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Christian Book Epistle

Issue #003, 4 January 2008

Communicating for a change… What a challenge!

As disciples of Jesus we are students, or learners that need to follow Jesus. We need to have an ear permanently trained to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

This is why it sometimes really frustrates me when a fellow disciple says he doesn’t like reading, or just doesn’t get the time. This is not only a concern with someone not keen on reading books. It applies to all types of studying or learning from other disciples.

The Holy Spirit was given to us to help us get through this life honoring God, and bearing fruit for Him. Jesus even told us that it is good for us that He leaves because God will send us the Holy Spirit when He is gone.

So, how does the Hoy Spirit guide us? I am a firm believer that God speaks to us in our prayer times, but that is a topic deserving its own newsletter. Obviously, when you are reading the Bible, the living word of God, the Holy Spirit does His best work…

Then there are other disciples, further along this narrow road than we are. These people can truly help us, and I am convinced that the Holy Spirit uses the efforts and wisdom of these people to help us, lead us and guide us. Even to correct us.

Such disciples are authors of books, pastors, bloggers, webmasters, podcasters, etc. Why? Because they are trying to communicate to the rest of the world. To disciples and normal people alike.

Would it be wise not to listen? To ignore their advice, and just carry on waiting for Jesus to return?

Absolutely not!

Jesus said that those branches not bearing fruit for Him will be cut off and cast into the fire. We need to bear fruit for Jesus.

We need to care for the poor, we need to love the world in a way that makes them see that the Christian faith is alive, we need to help other disciples grow to become better fruit-bearers, we need to set a good example, and we need to help people find freedom from the slavery of sin so that they will be free to live the greatest commandment and the great commission!

The point is? We need to communicate! Whether that means reading more, writing more, speaking more or listening more…

We live in a postmodern world, and there are postmodern forms of communication available to us. We need to embrace them.

One such form of communication is podcasting. You will see that Leonard Sweet is one of the people who’s books and audio books I highly recommend on BookDisciple.com. Why? He is a disciple of Jesus with a vast knowledge and a humble spirit to boot. He also has the God-given ability to see what the future brings for the Church.

As an introduction to podcasting, why don’t you download iTunes (if you are not an Apple maniac like me, and already have it), and then subscribe to Len’s podcast through the iTunes Store. It is called Napkin Scribbles, and it is free.

Then we have blogs. In the next day or two, I will be posting a review on The Blogging Church by Brian Bailey. There you will learn all you need to know about blogging (not in the review, but in the book!).

I have two blogs. One for BookDisciple.com that is basically just an RSS feed telling subscribers when new content is added to the website. You can subscribe through FeedBurner.

Then I also have a (fairly new) blog called CarbonCopy. This is a blog telling subscribers about my life and ministry, and providing them with the chance to be cc’d on some useful communication about following Jesus, whether that communication takes place through reading, writing, audio, video, or whatever.

Feel free to subscribe to that blog’s feed if you are interested, also through FeedBurner.

In a future newsletter (or blog post!) I will share my list of favorite bloggers. I am, however, still new to all this and finding my feet in the blogosphere …

Thank you for reading! Now let’s get into the usual stuff.

Here's the top new reviews...

1) Jesus Drives Me Crazy! By Leonard Sweet

This is my new favorite book! Not a very bright statement to make at the rate I am reading, but in any case. Leonard succeeds in capturing the essence of this crazy life with the Holy Spirit in one sentence… Then he dissects that sentence and make sure you understand it fully.

What? You thought I was going to share it here? No such luck. Go read the review, where I tell all, and then please go on and read the book.

Click here to read the review of Jesus Drives Me Crazy!

2) Peppermint-filled Pinatas by Eric Michael Bryant

Sometimes we are all proud of ourselves and the progress we have made when we realize that we are now able to tolerate others. We can get along (without serious issues) with those different to us, whether that difference is racial, spiritual, national or physical.

However, we are commanded to love God, and to love others.

Allow Eric to show you how to break through tolerance and embrace love. This is an excellent book full of practical examples, and Eric is not scared to tackle the important issues… those that we need to address.

Click here to read the review of Peppermint-filled Pinatas

What's in my briefcase?

Books I am currently busy with and considering for review (this changes a lot as you will notice between newsletters) include the following:

And two essential and excellent secular books:

Another thing! Please visit the new page where you can enter your top five books. Your contribution is valuable, and might just help someone looking for a book on a specific subject to find a good one without the unnecessary trial and error. More details at What’s YOUR Five Favorite Books?

I also have some exciting news with which I conclude this issue of the Christian Book Epistle… Leonard Sweet gave me permission to summarize his books, and 2008 will be the year in which I implement Executive Book Summaries on BookDisciple.com. Each summary will be about one-tenth of the length of the book. Watch out for this!

Please feel free to reply to this newsletter if you have any queries or suggestions. Let me know which of the books listed above you would like most (or least) to have reviewed.

I am looking forward to your email!

Take care,
Dries.
BookDisciple.com