The 50 Books in a Year Challenge: February

I procrastinated like crazy this month. So because of that, I spent a lot of time last week, and just about all of my free time this week reading a book and successfully dominated four of them. (Confession: Two of the four were relatively small, but hey, it works if you work it.)

The Shack by William P. Young: Great book. I loved it. Honestly, I don’t understand why so many people are giving this guy a hard time for writing it. If you read it as it was meant to be read (Fictional) it’s a wonderful story about the love of God, and if you keep that mindset throughout the whole book, you can’t help but be captured by it. For the record, I thoroughly enjoyed his bravery of portraying God as an African American Female. 

Building Leaders: Blueprints for Developing Leadership at Every Level of Your Church by Aubrey Malphurs and Will Mancini: Pg. 146: “Leaders are learners and if they ever stop learning, they stop leading.” If you’re a leader, or have the desire to become one, do yourself a favor and read this book. I found it pretty insightful and will definitely open it up a few more times over the years. 

Be Our Guest: Perfecting the Art of Customer Service by Disney Institute: Really insightful book. Thoroughly enjoyed getting into the minds of those currently running “The Happiest Place on Earth.” After you read it, you’ll know exactly why people consider it the “Happiest Place on Earth.”

The Remnant: Restoring the Call to Personal Integrity by Larry Stockstill: Great book. I’m a huge fan of the Stockstill’s and the heart Pastor Larry had towards this book could be felt in every page. I highly recommend it. 

Really looking forward to the Chris Tomlin, Israel & New Breed concert next week, 

- Joe

Blissful Reading in January

The first month of my 50 Books in a Year Challenge  went great. I managed to complete five books and thoroughly enjoyed each one. With some books being smaller than others, I only had a couple of people pull the “that’s too small to be a book” card on me. It was as if they were questioning my book-reading integrity. (If there is such a thing) Lame. Anyway, here’s a recap of the blissful reading that took place in the month of January…

For Men Only by Shaunti and Jeff Feldhan: I’m convinced that as we all go through life, we’ll inevitably go through different seasons. I’m so thankful the wisdom found in certain kinds of books, on top of the Bible, makes those seasons a tad-bit easier for us. So yeah, let’s just say I’m walking through a season where this book came in handy, and for all of my men readers, if you have a “potential somebody” in your life, and I pray to God it’s a female, I highly recommend you pick up a copy of this book. It’s a quick read, fairly small, but very insightful into the minds of the women that Mr. Gray thinks come from Venus.  

The Best Question Ever by Andy Stanley: Great book! I really enjoyed it. I should also note that I’m already in love with Andy Stanley, in the most platonic-discipleship kind of way, so I pretty much enjoy everything he puts out. If you haven’t read it yet, and want to find out what the best question ever is, please do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this book. I found it pretty insightful. 

Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald: This was definitely one of those books that makes you go,”Dang, I really need to get my butt in gear and start doing things differently!”. Although it’s a pretty big statement, I would probably place this book in my Top-10 Favorites, but then again, that list changes all the time, so that’s probably not fair of me. But yeah, it really got me thinking about the importance of making sure my inner life is just as full as the outer. Gordon writes, “We must always be aware that there are leaders who can build great organizations (including churches) on natural gifts, say the right words, be smart enough to do the right things, be insightful enough to connect with the right people, and one can go a long way before anyone discovers that the inner life is close to empty.”  Highly recommend this one.

How Full Is Your Bucket? by  Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton: There wasn’t anything I didn’t already know in this book, but what I really enjoyed were the stats and stories these guys had to offer, which for me, made it worth the read. Bottom line: be nice to people, treat them right, and always say encouraging things to them.

7 Practices of Effective Ministry by Andy Stanley, Reggie Joiner & Lane Jones: I found this book pretty insightful for ministry, but more than anything, I just really want to go to Atlanta now and experience a service at North Point. But before that happens, I have to write a book report on it for my Pastoral Ministry II class. Fun. 

I’ve gotten off to a very slow start for February, so slow I haven’t even started a book. I can blame it on the Generation Unleashed craziness, or the fact that I’ve been in bed sick feeling like a zombie for the last couple of days. On a more brighter note, my younger sister is flying in today to attend the conference. It should be fun. 

