Pastor’s November Book Selection

One Holy Passion: The Consuming Thirst to Know God by R. C. Sproul

Over the years as a Christian and a pastor, I have come to the conclusion that the greatest remedy for the feelings of depression and despair, for our worries, for the habitual sins that simply seem to hang on to us, and for many of the other spiritual and emotional afflictions that weigh us down is … to dwell upon, and develop a passion, for the incomprehensible God of Scripture. While such an undertaking may seem paradoxical R.C. Sproul helps us to do just that in his marvelous book, “One Holy Passion”.
Beginning with his own thirst to know God, he takes the reader on a journey through the attributes of God that force us to think deeply about our Maker. The author encourages us

  • to consider those aspects of God that set him apart from all other creatures
  • to understand that this God has revealed himself to us in Jesus Christ
  • to know that he loves us,
  • to recognize that he has redeemed us as his own. Contemplating these ideas will help us to grow in a holy passion that lifts our souls and inspires us to pursue our Father above all else.

I cannot suggest a work on the attributes of God more than “One Holy Passion”. I encourage us all to read this book so as to develop a consuming thirst to know God.

Pastor’s October Book Selection

Hide Or Seek: When Men Get Real With God About Sex by John Freeman

In today’s world, and in the Church, sexual struggles are too often kept in the closet by people wanting to be set free, but terrified about opening up to others. Consequently, they live in the shadows, vainly trying to shed the guilt and shame of their battles, while growing more and more hopeless as time wears on. John Freeman, founder and director of Harvest Ministries, has provided a great resource for this problem. Drawing from real-life accounts, and years of experience the author describes, analyzes, and offers hope to men caught in the relentless cycle of sin, shame, repentance, and further sin. Freeman does not simply offer shallow self-help techniques that never seem to work, rather, he walks with the reader through the lonely and debilitating helplessness that accompanies habitual sexual sin. Shining the light of the gospel into the darkness of despair “Hide or Seek” lets the reader see Jesus standing with him in the midst of his sin, pain, and confusion. If you are one that struggles with pornography or other unhealthy sexual practices, this book will give you confidence that God is able and willing to change your heart, that he has provided the means to do so, and that (as it says in chapter 9) he will lead you out of the fog and into the light of a life of repentance. I cannot recommend a book on this topic more highly than Hide or Seek.

Bill Mayk

Pastor’s September Book Selection

The Holy Bible by God

I had already chosen a book to recommend this September when I decided instead to suggest The Holy Bible. There are many other fine works by Christian authors throughout the centuries that can be beneficial to our spiritual growth. However, none of them have any lasting value unless they teach what God has revealed in the Scriptures.

As God’s people, we believe the Bible to be the inerrant and infallible Word of God that is necessary for our salvation and growth in godliness. Our own confessional standards teach us that only in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments do we learn how to glorify and enjoy God. It is for these reasons that I recommend that we all either continue or begin to, not only read select portions of the Scriptures on a daily basis, but that (as much as possible) we read and meditate deeply on the entire Bible, seeking to hear from the Holy Spirit and to apply God’s word to every area of our lives.

Consequently, I highly recommend The Holy Bible to all those wishing to know God, to be saved by our Redeemer, and to grow in godliness, glorifying and enjoying our Father, His eternal Son, and The Holy Spirit.

WPE