Finding Your True Identity In Christ
"We don't understand who we truly are children of God made in His image." and that is very true. Many times we forget who we really are in Christ and our true identity. the author is
founding pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle Washington and Creator of Resurgence the largest Christian Leadership website. I always am glad to see an extensive notes section and an index to quickly find something I had read. Big name endorsements such as Rick Warren and Sheila Walsh help to round out the endorsements. The titles of the chapters hint at the content such as I am a saint, I am appreciated, I am Reconciled, I am Forgiven, and I am Victorious. The author dedicates this book to his teenage daughter and this book should be given to all of our children.
So many people seek to get their identity through this world, but only when we realize who we are in Christ will we realize our true identity. Questions everyone must ask themselves are Who are you? What defines you? What is your identity? and What does it mean to be "in Christ?" Other books by the author include Real Marriage, also on his website are several sermons and guest blogs from the Washington Post.
In the chapter I am Blessed, the author briefly touches on predestination. He says
"For the Christian, the doctrine of predestination is something to be considered and rejoiced in. The Christian is supposed to lovingly, truthfully, and humbly present the gospel of Jesus Christ to non-Christians and see what God does as a result."
Quotes from R.C. Sproul, John Piper, and Jonathan Edwards help to ground the theology in Biblical principles. The chapters begin with a passage from Ephesians and contain stories from members of Mars church.
Website of Mark Driiscoll can be found at pastormark.tv/book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is struggling in their identity, which is everyone at one time or another.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Quiet - Susan Cain
The Power of Introverts in a world that can't stop talking. Speaking of the contributions of introverts Winifred Gallagher has said "Neither E=mc2 nor Paradise Lost was written by a party animal."
With extensive notes and reader's resources, this is a much needed and welcome book to those of us who are introverts. It will help you understand yourself or someone you know in a whole new way. Many people misunderstand introverts, they are not always shy and reserved, although these qualities may overlap. There is a test in the beginning of the book to see if you are one of the estimated 1/3 to 1/2 of the population that fall into this category. You may be surprised at the results.
Using personal examples, history, and interview subjects, the author defines the culture that has changed to hold extroverts up as an ideal, and why we need introverts in this world.
This book is divided into 4 parts, The Extrovert Ideal, Your Biology Your Self, Do all cultures have an extrovert ideal? and How to Love, How to Work.
There is an interesting dedication in which she dedicates the book to her family, particularly her grandfather.
People such as Rosa Parks, Dale Carnegie, Dr, Seuss, Stephen Wozniak and others are considered introverts and their contributions to society are legendary.
Website www.readitforward.com offers many resources for readers including a feature called extra libris for this book. Also www.broadwaypaperbacks.com and www.thepowerofintroverts.com.
Also worth viewing is the author's TED talk from 2012 available on youtube.
This book address issues such as what to do with an introverted child, what to do if you are an introvert yourself, and when should an introvert act like an extrovert.
Also will answer the questions When should introverts collaborate, and participate in group activities?
What I like about this book is that she does not generalize or pigeon-hole people into one extreme or the other.
This is not necessarily a "Christian" book, there is a mention of Moses and Aaron and personality differences between them, however we all can learn something about how God has made us and our personalities. Christians will also find interesting the section on Saddleback Church and her analogy with a Tony Robbins seminar.
I would recommend this book to anyone who feels like they don't fit in, (you are not alone), and anyone who has a loved one or child who may be an introvert.
With extensive notes and reader's resources, this is a much needed and welcome book to those of us who are introverts. It will help you understand yourself or someone you know in a whole new way. Many people misunderstand introverts, they are not always shy and reserved, although these qualities may overlap. There is a test in the beginning of the book to see if you are one of the estimated 1/3 to 1/2 of the population that fall into this category. You may be surprised at the results.
Using personal examples, history, and interview subjects, the author defines the culture that has changed to hold extroverts up as an ideal, and why we need introverts in this world.
This book is divided into 4 parts, The Extrovert Ideal, Your Biology Your Self, Do all cultures have an extrovert ideal? and How to Love, How to Work.
There is an interesting dedication in which she dedicates the book to her family, particularly her grandfather.
People such as Rosa Parks, Dale Carnegie, Dr, Seuss, Stephen Wozniak and others are considered introverts and their contributions to society are legendary.
Website www.readitforward.com offers many resources for readers including a feature called extra libris for this book. Also www.broadwaypaperbacks.com and www.thepowerofintroverts.com.
Also worth viewing is the author's TED talk from 2012 available on youtube.
