Greetings, my fine friends.
I thought I would put together a list of books that I enjoyed reading this year so that you may also share in the joy that it brought me.
Here is the list, in no particular order:
1) Experiencing the Spirit (Henry Blackeby) - This brought me to a better understanding of the Holy Spirit and its direct role in my life
2) Doctrine (Mark Driscoll) - Great read on understanding the basic tenants of the Christian faith. We actually did this as a study in our church and it was pretty cool.
3) Too Big to Fail (Andrew Ross Sorkin) - It is a very fast and scary read on how close our economic system came to a complete collapse.
4) Erasing Hell (Francis Chan) - After reading Rob Bell's book Love Wins (which I thought was basically good with a major exception), Francis' argues against some of the views mentioned in Rob Bell's book and presents clarification and an accurate biblical view of eternity (imo)
5) The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (Alfred Edersheim) - This is a book my father-in-law borrowed to me that I just started but its a fascinating book on the culture and historical era in which Christ walked the earth.
Books that I am reading or on my list for 2012
6) Civilization (Niall Ferguson) - suggested reading by my friend Kosal
7) The Secret Knowledge: On the Dismatling of the American Culture (David Mamet)
8) Currency Wars (James Rickards)
9) The Big Short (Michael Lewis)
10) Whisper (Bill Hybels)
Please let me know if you have books that you have enjoyed.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and God's blessings to all my friends.
Grace & Peace
PLW
Dec 29, 2011
Sep 7, 2011
New Name, New Plan
I have changed the name of my blog due to a few people (and I mean a very few people) who thought the name of my blog was a bit vain. I agreed.
So, here is the name...What do you think? I'm open to other ideas so if you have one, please feel free to elaborate (keep it clean or I won't post it).
On to other news.
My beloved Oklahoma Sooners seek to defend their #1 ranking this year in hopes of making a National Championship run. I have been a Sooner fan since I can remember but usually when everybody is saying that they will be the shoe-in favorite is when they will collapse against Boise State or Colorado on a late field goal or some trick play. I am optimistically hopeful, yet not naive enough to believe that they can go undefeated, especially with opponents like A&M (8th), Florida State (5th), and Texas (whom I dislike very much despite the uncontrolled fires ablaze right now).
My kids started school yesterday, with my oldest now in middle school, which is a shock to the author who thought he still had a bit of youth left in him. Not so much. I am proud of my kids and ask those interested to pray for them and others who start out once again in the formal pursuit of knowledge and learning.
More to come -
Grace & Peace
PLW
So, here is the name...What do you think? I'm open to other ideas so if you have one, please feel free to elaborate (keep it clean or I won't post it).
On to other news.
My beloved Oklahoma Sooners seek to defend their #1 ranking this year in hopes of making a National Championship run. I have been a Sooner fan since I can remember but usually when everybody is saying that they will be the shoe-in favorite is when they will collapse against Boise State or Colorado on a late field goal or some trick play. I am optimistically hopeful, yet not naive enough to believe that they can go undefeated, especially with opponents like A&M (8th), Florida State (5th), and Texas (whom I dislike very much despite the uncontrolled fires ablaze right now).
My kids started school yesterday, with my oldest now in middle school, which is a shock to the author who thought he still had a bit of youth left in him. Not so much. I am proud of my kids and ask those interested to pray for them and others who start out once again in the formal pursuit of knowledge and learning.
More to come -
Grace & Peace
PLW
Aug 10, 2011
Golfing Season
Tis the season. If you are ever in Florida golfing, you should bring these tees with you.
Grace & Peace
PLW
Grace & Peace
PLW
Apr 25, 2011
Easter
I thought this article by World Net Daily discusses well the reason for Easter and its celebration by Christians.
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=291017
Grace & Peace
PLW
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=291017
Grace & Peace
PLW
Apr 13, 2011
Storyhill
My friend Eric and I on Saturday once again ventured to the newly constructed halls of Bethel University's Underground to catch up with one of our favorite folk performers, Storyhill.
Chris & Johnny put on a great performance. Even though the sound guys probably had a tough go at it early due to the room dynamics, they recovered nicely and the harmony and ranges of the voices and accoustic guitars were awesome.
The set list included some of my favorites: Mary on the Mountain, If I Could, Boulder River, Steady On.
I don't know why but music, both Christian and secular, stirs me. It really does speak to me. It's a language like no other that can cause me to laugh histarically at one moment and sob like a baby in the next.
Certain chords and rythms remind me of specific details- memories of high school, college, my first kiss, holding my son for the first time, kissing my daughter 'good night', and (in Storyhill's case) fishing for trout in Wyoming and special trips with my dad in our numerous hunting adventures awestruck from God's great artistry of nature.
If you haven't heard of them, here is a little taste of Storyhill's music...enjoy.
