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Book Review – Advice For Seekers by Charles H. Spurgeon

February 14, 2013 in The Randleman Review 0

Sometimes the greatest things come in the oldest packages. Not always, but frequently.

Some of the oldest hymns contain the greatest spiritual truths. Many of the oldest cathedrals contain the greatest beauty.

And some of the oldest books contain the deepest insights into the Word of God.

Advice For Seekers is one of those that rank with the best. Written by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, and originally released in 1896, Spurgeon relates some of the most foundational spiritual realities in a way that is both deep and profound, and yet simple to understand, especially to his contemporaries.

Since the writing style has changed over the last century, and not always for the better, you may have to slow down to read Spurgeon. His words carry weight and wisdom, and they make you think.

Reprinted by Attic Books, an imprint of New Leaf Press, Advice For Seekers is an excellent volume, full of insight, and small enough to carry with you, or give to a friend.

Check out the book’s trailer:

Advice For Seekers is full of several short essays, primarily focused on reaching out to those seeking Christ. Although that may look different today than it did over one hundred years ago, the truths contained in these pages is the same.

Writing about such topics as faith, salvation, sin and redemption, Spurgeon reminds his readers that we cannot do this on our own. He shows us that we need to rest in the light of Christ for our help. We must trust in the one who made us to rescue us from out of our own miry pits.

The term “seeker” may be overused today, and may have developed somewhat of a bad taste in some respects, but that doesn’t change the truth: people are still seeking truthful answers about Christ, and the Bible, and salvation, and grace. Spurgeon does his best to answer these questions, providing assurance for the seeker and the disciple alike.

I really enjoyed reading Advice For Seekers, and feel like I’ve gained some insights that I was missing before. Several passages have been added to my file full of quotes, and I suspect certain parts of this book will even turn up in my own teaching. It’s a resources I’m excited to keep on my shelf.

I’m pretty sure you will enjoy it as well. Especially if you make sure to take the time to slow down your reading and pull every morsel of truth contained in these pages.

Without including contemporary writers, who is your favorite author from times past? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

If you are interested in reading Advice For Seekers, by Charles H. Spurgeon, you can purchase it at Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from New Leaf Press/Master Books as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“

Book Review – Parenting On Your Knees by Vicki Tiede

February 12, 2013 in The Randleman Review 2

One of the biggest passions of my life is being the best dad I can be to my kids. Three of my kids are older children, one is entering her teenage years. But the other three are preschool age and younger.

While I could have used Parenting On Your Knees with my older three, I will definitely be applying some of the principles with my younger three kids as we struggle our way through the preschool years.

Vicki Tiede has done an excellent job of putting together a book that is quick and easy to read, and yet with a deep and meaningful impact for parents.

She has written each chapter in a very brief manner. That works out quite nicely, since you may only get a few minutes to read with preschool age kids in the house.

Also included with each of the thirty-three short chapters are suggested resources; one for the parent to read, and another to read to your kids. I’ve never seen such an idea in any of the parenting books I’ve read, and many of these suggestions have made their way into our plans and budget for the near future.

Parenting On Your Knees is an excellent resource for parents, whether this is your first child, or number four, five, six…. I recommend that you pick it up and read it yourself. You’ll be glad you did.

What is your favorite parenting book? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

If you are interested in reading Parenting On Your Knees, by Vicki Tiede, you can purchase it at Amazon.com in print or for Kindle.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Cross Focused Media as part of their Cross Focused Reviews blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“

Coffee Break – 02.11.2013

February 11, 2013 in Coffee Break 0

A Year In Coffee Consumption 2012 – One of the best sources for all things coffee is Dear Coffee, I Love You. While this post is over a month old, the idea behind it is pretty fun: tracking the coffee consumed over the course of a year. I may have to try this…

The Nobel Winners Who Foiled the Führer – Who said that you’d never use that chemistry you learned in high school? This is a great story of how someone creatively saved the lives of others from the Nazi regime.

Mount Everest in 3.8 Billion Pixels – The Khumbu Glacier is one of the many found on Mount Everest. However, most of these glaciers have started to disappear. The GlacierWorks project documents the current state of the glaciers, providing records for study. This website uses a pretty cool technology called gigapixel navigation to get you in really close to the glacier. With stunning photography and incredible views, this is a must see.

Why CS Lewis Didn’t Write For Christianity Today – When Paul stated that he strove to be “all things to all people,” so that he might win some, he never imagined what that phrase would come to mean to someone like CS Lewis. Lewis knew his mission was to spread the gospel, but as times and circumstances changed in his life, so did his approach to spreading the message.

10 Positive Reasons To Train Your Kids In Cell Phone Use – Our kids nearing the age where a cell phone becomes almost a necessity, especially since we disconnected our home phone several years ago. In fact, one of our kids already has been given a phone. With today’s media and social saturation, it’s increasingly difficult to make sure our kids show restraint when using this technology. Here are ten great tips on how to do this.

