Best Book I've Read In A While

I recently received the book Soul's Gate by James L Rubart from BookSneeze and finished it quickly. One comment on the book suggests it for fans of Ted Dekker, but it reminded me more of a spiritual warfare book like the ones by Frank Peretti or Shaunti Feldhahn, which, by the way, are some of my favorite books.
The book is about a man who has delved deeply into the spiritual realm and tapped into the power of the Holy Spirit. He was in a sort of spiritual retirement caused by a tragic occurrence years earlier. Recently, though, he has begun to re-engage due to a prophecy being fulfilled in his life. He begins a journey with a group of others, training them in what he once practiced on a regular basis. This life-altering journey involves spiritual teleportation, encounters with demons, entering one's soul, and ultimately experiencing freedom and helping others experience it as well.
While it is a piece of fiction, it did stretch my mind to think of what the Holy Spirit can do in and through us. There is power that I often don't tap into, or at least not to a very great extent. So, to a certain extent, it is difficult to discern what is meant to be purely fictional and what is based on actual possibilities.
One comment about the author: he seems to be a nerd (not necessarily in a bad way). He makes several references to Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, and The Matrix. I might be a nerd, too, because I enjoy those stories.
I enjoyed this book not only because of the nerdy references and not only for the exciting story but also as a tool for spiritual growth. This book has encouraged me in my faith, and excited me to delve into the spiritual realm. I would like to discuss the ideas from this book with a small group, to extract the Biblical truth and encourage each other in the spiritual battles that we face.

The Searchers by Joseph Loconte

It took me a long time to read this book. As I was explaining to my wife, it wasn't bad enough to not finish, but it also wasn't interesting enough to keep reading. When I was reading it, I was interested but not compelled to continue reading.

This book is based on the journey of disciples and their encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus from Luke's gospel account. I am not really the sure of the purpose of this book. It contains many references that were interesting to me. It contains some thought-provoking ideas. Overall, however, I missed the plot. I will admit that reading it over a shorter period of time may have made it seem more purposeful.

I would not recommend this book but also wouldn't particularly recommend against it. Read it if you want, especially if you like a wide variety of historical and cultural references and information.

This book was provided for review by BookSneeze.

Moving to the Woods

Our family is moving to Wesleyan Woods soon. Very soon. Within the next couple weeks. We have a camper parked out there and are currently working on cleaning it and preparing it to live in.

I will be officially done with my current positions at the end of the month and will be starting at Wesleyan Woods within the next week or two.

We will be part of a church plant at the campground that will offer a Saturday evening service for campers as well as local residents throughout the entire year. We will also continue to be involved with our current church.

I need to talk to JT, the director of Wesleyan Woods, more about the details of my position and the church, but from what I know I will be leading worship for the church and will be working Tuesday-Saturday at the camp, with an emphasis on Friday and Saturday. I will be a floater, basically, doing whatever needs to be done at the time, including but not limited to registering campers, other office work, grounds keeping, musical stuff and possibly kitchen help.

We will be living in a 5th wheel for about half of the year and then moving into a house that is at the campground for the winter.

We are excited for this new adventure and look forward to what God has in store.

We would appreciate your prayers and support. Thanks!

While I Am Here

I just posted a review of a book, so while I am at my blog, I might as well write a little update on life.

Life is crazy.

Consider yourself updated...

Ok, a few more details. We are currently in negotiations to be working and living at Wesleyan Woods Campground starting soon and ending whenever God tells us. If you have a camper trailer, 5th wheel, or similar mobile liveable unit that you would like to donate or sell to us for cheap, let us know.

Our plan is to continue our involvement in Kingston Wesleyan Church, although some things will change due to leaving the Youth Director postion.

I don't have an official start date with the camp or an official end date with the church or YFC but I basically don't have any mroe events planned with YFC other than the weekly things I do. As for KWC, I have a few more things, including a 30 Hour Famine on the 27-28th of this month.

We will be kicking off the famine with a benefit concert which will include performances by Friends of Jesus, The Following: and hopefully The Sellouts.

Aurelia is walking and being cute as always. Kassie is awesome. I am getting over a cold or something like that.

Now, you can consider yourself updated or contact me for more info.

Called To Controversy

Expectations are important. When I requested Called To Controversy by Ruth Rosen from the BookSneeze program, I was expecting an inspirational story of a man who overcame controversy to share the gospel with Jewish people. While the story is about that type of man, and it is, at some points, inspirational, it is much longer and more biographical than I was expecting. I am sure it paints a great picture of who Moishe Rosen was with great detail. However, I wasn't looking for a biography.
Needless to say, I became uninterested in the book and had a difficult time continuing to read it. I must admit, I did not finish the book.
Although, if you are looking for a biography of Moishe (Martin) Rosen, this is probably the book for you. It is clear that the writer went to great lengths to ensure the accuracy of the information. She makes it clear what was actually said by Mr. Rosen, what came from secondary sources, and so on.
I don't think I would suggest this book for anyone, unless, as I mentioned earlier, they were interested in a biography of Moishe Rosen.

