Pastor Phillip Howle

King Solomon: The Temptations of Money, Sex, and Power by Philip Ryken

phillip5050 — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 11:15:10 +0000

This book is more relevant than ever in our world today. The successes and the failures of Solomon are looked at in great detail and in a very engrossing style of writing. But, the part that sets the book is how in the midst of Solomon’s highs and lows, the writer leads you the cross. The Gospel is kept at the forefront of the book. The warnings against failure are helpful, but the admonitions of who you are in Christ are the most powerful parts of the book. It would make for a great group study or a homiletical commentary on 1 Kings 1-11.

Discple by Bill Clem

phillip5050 — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 13:34:22 +0000

I am so impressed with Crossway Publishing. I have been reading whatever I can of what they publish for the past few years and have been tremendously blessed. The focus on the Gospel is so tremendous in everything they publish. No matter the subject the supremacy of the Gospel shines. I know my continued exposure to it in their books has literally changed my approach to life and ministry.

This continues in Bill Clem’s book “Disciple.” I got if early and free from a great program called NetGalley. The book is excellent. It is more than the usually follow Jesus, by getting up earlier, reading your Bible more and praying more (he is not against it). It is a comprehensive guide to following Jesus empowered by the grace of God and to the glory of God in all aspects if ones individual and corporate life.

There is nothing really new or original in book, this is not a bad thing, because it the structuring of these truths that makes the book so powerful. I found particularly helpful the first few chapters on our stories in life as they relate to God’s larger story and our role in it. I love the fact that the chapters close with application questions and Scriptures to study further. The last few books I have read by Crossway have done. It forces you to slow down and assimilate what has been read before going further.

The book had no weakness; the length of the book makes it accessible for any reader. I happily recommend it to all Christians, especially pastors, teachers, and small group leaders. I pray for the day when my churches discipleship structures look like these laid out in the book.

The Little Red Book of Wisdom [Kindle Edition] Mark DeMoss

phillip5050 — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 16:31:22 +0000

I can sum it up and say a good little book. The book is long enough, to be through, but reads very smoothly and easily. There is nothing presented here that is new or groundbreaking, but wonderful, scriptural advice. It is a kind of refresher course on wisdom you have heard, but may be failing to implement in your life. The writer does a good job at showing how the pieces of wisdom work out practically in the lives of people he has known. The audience of the book is board and could be appreciated by a housewife, pastor, or CEO. His life story is very compelling and engaging. The chapter on letter writing was very compelling and convicting to me as a pastor. It would definitely make a great graduation gift! It would probably as well be wise to make a habit of reading it yearly to keep focus. I also must share that I got this book from Thomas Nelson, but this in no way affected my review.

Doing Virtuous Business: The Remarkable Success of Spiritual Enterprise

phillip5050 — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 12:07:07 +0000

Doing Virtuous Business: The Remarkable Success of Spiritual Enterprise [Hardcover]

Theodore Roosevelt Malloch (Author)

Jeremiah 29:4-7 This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: (5) Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. (6) Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. (7) Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

How Christians conduct their business affairs deeply matters to God and greatly affects the world around us. This was my take away from this book. Let me say that as a pastor, this book was not that engaging to me. I have my undergrad in Business Management. So, I understood all the economic ideas and views on capitalism the writer was proposing. I also agreed with most of his conclusions in advance. So, I did not take away much new. But, for someone who wants to see what a Christian should look like this is a nice start. It is a little technical at times as well. For an easier read on a similar topic I would recommend Wayne Grudem’s “Business For the Glory of God.” It is not as through or detailed.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0849947170/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

Fasting: The Ancient Practices (Hardcover)

phillip5050 — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:16:39 +0000

Fasting: The Ancient Practices (Hardcover)
This was a good book, if you want to know about fasting. I preferred Piper’s “A Hunger For God” over this book. This is the second book in the Ancient Practices Series I have read in the past few weeks. The first book I read was “Tithing” by Douglas Leblanc. Tithing was different, engaging and unique in perspective. I just did not get into this book quit as well. This might have come from a familiarization with fasting on my part. I must add that the discipline of fasting as whole body spirituality is a great point and really worth the time I spent in the book. For someone with little knowledge on the subject it would serve as good motivation to begin the discipline.I can recommend the book for that and for some good insight on the practical outworking of fasting as part of the Christian life. This book was review for Thomas Nelson’s BookSneeze. This book was supplied to me for free through this program in exchange for a review of the book. My review was not influenced by Thomas Nelson or the fact that the book was provided for free.

