Top 10 Books: 21 Categories

December 10, 2015 David Murray 2 comments

If you’re thinking about giving books for gifts, here are my Top 10 books in 21 categories. Click on the orange title of each Top 10 list and it will take you to brief descriptions of each book and other good books just outside the Top 10.

I haven’t updated these lists for a year but if I was to add books from this year, I would include:

Do More Better: A Practical Guide to Productivity by Tim Challies (review).
Happiness by Randy Alcorn (review).
Expository Apologetics: Answering Objections with the Power of the Word by Voddie Baucam
A History of Western Philosophy and Theology by John Frame.
Knowing Christ by Mark Jones.
The Pastor’s Book: A Comprehensive and Practical Guide to Pastoral Ministry by Kent Hughes and Doug O’Donnell.
What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality? by Kevin DeYoung.
Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More?Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist by Karen Swallow Prior.
The Imperfect Pastor: Discovering Joy in Our Limitations through a Daily Apprenticeship with Jesus by Zack Eswine.

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December 10, 2015 David Murray 2 comments

Blogs

Seminaries reluctantly selling their souls
The case against online learning. And here’s the case for: Seminaries forging a future.

Why White Men Should Preach Noteless Sermons | Scribblepreach.com
What do you think about this from Nick Macdonald?

The reason why most white men need their notes in the pulpit is that our sermons are too dense for the ear. Let me say that in another way: if you can’t remember your sermon, it’s too dense. It’s too complicated. It’s too geared toward written communication. Memory goes hand-in-hand with simplicity and focus – two essential qualities for oral communication.

A Crash Course on the Muslim Worldview and Islamic Theology | TGC

Take a Hike: Rediscovering God’s Grandeur in Nature
“My hope is that you’ll move from knowing this truth to experiencing it by spending time in the great outdoors with the God who cares for you. Plan a trip. Go hiking. Splash through babbling streams. Climb a mountain. Get into God’s creation. Rediscover your smallness, and his giantness. ”

Homemaking in the Light of Eternity | Tim Challies
A beautiful perspective: “The gospel transforms homemaking precisely because it assures us that we do not need to do and see and have and accomplish everything in this short life. The gospel promises life beyond-a much better, longer, and more fulfilling life.”

Kindle Books

Here are a few American history books at good prices.

1946-52: Years of Trial and Hope by Harry Truman $2.99.

Jefferson and Hamilton: The Rivalry That Forged a Nation $1.99.

The Last Stand of Fox Company: A True Story of U.S. Marines in Combat $1.99.

Video

Watch Knox – The Life and Legacy of Scotland’s Controversial Reformer Online
Watch via Vimeo on demand for just $7.50.

7 Joys of Pastoral Ministry

December 9, 2015 David Murray 0 comments

What’s the worst day of the week for pastors? Probably Monday. For the previous seven days we’ve poured ourselves into sermon preparation, pastoral visitation, counseling, evangelism, problem solving, prayer, etc. The Sunday climax (anti-climax?) has come and gone. We may have been discouraged by low attendances, limited or negative feedback, etc. Our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual reserves are in the red. Yet we have to climb the mountain all over again. Monday “blues” can very quickly become Monday “blacks.”

However, without ignoring the real difficulties, let us also remember the joys of pastoral ministry. Here are seven I try to keep before me, especially on Monday mornings.

Preparing Joys
Every time I enter my study I think, “What a privilege!” Many are stuck on frustrating freeways or down dangerous mines; others are at monotonous conveyor belts or life-threatening fires; still others work in the midst of cursing and swearing. Yet, here am I looking forward to my Bible, good books, and quiet hours spent in the study of God and His grace. I never enter my study without turning to God and saying, “Thank you. I do not deserve this.”

Preaching Joys
Preaching can be frustrating and even frightening. But it can also be so enjoyable and even exciting. How many times we see God work as we speak His Word. We see souls being sobered, saints being encouraged, the sad being uplifted, seekers becoming finders, and sinners becoming servants. Sometimes we sense unique and (humanly) inexplicable help when expounding a difficult passage, or making a pointed application. “Where did that come from?” we sometimes wonder. It is the Lord.

Pastoring Joys
I love my study. Sometimes, I love it too much. Books are far less complicated than people. When I was a full-time pastor, I tried to visit every home or family once a year. In my second congregation, that worked out about 3-4 visits a week. The sick, the elderly, and the bereaved added another 3-4 a week. Problems and counseling added maybe another 1-2 a week. So probably ten visits a week on average. That meant two afternoons and two evenings a week. If it was Florida, that would be easy. However, it was the Outer Hebrides: often raining, cold, wet and windy (and that was the summer). I have to admit, it sometimes took my wife to say, “Come on David, get out of the study and get visiting!” And though I sometimes went reluctantly, I almost always returned home encouraged and uplifted by the fellowship with God’s people, and from hearing what God was doing in their lives with His Word.

