2 Corinthians: Finding Strength in Weakness (Life Guide Bible Studies)
The lifeguide series is a great series for group Bible study.
This study guide presents Paul's second (biblical) letter to the Corinthians in eleven group sessions. The questions are easy to understand and provide a lot of opportunity for discussion, not just simple one word or yes/no type questions. Each chapter usually had our group of 10-15 in discussion for about an hour.
I highly recommend this book and series to anyone wanting to start a Bible study group.
.
April 03, 2009
April 01, 2009
Book Review
Give it All to Him by Max Lucado
This is a small, short book (only 58 pages) about giving all of your "trash" to God who gives you a new beginning through Jesus Christ.
I had to read this book through twice, because the first time I just didn't get it. Each "chapter" starts with a story from another of Lucado's books (I think this is what confused me the first time I read it). The chapter then expands on that story.
Lucado starts his book by letting the reader know that they are not alone; everyone has sin and burdens (trash) in their life. He describes that further by giving examples such as loneliness, worry, pain, resentment, revenge, and failure.
Lucado closes by describing a Way to take out our trash and get rid of it permanently. There is Someone who see and wants your burdens. As we confess our sins and give them to Him He forgives, cleanses, and gives us a new beginning.
I was looking for a quick inspiration/introductory book to give to people as a witnessing tool. I believe this books does that in a way that is appealing and understandable, yet it is true to Scripture.
.
This is a small, short book (only 58 pages) about giving all of your "trash" to God who gives you a new beginning through Jesus Christ.
I had to read this book through twice, because the first time I just didn't get it. Each "chapter" starts with a story from another of Lucado's books (I think this is what confused me the first time I read it). The chapter then expands on that story.
Lucado starts his book by letting the reader know that they are not alone; everyone has sin and burdens (trash) in their life. He describes that further by giving examples such as loneliness, worry, pain, resentment, revenge, and failure.
Lucado closes by describing a Way to take out our trash and get rid of it permanently. There is Someone who see and wants your burdens. As we confess our sins and give them to Him He forgives, cleanses, and gives us a new beginning.
I was looking for a quick inspiration/introductory book to give to people as a witnessing tool. I believe this books does that in a way that is appealing and understandable, yet it is true to Scripture.
.
March 30, 2009
Book Review
Go Preach by John Gilbert
This book is an excellent "beginners" guide to preparing a worship service, paying particular attention on the message or sermon.
The author begins by examining a little history and theology of preaching and what preaching really should be like, which is not necessarily what you hear on Sunday mornings anymore unfortunately. In fact, Gilbert devotes a chapter to the (correct) idea of the sermon as a proclamation of the Good News, not just story time as is so often the case today.
Gilbert dedicates a chapter each to the initial preparation of the sermon, knowing about the congregation you are to preach to, and a more in depth look at sermon preparation as well as the use of the lectionary.
The author also has several chapters of topics such as: grammar, humor, practicing the sermon, and evaluating your preaching. Gilbert gives information about the actual delivery of the sermon and what to do afterward, such as, silent prayer or an alter call.
Finally, the author closes with ways of getting ideas for new sermons and a chapter on special occasion preaching, such as, funerals, weddings, baptisms, and so on. At the end of the book the author lists several other helpful books for a preacher to have in his collection.
Overall, this was an excellent book for the beginning preacher. I didn't agree with everything the author had to say though. For example, Gilbert writes "Do not wear white socks" (page 89). I wear white socks all the time and do not believe it detracts from the message at all!
Gilbert did get the main point of preaching across and that is to proclaim the Word of God! "Preaching is first and always the proclamation of God's Word" (page 12).
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in improving their preaching skills.
.
This book is an excellent "beginners" guide to preparing a worship service, paying particular attention on the message or sermon.
The author begins by examining a little history and theology of preaching and what preaching really should be like, which is not necessarily what you hear on Sunday mornings anymore unfortunately. In fact, Gilbert devotes a chapter to the (correct) idea of the sermon as a proclamation of the Good News, not just story time as is so often the case today.
Gilbert dedicates a chapter each to the initial preparation of the sermon, knowing about the congregation you are to preach to, and a more in depth look at sermon preparation as well as the use of the lectionary.
The author also has several chapters of topics such as: grammar, humor, practicing the sermon, and evaluating your preaching. Gilbert gives information about the actual delivery of the sermon and what to do afterward, such as, silent prayer or an alter call.
Finally, the author closes with ways of getting ideas for new sermons and a chapter on special occasion preaching, such as, funerals, weddings, baptisms, and so on. At the end of the book the author lists several other helpful books for a preacher to have in his collection.
