Sorting Beans

Lessons From College

May 10, 2013 in Leadership, Life with 0 Comments

Effectively, I have one more night of class left. Tomorrow will be my last day on campus for taking classes to complete my degree. On Saturday the 18th of this month I will receive a degree in biblical studies with a core concentration in leadership and ministry.

I have sacrificed many hours of family time to complete this degree. If you know me personally, you will know that this sacrifice was the greatest of all. I love my family and I love spending time with them.

Graduating with a degree in Bible for ministry leadership was not easy. My reading and writing list was intense, but it was well worth the time. I am not sure, however, if any degree is worth the money invested.

There are many things I have learned through my completion of this degree program, but there are a few lessons that stand out above all others. After graduating, I intend to write a series of posts that highlight some of these valuable lessons. They may not be what you would expect from a college graduate, but then again, some of you will no doubt expect these lessons to be the most important and necessary learning outcomes.

While I have a few things I would like to share with you, perhaps you have questions you would like answered. Something about Bible college in particular, or any questions you might have about a Bible degree is fine.

Would you like your question answered?

Would you like your question answered? Leave your comment by clicking here.

I posted this from WordPress for Android

‎”Individualism is a renegade idea in the mind of men to deify self and demonize God. The person’s mind-set on individualism sees his own interests to be the justifier of his purposes and views God’s design for humanity as an invasion of personal rights and an imposition to self-fulfillment.”

Book Signing on the West Side

No events booked at the moment.

I will have softbacks, hardbacks, as well as e-books for any device available. I will running a promotion where every hardback purchase will get you a 50% discount on all e-books formats. Be sure to show up early because there is a limited supply on hardbacks.

I hope to see you there!

For information on future events, visit the events page.
For booking, contact me.

Book Signing #2

October 20, 2012 in Events, Resources with 0 Comments

Today I have my second book signing. It’s at Family Christian Stores in Tri-County, Cincinnati. The good folks here at the store have been a pleasure to work with thus far, and we’re both looking forward to a good day.

If you are in or near the Cincinnati are, stop by and say hi. I’d love to see, or meet you!

4 Terrible and Wonderful Truths About God’s Love

October 18, 2012 in Theology with 0 Comments

God’s love is the greatest thing a person can know. The most wonderful feeling is knowing that transcendent, sovereign God personally loves you. Sometimes, though, when clinging to this truth we negate the dreadful reality of all that God’s love accomplishes.

In my book, THINC About It: Reading Christ in Scripture, I mention that “the wonderful love of God that we may use as a vehicle for an emotional high is the very same love that drives His righteous judgment” (p. 12). This may be uncomfortable, but it’s true. If it is uncomfortable for you to think of God’s love this way, perhaps this post will help you see both the terrible and wonderful truths (among others) of God’s love.
Continue Reading…

If you come to Jesus, you will see your loved one again in Heaven. Or not.

October 16, 2012 in Theology with 0 Comments

As I was reading a book by C.S. Lewis, [affiliate link] A Grief Observed, I came across something that turned me a little sideways. It reminded me of what Jesus said about following Him. Do you know the verse, when Jesus said that you must deny yourself to follow Him (Matt. 16:24; Luke 9:23)? It’s something we westerners have a somewhat difficult time embracing. Yet, if we don’t, we will never see the glory of Heaven.

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Lewis, in this particular book, was talking about the sense of loss he has for his deceased wife. She had passed away and this book seems to be an out pouring of his grief for her. He relates this grief to all aspects of how we experience grief. Lewis brilliantly gives an exposition of grief through a thoughtful illustrative introspection of personal experience.
Continue Reading…

How I Broke the Rules on My First Public Book Signing Event

October 10, 2012 in Events, Leadership with 0 Comments

If you want to be a successful author, to get your name out there and sell as much as you possibly can, then you need to launch your product in a way that yields the greatest possible return. Well, I broke that rule with my book, and I’ll tell you why.

First Public Book Signing Event… at a Local Church.

I started out like most. I hosted a private book signing party, where I invited close friends only and sold copies at a discount price and gave away marketing material. Then I asked those who came to this private event to read some of the book, if not all of it, and promote it on their social media outlets and to their friends.

This is typical. Sure, my event was probably much more “laid back” than most professional writers, but the point is I started out according to “industry standards.”

But then I broke the rules.

You Can’t Know Scripture Without Knowing Jesus

October 8, 2012 in Discipleship, Resources, Theology with 0 Comments

I have served in various ministry leadership positions including preaching, teaching, discipleship, pastoring, worship, small groups, outreach, church planting, and more. Through these experiences I have seen first hand the low view of Christ in Scripture that many believers hold. This ultimately stems from a misunderstanding of the gospel, causing the Bible to appear primarily as a moral guidebook, a compendium of principles for good living, a collection of the histories of heroes, or a summary of messages for unbelievers.

I don’t say this arrogantly, but with a heavy heart. This was once my position. It’s a problem that needs addressed in the church.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is not something we must believe only to be saved before we move on to deeper things In Scripture. Instead, the gospel that saves sinners is the same gospel that sanctifies and grows the saved—a Christian lives on the gospel!

That is precisely why I wrote THINC About It: Reading Christ in Scripture.

Barriers to Overcoming Conflict

October 3, 2012 in Leadership, Life with 0 Comments

Conflict is that thing most are weary of confronting and few understand properly. In its most basic sense, conflict is no more than a difference of opinion. It is merely two things that are in opposite to each other. This does not mean conflict is automatically opposition. Conflict in and of itself is neither good or bad, it is the way it’s handled that can be destructive or constructive.

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A relationship constitutes the involvement of more than one party. Each party possesses different opinions on things. It almost goes without saying that some of those opinions are opposing. Differences of opinions can escalade into heated arguments when conflict arises if it is not dealt with properly. The way in which conflict is dealt with, however, depends a great deal on the relationship type that is at hand.

Is it a family sub-system? Is it a friendship? Is it a marriage without children? Is it an external influence on the family? Is it a private conflict, or one that needs addressed in the family as a whole? Is it faculty related? Work peers?

Resolution will often depend on the type of conflict at hand. Handling it poorly can be destructive to the relationship(s) involved. Here are some barriers to overcoming conflict to look out for:

Maintaining Authenticity [video blog]

October 1, 2012 in Leadership, Life with 1 Comment

Authenticity builds integrity. These two flow from character. When they are maintained, the result is credibility. Today I am sharing a video with you I took while out driving my route in my 9-5 job where I talk about these things. After the video are a few comments and a question for you.