Sep 16, 2011

Harvest

My blog's subtitle (my take on living life in the middle of corn fields) is sort of a joke about where I am currently living. I live in Illinois, most of which is corn or bean fields. I have to admit though, it is really cool to see all that happens in the fields throughout the year. I grew up in the suburbs and never really knew much about farming except that they grew stuff, so living in the middle of corn fields is actually quite fun. It is especially fun around this time of the year when they are harvesting in the fields. Last night and this morning, we watched the combines roll through the field that is yards from our apartment and harvest the corn. This isn't my first time seeing combines; I've even had a chance to ride in my wife's grandfather's combine. It's still cool, though, to see the combines roll through the fields.

Sep 8, 2011

Live Long and Prosper

One of my favorite shows is Star Trek. Because of that, I am sharing this with you:
Today in 1966 the first episode aired on NBC. Today, Star Trek turns 45. If you love technology, you should be thankful for Star Trek, which inspired many of today's devices. So go watch Star Trek and Live Long and Prosper.

Sep 7, 2011

Book Reviewing Update


As you have noticed, I blog for two different publishers. They give me books and I review them. WaterBrook Press has started to giveaway free books to those who read the reviews. Here's how it works: when you read one of my reviews and rank it, you will be entered for a chance to receive that book for free. At the bottom of each post, there is a place to enter your email and a ranking of my review. You can also go to their website and browse through reviews and rank more there.

Here are links to the books that I have reviewed:

Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris
Radical by David Platt
Radical Together by David Platt

Sep 6, 2011

Digging Down Deep

Many people under estimate the importance of theology. Joshua Harris wants to curbs this problems. In Dug Down Deep he makes the case for needing to study theology. He argues that we need to be like the man in Jesus' parable and dig down deep to lay the foundation of our faith on the theological rock. He relates this through personal stories of learning how to apply Biblical theology to holy living. To explain how to live a holy life, he breaks down theology in to typical categories of God, Jesus, salvation, the Holy Spirit and sanctification. All of this is an effort to know God better, love God better and obey him better. Harris does a great job of presenting scripture in a manner that teaches about theology in way that is engaging. This is by no means a systematic theology or a very deep work, but it is a helpful. The final chapter leaves the reader with an important reminder that theology is not about gaining knowledge, knowing about God doesn't change a person. It is living out the truths found in scripture that will lead to change, this is done through humility.

Personally, I enjoyed reading this book. There are a lot of things that I have heard before, but he presented the information in a relational and engaging manner. For the most part he presented theology in a way that most people would agree. He did not try to pass of what some denominations hold as the absolute truth. Instead, he presented mainly from scripture in a manner that would not cause many to disagree. The only thing that would some would disagree with is his stance on "charismatic" gifts. He does believe in them, even though there are many Christians who do not think they are still practiced. His goal is clearly to call Christians to live a life that is founded on strong Biblical theology and for that I cannot disagree with Harris. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to know how Biblical theology can be lived out. This new edition includes discussion questions and would be great for church class or group. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and think you will too.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”