Overall, this was an excellent book for the beginning preacher. I didn't agree with everything the author had to say though. For example, Gilbert writes "Do not wear white socks" (page 89). I wear white socks all the time and do not believe it detracts from the message at all!
Gilbert did get the main point of preaching across and that is to proclaim the Word of God! "Preaching is first and always the proclamation of God's Word" (page 12).
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in improving their preaching skills.
.
March 16, 2009
Letter to Kiplinger's Magazine
Below is a letter sent to the editor of Kiplinger magazine regarding their April 2009 issue.
Dear Editor:
I enjoyed reading the article “Simple Plans to Beat the Market” (April 2009). This has been my investment strategy for a number of years now and has performed well for me. The Kiplinger portfolio, which sticks with one family of funds, is a nice idea. However, this can also be costly when the company decides to close the funds, which is what E*Trade decided to do recently.
I had all of my funds in the E*Trade family and was forced to liquidate them realizing large losses with each fund. I switched to other similar funds that track the same indexes thereby minimizing the effects of the losses, but it still doesn’t make me feel any better about the way E*Trade handled the situation.
Your articles could mention the possibility of a fund shutting down and what investors should do (sell now or hold until the liquidation date). I have yet to read any real analysis about why E*Trade closed its mutual funds.
.
Dear Editor:
I enjoyed reading the article “Simple Plans to Beat the Market” (April 2009). This has been my investment strategy for a number of years now and has performed well for me. The Kiplinger portfolio, which sticks with one family of funds, is a nice idea. However, this can also be costly when the company decides to close the funds, which is what E*Trade decided to do recently.
I had all of my funds in the E*Trade family and was forced to liquidate them realizing large losses with each fund. I switched to other similar funds that track the same indexes thereby minimizing the effects of the losses, but it still doesn’t make me feel any better about the way E*Trade handled the situation.
Your articles could mention the possibility of a fund shutting down and what investors should do (sell now or hold until the liquidation date). I have yet to read any real analysis about why E*Trade closed its mutual funds.
.
March 04, 2009
How do you “lose” billions of dollars?
I still can’t quite figure this out. How are these companies losing billions of dollars? I suppose it all comes down to greed and mismanagement, but the money has to be somewhere, right? Let me give you an example.
Say I make blankets in my shop. Each blanket consists of yarn and labor. Furthermore, let’s say the yarn costs $10 per blanket and the labor costs $25 per blanket. My breakeven point would be $35 (ignore other indirect costs for the purpose of this example).
If I sell the blanket for anything more than $35, I make a profit. If I sell it for less than $35, I “lose” money.
Let’s say I sell the blanket for $10. Technically, I “lose” $25 on the deal. But that $25 really isn’t lost is it? Of course not, I gave that $25 to the person who made the blanket.
So the money is still out there somewhere, it is just in someone else’s pocket. That person then takes the $25 and buys things with it. So they don’t have the money anymore either. They have passed it on to someone else. This is the way our economic system works.
When AIG says they lost $60 billion, is that money gone or is it just in someone else’s pocket? I content that if the $60 billion loss is real and not just some type of accounting technicality, then someone HAS AIG’s $60 billion. It just didn’t disappear. Someone has AIG’s $60 billion! If it was just an accounting technicality, then it never existed in the first place, so there isn’t a loss!
A similar situation occurs with the stock market. For every trade there is a buyer and a seller. When the market drops that means people are selling, but it also means someone is buying.
The question is, who is this someone? Who has AIG’s $60 billion? Who is buying in this market?
Those questions I cannot answer, can you?
.
March 02, 2009
Book Review
The Pillars of Christian Character by John MacArthur
This book looks at the most essential character traits or attitudes a faithful Christian should have. In particular the book focuses a chapter on each of the following:
At the end of the book is a study guide for each chapter. It contains a brief summary of the chapter, a few questions to think about or discuss, a couple of topics to prayer about, and ways to apply the chapter in your life.
As mentioned, i would recommend this book to new or mature Christians.
This book looks at the most essential character traits or attitudes a faithful Christian should have. In particular the book focuses a chapter on each of the following:
- Faith
- Obedience
- Humility
- Selfless Love
- Unity
- Growth
- Forgiveness and Blessing
- Rejoicing
- Gratitude
- Strength
- Self-Discipline
- Worshiping God
- Hope
At the end of the book is a study guide for each chapter. It contains a brief summary of the chapter, a few questions to think about or discuss, a couple of topics to prayer about, and ways to apply the chapter in your life.
As mentioned, i would recommend this book to new or mature Christians.
February 13, 2009
Book Review
John MacArthur Bible Study Guide: James
This study guide series is one of the best I have ever used. Macarthur gives an introduction to the book of James regarding the authorship, the background and setting, along with historical and theological themes. He also mentions some interpretive challenges that may arise from the Scripture.
