Category Archives: Books I’m Reading

Just a few books I’ve been into lately. I thought I’d share!

The Gospel According To Starbucks by Leonard Sweet
Chasing Daylight by Erwin Mcmanus
Wide Awake by Erwin Mcmanus
Between A Rock A Hard Place by Aron Ralston
More Than Enough by Dave Ramsey
Trail Blazer the story of David Livingston
Unstoppable Force by Erwin Mcmanus

Arizona Cardinals, Books I'm Reading, Football, Kurt Warner

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Being from Iowa, when I heard Kurt Warner was going to quarterback the St. Louis Rams my ears perked up immediately. Since he took the team to the Super bowl  our family has followed the Warner’s for the past decade and half.

I just picked up his book First Things First yesterday.

Kurt Warner is the two-time NFL MVP–winning quarterback of the Arizona Cardinals. Brenda Warner is an ex-Marine turned stay-at-home mom who collects coats for low-income kids and rocks babies to sleep at a hospital for chronically-ill infants. Together they’re the parents of seven, going into their 12th year of marriage, and founders of a foundation that helps disadvantaged children and families. Their formula for success? They put First Things First—family, faith, and giving to others—it’s their family motto, and it drives everything they do. First Things First is an honest, insightful, and entertaining look at life inside the Warner household. Kurt and Brenda speak candidly about their marriage, the values they are working to instill in their kids, things they’ve done right, mistakes they’ve made, the importance of giving back, and the legacy they hope to leave behind.

Can’t wait to finished it and have Kurt come to speak at our church here in Prescott someday.

Steve

Lead pastor Prescott First Assembly

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Books I'm Reading

EPHESIANS part 4

Here is the outline to part 4 4 of our Ephesians series.

EPHESIANS
What being a Christ follower looks like
part 4
Pastor Steve Lummer

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints Ephesians 1:18 (niv)

Ephesians is has a two part theme:
1. Who we are in Christ  Chapters 1-3 – DOCTRINAL chapters
2. How we should live  Chapters 4-6 – PRACTICAL chapters

Paul gives us a great look at how we can understand how the Christian life works.
” ‘Who are you, Lord?’  … “‘What do you want me to do, Lord?’ I asked Acts 22::8-10

The Threefold postures of the Christ life

1. Our Status – SIT
God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus Ephesians 2:6

2. Our Service – WALK
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light Ephesians 5:8

3. Our Strategy – STAND
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 613

The Greek verb to “STAND” means to “HOLD YOUR GROUND”

We don’t fight FOR victory …..we fight FROM victory

“They overcame the devil by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony.” Revelation 12:11

1. STAND UP –  Nehemiah. 9:5

2. STAND OUT –  Romans 12:1,2

3. STAND IN –  1 Corinthians. 2:5

4. STAND STILL –  Exodus. 14:13
The power of perseverance
Ever seen one of those inflatable clowns with a round base? When you knock him down he bounces back up wearing a big, cheesy grin! Perseverance: it’s a powerful tool! The Bible says, “Blessed is the man who perseveres.” Paul was flogged, shipwrecked, persecuted, and imprisoned in establishments without weight rooms, HDTV, and time off for good behavior! He could have thrown in the towel, but instead he said, “I have no regrets. I couldn’t be more sure of my ground – the One I’ve trusted in can take care of…me…to the end” (2Ti 1:12 TM). Can you say that?
God isn’t impressed by human ability, dynamic personalities, titles, and designer clothes. He respects people who, when they get knocked down, bounce back with their faith intact, more determined than ever to live for Him. It’s Satan’s job to attack you – it’s your job to fight back. If you are passive he will demolish you! Paul writes: “Resist the enemy…[and] after the battle you will still be standing” (Eph 6:13 NLT). Perseverance means staying in the fight and refusing to give up. It empowers you so you stop feeling like a victim of circumstances. It builds your confidence and becomes a tool you automatically use.
Somebody said the nose of the bulldog is slanted backward so he can keep breathing without letting go! Plus, your reward in heaven is determined by your level of perseverance here on earth. “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne” (Rev 3:21 NKJV). So keep persevering.


