Calling All Chili Lovers!

I like chili!  I like cooking it, and I enjoy sitting down to a nice hot bowl of chili on a cold winter night, or a cool fall evening, or a nice spring day, or…. well, you get the idea.

So I’m happy to announce Community Pentecostal Church’s fourth annual Chili Cook-off!  It’s all happening this Saturday, February 9, 2013, at 5:30 PM.  There will be lots of different chilis to try (last year we had nine!), some great entertainment, and lots of awards and prizes.  We will be asking for donations towards our windows fund, but you can receive a charitable donation receipt for amounts over $10.  The Kennedy family (aka The Soggy Bottom Boys) will bring some great musical entertainment.

Prepare your best chili recipe, bring your pot of chili and your appetite, and join us for a fun evening.  Just so we can be prepared, please let us know you are coming.  Call the church at 705-426-5673, or email me: dporteroffice(at)gmail.com.

The church is at the corner of highway 12 & highway 48 just south of Beaverton.

God bless, and we hope to see you Saturday!

David

Breakfast With Bonhoeffer by Jon Walker: A Review

I was intrigued with this book, yet unsure at the same time.  Over the past few years, I have grown to appreciate the depth of thought and character in Dietrich Bonhoeffer, yet reading Jon Walker’s writing has been a challenge for me.  I often found him to be difficult to follow when I read two of his previous books.  So when I was given the opportunity to read and review this book, I wasn’t sure that I wanted to take it on.

Breakfast With Bonhoeffer is Walker’s personal journey through wrestling with Bonhoeffer’s writings in the midst of dealing with some of life’s greatest challenges.  Part of the positive aspect of this book is Walker’s own story.  It helped me to understand a little better why I found his writing challenging to follow.  Jon Walker has had to deal with many challenges in life, one of them being bipolar disorder.

Walker lays his life and soul bare in this book, for which he is to be commended.  His personal reflections on wrestling with life’s challenges present the reader with some creative insights into the Christian life.  However, I find that his analysis of Bonhoeffer leaves the reader wanting more.  Now I’m walking a fine line here.  I reflected on an earlier book of Walker’s, critiquing his quotations from Bonhoeffer, noting that it seemed as is he was quoting the Bible itself.  But it seems here that he skims the surface of Bonhoeffer’s writings, leaving the reader wanting more depth.  Perhaps I’m being too picky here, but that’s my impression.

For those who enjoy Jon Walker’s writing, this book will be a treat.  It will be an eye-opener for those who have struggled with reading his books.  But if one is willing to get beyond these issues, insights on the Christian life can be found.

I received this book for free in order to write a review.  However, the thoughts expressed here are my own; I was not required to submit a positive review.

Heaven Changes Everything by Todd & Sonja Burpo: A Review

This book is advertised as a “devotional reader.”  As such, it is designed to be read a little at a time, or a section each day or week.  It is a follow-up or companion to the Burpos’ other book Heaven is For Real.  The first book is about the Burpos’ four-year-old son’s visit to heaven.  Because Heaven Changes Everything relies so heavily on the first book, it can be a little frustrating to read without having first read Heaven is For Real.

That aside, there are lots of things in the book to challenge and encourage the reader.  As the title suggests, having confidence regarding heaven can change everything about life.  It is subtitled, “Living Every Day with Eternity in Mind.”  The devotional thoughts shared in the book can be encouraging for the reader, especially those already convinced of heaven.

The one concern I would express regarding this book is that the thoughts are based on one family’s personal experiences, rather than being drawn from Scripture.  At the end of each devotional reading, there is a Scripture verse quoted, but it seems to be an after-thought, tacked on to try to justify what was said.  Personal experience is wonderful, but it must take distant second place to Scripture.

That being said, this book can be an encouraging read for anyone.

I received this book for free from booksneeze.com for review purposes.  However, the thoughts shared here are my own.  I was not required to submit a positive review.

