Category: Book Reviews

By Bob Shelton 

• God doesn’t call all of His children to preach, but He commands every Christian to be a part of His plan to get the gospel into all the world.

• As Dr. Bob Jones says, “You never find happiness looking for it—you stumble over it on the road of duty.”

• I thanked God for American young men who were willing to respond to the call of Uncle Sam. They even gave their lives for a just cause. But I also wondered where were the young men who were willing to bend their wills to the call of God. How was it that pagan unbelievers could recall the dedication of American soldiers who were willing to die for the cause of freedom, but they were still in spiritual darkness because no one had been willing to go for the cause of Christ?

• Sandra Goodwin expressed it in these words. TRAVELING ON MY KNEES

• I can’t speak the language of these people and they can’t speak English. I really don’t have anyone to talk to but You.” I discovered something that day that has stayed with me for life—when you have no one but Him, He is enough.

• I have the conviction that in every missionary conference there should be a time to honor the parents and grandparents of missionaries. After all, it is one thing to go—it is another thing to let go.

by J. C. Ryle

• “Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.” — Titus 2:6

• Don’t wait until tomorrow. Tomorrow is the devil’s day. The devil wants you to put off tomorrow instead of living and serving God today.

• “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.” — Ecclesiastes 11:9

• Young man, do not deceive yourselves. Do not think you can fill yourselves of lust and simple pleasures now and then serve God when you are old.

• If you do not seek the Lord while you are young, your sinful habits will be so entrenched that you will unlikely seek Him when you are old.

• Some could say their sins are holding them back, others could say their idleness, but do not wait until later to serve the Lord.

• Seek the Lord early, and you will be spared of many bitter tears.

• There are dangers of young men face:

1. 1. 1. 1. Pride. 

• • • • • • • • • Pride is probably the oldest sin, and it sits in the heart of every man.
                • Young men often think old men are dumb, and cannot help. Like wild horses, they must have their own ways. This is pride. 
                • 1 Corinthians 8:2. Colossians 3:4, Romans 15:2. 1 Peter 5:5. 
                • Never be afraid to sit and listen. Jesus did this in Luke 2:46. 

1. 1. 1. 2. Love of Pleasures.

• • • • • • • • • Col 3:25; 1 Cor 6:18
                • Flee from the places that offer worldly pleasures. Flee from those who tempt you. Flee from talking about the worldly pleasures. Flee from the imaginations of thinking on them. 

1. 1. 1. 3. Contempt of Christianity.

• • • • • • • • • Beware of thinking you do not need to listen to preaching. Beware of mocking godly things. 
                • Psalms 14:1

1. 1. 1. 4. Fear of Man’s Opinion.

• • • • • • • • • Proverbs 29:25
                • What others call good, they call good. And what others call bad, they call bad.
                • The fear of being ridiculed, mocked, or what others will think stops many young men.
                • Learn to say no. Proverbs 1:10

1. 1. 1. 5. Not Considering Consequences of Sin.

• • • • • • • • • Proverbs 14:9

• Your body is to be the servant of your soul, not your soul the servant of your body

• Daniel sought God as a young man. So did Timothy, Josiah, David, and many others in the Bible.

• Determine to make God’s Word your guide in life. 

• Never make anyone a friend who is not a friend of God. Psalms 119:63; Proverbs 13:20

• Devise to remove any sin that distances you from the Lord. The little sins separate you little by little until you are far from God. 

• Resolve to never forget the eye of God. He knows you through and through. How many things are done because men think they are not seen, but He sees all. 

• Resolve that wherever you are, you will pray. 

By Adam Grant 

• Learn to rethink. Let go of old knowledge and opinions, and be willing to learn.  

• You live in a changing world, therefore, you must discern what to think and what to rethink. 

• The smarter you are, the harder it is to question yourself and rethink.

• In the preacher mode, questioning your thinking is translated as a lack of weakness, but in the scientific mode, questioning your thinking is translated as a way to discover truth.

• The purpose is not to stop your thinking but to accelerate your rethinking. 

• Too many times, we have just enough information to be confident, but we are not right.

• The antidote for not being stuck on Mount Stupid is humility.

• Arrogance is the confidence of ignorance.

• Arrogance blinds us from our weaknesses. 

• Being wrong doesn’t need to depress you — see it as you discovered something. 

• If you’re insecure, you make fun of others. 

• If you don’t change your mind frequently, you’re going to be wrong a lot. 

