Books in Heavy Rotation

Here are some of the books, that I am reading or have been influential in my development.  Maybe you can add some of these to your own library.  Maybe you have an opinion on one of them. Let me know!

ESV Study Bible (English Standard Version)

This is simply the best study bible out there for people who want to not only read verses out of the bible, but to understand the message of the bible and articulate that message to other people.  Lots of great tools have been included to help one’s study of the Bible. (When you get the Bible, read St. Mark’s Gospel, Paul’s Letter to the Romans, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes,  and Ephesians )

Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley

This biography was such an amazing tale of a man who through the force of his convictions educates himself and becomes one of the strongest orators and thought leaders of the 60s.  Even if you disagree with his politics, his story is fascinating.

Martin Luther King Trilogy by Taylor Branch (Parting the Waters, Pillar of Fire, and On Canaan’s Edge”

This trilogy I still haven’t finished.  But if you are looking for something on the life and times SURROUNDING Dr. King and the players in that era (e.g. Kennedy, Malcolm X) this is series for you.  The author spent almost 20 years of his life putting the information together and its well worth the read.

Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper

Piper calls for those of us who are Christian to run after God and get out of boring, safe Christianity, and actually run after Jesus.

7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

If you are trying to pick up some tools to order your life, there are some here.

Desiring God by John Piper

Piper drops this gem. “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.”  Please read!

Destruction of Black Civilization by Chancellor Williams

Mr. Williams spent an inordinate amount of his life tracing the history of the decline of ancient African empires to the modern day neo-colonialism that is Africa’s calling card.

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Achebe speaks about a civilization — a way of life — that is killed ironically by “civilization.”  Good book: it gave me perspective.

The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

I just love anything that Mr. Gladwell writes.  The Tipping Point started the love affair.

21 Indisputable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell

John Maxwell writes this great one on leadership.

Slide-ology – The Art of Creating Great Presentations by Nancy Duarte

If you are into making presentations and want to understand the art behind great Powerpoint or Keynote slides, pick this one up for your library.

Vintage Jesus by Marc Driscoll

I haven’t read this one yet, I must confess.  However, I hear it is good for those who want to know about the life of Jesus in highly reader-friendly language.

Why We Can’t Wait by Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin speaks to the discontent of the Black America in the sixties.  Some of what he writes is still prescient for today and he is at his poetic best in this book.  The Letter of a Birmingham Jail is included.

Get Back in the Closet and Change?

My friend over at GCM watch posted some excerpts from Pastor Terrance Johnson’s sermon  ”Get Back in the Closet and Change.”  Let me know what you think.  Right or wrong?

http://www.gcmwatch.com/3779/houston-pastor-go-back-into-the-closet-and-change

The Good News Explained

God who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and completely self-sufficient, for his own glory, created the universe, as we know it.  He created space, the stars, the planets, our solar system, the moon, and planet earth.  On planet earth he created animals, plants, landforms, continents, mountains, and every living thing.  His most glorious creation was Man and Woman.  He created everything and then called it good!  (Gen 1).

But our first father Adam, chose to disobey God or “sin”, by not following God’s express command. (Gen 3:6) God’s promise to Adam was that in the day that they disobeyed him that they would be eternally separated from him.  Adam’s sin brought misery and pain into the world.  Much of what you see in the world is a result of Adam’s sin.  Not only did Adam’s sin cause the chaos in which we see, we as his children have inherited his sinful nature.  Although because of Adam’s sin, we have all been condemned, we too have committed sin against God and must pay an eternal price for that sin. Romans (3:23, 5:12, 6:23).  Moreover, the world is suffering from the sinful mistakes of man. (Gen 3:17, Romans 8:23)  Where there was order, there is now chaos.  Where there was harmony, there is now dissonance.  Where there was peace, there is now war.  Where there was life, there is now death.

