Monthly Archives: August 2011

Billy Graham in Quotes

Billy graham in quotes

Billy Graham has delivered the gospel message to more people face to face than anyone in history and has ministered on every continent of the world in more than 185 countries.  This book is a compilation of sermon illustrations of his 60+ years of ministry.   It’s a reference work that can also be read as a devotion since so many of his illustrations are inspirational.  You can literally open it up  pick it up at any place and get something out of it.

I found it extremely easy to navigate through and found myself reading it whenever I had a few minutes between projects.  I didn’t find it too difficult to find something inspirational I could think about throughout the day.  It’s broken into a wide range of subjects from (A) abortion to (Y) young people.  I was disappointed that he couldn’t find any subject matter that began with the letter Z (just kidding).   I didn’t get into every subject area, but the majority of them I found extremely useful.

The ONLY thing I wish the book had was a Scripture Index in which you could match up the illustrations with specific Scripture passages.

I would recommend this book for both pastor and layperson.  I would rate it a solid 4 out of 5 stars.  I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest unbiased review of it’s contents.

 

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Filed under Bible, Book Review, Sermon

“Religion vs. Relationship”

Medina United Methodist Church
Bill Stegemueller

Philippians 3:1-3

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Filed under Podcast

“A Portrait of a Servant”

Medina United Methodist Church
Bill Stegemueller

Philippians 2:25-30

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Travis Klaassen

Special thanks to Travis Klaassen for filling the pulpit last week.  Here’s the podcast from that service on August 14, 2011 at Medina United Methodist Church.

 

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“Always TRUE: God’s 5 Promises When Life is Hard”

Always TrueJames MacDonald’s book, “Always TRUE: God’s 5 Promises When Life Is Hard” is a book forged out of MacDonald’s personal experience.  His previous book, “When Life Is Hard,” was dedicated to his mom who had just completed her battle with ALS and passed into Heaven.  “Always True,” is largely birthed from MacDonald’s many trials in life…from his personal bout with cancer… to various church conflicts… to the heavy burdens he carried toward his children.

The book is structured around five incredible promises God gives to the believer:

Promise #1:  God Is Always with Me.
(Deuteronomy 31:6)          …I Will Not Fear

Promise #2:  God Is Always in Control.
(Proverbs 3:5-6)                …I Will Not Doubt

Promise #3:  God Is Always Good.
(Romans 8:28)                  …I Will Not Despair

Promise #4:  God Is Always Watching
(1 Corinthians 10:13)        …I Will Not Falter

Promise #5:  God Is Always Victorious
(Isaiah 54:17)                    …I Will Not Fail

Each Chapter is broken into three parts: (1) “The Promise,” which deals with the specific promise in detail.  (2) “Take To Heart,” in which the reader is challenged by questions that relate to the promise and encouraged to share his/her insight with at least one person. (3) “Know By Heart,” in which the reader is challenged with a memory verse that goes with the promise. (4) “Theology of a Promise,” in which the reader’s understanding of  Divine Promise is broadened.

I loved the way MacDonald hit the perfect balance with Scripture and Personal Experience in this book.  He is incredibly gifted in sharing scriptures that deal with personal experience.  I found myself making countless numbers of notes in my Logos Bible Software on the Scriptures MacDonald uses.  The book also has a very detailed Scripture index in the back.

I appreciate MacDonald’s transparent honesty as he mentions how his faith has been stretched with each one of these promises.  He spends time talking about how you can’t really own any of these promises unless your forced to lean on them.

Moody Publishers continues to turn out books that are high quality in every way.  Not only the content…but even the paper and material are high quality.  The paper is bright and crisp.  The book cover has raised lettering.  Good job, Moody!

I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest biased free review of the content.

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Filed under apologetics, Book Review