• It doesn’t matter whose fault it is, it’s your responsibility to fix it. 

by Dr. Kevin Leman and Bill Pentak 

1. Alw

   by Dr. Kevin Leman and Bill Pentak (summary by Jeffrey Bush)

   1. Always know the condition of your flock. 
   • • • • • • You can’t manage what you don’t know. 
             • Many focus on their projects and not their people. 
             • It’s the people that get the work done. 
             • You help the flock one individual at a time, not by the group. 
             • Know what is impacting them and keep up with them. 
             • You should genuinely care for those you work with. 
   2. Discover the SHAPE of your sheep. 
   • • • • • • Strengths (what are they good at). 
             • Heart (what are they passionate about). 
             • Attitude (people with a can-do attitude. Negative attitude hurt others). 
             • Personality (put each person in a position where personality fits). 
             • Experiences (to understand a person, know their experiences of past, working with others, etc.). 
             • Who you choose will make the job easier or harder. 
   3. Help your sheep identify with you. 
   • • • • • • When a shepherd tags a sheep. 
             • The mark you put on the people that work for you — a good mark of a leader is to not think for the people, integrity, authentic, trustworthy, and compassion. 
             • You must get up close and personal. 
             • For great leaders, leadership is not just professional, it is personal. 
   4. Make your pasture a safe place. 
   • • • • • • A flock cannot be productive If it does not get the rest and nourishment it needs. 
             • It must be free of fear and secure of predators. 
             • You keep people secure and free from fear by keeping them informed. 
             • Keep them from rivalry, and keep them from pests (small irritations). 
             • The shepherd must be visible. 
             • Don’t let problems fester. 
   5. The staff of direction. 
   • • • • • • The staff represents responsibility. 
             • Lead the sheep instead of being a barking dog. 
             • Point the way by getting in front of them. 
             • The staff helps rescue stray sheep. 
             • Help people get out of trouble. 
   6. The rod of correction. 
   • • • • • • You have to know when to use it, and use it wisely. 
             • The rod is to use against predators. 
             • Discipline is not to harm but to keep from harm. 
   7. The heart of the shepherd. 
   • • • • • • There is a cost for leading. 
             • Great leadership is hard work and if you’re not willing to pay the price, those you lead will have to pay it. 
             • What distinguishes a great leader from an ordinary leader is your heart for the people. 
             • If you give your sheep halfhearted leadership, they will follow you halfheartedly.
   ays know the condition of your flock. 

• • • • • • You can’t manage what you don’t know. 
          • Many focus on their projects and not their people. 
          • It’s the people that get the work done. 
          • You help the flock one individual at a time, not by the group. 
          • Know what is impacting them and keep up with them. 
          • You should genuinely care for those you work with. 

2. Discover the SHAPE of your sheep. 

• • • • • • Strengths (what are they good at). 
          • Heart (what are they passionate about). 
          • Attitude (people with a can-do attitude. Negative attitude hurt others). 
          • Personality (put each person in a position where personality fits). 
          • Experiences (to understand a person, know their experiences of past, working with others, etc.). 
          • Who you choose will make the job easier or harder. 

3. Help your sheep identify with you. 

• • • • • • When a shepherd tags a sheep. 
          • The mark you put on the people that work for you — a good mark of a leader is to not think for the people, integrity, authentic, trustworthy, and compassion. 
          • You must get up close and personal. 
          • For great leaders, leadership is not just professional, it is personal. 

4. Make your pasture a safe place. 

• • • • • • A flock cannot be productive If it does not get the rest and nourishment it needs. 
          • It must be free of fear and secure of predators. 
          • You keep people secure and free from fear by keeping them informed. 
          • Keep them from rivalry, and keep them from pests (small irritations). 
          • The shepherd must be visible. 
          • Don’t let problems fester. 

5. The staff of direction. 

• • • • • • The staff represents responsibility. 
          • Lead the sheep instead of being a barking dog. 
          • Point the way by getting in front of them. 
          • The staff helps rescue stray sheep. 
          • Help people get out of trouble. 

6. The rod of correction. 

• • • • • • You have to know when to use it, and use it wisely. 
          • The rod is to use against predators. 
          • Discipline is not to harm but to keep from harm. 

7. The heart of the shepherd. 

• • • • • • There is a cost for leading. 
          • Great leadership is hard work and if you’re not willing to pay the price, those you lead will have to pay it. 
          • What distinguishes a great leader from an ordinary leader is your heart for the people. 
          • If you give your sheep halfhearted leadership, they will follow you halfheartedly.

by Zoe McKey

• Everyone is gifted, but some have never opened their package. 

• You can become your best self in some area. 

• The successful man is the average man that is focused.

• Success happens by expanding your horizon in many areas.

• There’s no difference between a pessimistic idle person and an optimistic idle person. Laziness kills both.

• There’s something magical about deadlines. Once a deadline is set, you work to finish and execute.

• Most things we believe are impossible in life have not even been attempted.

• There’s no such thing as impossible. Impossible is a lack of focus, action, and self conviction.

• It’s not who you are that keeps you held back, it is who you are not.

• Negatives will drive your desires down.

• Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but the growth occurs while climbing it. 

• The race will get boring, but you must continue if you’re going to reach the goal. 

• People don’t succeed because they are weak in one of three areas: focus, will power, and clear goal setting. 

• To improve self control, you have to analyze why you lost it. 

• Distractions are bumps in the road. You must be careful because there’s not enough time to keep changing the tires. 

