davidsteele1966

THE WAY FORWARD: RENEWING THE AMERICAN IDEA – Paul Ryan (2014)

Several years ago, I set out to read about as many of the United States presidents as possible. Reading about the great leaders in America’s history; leaders like George Washington, John Adams, Abraham Lincoln, and Ronald Reagan is an unforgettable experience that tends to leave a mark on each reader. During this political season filledContinue reading “THE WAY FORWARD: RENEWING THE AMERICAN IDEA – Paul Ryan (2014)”

PASTOR’S KID – Barbabas Piper (2014)

Some write to entertain; some to educate. Others write to amuse or inspire. Barnabas Piper writes to encourage. He writes to encourage both pastors and their children. Piper writes from experience. His dad is Dr. John Piper, former Senior pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Barnabas Piper is a Pastor’s Kid. He, likeContinue reading “PASTOR’S KID – Barbabas Piper (2014)”

ROW FOR FREEDOM – Julia Immonen (2014)

You will never find me bungy-jumping, surfing, skydiving, or dangling from the face of the Half Dome in California. However, I do enjoy reading about the adventures of other people who put their necks on the line for a thrill. Row For Freedom by Julia Immonen is a classic example of adventure, courage, and sacrifice. ButContinue reading “ROW FOR FREEDOM – Julia Immonen (2014)”

REPENTANCE – J.C. Ryle

J.C. Ryle was a man who would have been hated in this generation. This cannot be stated too strongly. For instance, consider a man such as Mark Driscoll, a man who makes mistakes like anyone. But Driscoll is a bold preacher. He calls sin for what it is and urges sinners to repent. That boldContinue reading “REPENTANCE – J.C. Ryle”

HEAVEN’S DRAGNET – Jonathan Edwards (1751)

The text is Matthew 13:47-50. The missionary to the Stockbridge Indians sets his doctrine up in advance: The fisherman that cast the net are ministers of the gospel whom Christ appoints to gather men into his church. Edwards draws an immediate contrast between the righteous and the unrighteous: “So God will save his saints andContinue reading “HEAVEN’S DRAGNET – Jonathan Edwards (1751)”

LEADERSHIP LESSONS – Ralph Hawkins and Richard Leslie Parrott

Leadership Lessons, by Ralph Hawkins and Richard Leslie Parrott is a case study about the failure of King Saul. The authors raise need at the beginning of their book by providing a biblical rationale for studying a failed leader. Colin Powell reveals the test of leadership failure: “The day soldiers stop bringing you their problemsContinue reading “LEADERSHIP LESSONS – Ralph Hawkins and Richard Leslie Parrott”

THE PAGAN HEART OF TODAY’S CULTURE – Peter Jones (2014)

Peter Jones has been writing about paganism for many years now. While many are put off by the term “pagan,” Jones is simply offering the critical components of a worldview which is growing with a vengeance. The troubling news is that many Christ-followers are either unaware the tentacles of paganism or could care less. TheContinue reading “THE PAGAN HEART OF TODAY’S CULTURE – Peter Jones (2014)”

The Preciousness of Time – Jonathan Edwards (1734)

Time is a precious commodity that must be treasured. Such is the argument in Jonathan Edward’s piece entitled, The Preciousness of Time and the Importance of Redeeming It. The subject of time was no stranger to Edwards. He thought about the “improvement” of time often. Even in his famous 70 resolutions, he addressed the matter ofContinue reading “The Preciousness of Time – Jonathan Edwards (1734)”

DIARY OF A MADMAN – JOSEPH STALIN

“His face lost its color. His breathing became distorted. He choked to death as we watched. The death agony was painful. At the last-minute he opened his eyes again, a terrible look, mad, or angry, and full of the fear of death. His left hand rose, and seemed to be pointing upwards, or threatening usContinue reading “DIARY OF A MADMAN – JOSEPH STALIN”

CHRIST IS TO THE HEART LIKE A RIVER TO A TREE PLANTED BY IT – Jonathan Edwards (1751)

In this short sermon prepared and addressed to the Stockbridge Indians, Edwards utilizes Psalm 1:3 – “He shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water.” The doctrine is set forth at the beginning of the sermon: Doctrine Christ is to the heart of a true saint like a river to the roots ofContinue reading “CHRIST IS TO THE HEART LIKE A RIVER TO A TREE PLANTED BY IT – Jonathan Edwards (1751)”