Living His Love

Put Your Dream to The Test
10 Questions to Help you See it and Seize it
By John C. Maxwell

Dr. Maxwell is a great business and church leader who has been successful in communicating leadership and mentoring leaders for many years.  Recently, he gave four significant sermons on the dreams and life of Joseph  (coat of many colors Joseph) on the Hour of Power.  It was the fourth message, “How to Make the Most of Your Dream” that motivated me to buy the book.  Check out www.hourofpower.org for more.

The book has ten chapters which go along with his ten questions.  It is filled with significant quotes and special wisdom insights from Dr. Maxwell.  If you have dreams, goals or plans for a day, year or lifetime you will be challenged and helped.  Anyone can benefit from this book.  For leaders or one who wants to check your leadership dreams it is one of the best books I’ve read.

Chapter 6 entitled, “The People Question:  Have I Included the People I Need to Realize My Dream?” is one of my favorites because he has some significant lessons on teamwork.  He started with a quote from Andrew Carnegie:  “It marks a big step in your development when you come to realize that other people can help you do a better job than you can do alone.”  Later he has a capsule of wisdom of how his team helps him–”It’s not enough to have a dream.  You must also have a dream team.”

Sometimes we need to check on our dreams or dream new ones.  He asks practical questions and provides a checklist at the close of each chapter.  This is a book worth reading or simply checking into to help you with your dreams, goals and plans for your life.

Submitted by Rev. Eugene R. DeHoogh
Moderator of Session at Wild Flower Church
Parish Associate at First Presbyterian Church

The Shack
By William P. Young

Romans 8:28 says that “All things work together for good to those who love God.”  Hmmm?  Really?  Even really, incredibly, impossibly horrific things?  Like—your daughter getting kidnapped and brutally murdered while you are on a camping trip?  Are we really expected to believe that anything good could come out of that?  Are we really expected to love a God who would let something like that happen?

In The Shack, author William P. Young tells the story of a man whose pretty typical faith is tested by this kind of trial.  A man who feels his marriage begin to crumble and is helpless as his other children deal with the effects of losing their sister.  Then…he gets a note.  From God.  Inviting him to come back to the scene of the murder.  And what he meets there truly changes his life.

This book may challenge your assumptions about who and what God is—and how God is revealed through the Trinity.  It has created quite a stir.  Some suggest it is a modern-day Pilgrim’s Progress, while others say it is bad theology that is caught up in the new age, “feel good” movement that denies the truth of God’s righteous anger.

Read The Shack and find out for yourself what Mack learned about himself and the awesome mystery of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit when he went back to The Shack.

Submitted by Ann Smith

Inside the Revolution
By Joel C. Rosenberg

Sioux Falls residents had an opportunity to hear from Joel Resenberg a few years ago at either Augustana or Central Baptist Church.  He is a best-selling author with more than 1.5 million copies in print.  He has been interviewed all over the world and has spoken at The White House.

In this book the author shares very honestly and openly about the three movements that are going on in the Middle East poised to change the world (The Radicals, The Reformers and The Revivalists). In the first thirteen chapters he shares about The Radicals and what their goals are.  They want to kill all infidels in the United States, Israel and elsewhere..  In the next eleven chapters he tells about The Reformers who are willing to challenge the Radicals (Jihadists).  In chapters 25-32 he shares a message of hope about The Revivalists  (Muslims becoming Christians) which is rarely heard about through the news media.  All Christians may not agree with their theology, but it is refreshing to know that more Muslims are coming to faith in Jesus Christ today than at any other time in history.

In his last chapter he challenges people to join the Revolution.  He shares openly about the good news in the Bible, and concludes with four scriptural strategies — (1) Learn, (2) Pray, (3) Give, and (4) Go.  He concludes with these words, “What about you?  Are you willing to join the Revolution?”

JESUS IS WITH US.

Following this last chapter he presents this appendix  “TWENTY TERROR PLOTS AGAINST AMERICA FOILED SINCE 9/11.”  You will be blessed and challenged by reading this book.

Submitted by Rev. Eugene DeHoogh

The Christmas Sweater
By Glenn Beck

Based on a deeply personal true story, The Christmas Sweater is about family, faith and forgiveness.  This book makes us question whether we really know what’s most important in our own lives. The story begins telling about a boy who wants a bike for Christmas and then continues to follow him into adult life.  This is truly a book for all seasons.

If you recognize the author it may be because he hosts a program weekdays on the Fox News Channel.

Submitted by Toni Healy

The Five People You Meet in Heaven
By Mitch Albom

This book is a work of fiction.  It is not based on any particular Scripture, but it is the author’s view of how people on Earth affect each other’s lives.  Everything we do or neglect to do can impact other lives in ways both good and bad.

A man named Eddie had a life of hardships, disappointments and pain, but also a life with a lot of love and goodness.  After his sudden death on his 83rd birthday, he met five people in Heaven who led him to understanding and Peace.

This story is inspirational and thought-provoking.  It may even lead to interesting discussions.

Submitted by Dianne Peterka

Wild Flower Presbyterian Church is located just two blocks east of Washington High School on 6th Street. Here is a map:

Location of Wild Flower Presbyterian Church - Click to view full size.