Grace & Peace
PLW
Chris & Johnny put on a great performance. Even though the sound guys probably had a tough go at it early due to the room dynamics, they recovered nicely and the harmony and ranges of the voices and accoustic guitars were awesome.
The set list included some of my favorites: Mary on the Mountain, If I Could, Boulder River, Steady On.
I don't know why but music, both Christian and secular, stirs me. It really does speak to me. It's a language like no other that can cause me to laugh histarically at one moment and sob like a baby in the next.
Certain chords and rythms remind me of specific details- memories of high school, college, my first kiss, holding my son for the first time, kissing my daughter 'good night', and (in Storyhill's case) fishing for trout in Wyoming and special trips with my dad in our numerous hunting adventures awestruck from God's great artistry of nature.
If you haven't heard of them, here is a little taste of Storyhill's music...enjoy.
Grace & Peace
PLW
Apr 4, 2011
Perspective
I am fortunate to have many friends and colleagues that spur me on in my pursuit of knowledge and truth.
Last week I saw an article that disturbed me greatly. Specifically, Terry Jones, pastor in a Florida church that promised not to burn the Koran for fear of terroristic implications, decided that it would be wise to burn it instead and go against his word (which is very un-Christ-like in my opinion). This was the result...
One of my friends, talking through this issue, made an interesting observation: peace, for a Muslim, means submission (to Allah) and obedience (to Allah's law) (ironically, not far from the Christian faith of submission to Christ in our life and obedience to the Bible). The way in which they seek this 'peace' is through bringing the world under 'Sharia' law.
There has been much talked about on Sharia law in Minnesota, with Somalis protesting at Target and the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport, etc.
Bottom line: If indeed Muslims believe that there is no peace apart from Sharia law and consistently ignore the laws established in our country, where does that leave us?
Grace & Peace
PLW
Last week I saw an article that disturbed me greatly. Specifically, Terry Jones, pastor in a Florida church that promised not to burn the Koran for fear of terroristic implications, decided that it would be wise to burn it instead and go against his word (which is very un-Christ-like in my opinion). This was the result...
One of my friends, talking through this issue, made an interesting observation: peace, for a Muslim, means submission (to Allah) and obedience (to Allah's law) (ironically, not far from the Christian faith of submission to Christ in our life and obedience to the Bible). The way in which they seek this 'peace' is through bringing the world under 'Sharia' law.
There has been much talked about on Sharia law in Minnesota, with Somalis protesting at Target and the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport, etc.
Bottom line: If indeed Muslims believe that there is no peace apart from Sharia law and consistently ignore the laws established in our country, where does that leave us?
Grace & Peace
PLW
Mar 21, 2011
NCAA's
Every once in awhile you hear of a story of perseverance, hope, and accomplishment. It stirs the soul and motivates us to do more than we think is possible.
This weekend, I watched a wrestler from Arizona State, born without one leg, win a NCAA National Championship in wrestling at the 125lb class. It was the most inspirational thing I had witnessed in a long time.
I am reminded of this verse - Phillipians 4:13 ' I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me'
Indeed, and Mr. Robles is living proof.
Grace & Peace
PLW
This weekend, I watched a wrestler from Arizona State, born without one leg, win a NCAA National Championship in wrestling at the 125lb class. It was the most inspirational thing I had witnessed in a long time.
I am reminded of this verse - Phillipians 4:13 ' I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me'
Indeed, and Mr. Robles is living proof.
Grace & Peace
PLW
Jan 31, 2011
Health Care or No Health Care, That is the Question
It seems like the Obama administration thinks that their nationallized health care is legit, showing little regard to what the federal appointed judges think about his law based on this latest ruling in Florida. (ironically, they showed an about-face when an Arizona lawsought to enforce an already existing federal immigration law, but I digress).
I saw this summary which was helpful to me
I saw this summary which was helpful to me
Grace & Peace
PLW
Jan 24, 2011
Happy New Year
Welcome, readers. I hope that 2011 will bring to light God's blessings for you and your families.
I am starting off this year's blog (I know I am 24 days late but whose counting) with some economic / government spending rhetoric pertaining to college tuition debt (student loans). Forget about the housing bubble, some of the following figures will shock you...
Infographic by College Scholarships.org
As always, Grace & Peace
PLW
PS: My blogging this year will be spent between this site and my other blog for our church community (www.30belowogc.blogspot.com) where I will be writing with a number of my friends about our topical classroom series. I recently added a post about 'Peace' so check it out and follow it as well
I am starting off this year's blog (I know I am 24 days late but whose counting) with some economic / government spending rhetoric pertaining to college tuition debt (student loans). Forget about the housing bubble, some of the following figures will shock you...
Infographic by College Scholarships.org
As always, Grace & Peace
PLW
PS: My blogging this year will be spent between this site and my other blog for our church community (www.30belowogc.blogspot.com) where I will be writing with a number of my friends about our topical classroom series. I recently added a post about 'Peace' so check it out and follow it as well
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