Counterfeit gods Tim Keller

This is another cracker little hard back book from the preaching and teaching of Tim Keller. It has the apt sub title, When the empty promises of love, money and power let you down. Anyone interested in preaching in a 21st century relevant style should read Keller's stuff. This is super stuff for fueling apologetic preaching with a bite. In this volume Keller covers: love, money, success, power and a most challenging chapter on hidden idols. What makes this book so helpful is that he not only uncovers the idol factory of our hearts but shows the remedy - devotion for Jesus Christ. Not sure if this is available in paperback yet - but if it is - then why not order five and give away to some thinking non Christian friends. It will stimulate some cracking conversation.

Ministries of Mercy Tim Keller

This book has been around since 1989 and only now am I getting to read it. In typical Keller style the parable of the Good Samaritan is unpacked in a way that no one else could. His basic thesis is that as believers we are called individually and together to mercy ministry. This is a call for us to open our eyes and see the wounded and dying all around and to minister to them in the name of Jesus Christ. The book is divided into two main parts - principles and practice. I have to admit I started to read this in the camp of thinking - "don't get caught up in mercy ministry it will lead you away from gospel proclamation." Having read this through once I am now in the camp of thinking, "one reason why we have so little success in gospel proclamation is that we are so little involved in mercy ministry." This is a book I plan to reread and work the principles out into my life and the lives of those around me. This is a book for every deacon to read and inwardly digest. It is a book for every church member to read in order to get involved and spearhead mercy ministry in the church.

FACEBOOK Stop wasting your life!

This is a call to all RP young people, and perhaps not so young people, who are obsessed with social networking sites.
GET OFF FACEBOOK. I could be more balanced and say - limit your time - but I reckon that for many it is gobbling up your time and there is only one option - flee.
Work it out - how many hours are you spending a week - chatting to friends and acquaintances about absolutely nothing - where you have been, where you are going, what you are wearing? Does it really matter! Is there not something more beneficial that to you could be obsessed with. Why not finish that Christian book that you started three months ago and ought really to have been finished in three days, or visit that elderly person who is so lonely in your neighbourhood.
If you want to use face book -go ahead - but fill it with what matters - not your latest holiday snaps, your latest gadget or clothing - fill if with what you are learning about King Jesus and the things you have been discovering about Him. Fill up your pages with - how can I reach my friends and family?
And you guys who read this - if you are frittering away your time on face book - catch yourself on - isn't there something more manly that you could be doing. Isn't there someone you could disciple?
You see Facebook and every other thing like it is the world's empty shell of the privilege that God gives us to be really involved in other people's lives. We are not to be peeping from a distance - but right up close and personal pressing the life changing word of Jesus Christ into one another's lives. Think of the millions of Christians who must be on face book - hour after hour. Think of the work of the kingdom that could be done if it was invested in making disciples.
Before you sign off take a look and listen to this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ-8OvGn9yA&feature=channel