CrossTalk Michael Emlet

Yet another from the CCEF stable. The book is subtitled "Where life and Scripture Meet." And that is really what it is about - how to take the Word and rightly apply it to the lives of men and women that we counsel. The book is hammering out the historical redemptive approach to the Scripture. The author is keen that we don't just use the usual familiar texts but that we learn how to use the narrative portions as well. The eleven chapters are well peppered with practical examples, if not templates showing how to press the Word into people's lives in a life changing way.
Once more this an excellent book not only to have on your counselling bookshelf but to have read and taken in. To help on the intake - each chapter ends with a good selection of questions which a well thought out. I found the book helpful in applying the Scripture to my own life and how to apply it to others - both in preaching and counselling.

The Trellis and the Vine, Marshall & Payne

I had read some rave reviews of this book and so when I spotted it at the International Conference I decided to lighten Tom's van for the return journey home. The book lived up to the publicity hype. At the start I thought - not much new here - but the author's have that way of sucking you in and then wham I was caught. So much so that I sat engrossed in it for the entire two hour journey back on the boat last night. It is about ministry in the church. The basic premise is that if we do one man ministry in the church the wheels will come off or the church simply won't grow as she should. It is really down to a II Timothy 2v2 approach - training others to make disciples How I wish I had read this 20 years ago when training for the ministry. I kept thinking that this book could have so many provocative sub titles - why Go teams produce so little fruit, why RP church plants struggle, why RP congregations plateau out at 60 people, why reformed churches have ministerial casualties, why we are not getting the men we need in the ministry, why established congregations spend so much energy on keeping the structures of the past in place. If any of these sub title strike a chord - read and buy. You will not agree with all that these guys say - but you certainly will be challenged, perhaps humbled and hopefully changed

The Holiness of God R.C. Sproul

I had been keeping this for my holiday read. I wanted something to prime the pump of my daily devotions, something to stir me when I was tired and weary. This little classic didn't let me down. Eleven chapters of clear and concise Biblical teaching on the holiness of God and how this touches down in our lives. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy this was to read. Each chapter carefully crafted and climaxing in a corker of a chapter on holy space and holy time. It is one of those books that deserves a second read with a highlighter pen just to really take in some of Sproul's mind capturing one liners.
Each chapter concludes with 5 or 6 appropriately stimulating questions which would be useful not only for person study but also for group discussion.
I was glad to find that this book was so good because I bought a box full on the recommendation of a friend. If you would like a copy - I am happy to pass one (a book and not a box) on to you the next time we meet - just ask.

God in the Wasteland - David Wells

If you have a head on your shoulders at all you will realize that the church in many places is in big trouble. One committed Christian man said to me recently about his church, which is packed to over flowing each week - "it is a mile wide and an inch deep." David Wells would not be long in explaining why to my friend.
The author is in a league of his own when assessing where the church is at today. With intricate and careful research David Wells pieces together the factors that have shaped and honed the church of today. Granted that he is primarily speaking of the situation in the US. But it is not too difficult to transplant his thesis to the church this side of the shuck.
This book was assigned reading at RTC back in the early 90s. Having revisited it 20 years on I benefited even more this time round. Well's desire is the the church be what God intended her to be. "I want the church to be an alternative to post modern culture, not a mere echo of it."
In a day and age when the church is losing her way big time pastors need to sit up and read this book if they are to be God's men for reform.
Just another quote to whet your appetite "Churches imagine that the less they ask or expect of believers, the more popular they will become and the more contented the worshippers will be. The reverse is true."
It is not a read for the sun or a bedtime browse. But if you can hide away the warnings and grapple with some of the diagnosis - you may well be God's agent of reform in your church, or at least a plug in a crumbling wall.

Seeing with New Eyes David Polinson

Another classic from the CCEF stable. This masterpiece by leading CCEF counselor David Powlinson does what it says on the page - seeing with new eyes. His book divides into two basic sections. The first ties 6 chapters together under the theme "Scripture opens Blind Eyes." A number of these are basic exegesis and application of Scripture passages. The latter section of the book, comprises 9 chapters under the theme of "reinterpreting life." In this section Powlinson deals with many of the unbiblical counseling ideas that many Christians have imbibed.
Any one wishing to develop more pastoral counseling into their preaching should read the first section and anyone wishing to help people out of the fog of much modern day counseling should read the second section. That means it's a must for anyone in pastoral ministry.

