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Coffee Break – 06.23.2014

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When Is The Best Time To Drink Coffee? – I’ve posted other links to this information before, but here’s another look at just when the best time to drink coffee occurs. Plus, it’s never bad to talk about coffee, even if it is a repeat…

18 Beautifully Bizarre Places You Should See – The more I read from this website, the longer my bucket list becomes of places I’d like to travel to see. Here are a few more.

The Legend Of Zelda Theme Played On Wine Glasses And Beer Bottles – The phrase “too much time on his hands” comes to mind. But on the other hand this is just cool. Plus, there’s Mario Brothers, Game of Thrones, and Let It Go from Frozen. I guess this qualifies as talent.

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Memorize Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-15

Paul draws a sharp contrast between Timothy and the false teachers that have been rampant in Ephesus. With the beginning of this week’s passage, he emphatically states that Timothy must be different.

Take a look at it for yourself in 2 Timothy 3:14-15:

2 Timothy 3:14-15

Paul sees an obvious distinction between Timothy and the evil men and impostors listed in the previous verse. While they may spiral down in their unrighteousness, Timothy is to maintain a steady faithfulness to his ministry and to the gospel message.

Paul encourages Timothy to hold steadfast, and to continue in what he has learned. This certainly refers back to verse 10, where Paul reminds Timothy that he knows a significant amount about Paul’s teaching and lifestyle. But we must also remember that Timothy was raised by a godly mother and grandmother, both of whom taught him the Scriptures from a very early age (2 Timothy 1:5). Timothy’s education in the Scriptures is what led to the faith of his family, and ultimately to his own. These examples are the first reason he must hold onto his convictions.

Titus For You

Titus For You by Tim Chester (The Good Book Company, 2014)

I’ve been very impressed with The Good Book Company’s new (non)commentary series. So far, I’ve read and enjoyed Judges For You, Romans 1-7 For You, and Galatians For You. This week, I received Titus For You, and I’m looking forward to really digging into it. I read through the first chapter yesterday, and it promises to be as good as the rest.

The biggest question in my mind is that this is the first of the series I’ve read that isn’t written by Tim Keller. The fact that this is by another author, Tim Chester, means that it will be written in a different style. I’m interested to see how it flows.

If it’s anything like the rest of the series, it will be a great resource for understanding the letter Paul wrote to Titus. Look for my full review in a few days. In the meantime, you can find it on Amazon.com.

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Book Review: Be The Dad She Needs You To Be by Dr. Kevin Leman

Be The Dad She Needs You To BeOne of the most important relationships a daughter will ever have is the relationship with her father. This relationship is critical, and as a result, many dads fall short in this area. It’s not for a lack of willingness as much as it is a lack of understanding. Many dads simply don’t understand their daughters, and they don’t know how to build that connection.

Dr. Kevin Leman inspires dads to be the dads that their daughters need them to be in his newest book, Be The Dad She Needs You To Be. As a father to three daughters, I can relate to the struggles many dads face trying to relate to their daughters. Leman addresses most of those fears in this book, and leaves dads with the knowledge that they can make an impact in their daughters’ lives. And that it’s not as hard as it seems.

Covering almost every topic under the sun, including discipline, encouragement, the “talk,” being present, and more, Be The Dad She Needs You To Be is a pretty comprehensive manual for dads to keep handy. Each topic is approached in a manner that is easy to read and understand, but leaves dads with the ideas, tools and resources to make strides in that area.

Leman gives great pointers on how to be a great dad to your daughters. But he also includes some incredible insights in how to partner with you wife to be the most effective dad that you can be. So moms can read this as well, and gain a lot of practical advice on how to make a lasting mark in their daughters lives.

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Coffee Break – 06.16.2014

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How To Brew The Perfect Pour Over At Home – With all the various ways to brew a cup of coffee, I’m convinced that the best taste comes from the pour-over method. You can use a Chemex, a Hario V60, a Beehouse, or some other variety, but the taste is beyond anything else. And it’s not hard to accomplish. The Roasterie has a simple guide to show you how.

You’re Getting Old – Although I didn’t appreciate the reminder of my advancing decrepitude, this site did provide some amusement for a while.

Calvin And Hobbes On The Message And The Medium – Calvin and Hobbes has long been my favorite comic strip. I have several books of them laying around. I think they resonate so well because they speak to where so many people are in their lives, deep down within. I found this very interesting and thought provoking.

The “Me Time” Myth – Interesting thoughts on the idea of getting some “me time.” Has this contributed to our sense of entitlement? Hmmm…

The Early To Rise Challenge – Recently I signed up for the Early To Rise Challenge from Andy Traub, who works with Andy Andrews in his podcast, In The Loop (personal top 10). The concept here is that Andy Traub will send you an email for thirty days, encouraging you to wake up earlier and seize more of your day. I found it encouraging and helpful. Andy also wrote a book on the subject, called The Early To Rise Experience.

Why Was Judas Carrying The Moneybag? – Have you ever wondered that? I never really thought about it, but once I read the title of this post, I was hooked. What it comes down to is a matter of trust.

There is no shortcut to holiness. It must be the business of our entire lives. So let us begin. – William Wilberforce

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Memorize Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:12-13

Paul is well known for presenting a dichotomy in his writings, comparing two things that are opposites to highlight the differences. He does exactly that in this week’s passage.

You can see it for yourself in 2 Timothy 3:12-13:

2 Timothy 3:12-13

In the previous verses, Paul gave Timothy some very positive encouragement, giving some personal examples of his own sufferings. The point of this was to strengthen Timothy to face the trials and persecutions that would come.

What Paul was encouraging obliquely in those verses, he now states unequivocally. Persecution was not limited to people like Paul, who traveled the world, presenting the gospel message to all who would hear it. Rather, if anyone desires to live a godly life, he will be persecuted.