5. STAND BEFORE – Romans 14:10

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Books I'm Reading

EPHESIANS part 3

Here is part 3 of  the outline on the Ephesians series.

EPHESIANS
What being a Christ follower looks like
part 3
Pastor Steve Lummer

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints Ephesians 1:18 (niv)

Ephesians is has a two part theme:
1. Who we are in Christ  Chapters 1-3 – DOCTRINAL chapters
2. How we should live  Chapters 4-6 – PRACTICAL chapters

Paul gives us a great look at how we can understand how the Christian life works.
” ‘Who are you, Lord?’  … “‘What do you want me to do, Lord?’ I asked Acts 22::8-10

2. Our Service – WALK – Practical Life in the real world
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received Ephesians 4:1
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light Ephesians 5:8

OUR GOAL – BELIEVE – BELONG –  BEHAVE

1. WALK WITH.
As you received Christ Jesus the Lord,  walk with him:  Col 2:6

2. WALK ACROSS.
Then Andrew brought Peter to meet Jesus. John 1:42

3. WALK THROUGH.
“Walk through the shadow of the valley of death.” Psalm23:4

4. WALK ON.
“Let us go on with the Lord.” Hosea 6:1

“Your next miracle lies within the next step you think you cannot take.”

“abiding” is the key to “abounding,”

Less Squawk  and more  Walk..

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Books I'm Reading, Ministry

Ephesians part 2

Here is the outline for part 2 of the Ephesians series.

EPHESIANS
What being a Christ follower looks like
part 2
Pastor Steve Lummer

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints Ephesians 1:18 (niv)

Ephesians is has a two part theme:

1. Who we are in Christ  Chapters 1-3 – DOCTRINAL chapters
2. How we should live  Chapters 4-6 – PRACTICAL chapters

Paul gives us a great look at how we can understand how the Christian life works.
” ‘Who are you, Lord?’  … “‘What do you want me to do, Lord?’ I asked Acts 22::8-10

1. Our Status – SIT
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, ..That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms – Eph. 1:18-21
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus Ephesians 2:6

PEOPLE WHO TOOK A SEAT

1.  The PROVIDED.
Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” John 6:10

2. The DELIVERED.
they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. – Luke 8:35

3. The RESTED.
Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught – Luke 10:39

SEATED OR DEFEATED

Christianity starts not with DO, it starts with DONE.

On the sixth day …God said, “Let us make man in our image Genesis 1:26

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God Eph 2:8

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Books I'm Reading, Ministry

Ephesians The Series

EPHESIANS
What being a Christ follower looks like
part 1
Pastor Steve Lummer

As a college student way back in 1978 a friend of mine and I traveled to the east coast for some ministry over Christmas break. The end destination for the trip was New York City USA.
As we actually got into the heart of it all it was not long before I felt overwhelmed by the overgrown city. As we went through China Town I remember asking my self – “where are we “ and feeling like I was in a concrete jungle with no compass.
Our destination was to get to the top of Empire State Building.

Total Height: 1,454 feet
To 86th Floor Observatory: 1,050 feet
Steps: 1,860 from street level to 102nd floor

The elevator attendant said to me as I walked out onto the observation deck “ enjoy the view”…. And wow what a view it was.

From the observation deck you can see all of Manhattan’s Skyscrapers, from Financial District to Midtown Manhattan. And on the west side you can see a little bit of Newark NJ and Jersey City. and on the east side you can see all of Brooklyn and but you can barely see queens toward rockaway beach because of smog as for New Jersey too.

