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HABITS OF THE MIND - SUMMER 2018 BOOK LIST

5/30/2018

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Dear Friends,
 
Here is a reminder of the our new book club, Habits of the Mind. I have also added some additional information about the Summer 2018 Book List. We will read one book per month, and then we will meet once the last week of each month to discuss the book. The meeting times and locations will vary around town, but they will always be the last week of the month (except in December). The books chosen will all be Christian-oriented but will cover a variety of topics. This book club is primarily for those who live locally, but there will be opportunities for those who live afar to participate.
 
Ways to Participate:
  • Read the chosen book of the month.
  • Join us for live discussions at our monthly meetings in and around Fayetteville, NC. Time and locations will only be posted on either the church Facebook page or the church website.
  • Contribute to the discussion via our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/AgnusDeiMinistriesLOC/
  • Check my blog for current updated information on book lists and for book reviews. https://inkandsouls.wordpress.com/habits-of-the-mind-book-club/
  • Keep checking back to my blog and our Facebook page as this group evolves as there may be more opportunities to participate in the future.
 
If your business (like a coffee shop or something) or church would like to host one of the meetings, please let me know.
 
Below, I have listed the books and some information about them for the Summer 2018 meetings. If you have any questions, please contact me!
 
Until next we meet,
 
Pastor Jessi

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SUMMER 2018 BOOK LIST
 
Here are the books for the Summer of 2018. All of the book prices below are what I discovered online. They are all the paperback versions, except the Amazon Kindle version. I selected Amazon and Christianbook.com, because they are where I usually find the cheapest books. I included Lifeway, Barnes and Noble, and the library, because they are local places. There are many places online or brick and mortar buildings where one can buy books, including used bookstores. Prices and availability are subject to change, so do your own research before purchasing. Check back soon for the times and locations of the Summer 2018 meetings.
 
June 2018
Book: Forgotten God by Francis Chan
Meeting Information
          Time: 1 pm June 30, 2018
          Location: The Sweet Palette in Fayetteville, NC
Possible Places To Get It:
  • Amazon Paperback – $13.59
  • Amazon Kindle – $9.79
  • www.christianbook.com – $11.99
  • LifeWay – $16.99
  • Barnes and Noble – $13.59
  • Cumberland County Library – Not available
MY NOTES: I read this over Memorial Day weekend on my Kindle. It will be a quick read for most, but Francis Chan presents some interesting information about the Holy Spirit. He offers some challenging questions and thought-provoking insights into who the Holy Spirit is and His role in our lives.
 
July 2018
Book: The Language of God by Francis Collins
Meeting Information
          Time: TBD
          Location: TBD
Possible Places To Get It:
  • Amazon Paperback – $10.98
  • Amazon Kindle – $12.99
  • www.christianbook.com – $10.49
  • LifeWay – Not available
  • Barnes and Noble – $12.30
  • Cumberland County Library – 1 copy available
MY NOTES: I have not yet ordered or read this book. Francis Collins is the head of the Human Genome Project. He is a scientist and a believer in God. In this book, Collins explores the importance of both faith and science, especially with regards to human existence.
 
August 2018
Book: The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? By F.F. Bruce
Meeting Information
          Time: TBD
          Location: TBD
Possible Places To Get It:
  • Amazon Paperback – $12.48
  • Amazon Kindle – $2.99
  • www.christianbook.com – $10.49
  • LifeWay – Not Available
  • Barnes and Noble – $12.00
  • Cumberland County Library – Not available
MY NOTES: I have read other books by F.F. Bruce during college and seminary. He is a well-respected Christian scholar. However, I have not yet read this one. I own it in paperback, and it has been on my “to-read list” for a while. The book offers an introduction to the historicity and reliability of the documents in the New Testament. It is a fairly short book, just 149 pages. I would make sure to get an edition that includes footnotes, so that you can see where his work is supported. Not all of the editions have the footnotes. Also, even though the Kindle version is the cheapest, there are apparently typos in it, according the reviews. All that to say, just do a little bit of exploration before purchasing this one!
 
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Sermon Notes - May 20, 2018

5/21/2018

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Sermon Notes
 
Sermon: The Holy Spirit by Rev. Jessica Johnson
Date: May 20, 2018 Easter Sunday
 
Scripture Passages:
  • Acts 2:1-4
  • John 14:15-17
  • Numbers 11
  • Joel 2:28-29
 
Key Points:
There are many people in this world who think they are alone, but we are never alone. Jesus promised us a Helper, and that Helper is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity, is the one that we probably know the least, but He is the one that we should know the most intimately. The Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples and believers on the Day of Pentecost in the midst of a strong wind. The fact that all believers now receive the gift of the Holy Spirit is a fulfillment of the desire expressed by Moses in Numbers 11 and a promise prophesied by Joel in Joel 2. The Holy Spirit brings life and spiritual rebirth. Through the Holy Spirit’s work, we are guided by the Truth of God, transformed into the image of Christ, and are made holy. We can trust that the Holy Spirit will come to our aid when we need Him and empower us for the times we are in and the times ahead. The Holy Spirit offers us strength and comfort when we need it the most. Yet, He offers much more than comfort, for it is through Him that we find the guidance, strength, and power to fulfill our God-given tasks.
 
