Book Review: "40 Days of Christmas: Celebrating the Glory of Our Savior"

"40 Days of Christmas: Celebrating the Glory of Our Savior"
Dr. Joseph Castleberry
Published in 2018, Broadstreet Publishing

Book Review by Brad Kesler

The Christmas season is filled with such hustle and bustle, we often find ourselves taking down the tree in January, not having had the opportunity to properly reflect on the values of Christmas. Dr. Joseph Castleberry, President of Northwest University, has written “40 Days of Christmas: Celebrating the Glory of Our Savior,” provoking a more thoughtful approach to the most wonderful time of the year.

Dr. Castleberry has offered 40 windows into Christmas, each highlighting a different aspect. By the end of the book, the reader has gained a 360-degree view that will enhance and enrich a greater appreciation of the miracle that is Christmas.

The readings are Christ-focused and Scripture-centered, while also adding value to many of our treasured and time-honored traditions. Dr. Castleberry provides penetrating insights that are theologically informed, but in an easy to read and engaging format.

The book is designed to be read over a 40-day period, beginning on November 28 and ending on January 6. Each daily reading contains a brief Scripture, the author’s insights, and a suggested prayer response. The book is divided into three sections: Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany.

“40 Days of Christmas: Celebrating the Glory of Our Savior” will encourage the reader to embrace Christ and to more fully participate in the celebration of His birth. I look forward to rereading it this Christmas season with my family. I highly recommend you pick up your copy today, you won’t be disappointed! Merry Christmas!

Book Review: "Faith: Believing in the God Who Works on Your Behalf"

“Faith: Believing in the God Who Works on Your Behalf"
Dr. Yonggi Cho and Dr. Wayde Goodall
Published in 2017, Broadstreet Publishing

Book Review by Brad Kesler

It is often said that Alaska has over 100 villages without a consistent Gospel witness. In order to reach these villages and other people who don’t know the Lord in Alaska, it will require great faith. I find myself asking, along with the disciples, “Lord, increase my faith!”

Dr. Yonggi Cho and Dr. Wayde Goodall have joined forces to co-author a very unique book titled “Faith: Believing in The God Who Works on Your Behalf.” Dr. Cho inspires the reader toward faith through his experiences of being healed from a terminal disease and growing a large church in challenging circumstances. Dr. Goodall draws from his vast ministry and educational background to provide rich insights.

The book is divided into three main categories: Depending on the Holy Spirit, The Faith Hall of Fame, and Walking by Faith. At the end of the book, the authors provide an appendix with “Faith Scriptures” for meditation.

In the first section, the authors provide principles of growing your faith. These principles are best summarized by this statement, “Our faith is activated and grows in our daily lives largely because of our determination to understand God’s Word, to pray, and to listen to the Holy Spirit” (p.57). If we spend time daily in the Word and in His Presence, our faith will be strengthened. Our words and thoughts can also have a positive or negative impact on our faith. If we are constantly speaking negatively about a situation, we are agreeing with the enemy instead of viewing the situation through the eyes of faith.

A vital component of faith is being led by the Spirit. The authors share their process for discerning the will of God in a situation. Steps include allowing the Lord to speak to you through the desire He has placed in your heart and to screen those desires through the Scriptures. God will then often confirm His Will in your life through circumstances.

The second section, “The Faith Hall of Fame,” examines the definition and ingredients of faith in our daily lives. “When you have faith in something, that means you believe that it is going to happen. There is a sense of assurance that even though you have not experienced it or have not yet possessed that for which you have faith, it is a reality” (p. 93). Having great faith involves believing God is faithful and able to carry out what He has promised.

Section 3 explores how faith is walked-out in our lives. The chapter on the relationship of faithfulness to faith is a treasure. The authors remind us that if we are faithful in the small things, God will give us larger opportunities. In the Parable of the Talents, we are taught that God will hold us accountable to invest those talents he has given us—not the talents of others. Being faithful in investing our talents will stretch us, and will require that we be disciplined in keeping our commitments.

The authors cover other important topics such as prayer, the empowerment of the Spirit, forgiving yourself in faith, and being confident in your faith.

God desires that we walk in mountain moving faith. The author states, “When you have prayed, studied the Scriptures to ensure that your goal is biblical, listened to the wise advice of godly people, and considered the cost (evaluated the time, effort, expenses, etc.), take the step of faith in your business, your ministry, the needs of your family, and your life goals” (p. 180).

