Book Review: “Nearing Home”

I received a copy of Billy Graham’s Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well from Thomas Nelson Publishers through their blog review program at booksneeze.com. I have many of Billy Graham’s works in my personal library, so when the opportunity to get his latest work, I jumped on it.

Through the years, I have enjoyed Graham’s work as he has tackled many subjects of the Christian faith by writing in terms that anyone can understand. I love how he always backs his thoughts up with Scripture.

Nearing Home tackles a subject that is on many people’s mind: the latter of life. He writes from the context of approaching his 93rd birthday. He definitely writes from experience.

At first, I thought this book would be mainly for those entering the “golden years” of life. I thought that I might have to dig to find things to relate to myself as one in his early 30s. I didn’t have to dig too deep.

Nearing Home contains some wise words for the younger generations. The importance of preparing now for the “golden years” to come later is one key thing I took away from this work.

Nearing Home is a book that I would recommend to people of all ages. There is truly something for everyone in Billy Graham’s latest work.

Reflections from Worship Today

I thought I’d share a little of what God spoke to me about during the worship service that we were a part of this morning at Hillcrest Baptist Church. We have been going thru a series which is the vision the church feels is what God wants them to do this year. It hinges on four words: love, lead, liberate, and launch.

In today’s message, the pastor made a statement that has been rolling in my head since it was made. He said,

“If you’re not willing to spend the time in the prayer closet, don’t expect to see God do the miracles through you.”

This statement was in response to Mark 9:14-29. A concerned father had brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus’ disciples for healing. They weren’t able to cast the demon out and didn’t know why. Jesus said that these kind come out only by prayer and fasting.

There are many who want to see and experience the great things of God. There are few that are willing to do what it takes to experience the great movements of God: intense time in the prayer closet.

Be encouraged as I was this morning. God is inviting us to join Him in great things, but it starts in the prayer closet.

8 Years

Eight years ago this day, I was driving to the church that I had grown up in and was, at that time, serving as Youth Pastor. This day was different. This day was not about going into the office. This day was not about Bible studies or crazy games with teens.

Eight years ago, this day was about a covenant. Yes, it was eight years ago today that I married the love of my life, Naomi.

As I think back to that day, I remember being more nervous than I had ever been before. I was so nervous that I left the keys to my truck in the ignition. That’s how my two best men got my truck and filled it with packing peanuts.

It’s crazy to think that this amazing woman has put up with me for 10 years (8 of marriage, 2 dating), but I’m so glad she has. I would want no one else on this journey called life with me.

John 3:16 Ad

I believe that Focus on the Family did a great job with their ad that aired during the Denver Broncos / New England Patriots game last night. It’s good to see Christians breaking out into the media world with non-cheesy quality. Maybe we’ll see more believers using their gifts to get the message of the Gospel out.

Reflections of the Week

This week I have been in New Orleans at NOBTS for a workshop on church leadership and administration. It has been a great class that I think every minister in a church situation (Senior Pastor, Youth Pastor, Children’s Pastor, etc) should take a course or workshop on this subject. I went into the workshop looking froward to the leadership part of it, but the administration part was not a thrill to me. I have never been an admin giant. After this workshop, I am still not an admin giant, but I definitely see the need for it clearly.

Another thing this week was watching some of the BCS National Championship with a local fellowship. I was very grateful for Memorial Baptist Church in Metairie, LA for being a gracious host to this Alabama fan. I was the lone Bama fan in the building, but the fellowship was sweet.

While the week was a good one… I’m glad to have these credits and class out if the way… the times fast approaching that I will be pointing the headlights towards the house where my bride and boys are waiting.