Provision Joys
No one enters pastoral ministry for money. In fact, there will be times when you are really tight financially, and you will wonder how you can get by. However, God will always supply your needs. He moves His people in remarkable ways to give exactly what you need. And even when you don’t “need” it, God’s people will often express their gratitude by loving gifts. How many times I came home from visiting in the Sottish Highlands and Islands with fresh eggs, joints of lamb, wild salmon, etc. You can taste the love of God’s people in a special way in these special meals.

“Professional” Joys
No, “we are not professionals,” but we are in a profession, “a vocation based upon specialized education.” And what great colleagues we have in this vocation! Thirty years ago, I worked in the financial services industry. It was cut-throat competitive. Now it’s my joy to have godly pastors and missionaries as my colleagues and co-laborers. Since coming to the USA I’ve been privileged to attend The Ligonier National Conference, The Gospel Coalition Conference and the Desiring God Conference for Pastors. What a contrast to the financial conferences I used to attend! Of course, there are differences and disagreements between us, but our shared love of Christ and His grace is more powerful than what divides us.

Personal Joys
One of the greatest joys I had as a Pastor was to hear my wife and children being prayed for at every weekly prayer meeting. And I believe that was a reflection of the private prayers of my congregation. Yes, pastors and their families are special targets for Satan, but they are also given a special place in the Church’s prayers.

Pastors have to work long hours. However, it is often forgotten how much time they have with their wives and children. To have coffee-breaks with your wife, and often three mealtimes a day with your small children, what other calling will allow you to enjoy that?

Perpetual Joys
Pastoral joys will last forever. Christ’s good and faithful servants will enter into the joy of their Lord (Matt. 25:21). “They that be wise, shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever” (Dan. 12:3).

Although due to my Seminary responsibilities, I am now only a part-time pastor, I’m thankful for the many pastoral connections and opportunities I still have, both in the Seminary and in my local church. So, though I still have Monday morning blues, I am still privileged with pastoral joys to strengthen me. Let’s remember the joys, focus on the joys, and value the joys.

Extracted from The Christian Ministry by David Murray $0.99.

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December 9, 2015 David Murray 0 comments

Blogs

Calvin College features gay alumni in school paper | Denny Burk
“Calvin College recently published an article featuring to gay alumni who were the first couple in the county to receive a legal gay marriage.”

Themelios 40.3
“The Gospel Coalition just released the December 2015 issue of Themelios, which has 193 pages of editorials, articles, and book reviews. It is freely available in three formats: (1) PDF, (2) web version, and (3) Logos Bible Software. A print edition will be available for purchase in several weeks from Wipf and Stock. ”

How Twitter Helped Fred Phelps’ Granddaughter Walk Away from Westboro | TGC
“Social media deserves much of the criticism it receives. I’ve written about the uselessness of Twitter battles and I dread the black hole of some Facebook comment streams. But in the case of Megan Phelps-Roper, Twitter opened the world up to a cult member. And when she saw the humanity of her opponents, her hate melted away.”

The Moody Bible Institute, Business, and the Making of Modern Evangelicalism | Justin Taylor
“From my Themelios review of Tim Gloege’s Guaranteed Pure: The Moody Bible Institute, Business, an d the Making of Modern Evangelicalism (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2015):”

Responding to the MTV Report on Our Abortion Data: A Guest Post by Scott McConnell
“When MTV published their article last week on our abortion research, the article was forwarded to me, and I was a bit taken aback. The headline is certainly a shocking one, and it makes Christians out to look like the hypocrites many non-Christians see them to be.”

8 Tech Trends to Watch in 2016 | Harvard Business Review
“At the end of each year, I apply my forecasting model to surface the most important emerging tech trends for the months ahead. My 2016 trends offer early warnings and opportunities for managers in all industries. Here are eight to note for 2016.”

Who Was Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
As he always told his family, he was a “Bible Calvinist not a system Calvinist,” and, at a time in which the glorious doctrines of grace are being found by large generations of young people, the need to rediscover Martyn Lloyd-Jones increases in importance.

Kindle Books

Jesus on Every Page: 10 Simple Ways to Seek and Find Christ in the Old Testament by David Murray $1.99.

Already Gone by Ken Ham $2.99.

131 Christians Everyone Should Know by Mark Galli $2.99.

Video

What Sen. Ben Sasse said about the San Benardino attack is spot on
Sen. Sasse previously served as Acting Vice President for Westminster Seminary in Escondido, CA.

Do Less Better

December 8, 2015 David Murray 0 comments

I came to Do More Better looking for better tools. I came away from the book with something unexpected – how to Do Less Better.

Like Tim, I’ve been obsessed with productivity for years; always on the lookout for the next organization app, the next to-do list, the next email system, the next project management system, the next time management plan. But that could only take me so far. Often it simply meant I became more and more efficient at more and more pointless tasks.

