JOHNNYROBERTS.TV

LOVE WINS has a lot of truth in it.

 

Therein lies the problem.  Bell, chapter after chapter, builds a case with scripture and truth, throws in a few really odd un-explained statements and then jumps to a conclusion that hasn’t been established by the formerly mentioned truths.  As a friend put it, “my ‘bull-junk’ meter kept going off.”  Well... so did mine.  I almost felt like I was watching CNN or FOX claiming a “no-spin” zone while they spin their side of the story.  Giving off an air of elitist, intellectually enlightened, superiority cloaked in questions the writer attempts to paint those who disagree with his conclusions as close-minded radicals who are missing the point.  Placing them with the ranks of those who have abused and mis-used the church and religion to cover their tracks.  It’s a common tactic and falls short when one is truly trying to arrive at Truth.   

 

The unfortunate part of the equation is that in our self-indulged, individualistic, anti-establishment, post-modern, post-Christian society this liberal spin of God’s Word will be embraced by many.  If we get to twist God’s Word to our liking, well then... we become God... and we sort-of like the idea of being God... don’t we?  Isn’t that where we see Satan falling, isn’t that where we see Adam falling... isn’t that where we see ourselves... falling?  

 

Who can argue that LOVE does not WIN?  Seriously... that is not the question.  LOVE WINS without a doubt!  Love wins through the cross.  Love wins through Jesus.

 

I’m not a theologian.  I probably don’t even have a very good “bull-junk” meter.  But I read the book and write this post because I care about the next generation.  This morning I read a verse that took the wind out of me.  In Judges 8 it says that, “No sooner had Gideon died than the Israelites again prostituted themselves to the Baals.  They set up Baal-Berith as their god.”  Somewhere Gideon dropped the ball.  Somewhere he failed to raise up the next generation to believe in Truth.  To hold to the True and Living God.  I don’t want my story to end with, “No sooner had Johnny died than those he led and loved prostituted themselves to Satan.”  Truth is truth.  It’s not all gray.  Black exists, white exists and we must be willing to cling the the only Truth we have in God’s Word or our story does not end well.  LOVE WINS and I am eternally thankful.  DON’T BLINK.      

 

Book #4 2011 -- KNOWING GOD - J.I.Packer

OK... book number four of 2011 is KNOWING GOD by J.I. Packer.  This is certainly the most theologically significant book I've read in a while.  It also contains the most significant chapter, though brief and concise, I have ever read in regards to "Divine Guidance".  Chapter 20 alone is worth the price of the book.  The concepts of this book are challenging and weighty for this country boy's mind.  This will be a resource book for me.  For those desiring to wade into deeper waters, I highly recommend.  Come on, you know you're ready for a good challenge... DON'T BLINK...

"But the true way to honor the Holy Spirit as our guide is to honor the holy Scriptures through which he guides us.  The fundamental guidance which God gives to shape our lives -- the instilling, that is, of the basic convictions, attitudes, ideals and value judgments, in terms of which we are to live -- is not a matter of inward promptings apart from the Word but of the pressure on our consciences of the portrayal of God's character and will in the Word, which the Spirit enlightens us to understand and apply to ourselves."

J.I. Packer KNOWING GOD. (pg 236)

Linchpin - Seth Godin

Kill The Lizard... Great read on becoming INDISPENSABLE... Too much to cover on this one, you just need to pick up a copy for yourself. I'd hurry... The world is changing quickly. Failure to act could lead to life as a cog. You don't want to be a cog... You want to create art... Let's get on with it... "we need you." DONT BLINK... PS... that makes book number THREE for 2011. I'm going for a personal record...

A Tale of Three Kings

Book #2 of 2011. Thanks to Cassi for the heads up on this book. A simple, yet profound read that anyone called "leader" should study. We all prefer to think of ourselves as "King David" but deep within the heart of very man lies a Saul & Absalom. This book comes at a perfect time for me as I just completed Swindoll's book on the will of God. Now convinced that God is speaking to me about his sovereignty & my response to it in how I live. If I were you, I'd read both books & just see what God stirs within you... Don't Blink.

First book of 2011... FINISHED

The Mystery of God's Will (Charles R. Swindoll) ... Good read and a good way to launch into the new year.  I think this paragraph sums it up well.

"We've had enough humanistic reasoning.  We've had enough of horizontal thinking.  Let's just stop it and begin practicing words like, "I don't know," "I will trust," "I can't explain," "I release it all," because the star of the show if God.  He is the beginning, He will be the ending, and in between, by His grace, He lets us be a part of His perfect plan... for His glory and for our good.  In the meantime, expect a mystery."

