This is a book review of one of my favorite books - Debbie Maken's book Getting Serious about Getting Married.

Review: Getting to Marriage: What You Can Do

While the review speaks very highly of the book overall, the author identifies some areas of concern about the book.  I have some other ones that you will see in my Facebook book list and reviews.  Still, she says, as do I, that this is a must read for all singles (espcially women who want to be married) and for all pastors who need a perspective on young adults and marriage.

One of my favorite hymns:

 

Willow Creek is one of the most influential churches in America.  Many churches in this country have been significantly influenced by their ministry strategy and resources.  I have found some of the things they do to be helpful, most of all their Becoming a Contagious Christian course.  They have built a mega church in the Chicago Suburbs.  Somebody recently sent me a link describing some of their changes in ministry and I found some things insightful as I personally reflected on my own ministry.

http://blog.christianitytoday.com/outofur/archives/2007/10/willow_creek_re.html

In a talk he recently gave, Pastor Bill Hybels confesses:

We made a mistake. What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and become Christians, we should have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become 'self feeders.' We should have gotten people, taught people, how to read their bible between service, how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own.

In other words, spiritual growth doesn't happen best by becoming dependent on elaborate church programs but through the age old spiritual practices of prayer, bible reading, and relationships. And, ironically, these basic disciplines do not require multi-million dollar facilities and hundreds of staff to manage.

How picky should you be in choosing someone to date?  At times we can be too picky in beginning courtship or dating.  The problem is that we are basing our decisions on the wrong priorities.  In this classic article, Brother, You’re Like a Six, Scott Croft unravels some important considerations to encourage men to drop their Britney Spears-expectations and be realistic about who they plan to ask out.

It is providential that on Love Yourself Day (some sort of holiday I heard about on Facebook), I found this quote by Richard Lovelace.  It is so good in how it gives a perspective on self-acceptance (love?):

"It is often said today, in circles which blend popular psychology with Christianity, that we must love ourselves before we can be set free to love others... But no realistic human beings find it easy to love or forgive themselves, and hence their self-acceptance must be grounded in their awareness that God accepts them in Christ ... [There is much evidence in our experience against the idea that we are children of God but] the faith that surmounts the evidence and is able to warm itself at the fire of God's love, instead of having to steal love and self-acceptance from other sources, is actually the root of holiness..."  Quoted in The Galatians Study Guide (Leaders Edition), published by Redeemer Presbyterian Church: New York, 2003, page 67

I listen to a lot of John Piper, mostly their annual conferences.  I started the 2007 Desiring God National Conference yesterday while I was painting.  With this line-up: John Piper, John MacArthur, Randy Alcorn, Jerry Bridges, and Helen Roseveare; you are guaranteed to hear some of the finest preaching in our country. 

The conference was on Perseverance and Endurance in the face of difficulty.  It was called Stand: A Call for the Endurance of the Saints.

Download them today and put them on your MP3 player.

The Life of David Brainard is probably the most famous missionary biographies ever.  You can download the audio book for free at www.christianaudio.com.  I'm listening right now...  Good stuff.

... or the internet in general?  Boy, I know I do.  That's why I was glad to see this article from WIRED magazine.  It gives some tips to those of us who are so wired to the net, we waste time.  The ideas are practical restraints for time wasting. 

Stop Wasting Time Online

I know I have spoken to our guys about wasting your mind on internet pornography and how to stop that, but this is more fundamental.  Get off the computer and find something more productive to do ... say, I'm going to go and have a conversation with my wife (it'll be so different than our IM!).