Morningside Community Church

(Read with a hint of annoyance):
“Who reads this stuff, anyway!?”
As I’m sitting here beginning to write this blog a couple of conflicting realizations hit me:   First, I am quite possibly writing to a vast and various audience of readers from anywhere on our entire planet, from all walks of life and levels of education, with a myriad of beliefs encompassing everything from religion and politics, to art and media preferences.   In other words, since this is not an email that I am sending out to a select number of people, there is no possible way for me to know who will eventually be reading this!   Second, nobody may ever read what I’m writing.   Or, to be a little more realistic, a very small number of people (compared to that “world-wide” group) may actually visit this website and then, an even smaller group may decide to spend a few minutes and actually read what I’m writing.   And to take this one step further……since this is a blog on a church website, the possible number of visitors will most likely be even lower.

In a nutshell, what I want to say should be specific enough to reach a certain group of people, yet relatable and applicable enough to appeal to anybody…

(Read with a touch of skepticism):
“Is it really worth my time?!”
Let’s change gears for a moment.   In the last couple of years I have taken and led a number of small groups through nationally-known radio celebrity, Dave Ramsey’s “Financial Peace University”, which is a 13-week class designed to help people get out of debt, get a handle on their financial situation and begin to prosper in life.   In that class, Dave Ramsey mentions different facts about millionaires taken from various studies and books that he has read.   To quote Dave, “…if you do rich people stuff, you get rich…if you do poor people stuff, you get poor!”   Three of the facts that Dave gives stand out among the rest to me right now as I write this, and I would like to share them with you.

1.           The majority of millionaires and billionaires in the world are “first generation rich”; they did not inherit their money from anybody, but actually came from a difficult situation and worked their way up to where they are.

2.           Most millionaires and billionaires read at least one non-fiction book EVERY MONTH!   That means they turn the T.V. off, turn the computer off (you can wait until you finish reading this first!) and actually invest some time into growing that big muscle between their ears.

3.           Contrary to what the media tells us, research has shown that 100% of all millionaires and billionaires tell the truth.   They have integrity.   They do not try to scam people and cover up the flaws, but are honest and open with their business dealings…which is a huge reason for their success!

Now, before we continue on…I’m going to guess that most of you reading this are not (at least not yet) millionaires or billionaires.   I’m also going to guess that those of you who just said yes would also say that you want to become a millionaire. (For you doubters and hope-stricken, you feel more comfortable saying “wish” to become a millionaire…and maybe more of you still are so humble and unworldly that you would only admit that you “wouldn’t mind it, I guess…if I had to.”)

(Read with a slightly arrogant tone):
“Oh, I know where he’s going with this.”

I bet you don’t!   I am going to skip the first and last points (which imply, “there is always hope for you…as long as you always tell the truth!”) and dive into the second one…

I am putting forth a challenge to anybody reading this to begin a “Reading Program” with me…starting right now!

What does that mean?   I am setting a goal to read at least one NON-fiction book a month.   Now, to dissuade any “cheaters”, obviously some books are really small and others are huge, so to be more specific…the goal is 300 pages a month, which is on average 10 pages or less a day!   (Except in February, it would be 10.7 pages a day…)

What’s in it for me?   Well, only the investment in the growth and strengthening of your mind, the enlargement of your world, the enrichment of your soul and the satisfaction of your accomplishment…so, honestly, not much.   Oh, yeah, and I almost forgot, you’d be that much closer to being a millionaire!   No joke!   In fact you could put that on your business cards if you’d like (TJB, Inc., Timothy J. Bariteau, founder and CEO, one-third rich!)

Where on earth do I start?   Ah, good question!   I have no idea!   There is a vast library of books, yes, even quality books, just waiting for you and I to crack their covers, and I would not want to do the injustice of “telling” you where to start.   However, to make this as easy as possible, start with a topic you are interested in.   Another idea is to start with an author that you already know or have heard good things about.   There really are unlimited opportunities waiting for you and me to apply ourselves.

(Read with a stifled snicker):
“You’re kidding right?
Where did you find those?”
Ok, I know I just said that I would not tell you what books to read first…and I’m not!   But, I thought it might inspire some motivation if I gave you my list of books that are slowly being whittled away (slowly because every time I finish one or two I find two or three more to add!)   Again, you don’t have to read any of the books I’m reading, but it might give you some ideas…then again, if you are interested in reading any of the ones on my list…that’s great too!   They are all good books!   In fact, I’ve read many of them before and am planning on reading them again (which is why they are on the list again).   By the way, this list is in no way exhaustive; I’m only giving you a sampling that shows a variety of topics and authors.   Besides, this list is long enough that just looking through it will probably exhaust you!   But, if you find even one title that ignites a spark of interest than I’ve done my job!   (Editor’s note: The following list is books that I want to read, I am NOT including many wonderful books that I have already read.   If you would like me to recommend any books to you, I’d be glad to do that, so just let me know!)

