As a preacher, I'm always searching for new resources to help me teach people about the saving grace of Jesus Christ and His plan for saving His creation. My library is full of rubber-banded stacks of this Bible study course or that tract. I have even contemplated writing my own from time to time.  The PFP has even released a Keynote Bible Study just for helping people teach others! 

But I think I might have found my new favorite!

Sure, it doesn't stream Bible passages together to teach people the truth, it leaves that up to the person who will follow up with the perspective Christian. But what it does do is strike right to the heart of the person reading it and convict, encourage and instruct them about a very real possibility. 

I'm talking about the new book "I Died Last Night" by John Orr (published by Start2Finish Books). 

One person said, "It scared the Hell out of me, literally!" I completely agree! 

I Died Last Night was amazingly blunt in its delivery of some very scary truths! As the story follows the first few moments of a man's life in torments after passing from this life, you read about his first impressions of the place, his encounters with people from his past life and even those who lived long before him. 

The imagery of demons, pain and memories is so vivid that one person said, "Don't read this book before you go to sleep at night!" - I wish I had read that quote before starting to read it at 10PM one night!

John Orr uses Biblical truths and amazing word pictures to take you down into the depths of hell and make you honestly look at your life.  If you read this book, be warned, because it will hurt your ego and destroy your pride!

I highly recommend every single person reads this book and buys copies (that's right, multiples) to give to every person they know!

 Now, of course, there are things in Talk Like TED that do not apply to the preacher because of various reasons. That is to be understood since Gallo is writing the book for business professionals and those who speak on secular topics. However, that doesn't mean that there aren't treasure-troves of information that we can apply to our speaking!

  I encourage you to pick up a copy of Talk Like TED, read it, and apply Gallo's principles to see if 1) you are more effective in the pulpit and 2) that your lessons flow much better. It has certainly changed my preaching for the better!

  Bethlehem Road is the newest addition to the already stellar list of books offered by Start2Finish. This book, is not unlike the other greats such as The Epic of God and the Derision of Heaven. Michael Whitworth is certainly in his domain when he is writing books; writing with a style all his own and providing great materials for more than just preachers, but all people who are interested in being drawn closer to God.

  This new book has enriched my life in a way that few books outside of the Bible itself have been able to do. He presents the challenges that one would face in this life and confronts those challenges with the beauty and allure of Ruth and Naomi’s story. He brings the book of Ruth to a place where it is easily accessed and understood.

  I am one who is excited for every book that Michael publishes because I have come to expect this same level of quality. Caution: if you are going to read this book, be careful, it might just change your life! To God be the glory!

     What is your favorite book of the Bible? While it is probably one of the hardest things for me to chose, I would have to say that the books to the Thessalonian congregations have to be among the top on my list. That is one reason why I was SO EXCITED to know that my favorite commentary writer of our time was writing a book on some of my favorite passages of divine Scripture.  

     You can never surpass the guidance and edification which comes from the God-given passages but a deep understanding and continued study of those Scriptures using helpful guides such as Living & Longing for the Lord will only add to that faith. And, while you might not agree with Michael on every aspect of the book, you won't find a more concise wording and ample evidence than what is found in this book. 

     If you haven't figured it out yet, Living & Longing for the Lord by Michael Whitworth is a must read as you set to study God's Book. If you want a long, drawn-out, somewhat daunting study ending in your ability to write a doctoral dissertation on the Pauline epistles to the Thessalonica Church of Christ, look elsewhere. But, if you're looking for a study which will leave you with a deeper understanding and equipped to help yourself and others in the Faith by using 1 & 2 Thessalonians, go over to Start2Finish Books and pick up your copy right now!

     As I sit to write this, it is Friday morning January 24, 2014 (and yes, I still find it strange to write 2014). Because of that, the title may be somewhat confusing, but hear me out!

     In a few days, the lights will be turned on, the pews will be straightened and clean, the sermons will be prepared, the Supper will be ready and waiting, and we will begin our task of worshiping our Lord in spirit and in truth as per His command in John 4:24 and throughout the New Testament. There will be a man there, often somewhat older but I hope that my generation is working diligently to take on his role when he is no longer able, he will be dressed nicely and will probably be doing one of two things. Either this man will be running around like a chicken with his head cut off, or he will be standing at the "back door" of the church building ushering people in and greeting them as they arrive. This man is often called "the preacher". 

     And, while he is very visible to the congregation on Sundays, and most likely Wednesdays, you will probably have little idea what he does on Mondays (or any other day of the week for that matter). Maybe you have some idea because you were sick last week and he called you or visited you, or maybe you have an idea because last month when you moved he was there lifting boxes just like everyone else, but what does the preacher do from day to day? And, for that matter, what kinds of problems does he face, what stresses must he endure, and probably most mysterious of them all, how in the world does he pick something to study next Sunday?

     I don't have time, and you probably don't have the patience, to sit down and discuss each thing that the preacher does during the week. But, there are some ways you can have a better idea. 

1. Ask Him!
     The sure fire way to learn more about the man that stands before you on Sundays and Wednesdays and teaches the Word of God is to ask him about himself and his work week. Now, don't make this target practice to belittle him for "not having a real job" but if you genuinely want to know, just ask. 

2. Go with Him!
     It amazes me when someone says the statement quoted above. I don't want to sound harsh in saying this, but I challenge anyone who believes that the preacher's job is "not a real job" to spend just one day with him. Follow him everywhere he goes, study everything he studies, talk to everyone he talks to, and you will quickly know why some afternoons it is impossible to get him because he has turned his phone off!

     If you are an elder, buy one for yourself and one for your preacher. If you are a preacher, buy one for yourself and one for the brother that preaches down the road a ways. If you are a member of the body of Christ, period, buy this book. I know that the preacher is sometimes very misunderstood (after all, I are one), and this book will help everyone know what tremendous struggles we face and, maybe more importantly, what tremendous blessings we receive by choosing to take on the task of preaching the word. There is a reason why James wrote that not every Christian ought to take on this role in the body of Christ (James 3:1), and this book is a perfect illustration of why. 

     You won't regret it!