and written explanation of the ministry of Jesus Christ.
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As for me, reading this was very encouraging and helpful. I’m going into a leadership position and to be able to read how Christ did evangelism two-thousand years ago and to realize how similar it is to what I have planned, needless to say it was comforting. The way things are planned to work this year at stout is that groups of Christian students find something in common with non-Christians and through that build relationships and trust, allowing them to experience Christ through us. Building a desire and a need for Him in their lives. That and being honest about what were doing, their college students and can handle it.
God bless,
~paul
This was a visually stunning masterpiece. The depiction was very accurate to the biblical description of the events. There was very little artistic verse taken although at times it would have been much easier on Gibson and the rest of the cast.
The shear amount of gore and blood, in my opinion, was still understated but very powerful and impacting. Watching the flesh torn from his side by the workings of the cat of nine tails helps one to understand the brutality that He went through. The film evoked such feelings and emotions. Leaving you feeling so helpless to stop it from happening because it is on the screen echoes the reality that we are truly helpless to stop it from happening. He went through all of that because of my sins and shortfalls. That ever step of the way he carried the cross was out of love, how he was able to keep almost completely silent throughout his flogging and crucifixion, unlike any man would have been able to.
To see Him hanging on the cross, blood running over his body and down the wood finally puts it into perspective. The true atrocities that we all deserve for what we think about, the way we look at people, actions we take and even things we don’t think of as sin. That because of God’s grace we don’t have to endure that, that we are able to join Him for all of eternity in the holiest of all places. All we have to do is open the door and let Him into our life, that the choice to follow and accept, or reject all that has been give, is left to us.
If you are feeling remotely interested in this film go and check it out. Even from a non-Christian standpoint it is still a very well done film. Utilizing very solid and well placed cinematographic techniques. The flashbacks are excellently done, the entire film flows very well and keeps a very consistent balance of emotion that coincides with the building and climax of the story.
Just my few cents and God bless.
~paul
ps. I cried four or five times, so don’t feel bad if you do as well.