• It seems like the world moves out of the way when you know where you’re going. 

by John Gordon 

Shorter book, like several by this author, but really good. Share story about a man working for a company his grandad started. His grandad started and built the company on integrity. This man had the opportunity to make the biggest sales of his career, but his partner forged a few documents to get the sale. At the end, he stopped the deal and told the buyer he couldn’t make the sale. The buyer was very upset, but later appreciative for his honesty. His integrity required him to make the hard decision. Below are the laws of integrity that became pillars for their company. 

The Four Laws of Integrity: 

1. 1. 1. Integrity builds trust.

1. 1. 2. Integrity allows for long term success.

1. 1. 3. Integrity equals your best self.

1. 1. 4. Integrity frees you to live.

By Stan Toler 

• Always say less than you think.

• People may forget what you say but not how you say it and how you make them feel. 

• Let others know you appreciate and believe in them. 

• You can express humility through words. 

• A sincere apology can go a long way.

• Your words have value, can add value, and can diminish value. 

• Words mean less because of the volume. Make your words count, and say less. 

• Spend your words frugally.

• If you want to assure others of their importance, then keep your mouth shut and listen.

• Listen with your eyes. 

• Show you care by asking the right questions. 
• Focus your thinking so you’ll say the right words.

• The right word at the right time is as different as lightning is from the lightning bug. 

• Kindness makes the difference.

• It’s sad when someone uses up their kindness at work and has none left over for their family. 

• There are times that the best answer is silence. 

• If you have nothing to say, don’t feel obligated to say anything. 

• We don’t learn by talking. 

• A positive attitude produces words. 

• It’s hard for some to compliment because they’re so use to insulting.

• Everyone likes to be affirmed. 

• Rumors are easy to start but difficult to stop. Hold your tongue. 

• Needless arguments are a waste of time.

• Eliminate insults and innuendos.

By Bobby Jameson

• Instead of asking if you’re called, ask yourself two other questions: Are you qualified to be an elder? Should serving as an elder be your job? 

• If you want to pastor, you must meet the qualifications of a Biblical elder. 

• Two problems with using the word “calling.” First is exegesis, and second is entitlement.

• We are called to holiness, but Bible doesn’t seem to use the word calling as to a vocation. If the vocational call is from God, you shouldn’t question yourself and others cannot question it, in fact, they need to get behind what God is doing. 

• Aspiring to be a pastor (as opposed to called) is best for the following reasons:

1. 1. 1. 1. It is more Biblical language — 1 Timothy 3:1
         2. It is more Humble — it suggests you are not there yet. 
         3. It is more Accurate — maybe you will be a pastor or maybe not, but calling implies you have to be the moment you are called. 
         4. It is more Fruitful — how can you serve and develop into this role. 
         5. It is more Freeing — instead of the lightning from heaven, it puts emphasis on if you qualify and if others believe you are qualified. 

• Desire + Ability + Opportunity. 

• If you candidate at a church and they do not call you, there’s nothing further for you to do there other than pray. On a smaller scale, what opportunities are before you right now to better prepare for ministry?

• A good question to ask yourself is, “Would someone at your job be able to tell if you were aspiring to be a minister?” 

• When 1 Timothy 3:1 uses the word faithful, it’s speaking of behavior more than belief. 

• Leadership in the home is prime proving grounds for leadership in the church. 

• Fathering and eldering overlap in many areas. 

• An elder must be: 

1. 1. 1. 1. An example. All Christians should be, but an elder must be. 
         2. Able to lead others. This starts and can be detected by how he leads his family. 
         3. Apt to teach God’s Word. 

• Pursue godliness. Pursue godliness more than you pursue position or publicity or prestige. Pursue godliness more than you pursue the pulpit. Pursue godliness more than you pursue others’ recognition of your godliness. Pursue godliness when no one is looking and no one cares. Pursue godliness when it seems like godliness is not getting you where you want to go.

• How is your online presence? Are you soon angry? Are you a brawler? 

• Reaction breeds overreaction. 

• If you’re not godly out of the spotlight, you won’t be godly in it. 

• Learn to pastor from other faithful pastors.  Seek godly examples. Place yourself under godly influence. 

• Every pastor is a sheep before he is a pastor. 

• Live a life others can imitate. If everyone read the Bible like you do, would they be better as a result? If they prayed, spoke, responded on social media and clicked the links you do, would they be better as a result?

• Aim to be mistaken as an elder before you are an elder. 

• Learn to care for souls. 

• You want to be a leader, then lead something. Whether a wife or family, small group, class or reading group, can you lead others? 

• Prayer is not preparation for a pastor’s work, it is the pastor’s work. 

• Flee pornography. It will sink your hope, rob your joy, cause you to not be blameless, and harm your marriage and your soul. 

• Pastor your children— Ephesians 6:4
  • • • Lead them in prayer and in worship. 
      • Attend to your children individually. 
      • Learn to love what they love because you love them. 

• Suffering is a stewardship, and you can steward it in the right way. To profit from suffering, you must prove it. 

• Being under authority is just as important as being in authority. How you handle one determines how you handle the other. 

• Just because you have ambitions doesn’t mean they are good or godly. 

• The opposite of ambition is not passivity rather selfless ambition. 

• As good as pastoring is, Jesus is better.