Year End Book Review 2009

Here is the 2009 review of the books I have read this year, along with a brief review and my personal thoughts and comments.

How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else, Michael Gates Gill This is the memoir of Michael Gates Gill. A man who was born into wealth, and had everything. A man at the top of his business. But, he loses it all. When he runs out of options he goes to work at Starbucks (starts at the bottom). This book tells of the lessons he learned from his experiences and how Starbucks, and the people he meets working there, impact his life. Related post: Hello, Goodbye

Book Yourself Solid, Michael Port This business book reveals the secrets to successful marketing and selling. The secret is in truly knowing your business/company, but not only knowing it, know how to talk about it. The reader is taken through the steps of how to create excitement in potential customers, so they will utilize your service or product.

The Great Eight, Scott Hamilton The figure-skating phenomenon lists his eight methods to experience true happiness (even when you have every reason to be miserable). Related post: Scott Hamilton, The Great 8

Consulting for Dummies, Bob Nelson/Peter Economy I was interested in learning about what the job of a consultant actually entails. How it is done? How people make money doing it? Related post: Church Coach

The Noticer, Andy Andrews Perception is reality. There are many ways to look at the same thing. It's all about perspective. Related post: The Noticer

Contemplative Youth Ministry, Mark Yaconelli A lot of youth groups have forgotten why they exist. The youth group should be more than an after school activity, or something for kids to do during church. The purpose of youth ministry is to share the love of Jesus. This responsibility is one that is to be shared by the entire church body, not just the "youth pastor". Yaconelli's book is all about getting back to what youth ministry is all about, Christ. Preparing the heart of the youth worker, staff, volunteer to effectively enable students to experience God. Related post: Churches These Days

Put Your Dream to the Test, John C. Maxwell This leadership expert identifes 10 questions to ask yourself, and answer, to make your dreams a reality. I had the opportunity to hear him teach on this at church (Christ Fellowship), and was able to have him autograph my copy. Related post: Dream Test

It, Craig Groeschel Some churches have "it", and some don't. Through personal experiences with his church, Groeschel, reveals what he has found that determines if a church will have "it" or not.

How to Get Rich as a Televangelist or Faith Healer, Bill Wilson The reader is taken on an irreverent, tongue-in-cheek ride through the world of televangelism. This book calls out the secrets and tricks that the great "healers" use to make "miracles" occur, and tells how to make the right appeal so that your financial coffers will remain full.

The Charismatic Century, Jack Hayford An informative look at the formation of the pentecostal church movement. See what events led up to the Azusa street revival, and how the effects of that revival are still being felt today. Related post: Revival

The 21 Most Powerful Minutes in a Leaders Day, John C. Maxwell Based on "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership", this book offers a six-week daily reading to help enhance the leaders influence.

The Seven Faith Tribes, George Barna Brings to light the seven most influential "faith" groups in America. He enables the reader to understand what they each believe, how the act on those beliefs, and why it matters to us. Related post: 7 Faith Tribes

Just Do Something, Kevin DeYoung Many people spend a lifetime waiting to do something great for God. All God really wants is for us to just do something!

In, But Not Of, Hugh Hewitt This year was my second time to read this book (will probably read it again in 2010). This book offers practical guidance on how the Christian man or woman should appropriately channel their ambitions, and how they can influence the world.

Aftermath, Inc., Gil Reavill Tells the story of crime scene clean-up/biohazard technicians. What happens when CSI goes home?

Breaking the Jewish Code, Perry Stone Why are the Jewish people so successful? Can their success be our success? The answers to these questions lie within the pages of this book by the Voice of Evangelism's founder and president. Stone's book outlines 12 secrets that will transform your life, family, health and finances.

Preaching in the Spirit, Dennis Kinlaw As ministers, the only way that our sermons can be effective is if the spirit of God is in them, and that same spirit moves on the hearer's of the message. If we want Gods spirit on our ministry we must first prepare for His Spirit in our lives. Related posts: Preaching in the Spirt (Self-Discovery); RSVP

The 360 Degree Leader, John C. Maxwell This was my favorite read of the year. Many times we read or listen to these leadership experts, but we don't think we can apply the principles because we are not at the head leadership position of our organization. This book does away with that excuse, and offers practical advice on how to lead from any position within the organization.

Primal, Mark Batterson As Christians we need to return to the primal meaning of Christianity. This is to love the Lord our God, with all our hearts, soul, mind, and strength. Related post: Primal,Mark Batterson

Leaving Microsoft to Change the World, John Wood He had a comfortable job, an executive position at the top software company, and all the perks that go along with it. But, his life changed after a backpacking trip to Nepal, revealed the need for books and education for the children. He left his job, and created Room to Read. This is his story. (one of the best reads of 2009).