MacArthur starts each chapter with some opening questions and then provides some background information to the passage of scripture. There is room in the study guide for you to answer the questions. The scripture is then read (which is included in the study guide) along with some of MacArthur’s notes about the passage.
There are then several questions to help you understand the passage better. MacArthur provides a cross-reference Scripture passage to further explore the meaning of the original passage from James. There are, of course, additional questions to ponder or discuss.
Finally, MacArthur sums up the passage and lists a few more questions to help you reflect on the text and what you have learned.
MacArthur starts each chapter with some opening questions and then provides some background information to the passage of scripture. There is room in the study guide for you to answer the questions. The scripture is then read (which is included in the study guide) along with some of MacArthur’s notes about the passage.
There are then several questions to help you understand the passage better. MacArthur provides a cross-reference Scripture passage to further explore the meaning of the original passage from James. There are, of course, additional questions to ponder or discuss.
Finally, MacArthur sums up the passage and lists a few more questions to help you reflect on the text and what you have learned.
I highly recommend this study guide series for either your own personal study or a group discussion. Each chapter can take about an hour during a group Bible Study meeting.
.
February 11, 2009
Book Review
Colossians & Philemon – The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series
I just finished reading this commentary on Colossians and Philemon by John MacArthur.
MacArthur provides thorough Scriptural commentary throughout this book.
He starts by providing a thorough background about the book of Colossians and Philemon. This includes information about the author, the city of Colossae, the church at Colossae, and the situations that were occurring there. MacArthur also provides the same for Philemon.
MacArthur’s commentaries are mainly expository. Meaning, he takes scripture and explains it with other scripture. MacArthur does digress into other scripture or theological topics at times, but I believe he does this so anyone reading this commentary would be able to understand other scriptural passages that he references.
I would highly recommend The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series to anyone looking for an in-depth Biblical explanation of Scripture.
He starts by providing a thorough background about the book of Colossians and Philemon. This includes information about the author, the city of Colossae, the church at Colossae, and the situations that were occurring there. MacArthur also provides the same for Philemon.
MacArthur’s commentaries are mainly expository. Meaning, he takes scripture and explains it with other scripture. MacArthur does digress into other scripture or theological topics at times, but I believe he does this so anyone reading this commentary would be able to understand other scriptural passages that he references.
I would highly recommend The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series to anyone looking for an in-depth Biblical explanation of Scripture.
.
February 09, 2009
Book Destruction!
I mentioned that I was going to destroy one of the books I recently reviewed, so it would never deceive anyone again. Here are some images of that destruction!
February 02, 2009
Book Review
I finished reading "Ten Commandments: Twice Removed" by Danny Shelton and Shelley Quinn.
The title of the book is very deceptive!
About halfway through the first chapter I was starting to wonder about this book and where the authors were going with it. Then in chapter two it hit me. This book has little to do with the Ten Commandments. It focuses mostly on #4 "Remember the Sabbath Day."
The authors then go on to describe Saturday (actually Friday at sundown to Saturday sundown) as being the Biblical Sabbath, during Bible times and still today. The authors "prove" that Christians should still observe the seventh-day Sabbath.
I won't go into detail here as to why the authors are wrong, but I will say the authors used a deceptive title for their book as well as a deceptive description on the back cover.
My questions is: Since the authors resorted to deceptive tactics to get people (me) to read the book, then what does that say about their message and content of the book?
In summary, this book is not really about the Ten Commandments (yes, it does mention them all briefly). It is really only about one group's view of the Fourth Commandment.
Do not be deceived by this book. Read and study Acts 20:7 for the day of worship.
For your information, I plan on destroying this book so no one has a chance to be deceived by it!
.
The title of the book is very deceptive!
About halfway through the first chapter I was starting to wonder about this book and where the authors were going with it. Then in chapter two it hit me. This book has little to do with the Ten Commandments. It focuses mostly on #4 "Remember the Sabbath Day."
The authors then go on to describe Saturday (actually Friday at sundown to Saturday sundown) as being the Biblical Sabbath, during Bible times and still today. The authors "prove" that Christians should still observe the seventh-day Sabbath.
I won't go into detail here as to why the authors are wrong, but I will say the authors used a deceptive title for their book as well as a deceptive description on the back cover.
My questions is: Since the authors resorted to deceptive tactics to get people (me) to read the book, then what does that say about their message and content of the book?
In summary, this book is not really about the Ten Commandments (yes, it does mention them all briefly). It is really only about one group's view of the Fourth Commandment.
Do not be deceived by this book. Read and study Acts 20:7 for the day of worship.
For your information, I plan on destroying this book so no one has a chance to be deceived by it!
.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)