Book Recommendation

I have read a lot of books in the last 15 years… and I have never felt so strongly about recommending a book as I do right now. The book that I would encourage you all to purchase and read is “The Shack” by William P. Young.

A copy of this book was loaned to me and I began reading it as a favor to that individual. After all it’s the least I can do; you know help this person out and give them my option. Most times my opinion is worth just what you paid for and it’s always free advice. As I got into the book I soon learned that the favor being done was by the person who gave me this book.

It’s a gripping fictional story that has great truths stated in the simplest of terms. I believe it has something for everyone, the mature Christ Follower, and the new explorer. I found myself challenged, driven to learn more and was hungry for the Bible to support the new things I was learning.

That is a good indicator for me that I have grown as a result of reading a book, any book. Am I compelled to seek answers in the Bible? Now there has been a time or two that I have not been able to support what I was learning with the word of God. Does that mean I didn’t grow? Not at all. If something I read causes me to seek God’s word for answers then for me that’s growth. I then threw out what I read as not true and hung onto God and His truth. In reading this book I did not have to disregard anything that I was learning. I found it to be a good challenge, as well as supportive to God’s word. It was a good read and helped me grow.

In the reading of this book I didn’t find anything that is contrary to God’s word. This is not to say I didn’t get a little stretched. I did. Was I challenged? I was. Did I grow? I did, and think you will too.

So there it is a book of the month recommendation. As a Faith Community we will be purchasing these books and be making them available to you to buy for yourself and an extra to give away.

What I learned on vacation

It is good to be writing again. I took a few days off to see what it would be like to have a mini vacation. I found out some interesting things about myself on this vacation.

One thing is that I like time off. I never grew up in a household that took vacations. All of my father’s time off was working vacations, a chance to get caught up around the home. I enjoyed having a chance to watch people and just slow down. Now I am not looking to make a big lifestyle change and just wear white double knit pants and eat dinner at 4pm, but I can see taking time off to set my life in balance again.

Another thing I learned is that there is so much to see and experience. I look forward to exploring more. It is so much fun to ask people about their town and see them light up as they tell you all about it. People are most generally proud of where they live and are looking for the chance to tell someone, anyone about it. I enjoy being that person that they get to brag to.
I learned that it is ok to just stop and let others do. It was great to come home the hear how well things went in my absence. To hear the stories of three new people coming to Christ. All of this happening while I was eating ice cream for breakfast. Well done and thank you!

The most important thing I learned is that I’m still learning. I’m still discovering myself and what I like and need to stay reaching for the top. We can never get to settled in our own personal rut that we forget that there might be a better way or that we might need to step back and look at ourselves. For me slowing down is the only way that it’s going to happen.

Have a great day and God Bless

In his Service
PG