Feeding the brain

Philippians 4:8,9
⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹ What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.




I've never been what you might call a "reader" - only if you were to include reading Sports Illustrated and the sports section of the paper.  At least that's how I used to be until the last few years.   Now I do read more than I ever imagined that I would.  I still can't compare to the way my wife reads, born with a book in her hand and setting speed reading records, but I have found that the habit has grown and become a part now of my regular routine.   


Books have become a source of information, enlightenment, and even relaxation. I think my joy in reading started first when I realized what an incredible thing God's Word really is for us.   Made up of 66 books, breathed by God, without error, the authoritative Word of God.   Applicable to our life today and written so that all man can know Him.  Reading that book started a hunger to know Him more and the hunger continues to grow as He reveals Himself.   


Along the way, other books have made their way to my bookshelf and along with God's Word have continued to keep my mind thinking on the things that are "excellent."   I thought I'd share some of those on my reading list and if you were looking for something to read along with reading your Bible, maybe one or more of them might be something that would appeal to the "reader" in you.


One of my favorite books that I've gone back to over and over; Holy Transformation by Chip Ingram. My friend Don Blackmore recommended this one to me and as you can see from my notes stuck inside it, there have been many things I've taken from it.


Here are a few I've read over the past few months I would recommend to anyone looking to keep their thinking honorable, commendable, and true:


Radical by David Platt
Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman
The Bravehearted Gospel by Eric Ludy
Holy Ambition by Chip Ingram
In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson
The Indwelling Life of Christ by W. Ian Thomas


These are just a few, I'll put some others on my reading list.  And I would love to hear from you, what do you recommend that I read next?  

Lion on a snowy day

"Then Benaiah the son of  Jehoida, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel who had done mighty deeds, killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab.  He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit on a snowy day"  ( 2 Samuel 23:20)

Have you ever seen this tucked away verse in 2 Samuel? 


It was brought to my attention recently and I have spent some time reflecting on it.  It says he "went down" which means it was a choice….it doesn't say he was thrown into the pit.  That tells me that he was a man who would not try and avoid the "lions" in his life but would go down in the pit and face them.   


I think that would require an immense amount of faith and authority.  I'm sure he felt some fear, I am sure he had to be unsure of his future but he did it anyway.  I have personally faced "a lion" in the past few weeks and after reading this verse I realize that GOD has gone before me into the pit on a snowy day to face this lion….there are two sets of footprints in the snow…the lion and HIS and only one will come out of that pit and it is THE GREATEST WARRIOR known to man.  I challenge you to trust HIM as you come across your lions in the pit on a snowy day!!

A Life that made a difference..James Mceachern

My heart has been heavy the past few days since learning of the passing one of the men in my personal "Hall of Fame". Jim Mceachern was one of the founders of the Tom James Company and was a brilliant businessman. But that is not who he really was...he was a man who the Lord used to make a difference for HIS kingdom. Character is defined as "the combination of qualities or features that distinguishes one person from another" Jim's character is what made him stand out from the crowd because his charcater was rooted in GOD.
¹³ When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)

Everything about Jim came from the core fact that you could tell he was spending time with Jesus. He was what I would describe as "scripture with legs" and he displayed this to his wife,kids,grandkids,friends and business associates in the corporate world. It is said that true wisdom is viewing life from God's perspective, so I would have to say that Jim had true wisdom. My wife found this qoute from Bily Graham about character and I think it says what Jim would want said about his life...."True greatness is not measured by the headlines a person commands or the wealth he accumulates. The inner character of a person--the undergirding moral and spiritual values and commitments--is the true measure of lasting greatness. THANK YOU JIM FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE!!
This was one of his final Facebook post before he passed way this week that tells us who he was...I'm grateful to God for giving me a wonderful family ... Arlene, Karen, Mike, Lynda, Angie, Jerald, Mindy, Michael McD, Jeff, Jonathan, Robert, Katy, Josh, Dan, Caleb, Melissa, James, Melinda, Melanie, Michael S, Michael T, Nathan, Mitchell, Micah, Mekaylee, Candace, Stephanie, Lylah, Tiffany & Juan. My greatest desire is to spend all eternity with God, with them and with all our friends in Heaven !