This book address issues such as what to do with an introverted child, what to do if you are an introvert yourself, and when should an introvert act like an extrovert.
Also will answer the questions When should introverts collaborate, and participate in group activities?
What I like about this book is that she does not generalize or pigeon-hole people into one extreme or the other.
This is not necessarily a "Christian" book, there is a mention of Moses and Aaron and personality differences between them, however we all can learn something about how God has made us and our personalities. Christians will also find interesting the section on Saddleback Church and her analogy with a Tony Robbins seminar.
I would recommend this book to anyone who feels like they don't fit in, (you are not alone), and anyone who has a loved one or child who may be an introvert.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
The Conviction to Lead - Albert Mohler
25 Principles for leadership that matters. "Let me warn you right up front, my goal is to change the way you think about leadership." says the author in the first sentence. Whether he does or not is up to the reader and how much the principles are applied to the situation. The main theme of this book is that the Christian leader is in a unique position to serve God and others.
Begins with his background in politics, and his first days of the youngest president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. and the struggles he endured. Mr. Mohler has appeared on the Today Show, Good Morning America, and Larry King Live and has been been recommended by Franklin Graham, Jim Daly , and John McArthur.
In 25 Chapters, one for each of the principles that are required of to be an effective leader. "The leadership that really matters is about conviction." This is not just another Christian Leadership book. One of the most important chapters is #16 titled Leadership as Stewardship. In that chapter, he mentions the concept of servant leadership, a concept much lacking in today's society, and being stewards of human lives, time, and opportunity.
I would recommend this book to any person in any type of leadership position whether it be of a company, household, or just yourself. Many leadership books ignore the concept of a Christian perspective. but this one puts it front and center and explains how it effects everything else.
Begins with his background in politics, and his first days of the youngest president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. and the struggles he endured. Mr. Mohler has appeared on the Today Show, Good Morning America, and Larry King Live and has been been recommended by Franklin Graham, Jim Daly , and John McArthur.
In 25 Chapters, one for each of the principles that are required of to be an effective leader. "The leadership that really matters is about conviction." This is not just another Christian Leadership book. One of the most important chapters is #16 titled Leadership as Stewardship. In that chapter, he mentions the concept of servant leadership, a concept much lacking in today's society, and being stewards of human lives, time, and opportunity.
I would recommend this book to any person in any type of leadership position whether it be of a company, household, or just yourself. Many leadership books ignore the concept of a Christian perspective. but this one puts it front and center and explains how it effects everything else.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
John Locke - Mary-Elaine Swanson
Philosopher of American Liberty. Christian contributions of English philosopher John Locke and his influence on American government. and the Declaration of Independence. This book sets the record straight in truth that Locke was a Christian in his profession, and Biblical in his worldview. The subtitle of this book is "Why our founders fought for Life, Liberty, and Property."
Locke has been praised by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and James Monroe, among others. All who admit his influence on their thinking and writing on what became the foundation of the United States. Locke believed that the Law of Nature was the Law of God, and as such, Natural Law made no sense without God. Locke was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, where Oliver Cromwell was chancellor at the time. Among other writings, Locke wrote "Some thoughts on education."in 1690 which is still in print today, and relevant. The detail in this book is quite interesting and readers will find it very relevant to what is happening in government today, and how far distant we have strayed from what the founding fathers intended. Readers will find especially interesting the section on the current administration and critique of such.
There is not only a Bibliography in the back, but an extensive general index of concepts and cross references in this very well researched book.
I would recommend this book to any lover of history and anyone who would like to know who influenced our founding fathers in their thinking. Many will not be aware of Locke's influence on our country, but this book should clear things up.
Locke has been praised by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and James Monroe, among others. All who admit his influence on their thinking and writing on what became the foundation of the United States. Locke believed that the Law of Nature was the Law of God, and as such, Natural Law made no sense without God. Locke was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, where Oliver Cromwell was chancellor at the time. Among other writings, Locke wrote "Some thoughts on education."in 1690 which is still in print today, and relevant. The detail in this book is quite interesting and readers will find it very relevant to what is happening in government today, and how far distant we have strayed from what the founding fathers intended. Readers will find especially interesting the section on the current administration and critique of such.
There is not only a Bibliography in the back, but an extensive general index of concepts and cross references in this very well researched book.
I would recommend this book to any lover of history and anyone who would like to know who influenced our founding fathers in their thinking. Many will not be aware of Locke's influence on our country, but this book should clear things up.
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