Top 5 well 6 post of 2010

Here are the top 5 post of the year from my blog. There are six because there was a tie for number 5. 

1. Glow In The Dark
2. Can You Handle This?
3. 1,000,000 Pieces
4. Maybe - TMI (This is my favorite)
5. 27 and Counting and Every Road Leads Somewhere

Hope you have been drawn closer to Christ through my blog this year. 

Book Review - Out Live Your Life by Max Lucado

Authenticity seems to be something that people desire in themselves and others. This book is one that will spur the reader on to live a life that does make a real difference. The Bible says in Psalm 90:12, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Lucado give guidance, encouragement and challenge for each person to make their life count for something greater than themselves. He deals with some of the most popular concerns that people use to justify not investing in the world and community around you. One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “In the game of life, many of us who cross home plate do so because we were born on third base. Others aren’t even on a team”. For those of us who are on third based, we need to reach out and rescue, restore and redeem that which is lost. You might ask the question, “Can God use me?” Read this book and Max will point you in the right direction. 

Book Review - The Gospel According to Jesus by Chris Seay

I love a book that takes me to another level in my understanding and comprehension of truth especially biblical truth. Furthermore, the enjoyment increases substantially when I am challenged to enter a new place of adventure. That is exactly what I found in this book. I was able to hear Chris speak at Catalyst 2010 which further reinforced the challenging truths of this book. I would estimate this to be one of the best books I have read in 2010. The format is different that most books. Not only do you get the insights from Chris but also others sharing in a Q&A format. I promise you will walk away seeing words like "righteousness" in a new and engaging way.

Out Until Year End

I will not be posting until 2011. Taking a few days off.

WHAT IT DEPENDS ON

Last night an old saying came to my mind. "Prepare like everything depends on you and pray like everything depends on God". If we would all make that a practice then so much would fall in place. However, sometimes all we do is pray and don't prepare. Other times, all we do is prepare and we do not pray. God want to use us to get His will done. We cannot do it without Him. So in "whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor 10:31) and "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess 5:17).

Ingrown Christians

Today I address the Barna Research Megatrend of 2010 number 2 (please read the article).

2. Christians are becoming more ingrown and less outreach-oriented.

I agree. What I do find is that people find it easier to talk with someone they do not know about Christ and Christianity than the people they know. I do agree that the Christian community is “becoming more ingrown and less outreach-oriented”. It is easier to just hang out with my Christian friends, for they are cleaner. Here is what I mean. What if I go out to dinner with one of my unchurched friends (if I even have one) and they order a beer? Or a glass of wine? I have heard people say they would never let that happen. So, here is the conclusion of most Christians. If unchurched people are going to act unchurched then we just choose to skip it – it’s just too messy. I hate this about us. What are we scared of?

Here is a short story of Jesus. Read it.

Mark 2:15–17 (ESV)

¹⁵ And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. ¹⁶ And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” ¹⁷ And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

I'M 25!

I am 25 years old today. It was 25 years ago today that I met Lee Hartley at Eastern Hills Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Papermill Road) and knelt at the end of the first ugly green pew on the right and asked Christ to become the Lord and Savior of my life. I was radically saved and my life radically changed. I have experienced much in these 25 years and been blessed beyond measure.