This book really expanded my thinking about the biblical concept of hospitality and how to incorporate it into my leadership. I especially appreciate the fact that the author references – on almost every page – biblical proofs and reasoning for his arguments and explanations. I found myself often opening my Bible and digging deeper into the topic at hand, and learning much in the process.
Here are a few highlights of the book from my personal notes:
Hospitable leaders are obsessed by helping others find their place.
The author really drives this point home in several ways, using examples from the life of Jesus and how He led hospitably. Jesus was always welcoming people, always coaching, always guiding, always helping people find their place in God’s plan. This is so important in the life of a believer. I’m passionate about people finding their Divine Ideal, and I’ve written and spoken about it extensively.
We cannot be anything we want to be. We can be anything we were made to be.
Like most kids I grew up hearing that I can be whatever I want to be. But that’s a dangerous misnomer. I’m going to try to stop saying this to me kids, and instead guide them to discover their spiritual gifts and talents and how God wants to use them.
We are wired to work with others and enjoy working with others
Jesus used questions because He wanted His followers to engage, to think, to feel, to participate. You get the sense that He is all about what we are doing together. Working with others on an important vision – co-creation – is important from the start.
Happiness is experienced in the anticipation.
Happiness is the pleasure we feel living our lives in light of ultimate meaning. Happiness is an eternal mindset based on our hope for the future as promised by God (Romans 5:1-2).
In conclusion, if these topics seems of any interest to you, I can highly recommend getting a copy of The Hospitable Leader.
My appreciation for Thomas Jefferson has forever been altered. I recently complete the book by John Meacham titled Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power. Jefferson has long been my favorite “founding brother” (as Joseph Ellis would term it). This book served to solidify Jefferson’s lofty state in my mind, particularly as I discovered the following principles of servant leadership in his life.
Theology and Slavery is definitely a scholarly read, not for the faint of heart when it comes to footnotes, detail, and deep, deep background information. Having given that warning, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Being from the South, I am always intrigued to learn more about the role of slavery – then and now – in shaping the culture. Slavery of course is an evil part of the history of the United States – but it is history nonetheless and should not be forgotten.
This book combines two of my favorite things: history and theology. The author David Torbett seeks to highlight two prevailing views on slavery during the time of the Civil War, and he uses the two most outstanding American theologians of that period to do so.
Charles Hodge was the conservative, traditional theologian with an inerrant, inspired view of God’s Word as the ultimate source of spiritual and moral authority. Horace Bushnell, who has been called the father of modern liberalism, was the liberal theologian who looked to inject new insights and sources of inspiration into his spiritual journey. Both were pastors and had very influential voices in antebellum America.
The importance of the church and her leaders to shape the culture is imminently evident in these books, as Hodge and Bushnell drove the contemporary thought of their day on the issue of slavery in America. Eventually, their ideas would help lead to it’s demise.
If you are looking for a book that explains the complex, intricate problem of slavery in America (and particularly the South) using theology as a base of discussion, this book is a great resource.
I was not a fan of Free Book after the first chapter. I was after the last. At first, the author got on my nerves. He called me a “Bible thumper” (which I am). He shatters the idea of moral absolutes (pg. 14 – “it isn’t even right for everyone to drink”). And he says the Bible is unfairly viewed as a “book of restrictions” (pg. 15). Umm…..it is. It’s called God’s Word.
But later in the book, Brian Tome deals quite effectively with some deep topics. Forgiveness, confession, the spirit world, and strongholds in life are all discussed. I was reminded by this book of just how real Satan is and how much he hates Christians.
“Free Book” is written to help Christians find freedom in the Spirit. I think the book gives an excellent path to that.
I would recommend the book to more mature Christians who may be struggling with freedom in a certain area. It may lead to some real breakthroughs.
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
A quick review of a good book from Max Lucado called Fearless. If you aren’t familiar with my reviewing style, I don’t give a chapter by chapter overview of the book. I give my favorite parts (and not so favorite parts) from the book, and then tell you whether I would recommend it or not. Enjoy…
Much of Max Lucado’s work gets easily dismissed because it is so easy to read. But don’t let that fool you- the author is certainly a scholar and theologian, and has a knack for transmitting difficult principles in everyday language. Fearless is no exception. My favorite parts:
pg. 24: A story about Chinese orphans learning of their worth as God’s creation:
When they first distributed these books to the children and staff of the deaf school, the most bizarre thing happened. At a certain point everyone started crying. I could not understand this reaction.. . . Americans are somewhat used to the idea of positive reinforcement. . . . Not so in China and particularly not for these children who are virtually abandoned and considered valueless by their natural parents because they were born “broken.” When the idea came through in the reading that they are special simply because they were made by a loving creator . . . everyone started crying—including their teachers! It was wild.
pg. 26: On being God’s masterpiece…
Why does he love you so much? The same reason the artist loves his paintings or the boat builder loves his vessels. You are his idea. And God has only good ideas. “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Eph. 2:10 nlt).
pg. 35: On the dangers of mishandled fear:
Fear, mismanaged, leads to sin. Sin leads to hiding. Since we’ve all sinned, we all hide, not in bushes, but in eighty-hour workweeks, temper tantrums, and religious busyness. We avoid contact with God.
Overall, if you are looking for an inspiring, easy read that is theologically sound – Max Lucado can’t be beat. Fearless is a good book to reconnect you with the basic principles of being a child of God. I recommend it.
I can recommend the new book by Mark Batterson, “Primal“. Primal presents itself as a search for the “lost soul of Christianity”, and in the book Batterson addresses foundational issues that will get any Christian thinking about their own faith.
My book review style is not to rehash what every chapter covers, but rather to give a few things that really spoke to me. By doing that, hopefully I will show you how impactful the book is. So here it goes:
page 9: “Does you heart break for the things that break the heart of God?” This really stopped me and got me thinking about the direction I am going. I think it’s a great question for any Christian.
page 28: “What is my God ordained passion?” Batterson introduces this question almost in passing in the chapter, but it hit me very hard in thinking about how God wants me to serve Him specifically.
These two questions are substantial enough to make the book worth the price, but it is full of more thought provoking information as well. It definitely got me thinking about where American Christianity is going, and where I am headed as well.
Again, I recommend this latest book from Batterson for anyone seeking to grow in their Christian walk.
Did I mention this book has an awesome size to it? Fits perfectly in a briefcase for traveling.
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
