I also suggest the book Church Planter: The Man, the Message, the Mission, if you are going into any sort of leadership role or planting a new church (or replanting an old church).

Some books on my list to read:

Children of the Living God - Sinclair Ferguson

Adopted by God - Robert Peterson (Covenant Theological Seminary)

Adopted into God's Family: Exploring a Pauline Metaphor - Trevor Burke

Valley of Vision, BCP, Psalms. Pick up a copy of Hughes Oliphant Old's excellent book on Leading in Prayer, while you're at it. As well as Richard Pratt's Pray with Your Eyes Open, particularly if you struggle praying through the Psalms.

And let me encourage you to buy the physical copies, to disconnect and unplug and go and pray these prayers individually. Get out of your normal routine and comfort zone, and read. Buy a good bag that can fit several prayer books, and carry them with you. Jesus' example was to do just that: get away and pray. I'd encourage you and everyone else to do the same.

You're welcome! I also enjoy stories of "faith in times of oppression." You've probably read The Hiding Place. Also intriguing is I Found God In Soviet Russia (Kindle), If I Perish, The Pastor's Wife (Sabrina, wife of Pastor Richard Wurmbrand in Romania), In God's Underground (Richard Wurmbrand), Out of the Far Corners, God's Double Agent, Under The Same Sky. If you like missionary stories, Bruchko is awesome. You may have watched the "Girl With Seven Names" author Ted Talk. How 'bout the awesome missionary short Never the Same? Anyway, may the Lord bless you, brother! Have a great day!

I just bought a book you might find interesting, but I have no idea if it is a good book or not. It's a study on the relationship between Greek Americans laity, Greek American clergy, and the greek clergy in Constantinople.

https://www.amazon.com/Church-Captivity-Greek-Orthodox-America/dp/0595480675

I dont know if it's a well written book or not, but it appears the author shares your line of reasoning and has a couple of interesting reviews.

Here is a book that may be helpful. I have read some of Dan Allender's work. He was sexually abused and talks about it a lot.. I haven't read this book and I wasn't sexually abused but even with emotional abuse and bullying that I did endure his other works have greatly helped me.

I know several people that have gone to his conferences and have come back new people.

For the song of solomon, read some commentaries to help you break it down for you.

Number 3 is probably the biggest offender, followed by 6. We need GOOD writers with depth to get out there and write good songs. Also, my church has a nice blend of hymns and contemporary. Hymns on a guitar are pretty awesome. Sometimes, I prefer them more. If you're a worship leader or songwriter, a few books to pick up would be: Worship Matters by Bob Kaufflin, The New Worship by Barry Leisch and Contemporary Worship Music: A biblical defense by John Frame.

First and foremost, read books that will nourish your soul. If you are not being fed by the Bible and other books, your soul can shrivel and you'll be of no help to anyone.

Get The Pastor: A Memoir and The Contemplative Pastor by Eugene Peterson. This guy can flat out write. I'd also second the Keller votes and put Francis Chan on the list, especially The Forgotten God. Also, the last one I'll put is The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Hardcore stuff there.

The idea that the script is somehow an ancient temple ritual was proposed first by Nibley I believe. Here's the long and short of it:

1. Ritner (university of Chicago) has translated the scrolls. There is a book you can by for $20 or so which tells you exactly what is on the scrolls. It's worth buying if you have any question. Parts of his translation were plagiarized by the BYU folks trying to translate the scrolls and it appears that it upset him a bit, but I digress.
   
2. Timing: Abraham would have lived about 2200 BC. The scrolls date to about 150 BC. So Abraham never got near these scrolls. But what is more, the scrolls can and have been accurately translated. There's nothing on them that has anything to do with Abraham, which the church admits in their gospel topics essay on Abraham.
   
3. What is perhaps more problematic is that most scholars believe that Abraham never lived. He is a mythical historical figure.
   >By the beginning of the 21st century, archaeologists had given up hope of recovering any context that would make Abraham, Isaac or Jacob credible historical figures.
   source
   
   
4. Moreover, the whole idea that ancient biblical temple rights are in any meaningful way connected to modern LDS temple ceremonies is a stretch. The LDS temple rights mix the creation story (4-6th century BC?) with masonic ceremonies from the 19th century (the basis of masonry being developed no earlier than the 13th century). There was no temple worship in early Christianity, as even apologists will admit (I have references if needed).

I would recommend this book, by

The Praying Medic

I think it really depends on the missionary. You, or anyone else interested in culturally respectful missionary work, should go read [Bruchko] (http://www.amazon.com/Bruchko-Astonishing-19-Year-Old-Adventures-Christianizing/dp/159185993X) it is about a man who goes to a tribe in Central America, converts the tribe to Christianity, helps them train their members in medical and engineering skills, and helped them fight off the white settlers trying to take their land, all while preserving their culture

Bleh, I totally knew that about the cathedral but somehow brainfarted. I've actually been to Bath Abbey once (not for a service , but I did pick up this handy reference in the gift shop), though not to Wells. Anyway, the rubric does specify "cathedral and collegiate churches" so as you noted it still applies.

