Deeply Rooted

How to Study the Bible for Yourself

By Tim LaHaye / Harvest House Publishers

Don’t be “left behind” in your study of Scripture! In this special 30th anniversary edition of LaHaye’s classic work, you’ll discover techniques to identify the Bible’s major principles, promises, and commands; understand key verses and themes; develop more fulfilling reading habits; become a mentor to help others delve into the text; and more. 224 pages, softcover from Harvest.

How to Study the Bible for Yourself, Youth Edition

By Tim LaHaye / Harvest House Publishers

Bestselling author Tim LaHaye, a nationally recognized Bible teacher, is eager for you to get excited about studying Scripture. His bestselling How to Study the Bible for Yourself is geared to help you:

• Understand how key verses apply to daily living
• Locate the Bible’s major promises and commands
• Begin a lifelong habit of studying God’s Word
• Read through the entire Bible
• Keep a spiritual diary

Read the rest of this entry »

Today we start our summer series:  Mythbusters - Finding TRUTH among the myths of Christianity.  I have to say that I think this is going to be one of our most memorable series ever.  First, anything to do with Mythbusters from the Discovery Channel is just instantly cool.  Those guys are amazing!  Second, looking at some myths that exist about Christianity will help us all to come to a better understanding of what the Bible really says about some things.  Finally, we’re going to do some crazy science experiments each night as well just to take it over the top!  Are you ready for our first myth?

Read the rest of this entry »

I started a journey this year to seek God in new and deeper ways - and low and behold He has lead me to the point of marriage as an avenue to discover him.  In exactly 11 days from today I will be getting married to a wonderful woman of God, Leigh Ann Rutrough.  I am excited, nervous, scared, happy, giddy - the list goes on.  No shortage of emotions here, that’s for sure!  As I have studied through scriptures a bit and attended premarital counseling (Pastor Terry is great at that!) I have begun to discover exactly what I was looking for - a deeper understanding of God and my relationship with Him.  I will be out of the blogsphere for a few weeks as I get moved into a new home and settle in with my new wife.  Leigh Ann and I appreciate your prayers as we perpare ourselves to embark on the lifelong journey of marriage.

We love you all - stay rooted!

unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity
By David Kinnaman & Gabe Lyons / BakerIn his Epistle, the Apostle Peter instructed us to give others good reason for the hope we have in Christ, but to do so with “gentleness and respect.” Unfortunately, in the eyes of many non-Christians today, the church has done just the opposite. In Unchristian, David Kinnaman, president of the Barna Group, has complied startling research among the unchurched and learned that Christians are too often known for the issues they stand against, rather than the hope which they stand for. Read the rest of this entry »

Revolution
By George Barna / BarnaBooks

World-renowned pollster George Barna has the numbers, and they indicate a revolution is already taking place within the Church - one that will impact every believer in America. Committed, born-again Christians are exiting the established church in massive numbers. Why are they leaving? Where are they going? And what does this mean for the future of the Church? Read the rest of this entry »

Battle Cry for My Generation: The Fight to Save Our Friends
By Ron Luce with Mike Guzzardo / David C. Cook
An evil enemy is marching across our country intent on destroying the souls for you unsaved friends. Are you going to just stand by? A massive campaign has been launched against you and your friends. Giant media companies have invested billions of dollars to trap your hearts and enslave your minds. You’re lied to all the time–on MTV, the Internet, TV and the moves–you’re told lies about God and what you should believe, twisted truth about who you are and what you should be like. If you know Jesus you may know better, but your friends may not.  Read the rest of this entry »

Easter weekend brings me to a major point of reflection in the journey this year.  Many of us will gaze upon the cross this weekend. We will read passages of scripture about the intense torture our Lord and Savior went through and we will even read and study the last words He uttered upon the cross. I take nothing away from the cross and what it represents, but we are not the only people who have seen the death of the leader of their faith.  There is something beyond the cross the begs our attention and praise.

Read the rest of this entry »

Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die
By John Piper / Crossway Books & Bibles
The most important questions anyone can ask are: Why was Jesus Christ crucified? Why did he suffer so much? What has this to do with me? Finally, who sent him to his death? The answer to the last question is that God did. Jesus was God’s Son. The suffering was unsurpassed, but the whole message of the Bible leads to this answer.

The final message in the Seven Realities of God series really brings everything together.  If you want to experience God, you’ve got to allow Him to accomplish His work through you.  Sometimes that work may seem strange, may be uncomfortable, and can even be confusing.  I’ve tried to answer 4 tough questions in this post that you may have about God’s instructions to you in hopes that they will help you experience the reality of God.

Read the rest of this entry »

Adjustments are something most of us are familiar with in life.  Things like adjusting our seats in the cars, adjusting the volume on the cell phone, and for those of us who live without satellite/cable - adjusting the TV antenna for better reception.  These adjustments aren’t unlike the adjustments that God requires of us in order to join him at work.  The adjustments God will direct us to make in life are there to help the level of clarity in our communication with Him.  To put it simply, He’s helping us make the adjustments that will get us tuned in to what He is saying and doing around us.