Not so long ago, I began to question my whole approach to productivity and I’d begun to inch towards how to do less better. The first four chapters on Purpose, Call, Responsibilities, and Mission, cleared my fog and enabled me to take a quantum leap in crystallizing why I am here on this earth, and how I should decide what to do (and not to do) while I’m here.

In essence, Do More Better helped me (and will help me) to Do Less Better. It clarified God’s call on my life, what I am to focus on, and why and how to say “No” to good things in order to say “Yes” to the best things.

It may be that you already have that clear. If so, the second part of the book will be more helpful to you. But don’t skip the first chapters just because they seem more theoretical and less immediately helpful. It will take you less than an hour to read, but may redeem hours, weeks, and maybe even years of your life.

And if it is tools you’re looking for, buy Do More Better and you’ll never need to buy another productivity book – ever. Having read most of these books, I can assure you that Do More Better is the simplest, most concise, most comprehensive, most practical, and most realistic productivity guide that I’ve encountered. I already use most of the software and systems recommended in the book, but that was only after decades of time-wasting trial and error. Buy Do More Better and save yourself a ton of time and money.

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December 8, 2015 David Murray 0 comments

Blogs

The Paradox of Chronic Pain | TGC
“Only recently have I discovered that I’m not alone in this pain. About 40 percent of Americans suffer from chronic, persistent, and untreatable pain. Imagine this: in a congregation of 200 adults, about 80 of us are currently in pain. So how can pastors, churches, and ministries better understand and care for their suffering members? ”

4 Simple Responses to Science-Based Atheism | TGC
“You don’t need a degree in science to have something to say to those with scientific objections to faith. Here are four simple responses to those who claim science has either disproved God or has made belief in God unnecessary.”

Relativity, Moral Relativism, and the Modern Age | AlbertMohler.com
“Moral relativism and the rejection of absolute truth now shape the modern post-Christian mind. Indeed, relativism is virtually taken for granted, at least as an excuse for overthrowing theistic truth claims and any restrictive morality.”

The 2016 Reading Challenge
New reading challenge from Tim Challies. “Whether you are a light reader or completely obsessed, this 2016 Reading Challenge is designed to help you read more and to broaden the scope of your reading.”

Building Margin into Your Schedule | Thinking Out Loud
“About five years ago in a Sunday morning service our pastor was talking about the importance of having margin in your life. Margin to hear from God, to wait before Him and to expect miracles. That’s vital at a time of year when margin is slim because of the busy-ness of the season.”

Four Reasons Burnout Is More Prevalent in Ministry Leadership | Eric Geiger
“While the burden will be great, ministry leaders must care for themselves so that they can care for others over the long haul. When a ministry leader burns out, the whole body suffers.”

Enough is Enough | Gentle Reformation
“Enough is enough of believing no correlation exists between the violence of the shooter at the Planned Parenthood clinic and the violence within. The poor victims killed by the shooter were innocent and should not have had their blood shed and lives ended so suddenly and tragically. So what about the unborn being taken into the clinic to be aborted? As Hosea said, ”They sow the wind and they reap the whirlwind” (Hosea 8:7).”

Kindle Books

Martyn Lloyd-Jones: His Life and Relevance for the 21st Century by Christopher Catherwood , $4.99.

The Christ-Centered Preaching of Martyn Lloyd-Jones: Classic Sermons for the Church Today $4.99.

Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More – Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist by Karen Swallow Prior $1.99.

Jesus and the Feminists: Who Do They Say That He Is? by Margaret Kostenberger, $2.99.

The Mark of the Christian by Francis Schaeffer $3.67.

Video

Evolution destroyed in under 5 mins: David Berlinski
“David Berlinski (born 1942) is an American philosopher, educator, and author.Berlinski is a senior fellow of the Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture. A critic of the theory of evolution, Berlinski refuses to theorize about the origins of life, and describes himself as a secular Jew.”

Top 10 Books: 21 Categories

Top 10 Biographies of Christian Men

Top 10 Biographies of Christian Women

Top 10 Gospel Books for Children

Top 10 Books on Marriage

Top 10 Books For Moms

Top 10 Books For Dads

Top 10 Books For Graduates

Top 10 Books On Leadership

Top 10 Books on Christian Leadership

Top 10 Books On Using Technology

Top 10 Books on Christians and Work

Top 10 Books for Youth Groups

Top 10 Books for Common Problems

Top 10 Books on Guidance

Top 10 Books on Christ in the Old Testament

Top 10 Books on Preaching

Top 10 Books on Depression

Top 10 Books On Fighting Porn

Top 10 Puritan Books on Sin

Top 10 Modern Books on the Doctrine of Sin

Top 10 Books for Elders

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7 Joys of Pastoral Ministry

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Do Less Better

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