Looking forward to National Pancake Day at IHOP on Feburary 24th, 

- Joe

New Beginnings

Oh yes, it’s that time again. Why does the beginning of a new year feel so good? Is it because it brings a sense of accomplishment? Or is it because we can look ahead, knowing that there are plenty of great moments in life waiting to be seized? I’m not entirely sure what it is, but I’m sure everybody can experience the joy of a new year in their own respectable way. For me, I’m excited about a few different things, but here are some of the goals that I’ve set for myself:

• No off days with God. I’m determined to go one whole year without missing one day of devotions. 
• Read 50 books. I really don’t have any particular reason for this one, I just want to learn. 
• Keep all of my grades higher than a C. Now that I think about it, this shouldn’t be a problem if I just get everything turned in…ON TIME!

I know, I only have three things, but these three things will affect every major area in my life on a daily basis. After all, great leaders aren’t built in a day, they’re built daily.

Craving a huge glass of milk, 

- Joe

In Case You Were Wondering…

Here’s a list of some of my favorite books in no particular order…

1. Be A People Person – - John Maxwell
2. When The Game Is Over It All Goes Back In The Box – - John Ortberg
3. Touch – - Rudy Rasmus
4. A Tale Of Three Kings – - Gene Edwards
5. The Ragamuffin Gospel – - Brennan Manning
6. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership – - John Maxwell
7. Waiting and Dating – - Myles Munroe
8. Confessions of a Pastor – - Craig Groeschel
9. Rescued – - John Bevere & Mark Andrew Olson
10. Visoneering – - Andy Stanley
11. Make Today Count – - John Maxwell
12. Axiom – - Bill Hybels

Waiting and Dating II

I’ve been single for over two years now. Having already been in two relationships, I learned the hard way of how to do it right. Personally, I’m having the time of my life, and I’m single too! Is that even possible in today’s culture? I believe it is. Although it took a while, I finally came to the point in my life where I realized I’m not a whole person. (Talk about a humbling experience) I realized that God wants to bless me with an amazing woman of God, but He’s not going to do that until I take the time to prepare myself for her. Why should I expect God to give me the best when I won’t even take the time to make sure I’m at my best? I have a friend (who shall remain nameless) but she is always giving me advice about who I should date. After ignoring all of her advice, she finally asked me why I’m not interested in any of them. This is what I said; “It’s not that I don’t have the desire to be in a relationship and it’s not that I’m not interested in any of the girls you’ve mentioned to me, but I realize that if I start a relationship with any of them right now, they’re not going to get the ‘best Joe’, they’re gonna get the Joe who is still in the preparation season of his life and that’s not fair to her.”

If you think I don’t want to be in a relationship right now then you’re crazy! Of course I want to be in one, but I also realize the importance of doing things right, and if I want to do things right it’s gonna take time. It’s going to require a lot of patience! I believe every girl deserves to be a with a boy who is complete in the Lord, knows what he wants in life, and knows how he’s gonna get there. I want to be faithful with what the Lord’s blessed me with now so that when it comes time for Him to bless me with a wife, He’ll trust me.  

I’m completely content with where the Lord has me and I couldn’t be happier. I also know that I’m on the right path of becoming a whole person. How do I know that? I know I’m on the right path because of the peace in my spirit. There’s truly no greater feeling than to wake up every day and know that you’re in the will of God. As for now, I need to forget what’s behind me and keep moving forward. The Lord has put so many things on my plate and my job now is to remain humble, work hard, and continue to be His servant. I’ll let Him take care of my relationships status. 

“You are ready to date when you don’t need to. If you feel that you “need” a date in order to be complete or fulfilled personally, you are not ready for dating. Need involves demand and implies that there is something lacking in life. The opposite of need is choice, which allows for a decision. When you regard dating as a matter of choice rather than necessity, you are ready. It is a matter of your ability to be happy and content whether you are with someone else or not.” – Myles Munroe

Summer Reading

With only three more days of school I decided it was time to put my summer reading schedule together.

Telling The Story: Evangelism For The Next Generation – - Luis Palau

From Zero to Eternity in 60 Seconds Flat: Influencing Others for Christ at a Moment’s Notice – - Wendell Smith

Be A People Person: Effective Leadership Through Effective Relationships – - John Maxwell

Touch: Pressing Against the Wounds of a Broken World – - Pastor Rudy Rasmus

Soul Virgins: Redefining Single Sexuality – - Doug Rosenau & Michael Todd Wilson

Dating Delilah: Purity From A New Perspective – - Judah Smith

More Than Enough: The 10 Keys to Changing Your Financial Destiny – - Dave Ramsey

It’s gonna be good…

Getting Out of My Box

I’m not one to step out of my box. I don’t mean to be that way either. But I’m starting to realize that if I want to speak into people’s lives while being effective at the same time, there’s a prerequisite. It’s called stepping out of my box.

