Books of the Year

On December 27, 2012 By BrianIn Book Look

Tis the time of year to make lists of the best books of the year. Of all the books I read, three stood out as the best. They are:

Holy Available
by Gary Thomas
The basic idea is that Jesus is still active today, and we need to be available to be used by him. You can read my Book Look for a fuller summary. It is incredibly quotable. I quoted from it several times here on the blog:

Humility: The Forgotten Virtue
by Wayne Mack

I read two books on humility this year which complemented each other well. This one digs into the Scriptures to explore our humility before God and with one another. You can read my Book Look for further information. This book also provided some good quotes:

Humility: True Greatness
by C. J. Mahaney

This one briefly looks at our humility before God, and then at the humility of Jesus. Half of the book then explores practical ways to grow in humility. This last section was especially helpful. Here is the Book Look for more information. A few quotes:

Book Look: Humility and Humility

On May 8, 2012March 21, 2015 By BrianIn Book Look

I have been sharing quotes from two books on humility for the last few weeks. Both are excellent books that I want to commend to you.

Humility: The Forgotten Virtue is by Wayne A. Mack (with Joshua Mack). The Macks explore our humility before God based on both God’s superiority to us and God’s purity compared to our sin. They then explore humility toward each other, and the follies of sin. They close with two chapters on how to grow in humility. As I was reading, I thought perhaps I was reading Jerry Bridges – which is to say that the entire book is a wonderful exploration of the Biblical passages that deal with the issue, organized as I have outlined above. As such, the book could be used as a rich Bible study. Indeed, each chapter ends with application and discussion exercises.

Humility: True Greatness by C. J. Mahaney explores humility in three parts. First, he defines humility and pride. Mahaney focuses on our humility before God based on God’s purity compared to our sin. Second, he looks at Jesus, who humbles himself to save us from our sins. Third, he takes well over half of the book to suggest practical ways to grow in humility. This section alone is worth the price of the book.

I would recommend both books together. Read the Macks as they dig deep into a Biblical exploration of humility, and then turn to Mahaney for the practical applications. Both books deal with both issues, but the Macks just dig deeper and Mahaney applies further.

Humility vs pride is an issue for all of us. And so these are two excellent books that I would recommend be read by all of us that we might grow in our passion for God and compassion for people.

Pride and Honor

On May 4, 2012March 21, 2015 By BrianIn Humility Quotes

How often do we expect to be treated in a certain way
because of our position, our age, or our knowledge?
How we respond when we are not given the honor that we expect
is a good indication of how much pride we have in our hearts.
– Wayne A. Mack (with Joshua Mack) in Humility

Pride and Grumbling

On May 2, 2012March 21, 2015 By BrianIn Humility Quotes1 Comment

Those who grumble and complain about the circumstances of their lives are manifesting a spirit of pride. A person who complains about his circumstances does so because he thinks he deserves better.
A humble person, on the other hand, willingly accepts whatever God ordains. He says with Paul, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am” (Phil. 4:11).
– Wayne A. Mack (with Joshua Mack) in Humility

Are We Humble?

On March 29, 2012March 21, 2015 By BrianIn Humility Quotes

Is our heart overwhelmed by the truth of our
natural insignificance before the Almighty God?
Are we painfully aware of our sinfulness
and unworthiness before a Holy God?
Is God the constant center around which our
thoughts, desires, words, and actions revolve?
Do we give Him alone our worship, praise,
devotion, and obedience?
– Wayne A. Mack (with Joshua Mack)
in Humility: The Forgotten Virtue

Humility Definition

On March 27, 2012March 21, 2015 By BrianIn Humility Quotes

Humility…consists in an attitude wherein we recognize our own insignificance and unworthiness before God and attribute to Him the supreme honor, praise, prerogatives, rights, privileges, worship, devotion, authority, submission, and obedience that He alone deserves. It also involves a natural, habitual tendency to think and behave in a manner that appropriately expresses this attitude. In other words, that attitude of humility is always seen in humble action.
– Wayne A. Mack (with Joshua Mack)
in Humility: The Forgotten Virtue

Pride Is Self-Idolatry

On March 1, 2012March 21, 2015 By BrianIn Humility Quotes, Idolatry Quotes

Pride is self-idolatry. God alone is to be worshipped and served because His will is supreme and He alone is God, but pride asserts that man should take supremecy over God. God proclaimed through Isaiah, “My glory I will not give to another” (Isaiah 48:11). God will not tolerate a usurper who attempts to rise above him. God hates pride because the proud man sets himself up in opposition to God. The proud man attempts to steal the glory that God alone deserves.