The Australian Christian Book of the Year Award is given annually to an original book written by an Australian citizen. The award recognises and encourages excellence in Australian Christian writing. The ACBOTY Award carries a prize of $3,000 for the author, and a framed certificate for the author and publisher.… Read the rest
A Personal MBA
Jesus once said that the children of this world are sometimes wiser than the children of light. That wasn't a compliment! We can learn a lot from those who achieve and accomplish things in fields such as business, arts, sport or leadership.… Read the rest
Book Review: The Essentialist – The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
One of the best books I have read over the last few months is The Essentialist – The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown. It is a very challenging book that forces you to think through what is most important in life (the essentials) and focus on that, often requiring the elimination of the less important (the trivial). … Read the rest
God is with you NOW
Here is a quote from Gregory Boyd's helpful book Present Perfect: Finding God in the Now.
When many Christians first hear about the practice of the presence of God, it strikes them as an impossible discipline. Perhaps supersaints locked up in monasteries can attain this level of awareness, but not us average folk who work nine-to-five jobs and raise families!… Read the rest
Eat Move Sleep by Tom Wrath
Physical health gives us the energy to enjoy life and carry out our God-given purpose with enthusiasm. God is interested in every part of our being – spirit, soul and body. Health doesn't just happen. It is the result of habits.… Read the rest
The Great Bible Swindle (Australian Chrisitan Book of the Year)
A book that is not aimed at Christians has won the Australian Christian Book of the Year for 2014. The Great Bible Swindle is a book designed for Christians to give to “Uncle Fred”, a relative or friend who expresses curiosity about the Bible.… Read the rest
Next: Pastoral Succession that Works (by Warren Bird)
Warren Bird and William Vanderbloemen have written an excellent and much-needed book about leadership succession within the local church: Next – Pastoral Succession that Works.
The book is based on over 200 case studies and 50 in-depth interviews with pastors and churches who have navigated the succession territory – either effectively or badly.… Read the rest
Les Miserables
Two weeks ago, my family and I attended the Les Miserables stage production at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne. It is one of our favourite productions. We have watched the 25th annviersary edition DVD recorded at the London O2 arena a dozen or so times and it never fails to move us (the finale, which is a 30 minute standing ovation and encore that brought the 1985 cast on-stage, is worth the price of the DVD).… Read the rest
Soul Keeping
John Ortberg's latest book is called Soul Keeping: Caring for the Most Important Part of You. John is a well-known pastor, speaker and best-selling author from the USA. In this excellent book, he delves into the inner world of our soul, exposing what the soul needs and showing how it can be restored. … Read the rest
Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence
Daniel Goleman's latest book is Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence. For more than two decades, psychologist and journalist Goleman has been scouting the leading edge of the human sciences for what's new, important and surprising. In this book, he delves into the science of attention in all its varieties, presenting a comprehensive discussion on this mental asset that matters enormously as to how we navigate life. … Read the rest
2014 Christianity Today Book Awards
Confession time. I love books! Yes, there is a certain joy in buying a new book and just putting it on your shelf … even if you haven't yet read the last ten books you bought. Fellow addicts would understand. Others don't. … Read the rest
The Advantage: Organisational Health – by Patrick Lencioni
Patrick Lencioni's most recent book is The Advantage: Why Organisational Health Trumps Eveyrhting Else. He believes that all the competitive advantages that businesses have been pursuing over the years are gone – strategy, technology, finance, and marketing. No, those disciplines have not disappeared.… Read the rest
Rob Bell’s Book: “What We Talk About When We Talk about God.”
Rob Bell's latest book is called What We Talk About When we Talk About God.
Mark Galli, editor of Christianity Today, has recently reviewed the book and offers these insightful thoughts …
As far as I can tell, any classic, middle-of-the-road Christian can offer a hearty "Amen" to a great deal of Rob Bell's theology.… Read the rest
A Letter to the Church at Laodecia
Here is a challenging message from Jesus to the church at Laodecia:
Revelation 3:15-19. I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!… Read the rest
Christmas Resources
Believe it or not, Christmas is only four weeks away! For followers of Christ, and especially for those of us who pastor a church or speak from time to time, Christmas presents another excellent opportunity to communicate the good news of Jesus Christ.… Read the rest