Best Books I Read in 2012*

I was able to read some good books in 2012. In reviewing the books that I read in 2012, I am listing my 10 favorites in this post.  This is the first year that I have read more books in e-format.  Of the 10 books I have listed below I only have paper editions for 3 of them.  The other 7 are nook books. I am not ranking them other than saying these are my top 10. They are listed in the chronological order that I read them.  The topics covered include theology, marriage, parenting, education, leadership,  and government.

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With Mama joining Daddy in Heaven in November of 2011, I started 2012 finding my thoughts more and more on Heaven.  I read Randy Alcorn's book on Heaven and followed it with We Shall See God to start 2012.

Heaven by Randy Alcorn




We Shall See God: Charles Spurgeon's Classic Devotional Thoughts on Heaven by Charles Spurgeon & Randy Alcorn



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As a parent I need this reminder: Give Them Grace.  My kids need grace, I need grace!  God gives grace, I must give grace.

Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids With The Love of Jesus by Elyse Fitzpatrick & Jessica Thompson




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Don't assume the Gospel. We have to get away from the moralistic, therapeutic deism that is so common today. The Gospel: "Don't forget it! You were saved by it, will be sustained by it, and are currently standing in it."

The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler & Jared Wilson




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This past summer my church did a Biographies Summer Teaching Series on Wednesday nights.  Jim Elliott was the biography covered one week.  A few days later I was in the local library returning some books the kids had checked out and on the used book cart for less than a $1 was Through Gates of Splendor.  I took this as the of Providence of God. I bought the book and read this classic. I had been hearing the story  of Jim Elliott since high school but had never actually read the book.  "He is no fool who gives what he can not keep to gain what he cannot loose."

Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot


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I think this book should be required reading for all parents, church staff members and educators. This is where we have lost the culture war. To quote Voddie Baucham, "If you send your kids to Caesar for their education don't be surprised when they come back as Romans." It has taken over 150 years of secular education for our culture to get in its current condition.   "Parents must take full responsibility for the education of their children." "Christians must understand the significant influence that education has on a person's life."

Kingdom Education: God's Plan for Educating Future Generations by Glen Schultz



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Written by a real American hero who was a POW for five and  a half years in Vietnam.  Leadership is so important and is so missing in this day and age.

Leading With Honor: Leadership Lessons From the Hanoi Hilton by Lee Ellis



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We lost a giant when God called Charles Colson home on April 21, 2012.  This book was originally published as Kingdoms in Conflict, this revised edition was published in 2007.   I like his original title. As Christians we must remember this world is not our home and while we are here we will have conflict. Although we are only passing through, while we are here we must be "salt and light".

God & Government: An Insider's View on the Boundaries between Faith and Politics by Charles Colson




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Marriage is under attack in today's society. What God has said about marriage has not changed. The Kellers have written a book on marriage that is solidly grounded in Scripture.

The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God by Tim & Kathy Keller



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In this book Andy Stanley lays out his philosophy of ministry for North Point Church. "Churches should be theologically sound and culturally relevant."

Deep & Wide: Creating Churches Unchurched People Love to Attend by Andy Stanley



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If you are looking for books to read in 2013 I can recommend each of these books to you. Reading them will be a good investment of your time.

Soli Deo Gloria
ah


*  I am not including the Bible in this list. I strive to read through the Bible every year.  I agree with Tony Reinke (author of Lit!), there are two genres of books:  genre A - The Bible and  genre B - All other books.  The books included in this list are from genre B.

Questions for Mary

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
Luke 2:19 ESV

In 1992 my sister gave me Max Lucado's book: God Came Near for my birthday.  I read for the first time "25 Questions for Mary". Questions that can't be answered and don't need to be answered.  They are only asked to remind us of the wonder and the mystery of the incarnation.  What happened when God became man and dwelt among us!  Later that same year I purchased Michael English's debut CD and he had a song called "Mary, Did You Know" on it. The song was written by Mark Lowery and Buddy Greene. Like the chapter in Lucado's book, "Mary, Did You Know" asks similar questions to Mary, the mother of Jesus.  20 years later, I still like the song and I still find these questions for Mary to be a helpful reminder of the importance of meditating on the mystery of the incarnation. To not miss the Majesty & Wonder of the Incarnation! To be intentional in stepping away from the hustle and bustle of Christmas and take time to truly reflect and meditate on (ponder) the majesty and wonder of the Incarnation: Immanuel - God With Us - God in the flesh. Born as a helpless baby. Majesty in a manger! Fully God - Fully Man!