The Fruitful Life Jerry Bridges

Anything by Jerry Bridges is well worth the read. This one comes in the style of the Pursuit of Holiness. If you want to slip along challenge free in the Christian life then I recommend that you don't read this book or indeed any book of Bridges. On the other hand if you are desiring to grow in grace and deal with the sin that remains within - then take up and read. the book comprises 12 simple chapters covering - yes you guessed it - the fruit of the Spirit. Each chapter takes about 10-15 minutes to read and a lifetime to learn. The author takes each of the fruit of the Spirit in turn and unpacks the meaning with the help of other Scripture. At the end of each chapter there are helpful study questions that get the truth driven in deep. This is a most helpful book to use as part of a daily devotions or study for a small group.

Speaking Truth in Love David Powlison

For any minister, student for the ministry or church member who desires to speak the truth of God's Word into people's lives this book is a must read. It is another volume from the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation stable. The book consists of two main sections: Part 1 Speaking Truth in Love and Part 2 We Grow Up Together. In the first section the writer deals with many of the practicalities of counseling - preparation, what questions to ask, how to illustrate your counseling and how to help people who have been to every other counseling avenue under the sun. The second part deals mainly with the role of the church in counseling and the vital topic of how to get more training in the field.
As with every CCEF book I have read I ended this one with the realization - I need to read that again with a pen and paper in hand. I think I have said it before - if you are serious in speaking the truth of God's Word in to people's lives in preaching and pastoring - then buy and read every book that these guys print. I wish I had these books when I was at theological college - perhaps I would have seen more people's lives changed by the Word than I have over these past 16 years.
If I am spared by God to minister for another 16 years I will be making the wise pastoral counsel of CCEF materials the core of my ministering of the Word of Christ from home to home.

Marathon Completed

Yesterday in superb weather conditions James and I plotted our way round the 26 odd miles of the Belfast marathon. Just under two weeks ago I developed a nasty foot injury in the last stages of training and honestly thought I was going to have to pull out. But with daily treatment and no running except for two very short slow jogs at the end of last week we lined up in front of the city hall yesterday morning. Within half a mile my foot was sore. By mile 12 the pain was getting close to the unbearable level - but hobbled on not wanting to go back to all those kind people who sponsored me and said I didn't make it. By mile 17 the pain seemed to lessen, or was simply masked a little with the escalating pain in my right knee and thigh. By this stage I was noticing that James was looking like the proverbial ghost and my attention shifted to keeping him going. By mile 19 I knew that apart from my foot breaking I was going to finish.
And after 4 hours 19 minutes and 57 seconds we crossed the finish line.
So what kept a nearly 48 year old man going for that length of time? On many occasions during the run, as I battled with the pain in my foot and leg, I thought of those for whom facing another day with prostate cancer is a much more challenging marathon and could I not cope with a few hours? The voices of the people along the way was most helpful too with their kind words of encouragement to keep going. But most especially the words that one of the church members gave me on Sabbath evening to him who has no might he increases strength. We repeated it often in the course of the 26 and a bit miles and by His grace we made it.
Thank you to all who sponsored us for The Prostate Cancer Charity. Not to late to donate yet. James and I are now hoping to make the £1000 mark over the next few days.
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/mcculloughbelfastmarathon

Marathon Challenge

My son James and I are planning DV to run the Belfast marathon at the start of May. We are in the final weeks of training and so far no major injuries. A few weeks back we decided that we should put our pain to some good use, i.e. raise some money for charity. The charity that we are running for is The Cancer Prostate Charity. At present I have one family member and one friend coping with various stages of this common cancer. The stats for the UK are pretty alarming: one man dies every hour from prostate cancer, 35,000 men are diagnosed with this each year.

The deal is easy. James and I take the pain of training for a running the marathon – and YOU kindly donate – and men and their families throughout the UK benefit. We are hoping to raise £500 between us so your generosity will be most appreciated. You can sponsor us in one of two ways: follow the link below and donate on line or the next time you see either of us sign up on our form. All donations gratefully received.

Sponsor Us

Broken Down House - Paul Tripp Book Note

This is a must read for anyone really interested in living for Christ in a world gone mad. The author uses a vivid illustration throughout of the broken down house. This picture ties all 16 chapters together. The picture is simple - the world is not how God created it in the beginning - it is broken by sin. But thank God through the finished work of Jesus Christ a restoration work has commenced that will one day reach its conclusion.
The author teases out many life applications of living in the now and not yet. What I found particularly helpful was relearning that the church is not perfect yet - it is a work in process. My experience of the ministry is that problems arise in the church because God's people forget that the work isn't finished yet.
Having read through this book once I am now planning to go through it a second time with a notebook and perhaps produce some sort of study guide.
I wish I could afford to by a box of these and give them to all my friends.