Infographic: The Kings Of Israel – Sometimes, in youth ministry, as well as in our home school efforts, a nice poster can be a great help. Josh Byers has created a great infographic detailing the kings of Israel and Judah. This is a simple visual resource that helps our kids, the students in our church, and even me, see the timeline in proper perspective.

God desires to exercise mercy as much as you desire to feel it. – Thomas Manton

Memorize Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12-14

February 10, 2013 in Memorize 0

For the past two weeks, Paul’s letter to timothy has been full of negativity, as he expounded on sin, and comparing what Timothy must face with the Ten Commandments. His purpose was to show that the point of the law is to reveal sin. At the end of that paragraph, however, he throws in a statement filled with worship.

In our passage for this week, he seems to expand on that statement, how God entrusted this precious message to him. Look at 1 Timothy 1:12-14.

1 Timothy 1:12-14

First, Paul expands on his statement at the end of the previous paragraph, thankful that Christ gave him strength, found him faithful and trustworthy, and appointed him to Jesus’ service, in spite of his past.

You probably know as well as I do that Paul was once very oppressive to the message he now holds dear. He was a blasphemer, denying what God had accomplished through Jesus. he was a persecutor, striving to destroy Christianity. He was a violent man, capturing, imprisoning, torturing, and even watching the deaths of the followers of Christ. Each of these three descriptions seems to be harsher than the one before it.

But God decided to show Paul mercy. Why? Because he acted in ignorance and unbelief. Paul’s not minimizing his sins here, or trying to excuse his guilt. Rather, he acted as zealously as he could for the Jewish Law. The Old Testament made a distinction between those who sinned in ignorance and those who sinned intentionally and willfully. In Numbers 15:27-31, the Law makes a provision for the one who sinned in ignorance. Consequences were still necessary, but restoration was possible. But for the one who sinned intentionally, he was to be utterly cut off from his people, rejected completely.

Because of Paul’s ignorance of God’s work through Christ, he fell into the first group, explaining why he felt that God offered him mercy and forgiveness.

That grace had been poured out on him abundantly, igniting his own faith and love in Christ.

Paul studied the Law. He knew just how it revealed the sinfulness of man. He knew how it revealed his own sinfulness. And yet, he also rested in the fact that God’s mercy and grace were bigger. God’s forgiveness restored Paul, and made him fit for this ministry to which he was called.

Here’s the amazing thing: God has done the same thing for you and I. Our response should be the same as that of Paul. We should “thank Christ Jesus our Lord.”

How do you display your gratitude to Christ for choosing to use you? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Habit Formation

February 9, 2013 in Resources 0

Quote: Samuel Johnson

6 Healthy Responses To Negative Criticism

February 8, 2013 in Leadership 0

We all face it. It happens to each of us.

We are criticized, sometimes unfairly.

It’s reality. But how we respond to it makes all the difference in the world.

Boxing Gloves

There are a couple different kinds of criticizers. All of them require you to think about how to respond appropriately. Otherwise, it can quickly degenerate into what feels like a sparring match.

First, there’s the person who criticizes something you do. As a youth minister, I occasionally experience this type of criticism. Sometimes it’s justified, other times it isn’t. Developing and implementing a successful youth ministry often results in someone being unhappy about something. You simply can’t satisfy everyone. Someone will not like a change being made, and they are likely to let you know. If approached correctly, this can be a very constructive experience.

Then there’s the person who criticizes you because of who you are or because of your beliefs. They don’t like something about your personality, or your beliefs, and that fuels their antagonism. Very rarely is this handled in a constructive manner.

Recently, I received an email questioning our statement of beliefs on our church website. Initially, my though was that this was someone interested in our church, who might have some questions that needed to be answered.

But after a few exchanges, I quickly realized that this guy was interested in nothing more than picking a theological fight. In more than twenty years of ministry, this is still a difficult position to find myself in. I find it easier to have a discussion with an atheist than one such as this. At least, in the case of an atheist, I know what side he’s on.

Book Review – Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart by J.D. Greear

February 8, 2013 in The Randleman Review 0

Occasionally I find a book that leaves me asking more questions than it answers. Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart is just such a book.

Small, and a quick read, this book is an interesting dichotomy of good and bad.

While I found several things in here that challenged my thinking, much of the book is author J.D. Greear’s soapbox for eternal security and the sinner’s prayer with frequent tangents downplaying the idea of baptism.

While I believe that you can be sure of your salvation, much of Greear’s explanations run in circles and contradict themselves. This book leaves an unsatisfied feeling after finishing it, and it leaves you wondering.

I initially liked much of what Greear had to say, especially in the early chapters discussing our need for salvation and Jesus’ fulfillment of that need. But as the book progresses, Greear steps onto a soapbox about eternal security, the sinner’s prayer, and the role baptism plays. Much of this I disagree with theologically, but more than that, I felt like, had Greear been in the room, his voice would have been raised and he would be shouting.

Theological differences aside, I was not impressed with Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart. There are better books out there that deal with the topic of salvation. I wouldn’t recommend this one if you’re struggling with questions of this sort.

Have you read Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart? If so, what are your thoughts? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from B&H Publishing Group as part of their blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“