Another “new start” I’ve made is to dive into Search the Scriptures.  This is a daily devotional guide that over the course of three years (at least) takes you through the entire Bible.  More than just a “read through the Bible” plan, each day includes some questions and encourages you to pray through what you’ve read.  It is amazing how many times you can read a passage yet you still find that there are always new things to pick up when you take the time to dwell on a small section of Scripture for a while.

I first learned about this book months ago on a different blog and immediately bought it, but I was unable to start with it right away.  Now seems to be the right time.

I’m sure there will be times when I need to take a break or go a different direction for a little while in my personal devotional time, but I hope to have this book be the primary ‘plan’ for my reading for the next four years or so.   I imagine I’ll post something I’ve learned through these readings from time to time.

We just finished covering Bill Hull’s book Choose the Life in our XL leadership class at Summitview.  This is a book I initially read a few months ago, and it really motivated me to be more ‘intentional’ in discipleship, both in discipling and being discipled.  Others that have read it have had a similar reaction to it, so we decided to incorporate it into our leadership class.

It was difficult to cover the book adequately in only two class sessions, but the discussion generated (at least in the groups I was a part of) was excellent and thought provoking.  The book has many points that can come across as being very provocative.  Here is what the author lists as the “heart of this book’s thesis”:

A transformed life is needed, a life of depth of true disciples who have chosen to follow the life that Jesus lived.  The reason the mission languishes is the acceptance of a nondiscipleship Christianity that creates shallow believers with hollow lives who don’t affect those around them.  This has lead to the marginalization of the gospel and had retarded it’s spread because of its lack of authenticity and power. – p. 215

That is a strong statement.  There is a danger of believing that Hull is tying the gospel to works, but I think he clearly states that what he is calling for is a proper response to our salvation, not a works-based path to that salvation.

I highly recommend this book.  I often evaluate how much a book impacted me by how much I would want my boys to read the book when they get older.   This has made my short list of ‘must read’ books.

If you want to know more prior to investing in the book, check out the spiritual formation section of bible.org where Bill Hull makes a big contribution.

I’ve blogged in the past and I’ve always wanted to continue with it, but after a good start and even a couple of attempts to get back into it, it quickly lost momentum. But now I’m back with a new blog and (hopefully) a fresh start.

Why am I trying again? Reading Brian Bailey’s book The Blogging Church was my inspiration. It helped me with some of the “how” of blogging, but more importantly it helped me with the “why”. If I can keep the “why” in mind, I think my blogging experience can be more of what I had hoped for.

Check out the book, particularly if you are involved in church leadership, and learn how blogging can be one more tool to communicate with people both inside and outside your church.

At first, I imagine I’ll just be talking to myself (in yet another form!), but hopefully in time a few people will look in from time to time and it will become more of a conversation.