This book was provided free by BookSneeze.

Demos

The Following now has demo songs recorded thanks to Phil Bowen, my parents, and others at Lighthouse Assembly of God. We will be sending out a promo pack/press kit to Big Ticket Festival Indie Competition within the next couple of days!


We are also planning a possible benefit concert at our church for the 30-Hour Famine we will be doing in April. Our teens will be raising funds to send to World Vision to specifically aid people in Burundi. We are hoping to play along with a couple of other bands as part of that fundraising effort and to kick-off our famine. 
I am excited for what God is doing in our lives. 


Please continue to pray for us and our future. We don't really have any idea what God's got planned, and we are really learning to trust Him. We are also enjoying and trying to make the most of the opportunities we have where we currently are. Praise God!

Trust and The Following

I know most of my posts are about books, but I would like to share some of what has been happening in our lives recently. 

As you may know, I work for Bluewater Thumb Youth For Christ and Kingston Wesleyan Church and over the past year have been contemplating one or the other or both. More recently, we decided we were going to move to Mount Pleasant, where I would get a non-ministry job and we would be involved in ministry with His House Christian Fellowship.

So, we have given notice that we will be leaving my current ministry positions by this summer or as early as now. 

I have been looking for jobs. I found a job that I thought could be the answer for us. It is a job with CMU that would allow me to work with students and would also allow Kassie to take some classes for free. I haven't heard back from that job or any others except the ones that don't want me.

It has been frustrating, but at the same time God has been teaching me to trust in his plan and his timing. When we first felt his calling to go, I was really impatient about it. I have had a hard time balancing life in my current ministry positions and that has caused stress on me and my family.

God has been really working within me helping me to continue the ministry he has for me, living up to his expectations for me rather than my bosses' or my own. He has also been helping me to be patient and to trust him.

Lately, I have also felt his push towards music (again) and feel more confident about my position, although not sure how it will fit in with our life. Kassie and I have started a band called The Following which consists of Kassie on drums and me on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, along with 3 teenagers: Cameron Simpson on bass guitar, Brennen Winter on lead guitar, and Zach Boyl on rhythm guitar. We are hoping and currently preparing for playing on the Indie Stage at Big Ticket Festival. We are also hoping to play at Deford Christian Rock Fest and at the park in Cass City.

As I said, we don't know what this band means in regards to moving and/or other future questions, but we are excited about it. It's a lot of fun and a good way to glorify God with the gifts he has given us. It is also a bonding activity for Kassie and I along with some great guys.

So, we are just enjoying what God has put before us and trusting him to guide our lives.

That reminds me of some of my favorite verses:

Matthew 6:33 and Proverbs 3:5-6. I'll let you look them up. Thanks for your prayers. Praise God for his many blessings.

ps. God gave me a song in the past couple days that is pretty fun and funky and has a great message. Maybe you can hear it someday soon. 

Then Sings My Soul

I recently read the third book in Robert J. Morgan's series about Christian hymns, called Then Sings My Soul. Although there seemed to be some points or stories that were repeated, and Morgan seems a little eccentric to me, I did enjoy the book.


Then Sings My Soul taught me quite a bit about Christian songs, the history of hymns, and stories behind some of the hymn writers. It also renewed and bolstered my appreciation for hymns. Being a musician, reading this book has made me want to write songs of my own as well as re-arrange old hymns and bring some to the church in their original arrangements.

The book starts with a brief history of hymns from Biblical times to the present age. It then gives insight into several hymns. That is followed by a small number of stories that go into more depth about some hymns. It ends with a discussion of the importance of hymns.

While it is not an exhaustive book, it offers a wealth of knowledge and has inspired me to dig deeper on my own. I wouldn't say the book is an entertaining, quick read. Nor is it difficult or arduous. For some it might be quite enjoyable, while for others it might be more like a textbook.

I would suggest it for any Christian, but especially for Christian musicians, specifically worship leaders.

I received a copy of this book free for review from the BookSneeze program.

For your own copy, you can go to Thomas Nelson or Amazon.

I Am Second

I Am Second is not only a book by Doug Bender and Dave Sterrett, it is a movement. Most importantly, God is first.  God is glorified, and salvation is shared through the testimonies of football players, a skateboarder, a Pastor, a Biggest Loser, business people and others. Moreover, the book is just a part of what is available from the I Am Second movement. I definitely suggest you check out the website, check out some of the videos and stories, join a group, share it with others, be encouraged and encourage others. That is what this movement is all about, sharing God through personal testimony and encouraging each other through the struggles we all face.
This book is different from any other book I have read. Each chapter is the story of a different person and their journey with God. There are several people you may have heard of and/or seen on TV. There are people who have dealt with drug addiction, sexual addiction, divorce, abuse, and much more. I definitely suggest this book for everybody. I hope this movement will continue to grow. I intend to become a part of it. I know that if we continue to encourage each other to keep God first, we will be amazed by what he does.
This book was sent to me free for review through Book Sneeze.
You can find it at Thomas Nelson or Amazon.