RUDY: MY STORY – Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger (2012)

I’ll never forget the first time I saw the movie, Rudy in 1993.  It stands among my favorite sports movies alongside Hoosiers, Miracle, The Rookie, and Rocky. Rudy: My Story by Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger is the real life story behind the film.  Ruettiger tells the tale that a two-hour movie could never tell.  He includesContinue reading “RUDY: MY STORY – Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger (2012)”

ERASING HELL – Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle

The biblical doctrine of eternal punishment is part of the warp and woof of historic Christianity.  Prominent theologians from Augustine to Calvin and Wesley have boldly taught this doctrine.  Luther remarked, “The fiery oven is ignited merely by the unbearable appearance of God and endures eternally.  For the Day of Judgment will not last forContinue reading “ERASING HELL – Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle”

JOHN KNOX AND THE REFORMATION – Martyn Lloyd-Jones and Iain Murray

Buried deep in the catacombs of church history lie heroes that deserved to be revived from time to time.  John Knox stands among several men who faithfully raised the banner of the gospel and defended the truths of the Protestant Reformation.  Martyn Lloyd-Jones and Iain Murray guide readers through the life and legacy of theContinue reading “JOHN KNOX AND THE REFORMATION – Martyn Lloyd-Jones and Iain Murray”

CAN I BE SURE I’M SAVED? – R.C. Sproul (2010)

One of the most pressing and urgent questions that pastors receive is the title of R.C. Sproul’s book, “Can I Be Sure I’m Saved?” – No. 7 in his Crucial Questions Series.   But Sproul is quick to reassure readers that we can in fact know that we are in a state of grace.  Not onlyContinue reading “CAN I BE SURE I’M SAVED? – R.C. Sproul (2010)”

LEADING FROM THE SANDBOX – T.J. Addington (2010)

Leading from the Sandbox by T.J. Addington is a practical book that explores leadership principles for pastors and church leaders.  Addington’s concern is the formation of high-impact teams. The sandbox metaphor is designed as a tool that communicates what truly matters in a church or organization.  The author presents four “sides” of the sandbox, namelyContinue reading “LEADING FROM THE SANDBOX – T.J. Addington (2010)”

THE CHURCH: THE GOSPEL MADE VISIBLE – Mark Dever (2012)

Over the years, I’ve grown weary reading books that relate to ecclesiology.  Recent works that focus on the church are either driven by pragmatic presuppositions, man-centered principles, or church growth techniques that compromise the essence of the gospel, not to mention the mission of the church.  Mark Dever’s newest book, The Church: The Gospel MadeContinue reading “THE CHURCH: THE GOSPEL MADE VISIBLE – Mark Dever (2012)”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE BORN AGAIN? – R.C. Sproul (2010)

The Crucial Questions Series by R.C. Sproul is a series of books that address the basic concerns of the Christian life.  What Does it Mean to Be Born Again? discusses what is in my mind,  one of the most misunderstood doctrines in Scripture – regeneration.  To be frank, many people confuse conversion with regeneration.  SproulContinue reading “WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE BORN AGAIN? – R.C. Sproul (2010)”

GENESIS IN SPACE AND TIME – Francis Schaeffer (1972)

Great thinkers throughout the course of history have queried, “Where did it all come from?  Who made the cosmos?  What made the cosmos?  What or who holds it all together?  What is the meaning of life?  What is the basis of knowledge?  Where are we heading?  And where do we go when we die?  ForContinue reading “GENESIS IN SPACE AND TIME – Francis Schaeffer (1972)”

THE TRUTH ABOUT LEADERSHIP – James Kouzes and Barry Posner (2010)

What two names are automatically associated with the word “leadership?”  Answer: Kouzes and Posner.  Their landmark works, The Leadership Challenge and Credibility stand head and shoulders above other leadership books.  Their latest book, The Truth About Leadership continues to encourage principle-centered leadership. Patrick Lencioni rightly says, “This book cuts through the clutter and reminds usContinue reading “THE TRUTH ABOUT LEADERSHIP – James Kouzes and Barry Posner (2010)”

THE WORD OF THE LORD AND THE RELUCTANT PROPHET

“Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.”” (Jonah 1:1–2, ESV) It must have hit Jonah like a load of bricks.  It’s not as if it came out ofContinue reading “THE WORD OF THE LORD AND THE RELUCTANT PROPHET”