ON THE BOOKSHELF...

This week my son graduates from High School. He is the baby of the family. The last of the kids to make it through the halls of High School. Because of all the preparation for this monumental event, my time is very limited, and so I have not changed the name of the blog yet, but it is coming after the weekend. By the way, did I mention that my son is the salutatorian for his graduating class? So, for the post today, I am going to keep it rather short and sweet. I wanted to share with you the books that I have on my bookshelf that I hope to read over the next several weeks. Let me know if you are planning on reading any of these, or if you have a book or books that you are hoping to get through over the summer months. I will start with the first book by Matt Chandler, "The Explicit Gospel".

A small but power packed devotional book is up next. I have already started on "Pierced By The Word" by John Piper. Piper has always impacted me with his writing and his passion for the Gospel and for the lost. So far, for a little book, it carries a big message.

Years ago I read "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" by Jim Cymbala, and it made me rethink my prayer life. Then I went to a prayer summit put on by Daniel Henderson and my life was never the same. Jim an Daniel have joined together to promote prayer as a way of life in seminars and prayer summits across the country. So I am anxious to read the latest book by Jim Cymbala, "Spirit Rising", which carries a forward by another of my favorite authors and preachers, Francis Chan.

Then there is "Soul Detox - Clean Living In A Contaminated World" by Craig Groeschel. If you've never heard of Craig, I highly recommend you check out some of his other books, such as "It" or "The Christian Atheist" and be prepared to be stimulated and challenged.

And finally, I want to try and read "Mark - The Gospel Of Passion" by Michael Card. Michael is a singer, musician, author and teacher, and his books are rich with imagery and imagination. You cannot go wrong with either his music or his writings.

So, that's all for now...time to get reading! Pastor Dave

A NEW NAME AND A NEW BEGINNING

Well, after much thought and prayer, I have decided to fire up the old blog again. It has been some time since I last wrote anything to share out here in the "blogosphere." In fact, my last post was back on December 1, 2011, and since it has been so long, and since I found there is another blog that goes by the name of "Confessions Of A Small Church Pastor," I have decided to rename the blog.

I have also decided to expand the scope of this blog. Originally it came from going through the Bible in a year along with the church that I pastor. Then it shifted to some random thoughts on books and Biblical passages from the perspective of a small church pastor. The blog will now be expanded to not only cover books that I read, music that I enjoy and my thoughts on biblical passages, but also politics, movies, and current events, all from a Christian perspective.

In order to help kick off my return to blogging, I am going to give away two CD's and one book. I will list them along with a brief description at the end of the blog. How can you win one of these? Well, it is simple. For every comment that you leave (and it has to be posted here on the blog, not on Facebook or emailed to me), here on the blog you will get your name put in for a drawing. The more times you comment, the better chance you have of winning. If you have never posted a comment on my blog before, let me know in your post and that is worth three entries for the drawing, increasing your chance to win. If you go back through the blog and post a comment on any blog entry before this date (05/28/12), you will get two entries into the drawing.

Finally, the person who posts the most comments from now until June 30th, will be entered into the drawing five extra times.

So let the reading and commenting begin! The entries for comments begins with the blog and runs through the end of June, 2012. I will notify the winners on the blog on July 2nd, and you will have to email me your address in order for me to send you CD or book, which will be mailed out by July 9th, if I have your mailing address by then. The first name drawn will get to pick which one of the prizes they want, the 2nd name drawn will get to pick between the two left, and the last name drawn will be left with whatever prize has not been claimed.

So, exactly what am I giving away...well, here they are: Book: NO COMPROMISE: The Life Story Of Keith Green (original hard cover limited edition).

CD: REBEL TRANSMISSION by Newworldson. This is my newest favorite CD, and it has hardly left the CD player in the car. 

CD: ORDINARY DREAMERS by Group 1 Crew. Something for the young and the young at heart. My 22 year old daughter really loves this group....me, not so much, but I'm glad that there are groups like this for those who appreciate this music: funky, hip-hop

Thought I would leave you with a sample of the music made by Newworldson, and remember, check back tomorrow for the unveiling of the new name of the blog and don't forget to leave your comments!

Pastor Dave