Future Suggested Study:
  • Matthew 12
  • John chapters 3, 14, 16
  • Acts 2
  • Romans 8
  • 1 Corinthians 2
 
Book Suggestions:
  • The Forgotten God by Francis Chan
  • The Mystery of the Holy Spirit by R.C. Sproul
 
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Habits of The Mind Book Club

5/21/2018

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And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’”
Mark 12:28-30 ESV
Dear Friends,
 
It is no secret that I love and am perhaps a bit obsessed with books! At times, in this blog and elsewhere I will share with you about books that I am reading. Today’s post, however, is not a book review but rather the sharing of a new opportunity.
 
In February 2018, one of my favorite authors, James W. Sire, passed away. He is probably most well-known for his book, The Universe Next Door. Currently, I am reading his book, Apologetics Beyond Reason. However, of his books that I have read so far, Habits of the Mind is my favorite. In Habits of the Mind, Sire reminds us that we are to love God with all our minds as well as our hearts. Sire affirms that it is possible to be both an intellectual and a Christian, even if some think otherwise. In fact, as Christians, we are supposed to use our minds in responsible, disciplined ways for the glory of God and to the best of our abilities. When God asks for all of us, He means all of us, including our minds.
 
On that note, I am founding and introducing a new book club called Habits of the Mind. We will read one book per month, and then we will meet once the last week of each month to discuss the book. The meeting times and locations will vary around town, but they will always be the last week of the month (except in December). The books chosen will all be Christian-oriented but will cover a variety of topics. This book club is primarily for those who live locally, but there will be opportunities for those who live afar to participate.
 
Ways to Participate:
  • Read the chosen book of the month.
  • Join us for live discussions at our monthly meetings in and around Fayetteville, NC. Time and locations will only be posted on either the church Facebook page or the church website.
  • Contribute to the discussion via our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/AgnusDeiMinistriesLOC/
  • Check my blog for current updated information on book lists and for book reviews. https://inkandsouls.wordpress.com/habits-of-the-mind-book-club/
  • Keep checking back to my blog and our Facebook page as this group evolves as there may be more opportunities to participate in the future.
 
If your business (like a coffee shop or something) or church would like to host one of the meetings, please let me know.
 
If you have any questions, please contact me!

Until next we meet,
 
Pastor Jessi
 
Monthly Book Choices
 
June 2018 Book – Forgotten God by Francis Chan
 
Ink and Souls
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MY DAD AND PRAYER

5/8/2018

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“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 ESV
Dear Friends,
 
Last week, on May 3rd, it was my Dad’s birthday. I was unable to travel to celebrate with him, but I have been thinking of him quite a bit. One of my last conversations with my Dad before he stopped talking went something like this:
 
Me: Hey, Dad, how are you today? Do you know who I am?
 
Dad: Yeah, Yeah, I know.
 
Me: Okay, well, who am I?
 
Dad: I know. Yeah, Yeah, I know.
 
He thought about it for a minute, and then he lifted his hand and started praying a prayer of blessing.
 
My Dad may no longer be able to say my name, but his sweet mind associates me with prayer. I guess there are definitely worse things that I could be remembered for! My parents were both people of prayer and are the ones that taught my brother and me to pray.
 
May 3rd was also the National Day of Prayer. This is a time when we come together to pray for our nation. I don’t know about you, but I definitely think our nation could use a lot of prayer for so many reasons, too many to name here. There is nothing like the power of prayer to cause transformation.
 
Most of us know about intercessory prayer. Often in Christian circles, we share prayer requests and praises. However, intercessory prayer is not the only type of prayer nor is it the only reason to pray. Here are some of the main types of prayers:
 
ADORATION and PRAISE Prayers: Praising God. God’s majesty is more than we can imagine, and we should take time to appreciate Him in all His glory, just appreciate Him for who He is.

CONFESSION Prayer: We admit that we need God and ask Him for forgiveness for our sins.

THANKSGIVING Prayers: We thank God for all He has done and for answers to prayers.

SUPPLICATION or PETITION Prayers: We ask God for something.
 
INTERCESSION Prayers: We pray for someone else.
 
Prayer is not just a one-sided conversation.  Too often, we do all of the talking, but we don’t take the time to just listen. The Apostle Paul spoke quite a bit about prayer. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19, Paul tells us to rejoice and to pray without ceasing. While we should have dedicated times set aside for prayer, prayers should also be like on-going conversations as we go about our daily life. Paul also warns us not to “quench the Spirit”. I think, in general, we overlook the role and power of the Holy Spirit. Whether we acknowledge it or not, God is always active in our lives and the lives of others through the Holy Spirit.
 
For Jesus, prayer was not just a religious responsibility; prayer saturated His whole life and being. He prayed before each decision, miracle, temptation, and response. In prayer, Jesus allowed God to work through Him. Jesus often prayed in solitude. His prayer life demonstrated a deep intimate relationship and dependency on God the Father.
 
Prayer is a relationship. God not only invites us into a prayer relationship with Him, but through prayer, we invite God to work in our daily lives. We are transformed into being more like Christ as our intimacy and dependency on God increases. God invites us to prayer, so that we can experience transformation and intimate relationship with Him.
 
We need to be a praying people.
 
Until next we meet,
 
Pastor Jessi
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    Rev. Jessica Johnson


    ​A few of my favorite things…
     
    Meaningful Passages:
    John 1:1-14
    Acts 8:26-40
    Colossians 4:2-6
    2 Timothy 3:16-17
    1 Peter 3:14-17
     
    Favorite Authors:
    C.S. Lewis
    J.R.R. Tolkien
    James W. Sire
    Jane Austen
    Ravi Zacharias
     
    Pastimes:
    Watching my boys play
    Chatting with a friend over a cup of tea
    Reading
    Writing
    Watching Movies

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(910) 758-0982

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207 Old Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301