The Jesus Inquest: The Case For and Against the Resurrection of the Christ by Charles Foster

phillip5050 — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 23:11:23 +0000

The Jesus Inquest: The Case For and Against the Resurrection of the Christ by Charles Foster
Timely For Easter, February 10, 2011

The Jesus Inquest” by Charles Foster was a timely read for me as Easter is approaching.

Charles Foster has impressive academic credentials. His experiences as a lawyer give him the ability to make his case convincingly. The book is unique is that is a neutral objectivity kept in the book to allow the reader the freedom to make their own decisions. He does not choose to try and influence the reader in either direction. The scope and depth was tremendous was tremendous and challenged me greatly. You have to read it and engage as it dense, but a dedicated reader would gain much by investing the time in it. Forster is not afraid to challenge the mind of the Christian, which is good because it is through challenge that you grow stronger.

Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Inquest-Against-Resurrection-Christ/dp/0849948118/ref=cm_cr-mr-img

The Jesus Inquest: The Case For and Against the Resurrection of the Christ by Charles Foster

phillip5050 — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 23:11:15 +0000

The Jesus Inquest: The Case For and Against the Resurrection of the Christ by Charles Foster
Timely For Easter, February 10, 2011

The Jesus Inquest” by Charles Foster was a timely read for me as Easter is approaching.

http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Inquest-Against-Resurrection-Christ/dp/0849948118/ref=cm_cr-mr-img

The Jesus Inquest: The Case For and Against the Resurrection of the Christ by Charles Foster

phillip5050 — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 23:11:07 +0000

The Jesus Inquest: The Case For and Against the Resurrection of the Christ by Charles Foster
Timely For Easter, February 10, 2011

The Jesus Inquest” by Charles Foster was a timely read for me as Easter is approaching.

http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Inquest-Against-Resurrection-Christ/dp/0849948118/ref=cm_cr-mr-img

Tithing: Test Me in This (Ancient Practices Series)

phillip5050 — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:13:56 +0000

The book was interesting. I usually read more theologically intense books, but this was a nice change of pace. The introduction of the book was very beneficial as the writer looked at the patristic understanding and exception of the people of God to tithe. It was not an option for the early church. The issue over tithing as an OT legalism vs. a NT grace is handled throughout the book in the various experiences of the people’s lives. The various imperatives scriptures also handled in a very similar way. The theology and the application of the book is drawn from biographical sketches of a bunch of different people. A few of the people I knew (Ron Sider and Randy Alcorn) others I did not, the people came all different denominational backgrounds, but share a common devotion to tithing and giving sacrificially to God. Randy Alcorn’s chapter was particularly excellent. Overall the book was an encouraging, refreshing, and a quick read to see people from all walks of life giving to God. If only all Christian’s took the dedication to set the tithe as a starting point for their giving how much it would readjust their heart and enable the work the God. If looking for a theology of possessions then this is not the book, but if you a not tithing and need some encouragement then this a great book for you!

This book was review for Thomas Nelson’s BookSneeze. This book was supplied to me for free through this program in exchange for a review of the book. My review was not influenced by Thomas Nelson or the fact that the book was provided for free.

Book Review: Your Money God’s Way

phillip5050 — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 13:28:23 +0000

I am a pastor and one of the largest problem’s in the lives of people today is money. I see it affect marriage, kids, church, and work. You name it. This is a very simple straightforward book that offers some sound biblical guidance on how to get a handle on your fiances and more importantly your heart, the real problem. The end of each chapter has application questions that force you to examine your life and what steps you can take today to make things improve in your finances. I thought this was the strongest part of the book. I enjoyed it and recommend it. This book was provided to me by Thomas Nelson Publishers as a part of their BookSneeze program for bloggers