Hurting With God by Glenn Pemberton: A Review

“Learning to Lament with the Psalms” clues in the reader that this book focuses on the Psalms.  Glenn Pemberton speaks to the issue of lament from his own personal experience.  He highlights lament by examining the lament psalms.  The Psalmists were not afraid to express their sorrow and grief and even anger at God, and neither should we.

He comments that lament has lost its place in the church, where we have placed undue emphasis on being happy.  Pemberton argues that we do a disservice to members and visitors by hiding the issue of lament.

Hurting With God is well-written and covers the lament psalms extensively.  As a result, the average reader may find it challenging to keep reading.  That said, I feel the best section of the book is the conclusion, where Pemberton shares some ideas for incorporating lament into the life of the church.  Because of Pemberton’s personal experiences and academic background, it is a valuable resource for church leaders and members alike.

I received this book for review purposes, but was not required to give a positive view as a result.  The views expressed here are my own.

God bless,

David

Building Family Ties with Faith, Love & Laughter by Dave Stone: A Review

Dave Stone is a pastor who rightly believes it is essential to build strong families.  One of the things he argues for is a family mission statement.  At the foundation of a strong family is intentionality.

This stated, it seems to me that the stories he shares seem unrealistic for the average Christian family.  Perhaps I’m out of touch, but the average family may be put off by the stories that are related in the book.

However, there are some strong suggestions in the book; making sure your kids know of your firm commitment to your marriage; making room for humour; and spontaneity.  Also, meals together as a family are important for fostering togetherness and strength.

Intentional families can turn their focus from themselves to the needs of others.  Stone has shared many good pointers for building strong families.  I just don’t want readers to be put off by the idealistic models presented in his book.

I received a copy of this book for review purposes, but I was not required to submit a positive review.  The thoughts expressed here are my own.

Blessings,

David

Alpha Course at Community Pentecostal Church

Just a brief post here, especially aimed at those in the Brock Township area.  Our church, Community Pentecostal, at the corner of highway 12 & highway 48 south of Beaverton, is hosting the Alpha course.  It begins on Wednesday, September 26 at 7 PM and runs for 10 weeks.  A meal is included for each week, followed by a video talk and discussion.  Alpha is a great introduction to Christianity, and can assist in a person’s search for truth and meaning in life.  Have you got questions?  This is the place to ask them!

There is Kids Club for kids ages 6-11.  Youth are invited to participate in the Alpha course.  Phone 705-426-5673 or email dporteroffice@gmail.com to register.  It’s important that you register so we are prepared for you!  We are able to accommodate the first 30 people who register.

Contact me if you have any questions.

God bless,

David

The Power of the Prophetic Blessing by John Hagee: A Review

 

John Hagee’s new book came to me in order to read and review.  I must confess that i ordinarily wouldn’t pick up one of his books to read.  However, I endeavoured to put aside any previous judgments as I read this book.

In reading the first section I found his treatment of the biblical text to be forced when he claims that the number eight in the Bible represents new beginnings.  If that’s the case, why don’t we make our weeks into eight days and thus have a “new beginning” each week?

While Hagee makes extensive use of the Scriptures in his writing, I find that his interpretation is forced in order to suit his own viewpoint.  Small things in Scripture are blown up to make them of more significance than was necessarily intended.

We definitely are to experience God’s blessings in our lives as Christians, but neither are we to discount the challenges and persecutions.  Jesus Himself told His disciples that we would experience persecution and trouble.  The Power of the Prophetic Blessing claims that we can in a sense twist God’s arm and make sure we and our families are blessed.  He writes that the blessings must be spoken in order for the power to be released.  This reduces them to little more than a magic formula muttered by a pagan priest to curry favour with the deity.

This book will not remain on my shelves, nor will I recommend it to others.  I am uncomfortable with any claims of a formula for us to follow.  I think I’ll stick with following Christ.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes.  However, I am free to express my opinion and am not required to submit a positive review.

Thanks for reading,

David