I agree about having Sung Mattins and Eucharist when possible, and I'm sorry this isn't more common. The cathedral in Ottawa has Sung Mattins before the main mass on the first Sunday of the month.

>there are these people named Scientologist... L Ron Hubbard is the saviour.

A cult is described as exclusive, secretive, and authoritarian. When a group is secretive with everything they do and try to control a person’s life by not allowing contact with family members or others because they aren’t members, ya got a cult.

As a Christian, we don’t believe the truth is available only to a select few—instead, salvation through Jesus is open to everyone. God is above any human leader (L. Ron or any person).

Christianity, Cults, & Religions pamphlet

> best fulfilled prophecy

People have always had proof and scoffed. I would say His birth, death and resurrection, and everything in between.

Unbelievers, at the end of their life, WILL meet the holy and righteous God and give an account of their life. Unbelievers still have time to stop rejecting His gracious offer of salvation (Revelation 20:11–15, Philippians 2:1–11). He wants none to perish.

Believers need to be careful and be on guard “In later times, some will abandon the faith, and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). I want to be able to stand before Jesus. Have any aspects of end times prophecy been fulfilled?

>When I look at the world I absolutely don’t see design. 😳

One only need to look up for that answer (the sun, the moon, and the stars...), then look down (on earth). There is design and order in everything in nature. See the symmetry in animals, birds, bugs...

95% of the ocean floor has been unexplored. There are consistently new animals, plants, and microbes being discovered each year.

As Romans 1:20 says, God’s divine nature has been clearly seen so that people are without excuse. Nature shows evidence of God's existence but not enough to save. We must delve into the written Word, the Bible, for the rest of the picture. About sin, how it’s forgiven, how to live a righteous life, Jesus, and salvation.

Thomas in the Bible would not believe that Jesus was alive until he could touch Him. Good ‘ol doubting Thomas. But we have proof of God by looking everywhere.

> Also, if there is a god, and I seek him honestly...

The more you seek Him, ask Him to show Himself to you, you may be surprised by the results.

These have been wonderful, thoughtful conversations, but I need to get back to work (serving God). Keep seeking Him because no one can find God for you. We each have to find Him ourselves.

Remember, God loves you

Found it

I'm not sure what books are suitable for Christians improving their own mental health.

At one time, I was interested in becoming a Christian counselor. Two of the popular books in that field are "Christian Counseling" by Gary Collins, and "Effective Biblical Counseling" by Larry Crabb. Your own pastor might have copies of those books or know where to get them. Some of the chapters in those books may address the topics that interest you.

On the subject of integrating psychology with spirituality, these two books on Amazon look interesting (but I haven't read them myself, so I can't vouch for their contents):

• "Psychology, Theology and Spirituality in Christian Counseling"
  
  
• "Psychology & Christianity: Five Views"
  
  

Hello! I'm a youth minister and here is some stuff I have read:

• Purpose Driven Youth Ministry by Fields
  
• Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry by Fields
  
• The Youth Worker's Guide to Helping Teenagers in Crisis by Van Pelt and Hancock
  
• The Juvenilization of American Christianity by Bergler
  
  I hope this helps! Feel free to ask if you have any questions!

I was not putting down people who work at nights. You misunderstood what I was saying. I myself worked shift work, and nights, for many years.

Sometimes our lives get out of control, and we find ourselves enslaved by necessity. Someone wrote a book called "The Tyranny of the Urgent" in which he expounds on the problems of modern man. We work 40 hours a week, but then that extends to a 60-80 hour week. We never spend enough time with our kids. And then when do we shoehorn in time for ourselves?

My overall point is that when we allow God to manage our lives, they are better controlled than we ever could do for ourselves. I don't know about others, but things just seem to fall into place better when my priorities are right. I can't speak for everyone...but I enjoy a life with a lot less chaos in it. I think someone once described it as "the Peace of God, which surpasses all understanding." But I could be wrong, of course.

My Christian counselor had this one for the topic - https://www.amazon.com/Marriage-Divorce-Remarriage-Bible-Adams/dp/0310511119

I was a youth ministry intern at a local Methodist Church two summers ago. I have an extra copy of Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry: A Personal and Practical Guide to Starting Right. If you're interested, PM me your address and I can mail it to you. It's a good introduction book.

You might want to take tonight to do an assessment of the current state of the youth group. Like, what things do the students want to see in the upcoming weeks, months, years. What things do they want to grow in? What things does the youth group need to improve upon? Things like that. My youth group was very hands on in planning what they wanted to do. If they saw a specific need of a sermon series, they'd ask for it. You could spend tonight introducing yourself, giving them a broad/general vision of what you want to do, and then ask for feedback of where to go from here.

For instance, maybe in your area the students notice that there aren't any new people coming to youth, and that they want to grow in size. You could help cultivate a culture of wanting to invite others along the road.

Incorrect, Biblically speaking.

https://www.amazon.com/Competent-Counsel-Jay-Adams/dp/0310511402