Some people view me as having a ‘Black & White’ mentality. The more I think about it, I can’t argue with that statement. Why am I saying this? Because it’s true. As I continue to mature, I’m learning that I need to open my mind to those around me. Not to judge them, nor to condemn them, but to build a bridge that will lead to a relationship inevitably leading to my heart.

No Greater Love

I wanted to get out of the house the other night. I ended up in Barnes & Noble. I came to the conclusion that Barnes & Noble is the only thing in Antioch that reminds me of Portland. So off I went…

I had my heart set on buying something but I wasn’t sure what.  I knew Christmas was just a few days away so the chances of me getting a gift certificate to a bookstore were pretty good. I got one too!

I always feel overwhelmed in a bookstore. I come across so many books I’d love to read and often find myself asking the question, “Which book will it be today?”  This time was no different… 

As I was walking through the store I came across a book entitled No Greater Love by Mother Teresa. Having heard a lot of great things about her, I decided to take a look. It only took one paragraph to convince me that I needed to read this book…

Eternal Victim…Eternal Victor

I started reading a book written by Pastor Donnie McClurkin entitled Eternal Victim, Eternal Victor. Throughout the book he talks about his life, it’s pretty much his personal testimony. I already really enjoy reading biographies, but Pastor Donnie’s story is unreal. I’m already drawn to this man’s story and if you’re in for a nice quick read, I would recommend it to anyone. Here is a brief portion of Chapter 1…

“Yet, regardless of the constant protection, the cure continued. On June 6th, 1968, tragedy struck that would alter the affairs of our lives. While playing in the yard on a sunny afternoon in June, with my siblings, I made a neglectful mistake. I was supposed to be watching my two-year old baby brother, Thomas, at play, and left him in the un-gated yard to cross the street to retrieve a ball. Unbeknownst to me at the time, he was following me. As my mother was watching out of the living room window, she screamed for me to get the baby. I turned around just in time to see my baby brother struck down by a speeding car in the middle of the street-killed with my mother helplessly watching from the window. My mother got to him just in time to hear his last word: “Mommy!”

We had never experienced this kind of trauma before and my mother was devastated. It was her baby. That was the first funeral my sisters and I had ever attended and Ill never forget it for as long as I live. My mother and father were estranged at the time, and we all had to go and stay at my grandmother’s home for a few days for her to care for my mother. After seeing that tragic event in front of our home, my mother had to get away. My father went to view the body, and met us there at my grandmother’s house. I realize, now, that it must have been much worse for him because He and my mother were separated when it happened.

After a few nights at my Nanna’s house, they sent all of us children home to be watched and cared for by our Uncle Clarence. What they had no way of knowing was that this family member was a pedophile. This is the man that scarred my life when I was 8 years old. It is not necessary to recount the horrid details of this invasion, but that night I was sexually abused and raped by this same uncle, and it caused great hurt and confusion in my life for many years to follow. And there’s where the nightmare begins. I realize now that his happened because he, himself, was a broken man. He was unhealed with no one to help him.

In spite of the damage done to and in my life, I understand and forgive him, whole-heartedly. How can I do that? Once YOU are healed, it becomes easy to let things go, and to forgive people knowing that all things work together for good to them that love the Lord and are the called according to His purpose. Nothing that happened to me could happen to me without the allowance and purpose of God.

So, then, it becomes therapeutic to forgive. I found that forgiving releases you from the stress and anxiety-from the hurt and the hatred. It allows you to finally let go of the bitterness that makes life miserable. Instead, forgiving helps you move on with your real purpose for being and know that everything that has transpired is destined to work out for your good, if you can somehow see God through it all. After all, we’re not the first to go through major dysfunction. Let’s look at a biblical example, in order to bring out this point. C’mon…the next chapter…

Summer Reading

I’ve given my brain enough time to unwind from all of the reading/homework that was due last semester, so now it’s time to get back to work. I put together my reading schedule for the summer:

June:

• 90 Minutes In Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey
• The Journey by Billy Graham

July:

• How to Have That Difficult Conversation You’ve Been Avoiding by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend
• A Tale Of Three Kings: A Study In Brokenness by Gene Edwards
• The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Tested by Time by James L. Garlow

August:

• Speaking with Bold Assurance by Bert Decker & Hershael W. York
• What Now: Making sense of who you are and where you’re going by Marc Estes
• Walking Wisely: Real Guidance for Life’s Journey by Charles Stanley