The book of Ephesians is like the Empire State Building
To have a grasp of the book of Ephesians gives you a BIRDS EYE VIEW of not only the rest of Paul’s letters in the New Testament but you begin to get a  CLEAR VIEW of who God is through Jesus Christ as well as a VISION of who you are in Christ.

Look how Paul starts out in the first chapter praying for the churches ability be well ACCLIMATED to the life they are living in a culture that is so easy to get lost in.

Paul starts out his letter to the Ephesians with this prayer.

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints Ephesians 1:18 (niv)

Here is the outline to the series we will dive into over the next few week on the book of Ephesians.
Ephesians is has a two part theme:
1. Who we are in Christ  Chapters 1-3
2. How we should live  Chapters 4-6

Paul gives us a great look at how we can understand how the Christian life works.

” ‘Who are you, Lord?’  … “‘What do you want me to do, Lord?’ I asked Acts 22::8-10

1. Our Status – SIT
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ Ephesians 1:3
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus Ephesians 2:6

2. Our Service – WALK
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received Ephesians 4:1
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light Ephesians 5:8


3. Our Strategy – STAND
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 613


ENJOY THE VIEW.

Steve Lummer

lead pastor Prescott First Assembly

Prescott Arizona

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Books I'm Reading

BOOKS I AM READING THIS SPRING – PART 2

One of the goals this past three weeks on our 21 day fast was to “fast” television  and read a couple of good books that would feed the soul
The Christian Atheist, by recovering Christian Atheist Craig Groeschel, is an honest, hard-hitting and eye-opening look into the ways people believe in God but live as if he doesn’t exist.

“The more I looked, the more I found Christian Atheists everywhere.” Former Christian Atheist Craig Groeschel knows his subject all too well. After over a decade of successful ministry, he had to make a painful self admission: although he believed in God, he was leading his church like God didn’t exist. To Christians and non-Christians alike, to the churched and the unchurched, the journey leading up to Groeschel’s admission and the journey that follows—from his family and his upbringing to the lackluster and even diametrically opposed expressions of faith he encountered—will look and sound like the story of their own lives. Now the founding and senior pastor of the multicampus, pace-setting LifeChurch.tv, Groeschel’s personal journey toward a more authentic God-honoring life is more relevant than ever.

So far this is great stuff.

Steve Lummer

Lead Pastor Prescott First Assembly

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Books I'm Reading

BOOKS I AM READING THIS SPRING – PART 1

One of the goals this past three weeks on our 21 day fast was to “fast” television  and read a couple of good books that would feed the soul

My first choice was, A Million Miles In A Thousand Years by Donald Miller.

Miller Writes; “every life is a story” and “the saddest part about life is that you don’t remember half of it.”
“If we want a feeling of meaning in life,” Miller writes, “I don’t think we have a choice but to live a good story — that is, to propel ourselves into some noble adventure, enduring difficult conflict for a cause greater than ourselves so we can see a tension resolve for the betterment of the people around us, for our families and our friends and for strangers less fortunate, thus setting a moral compass for everybody watching our stories, giving them the inspiration to lead a better life themselves.

“And it bears repeating: in living a great story, we defy a dark force propagating what I believe to be a lie, that a human life is not worth living, that the story you have living within you is not worth telling.”
So far this is a great read.  I love picking up a new book and forcing myself to stay away from the typical brain candy of television and the internet.
Nothing better than the feel of paper and the reading of great thoughts that propel me into another season of growth and learning.

Steve
Lead Pastor Prescott First Assmbly.

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Books I'm Reading, Life experiences, Ministry

HE SEES DROPS LIKE STARS

Six of us from Prescott attended Rob Bell’s “Drops Like Stars” event last night in Tempe . The tour is basically a two-hour multimedia sermon focusing mostly on the concept of suffering.

