I humbly offer the following for your consideration-
“I’m a man on a mission. We recently packed the kids into the family van and headed off for vacation spots. No phones, no meetings, just relaxation. However, I forgot to tell that to my brain.
I get mission-oriented, even on vacation. We have to rush to get to the next place. ‘No dawdling allowed,’ I tell my family. ‘After all, we’re on vacation! We’ve got to hurry to get there. And Continue reading
Posted in books, Christianity, joy, Uncategorized
Tagged book, Christian, christian book, Christianity, joy, leadership
I have treasured Your Word in my heart so that I may not sin against You. Psalm 119:11
Your heart is critical…
…A friend of mine told me about preaching on the back of a flatbed truck next to Red Square in Moscow some years ago. The communist government had just fallen and many people there were searching for meaning and purpose. My friend was put on the back of the truck, given a microphone, and told to preach to the walking masses through a translator. Continue reading
Posted in books, Christianity, discipleship, faith, Uncategorized
Tagged bible, Christianity, faith, God, Immersed, Moscow, relationship with god, Religion and Spirituality, scripture, spiritual growth
I still remember my first time jumping off the high dive.
In the summertime I spent a lot of afternoons at the community pool in my small town. Most of my time was spent in the shallow end, splashing and playing with my brothers and friends. I watched other kids jumping off the diving boards at the deep end of the pool. It seemed fun and exciting, but too scary for me.
As the summer progressed, I thought more and more about what it would be like to overcome my fears and worries and plunge into the deep, blue water of the deep end. I even walked by that area of the pool a few times to calculate the possibilities. The deep water was so inviting, yet I was so frightened to plunge in.
Finally, I could take it no longer. Continue reading
Posted in books, Christianity, Church, discipleship, Uncategorized
Tagged book, Christ, christian book, church, devotional, devotional book, discipleship, faith, God, Jesus, spiritual growth
Our church just started a new sermon series called “Immersed: 40 Days to a Deeper Faith”. We are using the devotional book I wrote by the same title in conjunction with it. The idea is to read a devotional each day for 40 days and the 2 chapters of the bible each day as it suggests. By the end of the 40 days we will have read the books of John, Acts and Proverbs.
Christians often look for a mountaintop experience- and I like mountaintops. But less often do believers buckle down to the harder work of consistent bible study, prayer and reflection. May I put in a good word for consistency?
There is something beneficial in a steady, long walk with God. Wonderful experiences are, well, wonderful. Emotional experiences have some merit. But a consistent walk day by day is not to be overlooked or discounted. In fact, I suggest that some of the greatest gains of discipleship are made in the consistency of a devotional life each day.
Feelings come and go; rise and fall. Emotional responses can be worked up or worked out. But a consistent walk with the Lord will get you somewhere. It will get you closer, deeper and stronger.
And that is a good destination.
Posted in books, Christianity, Church, discipleship, faith, Uncategorized
Tagged bible, bible study, christian book, Christianity, devotional book, discipleship, faith, Immersed
I make a big deal out of small groups (we call our Sunday School classes LIFE groups) at FBC O’Fallon, IL. Why would I even care since I’m not preaching in those classes? (Insert your own sermon joke punch line.) Here are 3 important reasons why Christians should be in a small group in their church.
1. For Connection. People are like legos- made for connection. Small groups allow people to get connected on more personal levels. You need that connection- even you computer nerds who are socially awkward! And, more importantly, other people need you. Small groups allow us to know each other’s names and favorite ice cream flavors.
2. For Information. I don’t let people ask questions during the sermon. I probably wouldn’t know the answer anyway! But discussions can happen in small groups. We can sharpen each other and think together. It is a great way to learn and study and grow. Attend a small group bible study long enough and you will probably know much more about the bible than you do now. And that is a good thing.
3. For inspiration. Okay, I can’t relate to the pastor. He’s kind of weird anyway. But I can sure relate to that guy in the class who is struggling to live out his faith in a hostile work environment. I can relate to the lady who wants to shine the light of Christ in her life even though she has a suspicious spot on the x-ray. Those people inspire me- and I hope I can inspire them!
I love small groups enough that Vickie and I are going to teach a LIFE group on Saturday nights for the 7 weeks our church goes through the “Immersed: 40 Days to a Deeper Faith” study beginning this weekend- even though I already preach my sermon 4 times each weekend.
Small groups or bust!
Posted in books, Christianity, Church, discipleship, faith, preaching, small groups, Sunday School, Uncategorized
Tagged bible, christian book, Christianity, church, devotion, discipleship, God, local church, relationship with god, scripture, small groups, Sunday School, worship attendance
Okay, I didn’t have the baby. (Thank you, Lord, that men don’t deliver the babies!) And, fortunately for Vickie, it wasn’t necessary for her to deliver this one either.
But I did just receive my new devotional book “Immersed: 40 Days to a Deeper Faith”. She joins “Seven Steps to Becoming a Healthy Christian Leader” and “Warriors in Hiding” in my quiver of book offspring.
Books feel sort of like babies- there is a lot of crying and sleepless nights involved. And, the labor can be pretty intense- though nothing like real birthing labor, I’m sure. (Again, thank you, Lord, that men don’t deliver babies!)
I am praying God will use “Immersed: 40 Days to a Deeper Faith” to strengthen churches, small groups and individual believers. In two weeks, our church will begin this 40 day devotional with accompanying messages and small group lessons. I hope others will use and benefit from the material as well.
Special thanks to Elmer Towns of Liberty University, Steve Gaines of Bellevue Baptist Church, John Avant of FBC Concord, TN, John Marshall of Second Baptist Springfield, MO, Preston Nix of NOBTS, Gregg Matte of FBC Houston, TX, David Uth of FBC Orlando, FL and author Aaron Broyles for endorsements. Think of yourselves as godparents.
Here she is!
Isn’t she a pretty baby?
*You can order books from me at dougmunton@yahoo.com for $10 each, or $9 each for 10 or more, or $8 each for 30 or more. Limited time offer. (I always wanted to say, “limited time offer”!)
Posted in books, Christianity, Church, faith, Uncategorized
Tagged christian book, Christianity, church, devotion, devotional, discipleship, faith, new book, Religion and Spirituality, spiritual growth
“Oh, what a tangled web we weave…” [Sir Walter Scott, Marmion, A Tale of Flodden Field] Growing up in the 60’s and 70’s, having very long and very straight hair was very much in vogue. I had never had anything other than a trim in those early years and so one of my most taxing […]
Doug Munton 