Books I've Read this Year

A friend of mine did a post similar to this, but I thought I would post the books I've read this year. This is just a complete list and in no particular order as far as favorites or recommendations; just a list of what I've read this year. Hopefully next year the list will be even longer:

• The Gospel According to Starbucks by Leonard Sweet
• Aqua Church 2.0 by Leonard Sweet
• Next Generation Leader by Andy Stanley
• it: How Churches and Leaders Can it and Keep it by Craig Groeschel
• Simple Church by Thom S. Rainer & Eric Geiger
• Crazy Love by Francis Chan
• Fearless by Max Lucado
• Tender Warrior by Stu Weber
• Living With Confidence in a Chaotic World by David Jeremiah
• My Heart's Desire by David Jeremiah
• Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

And here are a few books I am currently reading, though you can actually see this to the right:

• The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey
• Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper
• How to Reach Your Full Potential for God by Charles Stanley

Along with the books I am currently reading, for your fancy here is a list of books I have waiting to be read at this point right now:

• Here I Am to Worship by Tim Hughes
• Facedown by Matt Redman
• Forgotten God by Francis Chan
• Scouting the Divine by Margaret Feinberg
• Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
• A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller
• What's So Amazing About Grace? by Philip Yancey
• How Now Shall We Live? by Charles Colson and Nancy Pearcey
• Called to Worship by Vernon Whaley
• Captured by Grace by David Jeremiah
• Chasing Daylight by Erwin McManus

There you have it. Take from this what you will and hopefully maybe you can find some books on this list that you might enjoy reading.

2009 Coming to a Close

Well tomorrow is the last day of 2009, the end of another century. What a year this has been. Some of the worst economical times we have ever seen, especially my generation, and the inauguration of our first African American president. This year also held our 2nd anniversary, 2 years working at Starbucks and 2 years on staff at Bethel Baptist Church. We have definitely seen God's hand at work in our lives. We have both been blessed with jobs that have held on during the economy, a wonderful church family and some great friends.

As I look ahead to 2010 there are some things I really want to happen in my own life. On the top of that list is my time in the Word learning and growing in my relationship with God. Unfortunately that wonderful Book stays in my bag, sits on the nightstand or the bookshelf most of the time and not open in my hands, heart and mind. I really want that to change this coming year. One way I'm hoping this will happen is from the team at LifeChurch.tv. They have come out with a wonderful resource, YouVersion. It's an online Bible community with all kinds of great tools to get in the Word. Not only can you get on it from the internet, you can also access YouVersion on your smartphone. Now that I have a BlackBerry, I've got the app on my phone and have used it numerous times. Now has is YouVersion going to help me stay in the Word on a daily basis? Brand new are YouVersion's Reading Plans. They have over 20 different plans and I've set up one and will be starting on January 1, 2010 and Lord willing I will finish December 31, 2010. This also syncs with the mobile app and is capable of tracking your progress. Check it out if you get a chance. LifeChurch.tv and YouVersion have some great tools.

I also want to continue reading more. I really started reading more the later part of this year and have really enjoyed it. I'm thankful for my wife signing me up to be a Book Review Blogger through Thomas Nelson. I've gotten the chance to read and review some great books. I look forward to more in the future. Plus I've just picked up more books in general. Some that I own, ones that my wife owns, others I've won and others that I've gone out and bought. Right now I've got a stack of about 10 books on my nightstand that I'm anxious to read. Gotta make it through the ones you see on the right side of the screen first. If anyone has some great books out there that they've read, leave me a comment with the title and author. Always on the lookout for some more books.

Well there's a quick look at my thoughts as we come upon the new year. I hope I can continue writing on this blog with more topics than Sunday Setlists and some book reviews. Still getting used to writing things down. I really want this blog to become a place where I can share what I've been learning and what God has been doing in my life and hopefully encourage you in your own life. Praying God's blessing on each and everyone one of you as we enter into 2010.

Sunday Setlist - 12.27.09

Week #75 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, December 27th.

- Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You (Christmas version)
- Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (Travis Cottrell version)
- Glory to God Forever
- How Great Thou Art (Paul Baloche version)

This morning at Bethel we only had one service, which is rare, but also quite nice because it gave me the chance to sleep in on a Sunday morning which never happens. Also means my team for this morning didn't have to be at church anywhere near the length of time they usually are. Plus it's always nice to have the whole church together at the same time and see our sanctuary full. It's such a great feeling to be worshiping with the whole church. Our pastor was on vacation this week so the Word was brought to us by our former student ministries director. It's always great when he brings the Word. This morning we were challenged as we move ahead into the new year to really look at our priorities and really strive to live for God and be in His Word daily. It's a great toolbox full of tools to live our lives with, but only works best when it's open. "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12.1-2

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out Fred McKinnon's blog at http://www.fredmckinnon.com/myblog/2009/12/27/sunday-setlists-75/

Sunday Setlist - 12.20.09

Week #74 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, December 20th.

- Angels We Have Heard On High
- Silent Night
- Angels From the Realms of Glory

We were also blessed this morning to have a friend of our pastor, Thomas Sorrentino, come up this morning and sing a couple songs. The first song was "Changed By A Baby Boy." I also put together a choir for this piece and Thomas sang solo with choir accompaniment. Then he also sang a fantastic arrangement of "Mary, Did You Know?" It was a blessing to have him with us sharing the gift that God has blessed him with. Our congregation also enjoyed hearing a choir as we don't have one very often. Last time I put one together was last Christmas. May be doing it a little more often in the future.

This morning was the 4th Sunday of Advent and we lit the Candle of Peace. We also continued in our "A Christmas Pursuit" series with a message from Luke 1.46-55. He focused on three words from verse 50 taken from the NIV, "His mercy extends." Great message and an overall great morning of worship! Spent a lot of hours getting ready for this, but I believe the Lord was honored and glorified this morning. Now to finish getting ready for Christmas Eve and then enjoying some much needed time off.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out Fred McKinnon's blog at http://www.fredmckinnon.com/myblog/2009/12/20/sunday-setlists-74/

Sunday Setlist - 12.13.09

Week #73 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, December 13th.

- Everlasting God
- Glory in the Highest
- Joy to the World
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

This morning was the 3rd Sunday of Advent, and we lit the Candle of Joy and we also continued in our "A Christmas Pursuit" series. This morning we focused on why Christ came to this earth. This morning I also had some of the worship team read Luke 2.8-14 which ends with "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" From there we moved into Chris Tomlin's "Glory in the Highest" and the Spirit of the Lord was moving. What a wonderful morning of worship lifting high the name of the Lord in worship and praise.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out Fred McKinnon's blog at http://www.fredmckinnon.com/myblog/2009/12/13/sunday-setlists-73/

Sunday Setlist - 12.06.09

Week #72 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, December 6th.

- Hosanna
- One Small Child
- What Child is This?

This morning was the 2nd Sunday in Advent, and we lit the Candle of Love. Our focus was on the love that God had for us in that He sent Love to the earth in the form of a baby that would one day grown up to be a man and die for our sins on a cross. And as we continued with our Christmas series "A Christmas Pursuit" we focused on the miracle of Christmas. One of our elders brought the Word as our pastor was on vacation.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out Fred McKinnon's blog at http://www.fredmckinnon.com/myblog/2009/12/07/sunday-setlists-72/

Sunday Setlist - 11.29.09

Week #71 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, November 29th.

- Forever
- New Doxology
- O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
- Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

This being the Sunday after Thanksgiving and the beginning of Advent, I wanted to combine a time of worship with the idea of giving thanks and the songs of the Christmas season. So we give thanks to the Lord because His love endures forever and praising Him because of his many blessings. This Sunday we lit the Candle of Hope as we long for the birth of our Lord Emmanuel.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out Fred McKinnon's blog at http://www.fredmckinnon.com/myblog/2009/11/29/sunday-setlists-71/