So how about you... are you ready to accept the sovereignty of God and faithfully join Him in his work for his glory?  Don't Blink...

Radical, the book

Finished Radical, the book. 2nd half made it worth the read. It should come with a warning. "you are about to take the red pill" #thematrix

The Christian Atheist

Craig's latest book THE CHRISTIAN ATHEIST is due to be released March 23rd.  Define Christian Atheist - somone who believes in God but lives as though He doesn't exist.  Great topic, tough discussion, common issue... can't wait to get my copy.  I'm on the waiting list for a case from Lifechurch.tv.  Praying this book has huge impact across the globe.

Death By Love

Had this on the shelf and my new friend Kerry White over at Gore FBC saw it in my photo a few posts back.  He said... READ IT... so I did.  It's really good.  Driscoll can be brutal.  If you think I tend to not beat around the bush try some Mark Driscoll on for size.  He goes right for the throat and doesn't let go.  It's rich in theology told through letters of counsel.  Not for those with queasy stomach or faint of heart but... if you are broken, battered, bruised by sin and looking for TRUTH... the hardcore, direct, in your face truth of your depravity... and are looking for hope... the only place in which any lasting Hope can come... through Jesus Christ on the cross paying your way... then this might be something you should pick up.  Or maybe you are the perfect American go-to-church "Christian" who thinks you can carry Jesus around like a good luck charm and pull him out when it fits your fancy... maybe it's for you.  But be warned.  Driscoll and his cohort will punch you right in the gut and then proceed to smash you in the mouth lest you begin to think you have one thread of righteousness in you that doesn't come from Jesus Christ and Him alone.  Read and grow or get out of the way.  DON'T BLINK...

Going All The Way...

One of the cool things about being a LifeChurch.tv Network church is enjoying the teaching and passion of Craig Groeschel.  One of the beautiful things about Craig is his passion for family.  A passion to live a virtuous life and to pass those virtues on to his family.  It begins with loving his wife and cherishing their relationship.  His new book GOING ALL THE WAY is out and we have some available at TheBOD.tv Resource Center or you can get one at LifeChurch.tv's website store or Amazon.  If you haven't already you need to pick up his other two books CONFESSIONS OF A PASTOR and CHAZOWN.    Below is the scoop on the book.  Happy reading.

Going All the Way: Preparing for a Marriage That Goes the Distance
By Craig Groeschel

“Going all the way” used to mean getting what you want from the opposite sex now…and paying for it later.

It’s time to redefine.

Smart advice for a new generation about love, sex, and happily ever after.

You’ve seen marriages fail time and again. Even relationships you thought were bullet proof don’t last. Once promising couples dissolve in the acid of selfishness, conflict, or unfaithfulness… or fade away to a cold, gray lovelessness. No wonder that for our generation, “getting what you want” is often a substitute for love, and disillusionment about marriage is the new normal.

So what do you do if you want a marriage that doesn’t just survive, but thrives? That doesn’t just begin romantically but ends magnificently? Answer: You do something different.

Whether you’re thinking ahead to marriage, are about to be wed, or have been married for a while and want to make changes, this book can help. Going All the Way will guide you through the choices and commitments you need to make now in order to build a strong and vibrant relationship that will go the distance. In a world where going all the way means putting yourself first, author Craig Groeschel will show you how, by putting God first, you can build a soul-enriching, lifelong relationship.

With practical, candid discussions about sex, first dates, integrity, forgiveness, and communication, Craig will help you prepare for and experience a relationship that gives fresh, hope-filled meaning to “going all the way” with the one you love.

The Blogging Church.........

This may be old news for most of you but I'm posting it anyway because I know tons of people still have no idea how valuable of a tool blogging and reading-blogs can be.  My introduction came from The Blogging Church by Brian Bailey and Terry Storch.  It is a simple, easy to read introduction to blogging.  Probably the most important thing I took away was an introduction to what is called a Newsreader or Aggregator.  These websites work basically like your personal blog newspaper.  The reader will constantly search for new posts to the blog feeds you tell them to.  Then it brings these posts to a single page for your easy consumption.  I started with Bloglines (free and easy to set up), and quickly added Typepad for my personal blog.  Writing blogs is a entirely different animal from posting a blog.  The first is very easy. The second becomes an obsession.  Try the reader first.  There are several readers out there and most are free so try several if you like and let me know which one works the best.  Get the book and happy blogging.