Leaning Forward
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Leaning Forward

Some reading suggestions

I thought I would post some of the titles of books I have read in the past 9 months as part of the grad school work I have been doing.  These are definitely "thinkers".  If anybody wants to discuss any of these just give me a shout.

The Early History of Rome I-V
Livy

The Nature of Things
Lucretius

The Aeneid
Virgil

The Brothers Karamazov
Fyodor Dostoevsky

Fear and Trembling
Soren Kierkegaard

Leviathan
Hobbes

Emile or On Education
Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Thus Spoke Zarathustra
Friedrich Nietzsche

Confessions
Augustine

Paradise Lost
John Milton

The Divine Comedy (Inferno, Purgatory and Paradise)
Dante Alighieri

Posted by Andy Giessman at 7/1/2009 1:56 PM | Add Comment

Follow your heart (NOT!)

For once I was glad my nephew really wasn't paying attention.  My wife, in-laws, and I were sitting (and sweating) on typical bleachers in a typical gymnasium at a typical upstate New York high school for one of humanities rites of passage:  graduation.  It has been quite a few years since I was last at a high school graduation so I was very interested in what was to be said to these young men and women as they got ready to launch into the world.  

Every single speaker from the principal to the key note to the salutatorian said the same thing.  Their message was clear and it was certainly united.  Even though each came from a different point of view they each reminded the graduates that no one ought ever to tell them what to do.  They were also encouraged to go out and make mistakes.  The key note speaker told them to make the biggest mistakes possible.  The saving grace was that this is perfectly acceptable and even preferred as long as they/we learn from our missteps.  

My mind was racing to keep up with each and every well intentioned orator.  Scripture kept erupting in my mind and screaming into my soul.  I know it is the American ideal to do things our own way and be the master of our destinies but that is not what God's word says. Proverbs tells us over and over that we can choose our own path but that path leads to destruction and death not peace and life.  Jesus informs the crowds that were waiting around for him to do His next miracle that true discipleship requires giving up rights.  Paul writes to a church telling them to put others needs ahead of their own because that is Christlike.

I later asked my nephew if he understood the difference between being self confident and true self reliance.  He does.  He told me not to worry.  He wasn't really listening to all the speeches anyway. 

Posted by Andy Giessman at 6/30/2009 7:37 PM | Add Comment

Much needed update

God gave me the gift of two fantastic weeks of ministry.  First, two weeks ago, I spoke for Teen Week at Independent Bible Church in Martinsburg, WV.  Those guys did such a good job.  Props to Brad Haecock for all the work and energy he put into reaching students with the truth of God's Word. 

This past week Becky and I were at Camp Patmos in Ohio.  This is one of my favorite places to minister and enjoy life.  Gotta love being on an island on Lake Erie for a week!  My friends, Andy Chouinard and Tim Richardson, have worked really hard at making Patmos a place where everyone fits in!

Posted by Andy Giessman at 7/1/2008 9:16 AM | Add Comment

Whiteboard Sessions

Becky and I had the chance to attend the Whiteboard Sessions.  8 speakers had 1/2 hour each to share an idea.  Great time to get away and think.  


Posted by Andy Giessman at 5/23/2008 8:32 PM | Add Comment

Reading

Monday was a good day to read.  I have a passion for books and especially those that cover history and communication.  I believe we can understand the future if we are familiar with our past.  It is also a core value of mine that whatever gift God has given to us must be honed and sharpened.  So for what its worth, here is what I am reading right now...

  • From Achilles To Christ: Why Christians Should Read the Pagan Classics - Louis Markos
    From Achilles to Christ: Why Christians Should Read the Pagan Classics
  • Preaching Parables to Postmoderns - Brian Stiller
    Preaching Parables To Postmoderns (Fortress Resources for Preaching)
  • Forever a Soldier - Tom Wiener
    Forever a Soldier: Unforgettable Stories of Wartime Service

Posted by Andy Giessman at 5/15/2008 9:34 AM | View Comments (2) | Add Comment

3 Activities of a God Who Invades History

Sermon #3 from the Exposed series (we didn't record #2, oops).

Ephesians 2:1-10

Download | Duration: 00:31:14

Posted by Andy Giessman at 5/14/2008 11:40 AM | Add Comment

3 Exposures of Grace

Here is the first in the Exposed series from NLBC.

Ephesians 1:1-14

Download | Duration: 00:38:24

Posted by Andy Giessman at 5/12/2008 11:45 AM | Add Comment

Soul Exposure

My friend Christina shamed me into posting a new blog.  I think I had a combination of writers block and acute laziness. Thanks, Christina.  I needed that. 

We finished week 6 of the 8 for the series in Ephesians.  One of the huge lessons I have learned is the idea of identity. Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus was received by a people who were looking to belong.  Ephesus was a giant city that was probably the third largest in the Roman Empire.  They were a culture that wanted to understand the "mystery" of a deeper life.  The only way to discover that mystery was to be involved in the cult of Artemis.  Social, economic, religious, and political life was all centered around the goddess' temple.  Life was found there.  

For three chapters Paul digs a deep foundation to help us understand who we are.  He exposes our soul in the light of the Gospel.

  • It is God who has initiated the relationship with humanity.
  • The light inside our hearts can turn on to help us understand spiritual things.
  • The outrageous grace of God eliminates the stench of death.
  • The grace of God unites all believers world-wide 
  • God has chosen the church to be the means for the world to hear about Grace
  • There is a huge contrast between the mind of one who does not know Christ and one who does.
Again and again as the soul is exposed we see the great investment that God has made so that we can know him.  Coming to grips with truth always tells us what we need to do.





Posted by Andy Giessman at 4/30/2008 7:46 AM | Add Comment

My new Fav...


I have a new favorite drink at Starbucks.  Today I tried the latte with soy milk.  I thought I would hate it but it was great!  I have Becky to thank for making the suggestion.  Low fat, low sugar, LOADS of flavor. 

Posted by Andy Giessman at 3/29/2008 11:11 AM | View Comments (1) | Add Comment

Fearless

Our second Sunday with two services went very well!  The first service had about the same attendance and the second was down a little.  It was one of those weeks when lots of people were out out town. 

We saw, again, first time guests join us and we are now able to give them a gift.  The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel is a great way to introduce people to Jesus.  I pray that God will use this tool along with the weekly ministries of our church and people to see many take the next step.

It is important to keep in mind that the enemy does not want what is happening in Scranton to continue.  Anytime God works and people's lives are being changed the enemy will throw lots of roadblocks at you to discourage you. 

In Ephesians 6 Paul reminds us that our battles are truly spiritual.  As we hold up the shield of faith lets remember that God expects us to use that particular piece of armor to push forward not stand in one place!

Posted by Andy Giessman at 3/12/2008 10:01 AM | Add Comment
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