Reading Anyone?

Two of my favorite things, among many, in this life are reading, and simplicity. When both of those come together in one place, it's a really exciting thing for me! If you happen to wander into my office, you'll see a ton of books. Many are books from college and seminary, a fair amount have been given to be from retiring pastor friends of mine, and the minority are books that I have bought after hearing great things about, and friends have recommended them.

A pastor friend of mine recommended the book Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will, by Kevin DeYoung. It was a relatively thin book, about 130 pages, so I figured I could afford it! I finished it recently, and am looking through it again this morning to mark it up and highlight it and see what new information I can find (I know it's kinda nerdy, but, guilty as charged...). So as I peruse this small book for a second time, I am coming across things that are so profoundly foundational, yet practical and "smack-your-own-forehead-and-say-duh" simple. Here's the wow quote from this morning that I though was profound and simple:

"I believe God guides us in decision making. But note the key word there 'God guides us in decision making.' I did not say 'God expects us to discover His plan for our lives.' The difference between the two sentences is huge."

That was my forehead smacking discovery this morning. If God did expect me to discover His plan for the rest of my life, He would cease to be God, and I would cease to be a finite human.

If you are looking for an easy read, but a practical and profound book on the will of God, pick up (or borrow from me) this book. 

Missions Conference Depression

For me, Missions Conference is one of my favorite times on the church calendar. Ever since I was a little guy I always looked forward to different missionaries' presentations. I remember very clearly the click of the slide projector with each new photograph showing a different view of an exotic location of people needing the Lord. Now we enjoy multimedia presentations that resemble National Geographic shows, only we see more than scenery, like National Geographic - we see souls in need of a Savior, and boy did we see an incredible cross section of the world:

Wednesday we met Joel and Deanna Porcher, and took a visual trip to the faraway land of Ghana. Thursday we learned about Hong Kong and the creative ministry that is required for ministry in that field. Friday we met Jonathan and Lorena Templeton. Jonathan is graduating from Calvary Seminary in May and then will be working towards a ministry in Salamanca, Spain. Both at the banquet and on Sunday we heard from Jason and Adele Rice, who introduced us to the open field of Slovakia.

Why is this entry called Missions Conference Depression? Well, as a little guy I loved Missions Conference, and as a 30 year old, I love it even more, only now, I am in charge of planning major parts of the conference, so I get to be excited about it for months before anyone else does, and then, it's over. Thus sets in the depression. Until next year which I'll begin working on soon...