Soli Deo Gloria
ah

“25 Questions For Mary”

By  Max Lucado

1. What was it like watching him pray?
2. How did he respond when he saw other kids giggling during the service at the synagogue?
3. When he saw a rainbow, did he ever mention a flood?
4. Did you ever feel awkward teaching him how he created the world?
5. When he saw a lamb being led to the slaughter, did he act differently?
6. Did you ever see him with a distant look on his face as if he were listening to someone you couldn’t hear?
7. How did he act at funerals?
8. Did the thought ever occur to you that the God to whom you were praying was asleep under your own roof?
9. Did you ever try to count the stars with him….and succeed?
10. Did he ever come home with a black eye?
11. How did he act when he got his first haircut?
12. Did he have any friend by the name of Judas?
13. Did he do well in school?
14. Did you ever scold him?
15. Did he ever have to ask a question about Scripture?
16. What do you think he thought when he saw a prostitute offering to the highest bidder the body he made?
17. Did he ever get angry when someone was dishonest with him?
18. Did you ever catch him pensively looking at the flesh on his own arm while holding a clod of dirt?
19. Did he ever wake up afraid?
20. Who was his best friend?
21. When someone referred to Satan, how did he act?
22. Did you ever accidentally call him Father?
23. What did he and his cousin John talk about as kids?
24. Did his brothers and sisters understand what was happening?
25. Did you ever think, That’s God eating my soup?

"25 Questions for Mary" is from Lucado's book: God Came Near 1987


Mary, Did You Know?

Lyrics written by Mark Lowery, music written by Buddy Greene

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your Baby Boy
Has come to make you new;
This Child that you delivered
Will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Will calm the storm with His hand?
Did you know that your Baby Boy
Has walked where Angels trod?
When you kiss your Little Baby,
You kiss the Face of God!

Oh, Mary, did you know?
Oh, Mary, did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear,
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
The praises of the lamb!

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your Baby Boy
Is Heaven's Perfect Lamb?
This sleeping Child you're holding
Is the Great I Am!

 

The Music of CHRISTmas: The Incarnation Celebrated in Song

I love the music and songs of Christmas!  The hymns about the birth of Jesus. The Christmas carols and fun songs of the season. This means I have alot of favorite Christmas songs. However, four of my favorite Christmas CD's do not have the traditional hymns or songs of Christmas.  What they do have are songs that really get to the real meaning of Christmas and what the Incarnation (God With Us) means. An added bonus, this makes them great to listen to all year long, not just at Christmas.

THE PROMISE: A Celebration of Christ's Birth



1991

"We have 'sentimentalized' the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. When we think of the birth we see wise men and shepherds and a star. The birth of the Christ is so much more than a 'birthday' to be observed once a year. Our focus must become the Incarnation, which we celebrate every minute of our lives. We must realize that the cry we hear drifting from the stable is the voice of the One who spoke the universe into being." (Jn 1:3, I Cor 8:6, Col 1:16, Heb 1:2) "If Christmas means anything to you, then it must mean everything!" - Michael Card Songs include: 1.  The Promise 2.  Unto Us a Son is Given 3.  What Her Heart Remembered 4.  Joseph's Song 5.  Vicit Agnus Noster (Our Lamb Has Conquered) 6.  Shepherd's Watch 7.  Jacob's Song 8.  We Will Find Him 9.  Thou The Promise 10. Immanuel

GOOD NEWS



1993

Kathy Mattea chose songs that embrace the true meaning of Christmas.

1. "What a Wonderful Beginning"
2. "There's a New Kid in Town"
3. "Brightest and Best (Star of the East)"
4. "Mary, Did You Know?"
5. "The Star"
6. "Emmanuel"
7. "Somebody Talkin' About Jesus"
8. "Nothing but a Child"
9. "Christ Child's Lullaby"
10. "Good News"

BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD: The TRUE Tall Tale of the Coming of CHRIST



2004

"Andrew Peterson's Behold the Lamb of God is a beautiful take on the story of Christmas. While it is thematic and based on a story line, there's no speaking--only songs--some of which are intimate, some epic, some humorous, all with a purpose. That purpose is to convey the true tall tale of the coming of God into the world."

