Guidance from Overlooked Men and Women of the Bible

Category: Books (Page 9 of 15)

For the Glory – Chariots of Fire Revisited

Eric Liddell, the subject of Duncan Hamilton’s biography, For the Glory, was both an Olympic champion in the 400 meters and an exemplary missionary in China. Perhaps even more impressive is how he treated people throughout his life. Rich or poor, English or Chinese, he truly “did unto others” in the sense that Jesus meant.

One of my favorite movies of all time is Chariots of Fire, which came out in 1981 and told the story of Liddell and fellow countryman Harold Abrahams, as their running careers culminated in the 1924 Olympics. This book goes much deeper into Liddell’s family background and follows his life up to that Olympic moment, then on through his missionary career in China. Liddell’s faith in Christ and his devotion to others shines through in the book.

Liddell’s life story is wonderful and tragic. As you read you’ll discover a new hero in the faith, just as I’ve done. This is a splendid book for your summer reading and I encourage you to watch the movie if you’ve never seen it!

Paul – A Man of Grace and Grit

A man who stared down kings, survived stonings and shipwrecks, healed the sick and shook off the venom of poisonous vipers – what’s not to love about Paul? I just read this book for a course I’m taking on Acts and the Pauline Epistles. I thoroughly enjoyed Charles Swindoll’s thoughts on the life and ministry of Paul. It’s been I long time since I’ve read a book by Swindoll and I was quickly reminded of his humor, insights and his practicality of application, especially for those in ministry.

In the first chapter I was struck by Swindoll’s description of Saul as a “religious terrorist.” Swindoll goes on to say “That’s why there’s nothing more frightening, more vicious than a religious terrorist. What they do, they justify in the name of God.” Since this book was published, we’ve seen ever-increasing evidence of that reality. Which make me wonder, is there another Paul out there, currently committed to Islamic terrorism, who will become the great missionary of tomorrow? I hope and pray so. Perhaps even on the road to Damascus a similar miracle could occur?

Two thoughts kept circling around in my mind as I read this book and as I jotted down notable passages on the way through. First, this life of adventure lived by Paul. His was no boring, cloistered life of ministry. He was fully engaged and ever pushing on to new arenas. Fearless comes to mind. A second thought emerged as I found my way to the final few chapters; a theme that I’ve been weighing personally for the last year or so, and the life of Paul demonstrates it so well. That is, our need for longevity in ministry, or finishing well with the Lord, or keeping the faith until the end of life. My life, in particular.

I loved the book. So much so I ordered another book in the series. I’m challenged to push forward in my work in missions despite the daily obstacles. I encouraged to continue to pursue depth in life and in the Lord. Finally, I’m inspired to end strong and finish the race in a manner of which Paul would approve.

An Encouragement on MLK Day

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.            – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today is our holiday reserved to celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., commonly referred to as MLK day. I made it a point several years ago to start reading about the life and work of Dr. King. On this day I can say that Martin Luther King is one of my leadership heroes. Rarely will you see a leader so given to his ideals and so committed to his methods. King’s commitment to nonviolence endured despite being spit upon, hit in the head with bricks and constantly threatened. Martin Luther King is an American hero and a wonderful example of a leader who put his Christian faith into practice.

I would encourage you to read more about Dr. King and a good place to start is with his autobiography, pictured here. If you’ve not read it before, I would suggest you add it to your booklist for the year. You’ll be impressed and encouraged and thankful for this man who has blessed our times.

 

For the Love of Reading – Books I Read in 2016

I enjoy reading. It’s a pleasure that never grows old. I read a great deal as I work in ministry and I read just for fun.

This year I’ve read some excellent books and also read some that were not so great, but that’s how it goes. Here my list of the books (with the author’s last name) that I read this past year, in the order I read them. You’ll find **highlighted** the books I enjoyed the most and recommend highly. Happy reading!

Lead like Jesus – Blanchard & Hodges
** The Witches – Schiff **
The Kill Artist – Silva
Movements That Change the World – Addison
Predictable Success – McKeown
Impact – Irwin
Leadership and Self-Deception – Arbinger Institute
** Dead Wake – Larson **
H3 Leadership – Lomenick
The English Assassin – Silva
** The Things They Carried – O’Brien **
Multipliers – Wiseman
Native Son – Wright
** Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus – Qureshi **
The Water is Wide – Conroy

Black Hawk Down – Bowden
The Girl in the Glass – Ford
Accelerate – Kotter
** This Change is Everything – Sebastian ** 
The Prince of Tides – Conroy
** I Once Was Lost – Everts & Schaupp **
** The Revenant – Punke **
The Stoning of Soraya M. – Sahebjam
Delighting in the Trinity – Reeves
The Way Is Made By Walking – Boers
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek – Dillard
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind – Kamkwamba
** Church History in Plain Language – Shelley **
The Climb to Hell – Olsen
The Confessor – Silva

** Heroic Leadership – Lowney **
** Confederates: A Novel – Keneally **
Pope Joan: A Novel – Cross
A Life God Rewards – Wilkinson
The Sabbath – Heschel
Epic – Eldredge
The Fox was Ever the Hunter – Muller
True Community – Bridges
A Death in Vienna – Silva
Discovering the Camino de Santiago – Markey
Night of the Grizzlies – Olsen
Create vs. Copy – Wytsma
Being White – Harris & Schaupp
** The Bridge on the Drina – Andric **

The Color of Wealth – Lui et al
Danny the Champion of the World – Dahl
Prince of Fire – Silva
The Coffee Trader – Liss
** The First Time We Saw Him – Mikalatos ** 
** Follow the River – Thom **
Longshot in Missouri – Baker
** In the Sanctuary of Outcasts – White **
The Messenger – Silva
Brothers, We Are Not Professionals – Piper
The Confessions of Nat Turner – Styron
A Man Called Ove – Backman
Eat, Move, Sleep – Rath
** Hillbilly Elegy – Vance **

Finally, in December I finished my “read through the Bible in a year” program, so I include: ** The Holy Bible, New International Version **

« Older posts Newer posts »

© 2024 Dave Dishman

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