Change Today by Starting With a Half Hour

Tommy Barnett has proven himself as a leader, he is Senior Pastor of one of the largest churches in Phoenix, his son is directing the Dream Center in Los Angeles, and he has spoken to thousands of pastors on being a pastor, leadership and church growth. He has written a book that isn't systematic but rather inspirational, practical and definitive. He encourages the reader to set a half hour each day for thought provoking inspection, prayer and dreaming and he fills the book with moving testimonies of how thirty minute segments has filled his life and turned these moments of time into a faith filled life.

The Power of a Half Hour is just the book needed for young pastors looking for a solid foundation and for middle aged pastors trying to discover hope and change. Get ready for his homespun stories of faith, challenges and prayers as he devotes half hour to meetings, prayer and reflection. You may not have a mountain, like Pastor Barnett does behind his church, but you have thirty minutes to begin your life and ministry in a new direction.

Blogging for Books provided this book to me for free in exchange for an honest review.

How God Makes Men

The author, Patrick Morley, is well known as a leader in preparing and discipling men. He takes giant steps towards developing men alongside biblical characters who have learned the lessons of life. The author takes ten of the most well known characters of the Bible and wraps their life around men. The principles he gleans are just some of the treasures waiting in this book. Get your highlighter, Bible and pen ready to explore God's power for men today. The publisher provided me with an Advance Review Copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a favorable review.

See Inside Highpoints Book

Highpoints Book is being used by churches and individuals in their small group Bible Studies and by individuals who want to grow in their faith. If you are still on the fence and haven't purchased your ebook or paperback copy yet - we are going to make it easier for you.

First, what is Highpoints about?

Here is a short introduction.

Does your heart crave more? More of his presence? Join the climb to the highpoints-the place in God where the scenery is breathtaking. Elevation is for those who dare to climb. Climb the mountain to reach your summit with the Holy Spirit as your guide. Reach the pinnacle in a renewed passion and desire for a holy God. Touch the top with your heart and find the God of the mountain. Get ready to climb-get ready to plant your flag at the Highpoint.

We are growing, reaching and climbing together as we grasp Trust, Endurance, Faith; like we have never had it before. Highpoints includes stories of real life mountain climbers telling their stories of stamina, high risk danger and near death experiences. Coupled with tough choices and breathtaking scenery we will move from one mountain peak reaching to our Highpoint.

You can read more about highpoints book at our website www.highpointbook.com


Secondly, I have a Kindle, can I purchase and download it there?

Yes, it is available on

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Highpoints-Those-Who-Dare-Climb/dp/1449761291/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1349446506&sr=1-3&keywords=highpoints

Christian Book Distributors http://www.christianbook.com/highpoints-those-who-dare-climb-ebook/jim-laudell/9781449761301/pd/32826EB?item_code=WW&netp_id=1043514&event=ESRCG&view=details

Barnes and Noble for the NOOK version  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/highpoints-jim-laudell/1112669252?ean=9781449761288


Thirdly, Can I preview it before I buy?

Yes, just click here and read the first two chapters http://www.google.com/books?printsec=frontcover&id=jyQ1o6ba9wsC#v=onepage&q&f=false


Lastly, what are other people saying about Highpoints?

Not everyone has experienced mountain climbing, but everyone has experienced falling and then fighting to get back up. Jim takes us from that point of crisis, through the climb, and to the summit. Keep climbing! —Brandon Cox, Pastor of Grace Hills Church, NWA, Editor of www.Pastors.com


My wife and I have been agreeing in prayer for a special anointing upon the book leading the reader to their own personal Highpoints.

Ten Commandments for Wives

Kiss him when he comes home – A kiss will say more than a thousand words

Give him time to be alone

Pray for his spiritual, mental and physical protection everyday

Surprise him with sexy

Compliment his leadership

Respect his decisions

Remember the way to a man’s heart is still through his stomach – feed him his favorites

His ego is fragile – make sure you instill within him confidence – he is your man

Honor him in front of your children

Be frugal – live within your means

Comment Below: Can you add one more?

Copyright by Jim Laudell. Materials may not be copied, reproduced or distributed without the written permission from the author. You may share on Facebook, Twitter, and other forms of social media while giving credit to the author.

Confessions of a Father

The day after Father’s Day and back to work but not without some important changes. Several fathers admit there are some things they would like to change. They want to change their family future.

