Please don't call me Oprah

I was thinking the other day about the fact that a lot of what I have learned about ministry, God, culture, etc. comes from other people. I love to learn and study what is going on around us. I try to learn as much as I can from "those who have gone before us." I believe that much can be learned about what to do and what not to do by gleaning from the experience of others. Much of this has come from reading various books, magazines, websites, and the Bible. Often the books that I pick up to read are books that I have heard from a friend and they end up changing my life. So here goes...I figured that each month I will try to list one of the books that I am reading so that whoever is reading this can go pick up a copy and dig even deeper into the brain of what makes Freddy tick. Who knows, if enough people are interested we could even have a monthly meeting where we get together and discuss the book of the month.

So here goes, the current books that I am reading are First Things First by Stephen Covey (about efficient time management), The Lombardi Rules by Vince Lombardi Jr. (about leadership), and I just picked up a copy of Your Best Life Now by Joel Osteen. This is the book that I want to highlight for January.

I love Joel Osteen. He is such an encouragement to me. I don't get to watch his services too often, but every time I have seen him preach I think, "Man, this guy is on point. He is down to earth, excited, and preaches from the same 'faith' perspective that I do." I would love to model my ministry after this guys. Now, I realize that God has called us all to something different, but I just greatly admire his humility, authenticity, and practical applications of the Bible. I believe that is why God has exalted him to be the pastor of the largest and fastest growing church in America...because he knows who Christ is and who Joel isn't. But he also knows who We are in Christ. That's what I'm talking about Willis! So anyway, that's what this new book is all about. The subtitle is "7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential." You can find a copy of it on the Best Seller rack at any local bookstore. Barnes and Nobles, and Books-A-Million have it on sale for 30% off right now...making it $14.00. So anyway, that is the book that I will be devouring this month, and who knows...it might even turn into a future sermon series (like The Epic did).

If you just absolutely love to read life changing books, here is a list of some others that have greatly impacted me over the past few years.....
Wild at Heart by John Eldredge(what true manhood really is)
God's Armor Bearer Volumes 1 & 2 by Terry Nance (serving God by serving others)
21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell (effective leadership)
anything by John Maxwell (leadership)
An Unstoppable Force by Erwin McManus (doing church in the postmodern generation)
The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (obedience to Christ)

So anyway...this month...Your Best Life Now by Joel Osteen...we'll see how this goes. Just don't call me Oprah. haha