You will be inspired by this book to grow your faith, increase your prayer life, pay close attention to the influences you allow in your life, and be careful with the words you speak. Your faith will be stirred to believe that God is faithful to His promises and to launch out to accomplish the vision He has placed in your heart.

Book Review, "Leadership Pain: The Classroom for Growth"

Leadership Pain: The Classroom for Growth
Dr. Samuel Chand
Published in 2015 by Thomas Nelson

Book Review by Brad Kesler

All ministry leaders desire to finish well. Statistics tell us that for every 20 pastors who enter the ministry, only 1 retires from it. While the issues are many and varied, a major reason ninety-five percent of pastors leave the ministry is unexpected pain resulting from being a leader. Bible College excels in preparing pastors educationally for ministry, however we are often not prepared for leadership challenges that arise.

Dr. Samuel Chand has written an excellent book entitled, Leadership Pain: The Classroom for Growth. The book is endorsed by a number of leaders, including Dr. George O. Wood, John Maxwell, Judah & Chelsea Smith, Craig Groeschel, Brian Houston, and Christine Caine.

Dr. Chand does not attempt to develop a theological treatise on pain, but identifies sources of leadership pain, and offer solutions for responding with “wisdom, strength, and grace.” The theme throughout the book is that leaders will only grow to the threshold of their pain.

If you have been in leadership, you have experienced pain. Dr. Chand says, “If you’re leading, you’re bleeding.” Causes of pain are many, including financial strains, conflict with parishioners, criticism, betrayal, unmet expectations, heartaches at home, etc. The author delves into each of these causes and more, bringing rich insights.

Leadership pain can make us feel like quitting, and the pressures of ministry are intense. However, if we can increase our threshold for pain, God will use that very pain to shape and mold us into his image. Dr. Chand says, “Have we experienced enough of his grace and greatness to convince us to have ambidextrous faith, trusting that he will use both blessings and heartaches to produce wisdom, faith, character, and hope in us?” As your 3rd grade gym teacher said, “No pain, no gain!”

Scriptural support for the concept of learning through trials is found in James 1:2-4, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (ESV).

I am not the same person now as when entering vocational ministry at age 23. A large portion of my growth experience has resulted from the various challenges and trials I have encountered. I hope to be a different person at age 60 than at 44. Rather than quitting in despair when trials appear, it is helpful to view them as growth opportunities. Dr. Chand does not minimalize pain, but helps to put it into proper context, and helps the reader understand its purpose. He says, “As long as we see failure, stress, and difficulties as intruders, we’ll fail to let them teach us, shape us, and strengthen us. When we expect God to use pain in our lives to sift us, prune us, and build us, we’ll have the tenacity it takes to endure hard times.”

Dr. Chand provides strategies for helping the reader deal with leadership pain. The Hebrews passage reminds us to take our eyes off the misery and fix our eyes upon Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of our faith. Dr. Chand exhorts us to keep our focus on the mission and vision God has given us. Just as a long-distance runner is willing to endure pain with visions of completing the race, we have a heavenly finish line awaiting. Dr. Chand, encouraging readers to ensure they have a pain partner writes, “Whatever the cause, most pastors have no one to lean on, no safety valve, no understanding ear, and no shoulder to cry on.” He gives valuable advice on how to select people in your life for that purpose.

This book will be valuable not only for ministry leaders, but for all Christians. It is very well written and easy to read. Each chapter includes a true story from people in ministry including Scott Wilson, Benny Perez, and Lisa Bevere that illustrate principles from that chapter. I highly recommend that you read Leadership Pain: The Classroom for Growth.

Article -- Church Staff Keeping Office Hours

This is a very good, short article on the importance of church staff keeping office hours.  I get it that it is not completely applicable in all situations, especially in Alaska, when many staff positions are not paid full time and are bi-vocational.  I also understand that in different ministry locations, the expectations may be different.  However, for staff members who are paid full time, this is helpful, and all staff members will be able to find application.  It is from Influence Magazine, here is the link.

How to Recognize Pastoral Burnout...and To Recover

If you are in ministry, I encourage you to listen to this Influence Podcast with Mike Burnette about "How to Recognize Pastoral Burnout..and To Recover."  I came to know Mike at AGTS, he is a great guy, and it's worth the listen. Here is the  link.