Primal, Mark Batterson

Love the Lord Your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. (Mk. 12:30)

This is the passage that is explored in Mark Batterson's newest offering, Primal. The intent is to get back to what Christianity is really all about, take away all the unnecessary clutter, and be left with the basest tenant of the Faith. Primal Christianity is this, to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Batterson leads the reader on a journey to reach this point.

Part I: The Heart of Christianity

In his book "A Man After His Own Heart", Charles Siebert shares a scientific yet poetic depiction of a heart transplant he observed at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. Not long after, Siebert attended an annual banquet for transplant recipients, and he was deeply moved by their profound appreciation for life. They spoke in reverent tones about the second chance at life they had been given. They humbly acknowledged their responsibility to honor the donors. And many of them talked about new desires that accompanied their new hearts.

Sieber concluded -- and his research is backed up by numerous medical studies -- that transplant recipients don't just receive a new heart. Along with that new heart, they receive whole new sensory responses, craving and habits. (pg. 16)

This is the beginning of primal Christianity, a change of heart.

Part II: The Soul of Christianity

The primal soul of Christianity is being aware of the presence of God. Batterson tells the story of the small, beautiful, island, Pingelap. This island is filled with every kind of beautiful plant. However, the inhabitants of the island are all colorblind. They live in the midst of all this beauty but have no idea how beautiful it really is.

...many of us are as blind to the wonder as the Pingelapians are to color. There are miracles all around us all the time, but we lack the perceptual capacity to perceive them. We are in the presence of God, but we are unaware of it. We are surrounded by the glory of God but can't see it. (pg. 59)

Part III: The Mind of Christianity

Loving God wit all your mind literally means loving God with all your mind. It means managing your mind. It means making the most of your mind. It means loving God logically and creatively, seriously and humorously, intuitively and thoughtfully. (pg. 94)

Imagination is a form of God worship. As we surrender our imaginations, and creativity to Him. We are worshipping, as we worship He fills our minds with more imaginations and creativity for His glory.

Part IV: The Strength of Christianity

God desires for our strength to be surrendered to Him. As we physically serve others (mission trips, work days, etc.) God is worshiped. A lot of people want to stay away from the "labor" ministries (set up/tear down, work and witness, service projects), and stick with the "easy" ministries. However, those people miss out on one of the four primal factors of our Faith. God desires our strength. As we work, and wear our physical bodies down, for Him, He is worshipped.

Let this be the first book you read in 2010! Return to the primal foundations of the faith. Embark on "A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity".

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781601421319

Let this book set your spiritual tone for 2010!

Primal

I received an e-mail confirmation that Experience Shift has been approved to receive and review Mark Batterson's forthcoming book, Primal. Check back for updates, information, clips, and the book review!

Founding Fathers

I love history. And I love America! Thought I'd share a little of both as we celebrate Independence Day.

Before I do, let me say a few things. First of all, this isn't meant to be a dissertation. It's a blog. Secondly, I'm not nominating all of our founding fathers for sainthood. Having said that let me say this: there is a lot of revisionist history that totally ignores or distorts the faith of our Founding Fathers. A lot of them were motivated by their faith in Christ.

Here's some back story on some of the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence. Most Americans know next to nothing about these fifty-six heroes who pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to the cause of freedom.

John Witherspoon was an ordained minister and authored several books of sermons, as well as editing America's first family Bible in 1791.

Charles Thomson served as Secretary of Congress and was a Biblical scholar. He helped edit the first American translation of the Greek Septuagint into English.

Charles Carroll, the last of the fifty-six signers to pass away at the age of 95 in 1832, wrote out his declaration of faith at the age of eighty-nine.

On the mercy of my Redeemer I rely for my salvation, and on His merits; not on the works I have done in obedience to His precepts.

Another Founding Father, Benjamin Rush, is considered the "Father of American Medicine." He personally trained three thousand medical students. Dr. Rush also founded "The First Day Society" which was the precursor to the Sunday School movement, as well as founding America's first Bible society. It was Benjamin Rush who said the Constitution was "as much the work of Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament were the effects of divine power."

Francis Hopkinson was a church music director and edited one of the first hymnals printed in America in 1767. He also set 150 psalms to music.

Roger Sherman is the only Founding Father to sign all four of America's Founding documents: the Articles of Association in 1774, the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the Articles of Confederation in 1778, and the U.S. Constitution in 1787. Roger Sherman was also a theologian. He wrote a personal creed that was adopted by his church:

I believe that there is one only living and true God, existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the same in substance, equal in power and glory. That the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are a revelation from God, and a complete rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him.

I could share story after story, but the bottom line is this: many of our Founding Fathers were motivated by their Faith in Christ. They wrote sermons and creeds and hymns. They founded Bible Societies and Sunday Schools. They served God's purposes in their generation. And I, for one, am grateful.

Hope that adds a spiritual dimension to your 4th of July celebration!

Borrowed from the blog of Mark Batterson.