More than likely we will not see the grass again until around Easter, (BOOOOOOH - i digress) so most of us will be spending considerably more time inside throughout the winter. This is a great opportunity to grow through reading. We need to continually be growing emotionally, relationally, spiritually etc. There is nothing wrong with reading fiction and enjoying a great story, in fact, I would highly recommend it. However, if we are not intentional about reading to grow; growing closer to God, and growing closer to others - it will not just happen by reading great stories and watching Netflix! So here are 10 books that I would recommend to slay the 5 giants of laziness, ignorance, complacency, apathy, and self-sufficiency.

1. Gospel Fluency by Jeff Vanderstelt

2. Boundaries by Henry Cloud & John Townsend

3. Surrender to Love by David Benner (also The Gift of Being Yourself by Benner is great)

4. The Trellis and The Vine by Colin Marshall & Tony Payne

5. The Reason for God by Timothy Keller

6. Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerich

7. I Am a Church Member by Thom Rainer

8. Contagious Disciple Making by David Watson & Paul Watson

9. The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller

10. When People are Big and God is Small by Edward Welch

I hope that you take advantage of the hours and hours of cold and darkness of the Maine winter (BOOOOOOH - again i digress). We have been blessed with these hours and are required to be good stewards of them. One of our core values at Hollis Center Church is Continuous Personal Growth, and one of the best ways to learn, to be stretched, to be strengthened, and to grow is by reading. Here are 5 smooth stones to help you get the most of what you are reading.

1. PRAY FOR GOD'S GUIDANCE

2. READ SLOW

3. STOP AND THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE READ AFTER EVERY PARAGRAPH

4. REWORD WHAT YOU HAVE READ AND REPEAT IT BACK TO YOURSELF

5. THINK ABOUT HOW WHAT YOU ARE READING APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE

Winter Blessings, Stephen

Being in the people business, I hear my fair share of complaining/criticism. It comes with the job! Observing something that is wrong and wanting to make it right or better is not wrong. Many times the problem lies in how we go about trying to fix what we believe is wrong. Because the nature of sin has seeped into every part of our heart and mind, we must be cautious about how we communicate what we believe to be wrong. We must be very careful to act in wisdom to make things better rather than worse. Here are five things to think about before you criticize or complain.

 1. Do you have all the information, and do you know the why a decision was made? So many times, our complaints/criticism could be avoided if we knew why something was planned, done, said, etc. It is natural to jump to conclusions; however, it is the skill of wisdom to think and gather information before we form our opinions.

 2. Is your complaint/criticism a matter of opinion and preference or a clear matter of right and wrong? Understanding this difference is vital! I have experienced too many times someone ignore blatant sin only to criticize/complain with passion and fervor about a preference.

 3. Have you thought out exactly what you want to say? State your complaint/criticism clearly. A clearly stated complaint/criticism comes from time spent thinking about exactly what you want to say. Sometimes it is helpful to think about how to say the same thing three different ways to ensure proper understanding and good communication.

 4. Have you thought of a solution? Bring viable and reasonable solutions with your complaint. Thinking through the solution may help you empathize with others involved and understand the problem more clearly. The goal is to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

 5. Are you known only as a complainer/criticizer? You may have 100 legitimate complaints/criticisms but if they are not balanced with positive comments and praises you will be tuned out. This is reality. People that you should desire to be around, will not want to be around you. Healthy, successful, and mature people will view you as a millstone tied to their neck dragging them to the bottom of the lake!