Blame it on the Brain? - Book Note

If you are interested in any way in counseling yourself or others this is a must read. The author is Edward Welch from the CCEF stable. After three chapters on Biblical foundations there are three other sections covering Alzheimers, head Injury, Depression, ADD, homosexuality, and alcoholism. The basic thesis of the book states - we have to be careful that we are not blaming things on the brain that are just sinful patterns. To that end the author covers things that can be blamed on t he brain, matters that the brain may be blamed for and aspects of life that the brain didn't do. To work out which is which you will have to read the book.
The thing about these books from CCEF is that they are full of Bible and not man made wisdom. Anyone interested in counseling or giving any pastoral counsel should buy and read anything that CCEF publish.

When I Don't Desire God - John Piper - Book Comment

What a way to kick off the reading for 2010. This is the best Piper book that I have read to date. The title is exactly what the book is about. Each of the 12 chapters has several really quality gems for the warming of the heart. Like all Piper's books it is dripping with his Christian hedonism thoughts. His aim in this book is to stir readers to find all their joy in Christ and what to do when that joy is dimmed in our hearts. For several chapters he discusses fighting for joy and how to do that through the great truths of the Christian faith. The chapters on fighting for joy through the Word, world and prayer I found particularly helpful. The last chapter, When the darkness does not lift, would be of particular help to anyone who struggles with depression. They are many lessons throughout this book for those who are called to pastor God's people not least the quotes in the final chapter from John Newton as he sought to help the struggling Cowper.

Real Men Find Church too Girly

The title is from an interesting article from the Times on 27th January. Apparently church services are now 70% female and only 30% male. The article suggested that girly love songs were the turn off for men along with men wearing frocks. Think of the torture a man would have to go through to sing song 912 in Mission Praise, Oh I was made for this to know your tender kiss...my feet were made to dance...or 943 There is none like you none else can touch my heart like you...or 980 Draw me close to you...never let me go....to feel your warm embrace. What man in his right mind would sing that even if he wasn't an exclusive psalm singer!
So what will bring men back to church? Obviously only the renewing power of the Spirit of God will make men and women willing to bow before King Jesus. Yet alongside of this God uses means like proper preaching, robust Biblical worship, and Biblical leadership. I don't imagine that the apostles were men with manicured nails, soft voices and all proper. The Lord called rough fishermen to be his instruments for taking the gospel to the world. I can't imagine any of them swinging along in a church service repeating I love Jesus over and over in a mindless manner. No those real men sang real songs, warrior songs, actions songs, battle songs, songs that spoke of heroism, sacrifice and commitment. And the good news is - we still have them - the PSALMS!
And as for preaching. The preaching of the Lord Jesus Christ drew men to be fishers of men. His call was to follow, give up all, go, leave everything, there is a world to reach, sinners to save, no turning back, be radical, fall before His Kingly power. When the preaching of pulpits rings with His Word and His Spirit moves the hearts of men - the pews will fill with men wanting to be the real men that only the gospel will make them.
I am so thankful that as I look round my congregation that it teems with real men.

Anthony Selvaggio's short devotional commentary on Proverbs is well worth the buy. It is published by Shepherd Press and retails for around £8.00. It is not in any way a deep commentary on the passage but a study of various themes in Proverbs. Just short of 200 pages this book would be helpful for anyone wishing to get a handle on Proverbs. There are six parts to the book: An opening section called Foundations where the author has some helpful introductory comments on the book. His section on seeing Jesus in Proverbs is first class and that alone is a good reason for buying the book. The second section is on the theme of work, the third on wealth, the fourth on friends, the fifth on marriage and the sixth on children.
Anyone wanting to preach on this book will find help here especially for the latter half of Proverbs. It is an excellent book for personal devotions also.

Institutes Finish Line

2009 - big year - ran the Newry Marathon and read Calvin's Institutes. I know which one was most painful and which one will have done me most good. This was my second time through Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion. Last time was back in the early 90s at RTC. If I can run a marathon and read the Institutes there is no excuse for anyone else. Not sure if I will run a marathon in 2010 but I have my eye on another readathon - not decided yet if it will be Johathan Edwards or BB Warfield.

How to be Successful

After 47 years of life I have just unearthed the recipe for the ultimately successful life - Proverbs 2 - read it and ask God to let it flow deep into your life. Planning to preach on this on Sabbath 20th December. Here is what Charles Bridges says on this chapter.