Most father’s admit they aren’t for sure what is expected of them and what they must do to accomplish being a “good” father. They support their family with a good work ethic, provide for the needs of the family and go to church but father’s are asking, “is something missing?”

Let’s look at what children really need from their father if we are to find adequate answers. It is true families need to be provided for but new shoes will never take the place of a father pitching the ball to his son madly swinging a bat in all the wrong directions.

Of all the requests that come from families for dad to do this or that – the most requested item is – “we just want Dad to be with us.”

“Dad time” is the most important item we can give to a child. Let’s look at some prime “dad time” ideas:

Being one to one with your child The highlight of a child’s week is when he is picked to go with dad. We must be fair to balance it out when there are more children but this “gift” of time with a child being one on one with Dad is one of the most important aspects of a child’s life.

Praying with your child Praying together makes our heart soft and grants a connection with a child, only God can give. When my children we young there were times I asked my son or daughter to forgive me for being angry, only to hear those innocence words come back, “I forgive you Dad.” Precious time is invested in a child when you are on your knees.

Love their mother Your children will find no greater security than when a Dad shows affection to their momma. A dad who expresses honor and affection to their children’s mother is a wise man.

Comment below: Do you have a “DAD TIME” moment you would like to share?

Copyrighted by Jim Laudell. Material contained in this post cannot be reproduced or copied without permission from the author.

Rating Children's Movies

In the reinvention stage several black and white classical themes and characters are being recreated into culturally relevant pseudo movies. These cartoon character movies are aimed at children, ages 7 to 14, but characterize demonic, anti-God and sexual innuendoes aimed at diverting, de-sensitizing and perverting.
According to a Christian publication, in one children’s movie, rated PG, there was 1 sexual verbiage, 5 profanities, and twice disrespected God with a laugh and a sneer. Focus on the Family reports a recent pirate cartoon includes 5 curse words, including taking the name of the Lord God in vain plus, several sexual allusions, including a nudist boat, (though all is covered by camera angle) and an island where the women are covered only by their long hair and flowers.
Without being thought a prude, old-fashioned, negative or “holy Joe” let me contend for the children. While it is most impossible to cover the “little ones” eyes every time they go into the grocery store it is most possible to shield our children from the entertainment that introduces crude language, amoral sexual behavior and other “innocent(?)” attacks on moral standards of the Christian family.
This is no longer the clean humor of Porky Pig, Mickey Mouse or Clifford the Dog. Cartoon or otherwise, PG rating or not, we must guard the hearts of children and maintain their innocence as long as possible. And in the popular Facebook language, “Just sayin….”

How to Win the Heart of Your Teenager

Even though the years spent raising our teenagers weren’t perfect they were very good years. Now both are married and raising children and we are very proud of them and the advancement in their lives in all areas. All teenagers have specific needs and these needs are summed up in parental love and attention, here are three steps to winning the heart of your teenager.

Listen to them – whoever listens to your teenager will become their friend and guide. You may not agree to all they are saying but listen intently and lovingly.

Spend time with them – spend time with them doing what they enjoy doing.

Pray for them- the greatest thing you can ever do for your teen is to pray with them over their needs and to pray fervently for them.

MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS

It is essential we make the right decisions and make them at the right time.

“Accurate analysis of over 25,000 men and women who had experienced failure, disclosed the fact that lack of decision was near the head of the list of the 30 major causes of failure. This is no mere statement of a theory – it is a fact. Procrastination, the opposite of decision, is a common enemy which practically every man must conquer.” - Napoleon Hill

If you need to make a decision this week , here are four steps:
1. Bathe the decision in much prayer. The more you pray – the more easily it will be to make the right decision.
2. Ground the decision in God’s Word: If the decision you are about to make goes counter to the Word of God – you can be guaranteed it will not produce the results that will be best for you.
3. Surround the decision with godly counsel: The Bible tells us there is safety in a multitude of counselors. Sometimes a neutral party can see what you don’t see because you may be clouded with extreme emotion.
4. Don’t ignore the decision: Simply not making a decision will not make the situation go away. Procrastination will kill even the most sincere attempts to make a smooth landing. Remember the guy who was parachuting and put off his decision to pull the rip cord will never have the opportunity to fly again.