Buddy's #7 Why Johnny Can't Preach

I have held off writing a review of this book.

I wholeheartedly agreed with 90% of what T David Gordon says.  In fact, it challenged me as I would prepare messages after reading it.  Today as I popped in on a Super Bowl Party I saw about a third of the people on their laptops or iphones instead of watching the game and sharing with others.  Our intake of media is definitely shaping us and our relationships and I do not think it has been in a positive direction.

My main critique of the book is that if the sermons that we see in Scripture were put to the test by Gordon very few would get a passing grade from him.  I got the distinct feeling that he would be more at home with the Pharisees than the Disciples.

***

Buddy's #6 Grow: Reproducing through Organic Discipleship

Sometimes I feel as though modern books are larger than they need to be.  Authors will often fill them with fluff, filler and frivolous fiction.  Winfield Bevins can not be accused of this crime.  Rarely have I felt a book was too concise, though this may be one case in which that is true.

He begins by stating the problem with discipleship is that we have tried to automate and assembly line the process instead of letting it be organic and natural as it was intended.  His solutions are centering discipleship on the gospel, missional living of the church, planting new churches, and investing in men who will themselves be able to teach other men.  He also has a great challenge for men to be the leaders in their home and focused on discipling their families.

Over all a great read though I would have enjoyed some descriptions of what the process looks like in his context.

*** out of five.

By the way, as of Superbowl Sunday you can still download the book for free at http://www.plantboxx.com/winfield-bevins/e-book

Buddy's #5 Pursuit of Honor by Vince Flynn

Vince Flynn is an excellent author who never fails to draw me into his writing.  In Pursuit of Honor the action picks up just a few days after his ending to Extreme Measures.  If you haven't read that book you probably should read that one first.   After a few pages I am like sailor unable to escape the sirens call.

Flynn writes from a conservative view point of less government and less government oversight of the military.  Too bad he can't author the political landscape of our country. :-)  I have always wondered why the country and our politicians should attempt to know everything that the government is doing around the world.  My thought is the less we know about those things the better off the people in those communities are and probably us as well.

I highly recommend it as an entertaining read.  It is Fun, Fast & Furious, as well as Entertaining, Enjoyable and Exciting.  There is something in me that says novels should not get 5 stars but Pursuit of Honor deserves everyone of them.

*****

Buddy's #4 The Way of the Shepherd

Fun, Quick Read. Only 117 pages. Great reminder of some of the Biblical principles of leadership.

A great challenge to die to yourself as a leader. Dr. Kevin Leman & Bill Bentak say either you pay the unrelenting price of personal sacrifice as a leader or your people do.

You can find a great summary of the book here if you are interested. http://www.slideshare.net/happysammy/the-way-of-the-shepherd

Buddy's #3 Gospel Powered Parenting

But the gospel says, "You have no rights, only responsibilities."  It says, "Life proceeds out of death." It says, "Your children will live to the degree of your dying."

William Farley has done the body of Christ and Christian parents in a general a great service with his work, Gospel Powered Parenting.  The first half of the book speaks very little to parenting and mostly of the Gospel.  It is a refreshing look at parenting through the eyes of the gospel rather than the latest in pop psychology.

He hits on a number of themes that those who look to the Bible as their main source of parenting guidance should be familiar with such as, the father is the head of the household and bears the primary responsibility before God for the spiritual development of his children.  On corporal punishment Farley says, "The world says, 'Corporal punishment is child abuse.' But the Bible answers, 'Failure to discipline is child abuse.'"

The one area I disagreed with the author on is that where and how we educate our children has little bearing on their spiritual development.  I think Proverbs is very clear on the effects of peers on every area of our life.  Every study regarding youth and adolescent influence I have ever seen would disagree with that.  Other than some anecdotal evidence from a few families not much is offered in the way of proof that education matters little if their is proper discipling going on at home.

While I disagreed with Farly in this one area the book as a whole was great and perhaps the best book on parenting I have ever read.

***** stars out of 5.

Buddy's Near Term Reading List

Here is my reading list for the near future.  I am also moving my office and unpacking my boxes so I might put one or two more on the list.  After Mark's post on "Why Johnny Can't Preach"  I am glad that I am reading with a journal this year.  I am journaling about the books I read in an effort to think more deeply and apply more of what I read to my life.  I am also using it to journal reflections from my time in the Scriptures each day as well.