And now, what serious reader of this chapter can fail to estimate above all price the privilege of being early enlisted under the banner of the cross; early taught in the ways, and disciplined in the school, of the Bible; and early led to hide that blessed book in the heart, as the rule of life, the principle of holiness, the guide to heaven! Parents, sponsors, teachers of youth; ponder your deep responsibility with unceasing prayer for special grace and wisdom. Beware of glossing over sins with amiable or palliating terms. Let young people be always led to look upon vicious; habits with horror, as the most appalling evil. Discipline their vehemence of feeling, and all illregulated excitement. Keep out of sight,

as far as may be, books calculated to inflame the imagination. To give an impulse to the glowing passion may stimulate the rising corruption to the most malignant fruitfulness. Oh! what wisdom is needed to guide, to repress, to bring forth, develope safely, and to improve fully, the mind, energies, and sensibilities of youth! Young man! beware! Do not flatter thyself for a moment, that God will ever wink at your sinful passions; that he will allow for them, as slips and foibles of youth. They are the "cords of your own sins," which, if the power of God's grace break them not in time, will "hold" you for eternity. (Chap. v. 22.) Shun then the society of sin, as the infection of the plague. Keep thy distance from it, as from the pit of destruction. Store thy mind with the preservative of heavenly wisdom. Cultivate the taste for purer pleasures. Listen to the fatherly, pleading remonstrance, inviting thee to thy rest---"'Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, ‘My Father! thou art the guide of my youth?’" (Jer. iii. 4.)

You can view the book on line at http://faculty.gordon.edu/hu/bi/Ted_Hildebrandt/OTeSources/20-Proverbs/Text/Books/Bridges-ProverbsCommentary/Bridges-Proverbs.pdf or better still buy a hard back copy. Sell all your silly paperback books just to get this.

The Prophets Speak of Him - A. Selvaggio

A 200 page masterpiece summary of the minor prophets. Anyone wishing to get an overview of these books of the Scripture will find Anthony Selvaggio's comments illuminating and heart warming. The historical setting and book outlines are set out in a readable format. But what makes this book well worth the £9.00 is that the author gets to who these books are about - the Lord Jesus Christ. Just flicking through the pages with your thumb will enable you to see that many of the chapter subheadings include the Lord Jesus' name. Any preacher considering preaching on the minor prophets will find this a useful devotional primer. When Anthony Selvaggio titles his book - The Prophets Speak of Him - that is exactly what he shows you. One constant thought echoed in my mind as I read this book - how do we preach these books? Was wondering are many of them really one sermon books - getting to who they are all about.

Well worth a place on your OT bookshelf.

How to Read Proverbs Tremper Longman III

This is a piece of sheer genius as regards to getting a handle on Proverbs. It is published by IVP and comes in at around £10.00. Proverbs is not the easiest book in the Bible to get your head round. There are so many pitfalls that a reader or preacher can fall into. Tremper Longman's book will help you to avoid these. The 174 page book consists of some 12 chapters and two apendices. The 12 chapters are divided into three sections: Understanding Proverbs, Reading Proverbs in Context and Following the themes of Proverbs. This book is really the distilled version of the writer's fuller work in the Baker Old Testament Commentary series which should be on the shelf of any preacher considering feeding the flock from this wonderful book of Scripture. (Though it will knock you back some £25.00)

This How to Read volume is a good first step in getting to grips with Proverbs. Any reader will find great value and benefit.

From the Mind of God to the Mind of Man

Not the sort of book I usually go for. Published by Ambassador and edited by James Williams. The book is some 230 pages of readable and balanced essays on Bible translation. As the subtitle puts it - a layman's view to how we got our Bible. Given that this book is from the stables of some who would be strongly KJV only this makes for a very interesting read.

Any who are struggling with getting their heads around the versions debate this is a calm and reliable read. It was the gracious tone and the scholarly methods that particularly struck me.

Well worth the £7.00

Book Note John Calvin A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine & Doxology

This is a cracker book published by Reformation Trust. It's hard back for a start - which is always a winner. It is a compellation of 19 essays summarising the life and teaching of John Calvin. Contributors include Sinclair Ferguson, Derek Thomas, Eric Alexander, Jay Adams, Michael Horton, Jerry Bridges, Joel Beeke - it is an amazing line up of scholars. The chapters are fairly short and easily read at one sitting. With the variety of authors this book keeps freshness throughout. Every detail of the teaching of the great reformer are covered. Some chapters are absolutely outstanding with the best left to the very end, The Communion of Men with God by Joel Beeke. The five points of Calvinism are covered, Calvin's teaching on the doctrine of the church, union of Christ, the work of the preacher and much more. If you are wanting a summary of Calvin this is the book for you. If you are wanting a primer for getting in to the writings of Calvin - this will help you see the way in.

Any young person not to sure of what Calvin and Calvinism is about must read this.

One word of caution - just because you have read one summary book on Calvin will not make you a Calvin scholar. Anyhow the man himself wouldn't have wanted anyone to become a Calvin scholar. His goal was pointing sinners to Jesus Christ.