Book Review: "Decision Making by the Book" by Haddon Robinson

With all of the decisions we make each day and with our desire to please God in those choices, this book provides a biblical approach to good decision making by a trusted author.

This book will help you to understand the following and so much more:

• how prone we are to use unbiblical methods to make decisions,
• how a faulty view of God's will and God's sovereignty puts undo stress on us when we face decisions,
• how the Scriptures provide clear, simple steps for good decision making (i.e. prayer, searching the Scriptures, seeking wise counsel, etc.)

I had a few drawbacks, namely, that the author dealt much more with the objective and less with the subjective aspect of decision making. However, over all, I enjoyed this book and plan to reread it again soon.

Sermon (video): Walking Worthy of Our Calling (Ephesians 4:1-6)

So, you're saved! That's great news! But did you know that there's so much more to being saved than simply waiting on your ride to Heaven? It's the opportunity to become usable to God by becoming more like Jesus. Listen to this sermon and be encouraged on your pursuit of holiness by clicking here.

 

Video: Kayaking on the Weekie Wachee River

I recently took a trip down the Weekie Wachee River in a kayak. It was a relaxing ride and the video I took provides about 6 1/2 minutes of beautiful scenery with the sounds of Florida's backwoods. The end of the video (at 5:35) shows an encounter a few of us had with about 9 manatees.

Just click here to view the video.

Book Review: "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

I recently read “The Hiding Place” again and enjoyed it even more than the first time. This is an incredible book that recounts one Christian family’s faith that stands as an inspiration to all who take the time to observe.

Corrie ten Boom begins the book by familiarizing the reader with what life was like at their home in Holland. The reader quickly realizes that life at the Beje (their home) was simple and eventless, at least when compared with 21^st century American life. And yet, in their quiet way, they lived out their faith. Then, one day, they were confronted with an opportunity to secretly protect a Jew during the rise of the Third Reich. Soon, the Beje would be a haven for many Jews in hiding. The home was eventually raided by German soldiers and the ten Booms were taken away.

The second half of the book recounts Corrie’s (and her sister, Betsie’s) experience in Nazi concentration camps. With great detail and pathos, she describes their unimaginably horrific treatment, the comfort she found from her sister Betsie, Betsie’s death and Corrie’s final release from the Ravensbruck concentration camp.

Throughout the book, the reader gets to observe and learn from Corrie’s graplings with many issues that contemporary Christians question: 1) why bad things happen to “good” people, 2) how to survive and grow in times of trial, 3) how to overcome evil with good, 4) how to love the unlovable, 5) the thoughtfulness required to determine how to think/behave in times of decision, 6) the relevancy of fellowship with Jesus in the tough times, etc.

Anyone who reads this book will not come to the final chapter without some change taking place in their minds and heart. Corrie’s story will no doubt impact readers for many generations to come.