The big issue revolves around God himself.  God is supremely righteous, holy, and just! (Psalm 145:17)  A just God must reward good and punish evil.  (Romans 1:18) Since the standard is 100% righteousness and we have sinned, even if ever so slightly, without an intervention we are destined punished eternally in hell.  (James 2:10)  Our disobedience towards God has caused Him extreme displeasure. Out of God’s justice he must punish our evil.

Here is the Good News.  Although God is holy and just, out of his mercy and love for us, He sent Jesus the divine Son of God who took on his shoulders the sins of the world and the punishment that went with it. (Romans 5:6, 2 Cor. 5:21)  God punished Jesus, ultimately killing him on the cross for the sins of the world.  This had to happen so that God’s supreme justice could be vindicated and shown to the world. (Romans 3:21-26)  Christianity revolves around this killing of Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary right outside of Jerusalem.  Miraculously, Jesus was resurrected from the dead showing the world that he had won victory over his enemies, beat death, and died for the sins of the world.

Those men and women who choose to accept Jesus as their substitutionary sacrifice for their sins and follow Him as Lord will be guaranteed eternal life.  This is the very heart of what it means to be a Christian – confessing our sins and believing in Jesus death, burial, and resurrection for those sins.  (Romans 10:9)

Jesus in redeeming humanity also will ultimately redeem the rest of creation.  Jesus is coming back and will rule on this earth with his followers as part of the glorious kingdom of God.  Things will be different, there will not be suffering, war, or poverty, but everything will be set a right. (Isaiah 11)  Those who place their faith will rule and reign with him forever. (Rev. 5:9-10)

He is the Holy Spirit…

In teaching on the Holy Spirit’s role in Acts, I saw a few things I wanted to share about Him:

*  He can’t be caught. “Catching the Spirit” is an expression that is tied to tradition and not truth.  The Spirit can move in a church service (Acts 2), but he can move any and anywhere he feels.  He is God.  Acts 5:3-4

*He is not an it.  The Spirit is not an it or impersonal force.  He is a person.  John 16:7

*He is the third person of the Triune God.  Matthew 28:19.  But the members of the Trinity are still one God.  Romans 6:4

*He is the Gift that God the Father gives to those who trust in Jesus for salvation.  Acts 2:38

*He won’t leave you.  He comes to live inside of you and is a seal of your salvation.  Ephesians 1:14; Romans 8:12.

*He is necessary to live out the lifestyle of the believer in Jesus.  Romans 8:5, Galations 5:16.

*He changes the worship game.  Before Jesus came to earth, the Holy Spirit lived in the temple, which was where you came to worship.  There was one place that people came to worship the One God and that was the temple in Jerusalem.  Now, the Holy Spirit lives in those who have trusted in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  We become the temples and the places of worship.  Our life and how we live it becomes an act of worship to God.  John 4:24; Romans 12:1.

*He makes living the a life in Christ exciting.  Listen for Him!

[Day 1] The Chu’ch: Together We Stand — The Issues at Ephesus, Part 1

 

 

 

Because of the length of this post I divided it into three posts.  What follows is a part of Acts 19 and one of the issues that the people in Ephesus struggled with.  The next two posts will deal with Negative Spirituality and Idolatry.

 

And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all. Acts 19: 1-7

 

Religious but No Understanding of the Gospel

 

     These guys Paul met in Ephesus were religious, but something about these guys tipped Paul off to ask the question, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”  Said another way: “Do you have God living inside of you?”  The Bible declares that they were disciples.  Disciples of what?  Disciples of whom?  They clearly were religious.  They acted the right way.  They said the right religious words.  “Paul, I’m blessed and highly favored.”  They knew the right scriptures to quote.  They even knew how to behave religiously.  But something that Paul perceived, caused him to say, “Yall look very religious and all, but have you ever met the living God?”

 

Then, Paul asks them, what were you baptized into?  They said, “John’s baptism.”  So,these folk had no idea about whom John was pointing to.  They thought John was the one.  Paul tells them, “No, John was not just preaching get right with God.  Repent.”  That’s religion.  “John was also pointing to the The Savior Jesus and wanted people to trust Him to save us from our sins.”  The religious disciples knew  that sin was bad and that they needed to repent, but they did not understand the second part of the message which is to “believe in Jesus.”  Mark 1:15.  We need somebody to save us from our sins.

