When the notice of this book came across my email (from my friend Nolan) I immediately paid attention because of the author's name. Henry Blackaby was co-author with Claude V. King on "Experiencing God" I went through a Bible Study using the workbook in 1995/6 and it changed my life. Mr. Blackaby has remained in the mainstream since.
So, when I saw this book, my first thought was "aha, this is good if the book addresses some key workplace issues. Blackaby's name should cause many pastors to pay attention the relevance of work and ministry."
The book does give more credit to their reputations (Henry and Richard). They've obviously spent a lot of time outside the church building's walls and learned what their congregational ministers need to live well.
They've written the book with a lot of questions,lots of questions, many of them I've asked myself, others, and God - many times. Blackaby then addresses the answer(s). Though some of the content is repetitive, the subject matter in which it is addresses has changed. And, I like repetitive.
Blackaby also gives source notes, scripture indexes, and additional resources at the end of each chapter. I do appreciate how the authors say this is not an exhaustive study. I also appreciate and respect how they tell the reader to "test everything" they read in their book.
This book is a re-read and one to be left hanging around your desk for quick reference to our serious questions about work and Christian principles.
And it should not be controversial when you give a copy to our pastors.
God Bless.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Book: "Sacred Marriage" by Gary Thomas
The sub-title is "What if God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy."
I was given this book to read as part of my "Life-Group" by Nolan and Dana Egbert. Nolan and I have exchanged a few book recommendations over the past 3 years and he hasn't let me down yet - or not that I can remember (and I do tend to move on from bad reads quickly - my opinion only on the definition of "bad" read).
The title and sub-title of this book sets the reader up for some heavy expectations and Thomas didn't let me down. My wife, Cathy, read the first few pages and wondered "what was that all about? A few others in our group have said the same thing about the first couple of chapters. Cathy has moved on into the book and tells me she is enjoying it. Thomas could have added a bit of lightness to the beginning, but he didn't and I like it; the author starts off deep and then "lightens up" some by telling a couple of gut-wrenching real-life stories before getting deep again.
June 20, 2008: So far, I'm on chapter 7, I don't believe this is a book for someone floating through their marriage relationship, or not wanting to get down to the nitty-gritty of what that relationship really is supposed to be about. This IS a book about growing closer to Jesus through your marriage relationship.
What does the bible say about the bride and groom? Gary Thomas goes a long way towards answering that question.
What if my marriage relationship COULD bring me closer to being Christ-like?
Intriguing.
July 19, 2008: I've slowed down on this reading the past month. Cathy and I have had some challenges; not necessarily with this book, but our relationship has been strained a bit lately and it appears to have started about the time we started reading Sacred Marriage.
Yet, we haven't really discussed the book with each other except for a couple of passing comments.
So....I ponder and pray about my marriage and becoming more Christ-like. Cathy is a gift and she deserves me being a better husband.
Interesting trip!
11/15/2008: we, Cathy and I, have started back on the book, but going slowly.
July/2009: while I've finished the book, it remains by my nightstand for an occasional review. Subtitle continues to capture my thoughts on a regular basis, and not just about marriage, but all aspects of life...."what if work, was more about making me holy instead of many my money to make me happy?" Or, "what if challenges with people were more about making me holy instead of.....?"
I was given this book to read as part of my "Life-Group" by Nolan and Dana Egbert. Nolan and I have exchanged a few book recommendations over the past 3 years and he hasn't let me down yet - or not that I can remember (and I do tend to move on from bad reads quickly - my opinion only on the definition of "bad" read).
The title and sub-title of this book sets the reader up for some heavy expectations and Thomas didn't let me down. My wife, Cathy, read the first few pages and wondered "what was that all about? A few others in our group have said the same thing about the first couple of chapters. Cathy has moved on into the book and tells me she is enjoying it. Thomas could have added a bit of lightness to the beginning, but he didn't and I like it; the author starts off deep and then "lightens up" some by telling a couple of gut-wrenching real-life stories before getting deep again.
June 20, 2008: So far, I'm on chapter 7, I don't believe this is a book for someone floating through their marriage relationship, or not wanting to get down to the nitty-gritty of what that relationship really is supposed to be about. This IS a book about growing closer to Jesus through your marriage relationship.
What does the bible say about the bride and groom? Gary Thomas goes a long way towards answering that question.
What if my marriage relationship COULD bring me closer to being Christ-like?
Intriguing.
July 19, 2008: I've slowed down on this reading the past month. Cathy and I have had some challenges; not necessarily with this book, but our relationship has been strained a bit lately and it appears to have started about the time we started reading Sacred Marriage.
Yet, we haven't really discussed the book with each other except for a couple of passing comments.
So....I ponder and pray about my marriage and becoming more Christ-like. Cathy is a gift and she deserves me being a better husband.
Interesting trip!
11/15/2008: we, Cathy and I, have started back on the book, but going slowly.
July/2009: while I've finished the book, it remains by my nightstand for an occasional review. Subtitle continues to capture my thoughts on a regular basis, and not just about marriage, but all aspects of life...."what if work, was more about making me holy instead of many my money to make me happy?" Or, "what if challenges with people were more about making me holy instead of.....?"
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Book: "Made to Stick" by Chip Heath & Dan Heath
This book was recommended to me by a Randy Watson.
In the introduction the authors ask "are ideas born interesting or made interesting? They then go on to make a compelling arguement for "made."
The authors are a graduate school professor and a research consultant. Their arguement is based upon six principles they found from their research:
In the introduction the authors ask "are ideas born interesting or made interesting? They then go on to make a compelling arguement for "made."
The authors are a graduate school professor and a research consultant. Their arguement is based upon six principles they found from their research:
- Principle 1: Simplicity
- Principle 2: Unexpectedness
- Principle 3: Concreteness
- Principle 4: Credibility
- Principle 5: Emotions
- Principle 6: Stories
Good book that I'm sure I'll circle back to for insight many times.
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