So now, with no further ado, let me say, “Farewell! Good Hunting! It’s been a pleasure growing with you! Happy Reading! And may your swords stay sharp!”

TJB <><

P.S.   Please send me a note to let me know what books are going on your list…maybe I’ll want to “borrow” some of them for my list!   Also, if you have any other thoughts, comments, concerns I’d love to hear them too!   Or, even if you just want to tell me what your new business cards will say!   God bless!  

TJB’s Booklist (the abbreviated version)
NOTE: Titles are listed alphabetically, along with author, topic, and amount of pages.

1.   Anchor Man
            (Steve Farrar, Men, 242p.)
2.   Authority in Prayer
            (Dutch Sheets, Prayer, 192p)
3.   The Beginner’s Guide to the Gift of Prophecy
             (Jack Deere, Prophecy, 158p.)
4.   Blessing or Curse
             (Derek Prince, Spiritual Warfare, 261p.)
5.   Celebration of Discipline
             (Richard J. Foster, Spiritual Growth, 201p.)
6.   Digging the Wells of Revival
             (Lou Engle, Revival, 205p.)
7.   Driven By Eternity
             (John Bevere, Spiritual Growth, 304p.)
8.   End-Times Simplified
             (David Silker, End-Times, 144p.)
9.   The Fear of the Lord
             (John Bevere, Spiritual Growth, 198p.)
10. The Final Quest
             (Rick Joyner, Prophecy, 158p.)
11. The Final Quest II: The Call
             (Rick Joyner, Prophecy, 222p.)
12. The Final Quest III: The Torch and the Sword
             (Rick Joyner, Prophecy, 164p.)
13. Finishing Strong
             (Steve Farrar, Men, 202p.)
14. Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire
             (Jim Cymbala, Prayer/Revival/Biography, 185p.)
15. God Songs
             (Paul Baloche, Jimmy & Carol Owens,
             Songwriting/Worship, 275p.)
16. God’s Eye View
             (Tommy Tenney, Worship, 198p.)
17. Going Through the Dry Times
             (James Ryle, Encouragement, 83p.)
18. A Heart Ablaze
             (John Bevere, Spiritual Growth, 192p.)
19. Heaven
             (Randy Alcorn, Heaven, 476p.)
20. The Hour that Changes the World
             (Dick Eastman, Prayer, 161p.)
21. How to Ruin Your Life by Forty
             (Steve Farrar, Men, 143p.)
22. Intercessory Prayer
             (Dutch Sheets, Prayer, 256p.)
23. King Me
             (Steve Farrar, Men, 245p.)
24. Kneeling on the Promises
             (Jim Goll, Prayer, 296p.)
25. Point Man
             (Steve Farrar, Men, 264p.)
26. The Power of a Praying Husband
             (Stormie Omartian, Prayer/Men, 222p.)
27. Praying the Bible: Book of Prayers
             (Wesley & Stacey Campbell, Prayer, 237p.)
28. Releasing the Prayer Anointing
             (Larry Lea, Prayer, 263p.)
29. Rick Warren’s Bible Study Methods
             (Rick Warren, Bible Study, 270p)
30. Sex is Not the Problem  (Lust Is)
           (Joshua Harris, Men, 192p.)
31. The Spirit of Truth
             (Arthur Katz, Truth/Holy Spirit, 53p.)
32. Standing Tall
             (Steve Farrar, Men, 224p.)
33. Surprised by the Spirit of God
             (Jack Deere, Holy Spirit, 292p.)
34. Surprised by the Voice of God
             (Jack Deere, Prophecy, 374p.)
35. A Tale of Three Kings
             (Gene Edwards, Brokenness/Submission, 99p.)
36. Teach Me to Pray
             (Richard Gazowsky, Prayer, 102p.)
37. There Were Two Trees in the Garden
             (Ricky Joyner, Spiritual Growth, 198p.)
38. They Call Me Pastor
             (H.B. London, Jr. & Neil B. Wiseman,
             Pastoral Encouragement, 279p.)
39. The Three Battlegrounds
             (Francis Frangipane, Spiritual Warfare, 150p.)
40. Under Cover
            (John Bevere, Spiritual Growth, 228p.)