Read the rest of this entry »

I have recently added a few pages to Deeply Rooted that I hope you’ll come to enjoy as well as use as a resource for your life as a student, parent, pastor, or passer-by.  Check out my list of recommended reads at Rooted Books and my resource of interesting scripture studies at Rooted Studies.

Wow - 6 weeks has really gone by fast!  Nevertheless, here we are at the last habit of our “Developing habits that will change your life” series - Study the Scriptures.  I’m fully aware that for most of you the word “study” automatically sends you into defense mode and you start to become resistant to whatever follows that word - but I’d like to say to those of you who are believers that studying the scriptures is much more necessary than cramming to pass any test, it is essential for your survival and the health of your relationship with the Lord Jesus. Read the rest of this entry »

There’s something about the word “Crisis” that brings images of live television reports from devastating situations to my mind.  I’m reminded of 9/11 and the VT Shootings almost immediately when I hear that word.  In light of that I have struggled a bit in understanding why God’s invitation to work with Him would lead me to a “crisis” of belief.  Initially that didn’t sound like a very good situation to me.  However, I have come to understand what the word actually means and how coming to that point in my beliefs is incredibly important if I want to Experience God. Read the rest of this entry »

When God Writes Your Love Story, Updated Edition

By Eric & Leslie Ludy / Multnomah

Singles, here’s a challenging and refreshing approach to relationships in a culture where love has been replaced by pleasure. Discover God’s way to true love, which brings fulfillment and romance in its purest, richest, and most satisfying form. This updated edition features an extra chapter from Leslie about the surprises of life after marriage! 256 pages, softcover from Multnomah.

The Last Christian Generation

By Josh McDowell / Green Key Books

Research reveals an alarming trend among today’s youth—they do not believe that Christ is God’s Son or that the Holy Spirit is real; and think that “doing good” is enough. McDowell urges a ministry that provides a relevant introduction to God—a definitive “Christianity 101″ that ignites authentic spiritual formation. 208 pages, softcover from Green Key.

The Coffeehouse Gospel: Sharing Your Faith in Everyday Conversation

By Matthew Paul Turner / Relevant Books

Written for anyone who’s ever struggled to share their faith with others, The Coffeehouse Gospel shows Christians how to evangelize effectively by sharing their personal stories of how God has impacted their lives. It includes questions and journal sections to help readers articulate their own spiritual experiences and show them how to be ready to defend and express their faith.

Taking Back the Good Book: How America Forgot the Bible and Why It Matters to You

By Woodrow Kroll / Crossway Books & Bibles

America faces a great crisis: the Book that has played an integral role in developing and forming our great nation is now the same Book that few read and even fewer understand.  Taking Back the Good Book explores how America has developed an apathetic—sometimes hostile—attitude toward biblical principles. To counter this troubling attitude, Kroll offers practical suggestions to help you develop a personal strategy to fuel your passion for and understanding of God’s Word.

NIV Life Application Study Bible, Revised, Top Grain leather, navy–indexed

By Zondervan

One of today’s best-selling study Bibles–the NIV Life Application Study Bible–has been updated and expanded. The newly revised edition includes over 300 brand new Life Application notes, 350 note revisions, 16 new personality profiles, updated charts, and a Christian Worker’s Resource make this study Bible even better.

Every Young Woman’s Battle: Guarding Your Mind, Heart, and Body in a Sex-Saturated World

By Shannon Ethridge / Random House, Inc

Guys aren’t the only ones fighting for purity in today’s sex-saturated society! Girls who just want to fit in and look attractive can be swept up in destructive relationships and behaviors - paying a terrible cost. Ethridge and Arterburn offer interviews, research, and godly advice to help young women avoid these pitfalls and achieve sexual integrity.

Every Young Man’s Battle : Strategies for Victory in the Real World of Sexual Temptation

By Stephen Arterburn & Fred Stoeker with Mike Yorkey / Random House, Inc

Every Young Man’s Battle will show young men how to train their eyes and minds, how to clean up their thought life, and develop a realistic battle plan for remaining pure in today’s sexually soaked culture. The authors, Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker, offer young Christian men workable, biblical strategies for achieving sexual purity.

Jesus taught many important things to a very big group of people one time in something that is referred to as “The Sermon on the Mount”. I like to think of it as - a big message with big truth to a big group on a big hill. The most descriptive account of that day is given in the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament, chapters 5-7. Read the rest of this entry »

There are a lot of important truths from the word of God and you would probably be surprised at how many of those truths occur at the 3:16 reference within the different books. Read the rest of this entry »

Did you know that the group Casting Crowns actually came up with their name from scripture? Well they did - Revelation 4:10-11. Actually the Bible describes several different crowns that Christians will receive in eternity based on how they behave here on earth once they become saved. This study will help you take a look at each of these crowns and their requirements.

Read the rest of this entry »

One of the most frequent questions I have encountered in the ministry and in my own walk with the Lord is; How can you hear God speak?  How do you know it’s God?  Where do you go to listen?  The questions are endless but one thing remains the same and that is that God desires to communicate with us.  Our relationship deeply depends on open communication with God our Father.

Read the rest of this entry »