 

What are some signs that you may have not have heard or understood the good news?  Here are a few:

 

• Some folk don’t have a clear understanding of the Gospel.  For instance, when you hear the word Gospel, you instantly think of music.
• You know God, but you know him like you know Kobe Bryant.  You have seen him at work, but you have no personal relationship with him.  You believe sin is wrong, but you’ve never trusted in Jesus to save you and heal you from your sins. 
• You are religious, but have no relationship with a living God.
• You have all the rules down, but don’t know the joy of living a free life in Christ.
• You believe that you have to do things in order to be accepted by God.  For instance, I go to church on Sunday, right after doing something bad on Saturday, because I feel guilty will help me feel better.
• You go to church, but you feel no connection to God. 
• You are trying to get into heaven by being a good person.

 

If any of these are you, please take some time to ask God for help to see and understand the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ.  Find a Christian pastor/teacher who can help you to understand the message of the gospel.  It is life and its liberating!  I have a couple of blog posts on the gospel here and here.    Definitely check, here!  Also, I will be more than happy to rap with you about your questions.  You can either post them here or email me at pngwolo@gmail.com.

Dont Waste your Life Commercial

LeCrae and ‘em are at it again. This one is so funny, but it is so true. Hip-hop music today has limited subject matter. What do you think?

iamsecond.com

I like this site!  It’s got a lot of celebrities, preachers, and normal folk expounding on why they are second check it out you might like it.  Tony Evans video on race was especially thought provoking.  www.iamsecond.com

Don’t Waste Your Life Video!

 

Man, this LeCrae song goes hard and so does the video check it out.  Chu’ch!  Let me know what you think

“Never Alone”

This is an awesome and powerful hymn:

I’ve seen the lightning flashing, I’ve heard the thunder roll.
I’ve felt sin’s breakers dashing, which almost conquered my soul.
I’ve heard the voice of my Savior, bidding me still to fight on.
He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone!

Refrain
No, never alone, no never alone,
He promised never to leave me,
He’ll claim me for His own;
No, never alone, no never alone.
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.
The world’s fierce winds are blowing, temptation sharp and keen.
I have a peace in knowing my Savior stands between
He stands to shield me from danger when my friends are all gone.
He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone!

Refrain
No, never alone, no never alone,
He promised never to leave me,
He’ll claim me for His own;
No, never alone, no never alone.
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.
When in affliction’s valley I tread the road of care,
My Savior helps me carry the cross so heavy to bear;
Though all around me is darkness, earthly joys all flown;
My Savior whispers His promise, never to leave me alone!

Refrain
No, never alone, no never alone,
He promised never to leave me,
He’ll claim me for His own;
No, never alone, no never alone.
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.
He died on Calvary’s mountain, for me they pierced His side.
For me He opened that fountain, the crimson, cleansing tide.
For me He waiteth in glory, seated upon His throne.
He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone!

Refrain
No, never alone, no never alone,
He promised never to leave me,
He’ll claim me for His own;
No, never alone, no never alone.
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.

A Heavenly Valentine’s Day Gift…

Valentine’s Day is the day that a good number of people are most aware of their need for love. For some people, it’s a happy day because they are receiving what they feel to be love from somebody else. For other people, it is a sad day because they are not receiving what they feel is love. Some folks have dates, some don’t!  Loneliness and depression can quickly set in.  Even if you are with a significant other or getting attention from somebody, it can sometimes feel forced and artificial.  Where can we find some real love!  Well I think God has a word for us this Valentine’s Day.

I John 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for^[a] our sins.

Love, real love,  is measured by the sacrifice God made for folk who do not love him back. He gave his adored Son, for folk who did not deserve it, so that those same folk could be close to him forever.  What an awesome privilege to know that you are loved and more importantly to have an opportunity to experience that love in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ!  Regardless of your earthly dating dilemma, take comfort in your loving relationship with God –believers.