The presentation by Bell spoke of how  suffering connects us in a way that health and wealth and money cannot.
His two-hour presentation covers four major issues:

1. The Art of Disruption, or how we are very good at making plans on how our life is supposed to go, but never does. (when insulators are removed form how we assume life should be)
2. The Art of Honesty, or how pain has a knack for bringing out our truest selves.
3. The Art of Elimination, or what can you let go of? Rob used a bar of soap to illiustrate howw an artist will eliminate to create ( very cool illustration)


4. The Art of Possession, which is not the same thing as ownership.
“You can possess something and not own it – and you can own something and not possess it.”

He says, – “We plot. We plan. We assume things are going to go a certain way. And when they don’t, we find ourselves in a new place—a place we haven’t been before, a place we never would have imagined on our own.
It is the difficult and the unexpected, and maybe even the tragic, that opens us up and frees us to see things in new ways.
Many of the most significant moments in our lives come not because it all went right but because it all fell apart.
Suffering does that. It hurts, but it also creates.”

I loved every moment and every lesson and every story of his talk. Bell’s message is on point. His delivery is conversational. He’s funny. He understands people.

One of his true gifts is his ability to teach and present. He engages the audience in so many ways, not just through his content (although that is a wonderful start), he does so through his rhythm and timing, through his body language, through the tone of his voice. He is so amazingly talented, not just in his interpretation of scripture and spirituality, but also in engaging his audience in the challenge of his words.

One of my favorite Illustrations and audience participation tools he used was wilt a 3×5 card. He ask us to right the words I know how you feel with our none writing hand. After we had the words written on the card he ask some human suffering questions like, “How many of you have been directly effected by cancer” – “how many of you have been betrayed?” – “How many of you have had a stack of bills and you did not how you were going to pay them?” – with each question he had us make eye contact with someone who had the same type of  experience we had and trade cards with them.

Also, it was really cool that our bunch got to hang and meet Rob after the event.

Side note; If you ever get an opportunity to visit an event at the Tempe Center for the Arts you will find it as an amazing creative work of architecture

What a great night.

Quotes of the night:

” What every artist must learn, is that even the  failed pieces are essential.”

“This too will shape me.”

“We are brothers from other mothers and sisters from other misters.”

Steve  (lead pastor – Discovery Church

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaED1WWPzhA

 

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Books I'm Reading

WORDS

“Deuteronomy” literally means “words”.

I wanted to post a couple of words and the book of words.

Have you ever wondered how you are going to get from point A to point B….or how we get from here to there?

I know a lot of people who are always on on journey to a “place called there”.

They are “here” but they are always trying to get “there”. Once they reach “there” they realized again they need to get to another place called “there”.

Here are some words about getting from here to there out of Deuteronomy.

A land in which you…shall…lack nothing.” Deuteronomy 8:9 AMP

When God delivered the Israelites from slavery He did it in stages:

First: He brought them out of the land of ‘not enough.’

As slaves in Egypt without power, they were forced to depend on Pharaoh for everything. And when you have to keep relying on anyone but God, you’re not really free. God won’t allow you to get ‘hooked’ on anybody but Him. Elijah was living happily by a stream in the middle of a famine. Ravens brought him meat each day. What an arrangement! But one day the ravens didn’t show up and the brook dried up. What happened? God dried up the brook to drive him back to the source! Regardless of who God uses – He alone is the source of all you need.

Second: He brought them through the wilderness of ‘just enough.’

God provided them with manna – just enough for each day. Now it’s no fun struggling to barely get by. But we tend to appreciate what we had to struggle for, and we learn to trust God more. Plus, living through seasons of ‘just enough’ builds into us a tenacity to keep moving toward better things.

Third: He brought them into the land of ‘more than enough.’

God described Israel’s future home as “a land in which you shall lack nothing.” God’s ultimate goal for you is abundance – in all areas of life! Is that so you’ll have more than the next guy? No! God told Abraham, “I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing” (Ge 12:2 NIV). Having status and success means being positioned to bless others and fulfill God’s agenda for your life.

Enjoy the journey from here to there.

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