1. "Gather 'Round, Ye Children, Come"
2. "Passover Us"
3. "So Long, Moses"
4. "Deliver Us"
5. "O Come, O Come Emmanuel"
6. "Matthew's Begats"
7. "It Came to Pass"
8. "Labor of Love"
9. "The Holly and the Ivy"
10. "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks"
11. "Behold the Lamb of God"
12. "The Theme Of My Song (reprise)"

SAVIOR: Celebrating the Mystery of God Become Man

We Live in a Boken World ...

The horrible brokenness of this world is on full display today in the horrible evil that happened at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

My heart is so heavy for the victims of today's shooting in Connecticut. Praying for all the families and everyone affected by this senseless tragedy. May they receive the grace and peace that can only come from the "Father of mercies and the God of all comfort." (2 Corinthians 1:3)
It is so senseless and unexplainable other than to say we know it is because of SIN.  Words are so in adequate for tragedies like this.

This horrible evil is a terrible reminder that we live in a dark time and Satan is  still on the prowl. It brings to mind the reality that Paul told us in Philippians 3:20 "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ."  This is the season we celebrate His first Advent, but it is also a time we should be looking forward to His second Advent. We know that Satan is still on the loose and spreading his carnage on this sin cursed world. Praise God, Satan's days are numbered. He is ultimately a defeated foe. Thank you Jesus!

Horrible evil like we saw today also reminds us that Satan especially hates children. The taking  of any life should "provoke outrage but there is something especially condemnable about the murder of children."(see Russell Moore's article on School Shooting and Spiritual Warfare)

 

Thus says the Lord:

"A voice is heard in Ramah,

lamentation and bitter weeping.

Rachel is weeping for her children;

she refuses to be comforted for her children,

because they are no more."

Jeremiah 31:15 ESV

Last, this tragedy is a reminder that America desperately needs a spiritual awakening and revival.
The days are dark and seem to be getting darker.

God help us! Have mercy on us and send revival.  Help us to be "salt and light" and make an impact on our dark world for Your glory.

 

 

Soli Deo Gloria,
ah

Thanksgiving 2012 (November 25 - 30)

You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;

you are my God; I will extol you.

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 118:28-29 ESV

Give thanks to the God of heaven,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Psalm 136:26 ESV

"Give Thanks

With A Grateful Heart!"

 

When I consider that I deserve punishment because of my sinfulness, and instead God gives to me His love and mercy, my only response should be one of thankfulness.

 

 

A few of the things I am thankful for:

 

 

Click here to view November 1 -10

 Click here to view November 11 -17

Click here to view November 18 - 24

NOVEMBER:

25 - the great hymns of the faith:

A Mighty Fortress is Our God (1529), Come Thou Fount (1758), How Firm A Foundation (1787),
 Blessed Assurance (1873), How Great Thou Art (1885), Great is Thy Faithfulness (1923),
Because He Lives (1971), In Christ Alone (2002),
just a few of my favorites but this list could go on and on.
 

the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom,

singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Colossians 3:16 ESV

26 - new songs of worship:

Currently on the piano at home: 10, 000 Reasons (2011),
Forever Reign (2009), Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies) (2012)
 

I will sing a new song to you, O God;

upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you,

Psalm 144:9 ESV

27 - Our blessed Hope
 

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Titus 2:11-14 ESV

28 - 4th Grade Boys in Bible Fellowship Class (Sunday School)
 

Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

1 Timothy 4:11-12 ESV

29 - AWANA Blue Team (3rd, 4th, 5th grade boys)
 

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,

 a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV

30 - Weedend getaways with my wife
Asheville, NC in late November or December is a favorite getaway destination.
 

An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,

Proverbs 12:4 ESV

 

December 1 - the Season of Advent

Looking back to His first Coming

Looking forward to His second Coming!

Helps keep the focus on Christ!  He came as a baby, but didn't remain a baby.

He grew up and died to be our Savior.  We can't stop with Christmas, we must remember the Resurection!  You can't have Christmas without Easter. He is Returning for His Bride!

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 ESV
 

 

Remember to Count Your Blessings Everyday!

We have much to be thankful for!