Our Identity and Legion

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Mar 31, 2009 in Uncategorized | 5 comments

I want to share some thoughts I had yesterday. I spent some time at the church building and I thought I would do a little recording on the way home. Enjoy!

Hope you enjoyed!

Chris

Monday Morning Blues

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Mar 30, 2009 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

I am not sure if I have posted this Greg Hahn before, but this is a preview of his Bananas Videos. Take a moment and enjoy the humor of Greg Hahn. In case you are wondering, Greg Hahn was a Captain in the Marines.

Hope you enjoyed!

Chris

Beyond Belief: The Josh Hamilton Story

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Mar 29, 2009 in Uncategorized | 2 comments

I had never heard of Josh Hamilton until the Home Run Derby last year. His massive swings of the bat hit a record number of baseballs of the fence and the name Josh Hamilton found its way into the homes of baseball fans across the country! Even though the Home Run Derby set Josh Hamilton apart, there is a better story behind the man.

Beyond Belief is a thrilling story of a man seeking to find peace and grace in the eyes of God. His journey from a highly touted High School baseball prospect to a drugged out- tattooed-trouble soul is clearly projected in the words of Josh Hamilton. Even the places and people are brought to life through the story of Mr. Hamilton’s rise and fall then his rise again.

Josh Hamilton could be called the “Prodigal Son” of baseball. His life as headed for the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, until a fateful day when he allowed the troubles of the world to infect his life. His parents struggled with their child as they saw his troubles and his bank account quickly dwindling because of addiction. His wife struggled through the years, but she kept hope in this North Carolina baseball star. Young children had looked up to him, his drug habits caused young people to read his suspensions, and slowly his name was fading from the books.

One day, his life was going to change. The ways and ideals he had grown up believing were coming back…but how long would it take? His family was behind him and his wife was praying…then the day came! The crack of the bat felt the way it used to and the story was changing. He looked at his wife, saw her face and he knew he was back!

Josh Hamilton’s story is an amazing one and every year it seems to get better. His life is becoming whole with the grace of God and he is still seeking the presence of the Savior. Beyond Belief is an excellent book for baseball fans and anyone who has a passing interest in reading true stories of the possible!

Take a moment and enjoy the story of Josh Hamilton. When you are done you will say, “Yes, it is Beyond Belief.”

A special thanks to Faith Words for allowing me to have a copy of this book. Also thanks to my brother Aaron, who stood hours in a line at Barnes and Noble to meet Josh Hamilton and get my book signed.

Just my thoughts,

Chris

The Gift of Psalms – A Review

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Mar 28, 2009 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

The Gift of Psalms – A Review

The morning after receiving “The Gift of Psalms,” I sat at the breakfast table and enjoyed the soothing voice of Gary Sinse, Michael York, Malcolm McDowell, Richard Dreyfuss and several others. Their voices, reading the day’s Scripture and the devotional, were calming and yet they brought the words of “The Gift of Psalms” to life. Their voices were lively and filled with emotion in the midst of beings soothing and rational.

As I followed the words in the book, I enjoyed the reading of the Scripture before progressing to the devotional. In the book, some not all of the words to some of the Psalm’s are contained for space and reasons related to the devotional, but the voice track reads the entire Psalm. I wish the book contained the entire Psalm, but I was more inclined to listening to the CD than following the book. Take note, only 30 of the 50 Psalms in the book are read on the audio CDs. The CDs were perfect for those who travel, whether to work, errands or even the family vacation. I also found myself listening to the CDs while doing work around the house.

The book is very well put together. The page quality was exceptional and durable. I did not write on the pages, but if I found the need, I am sure it would hold the ink well. Each of the CDs has an individual sleeve in the back of the book for easy keeping. At the bottom of each day’s reading is a small prayer highlighting the needs of the day based upon the devotional.

Pros:

• The CD format with the books is exceptional.
• The CDs make it possible to listen to the audio while in the car, working around the house, or even placing them on an MP3 player.
• The book is exceptionally put together.

Cons:

• The book does not contain every verse of all the Psalms, for reasons related to the devotional.
• Only 30 of the 50 Psalms in the book are read. I wish all 30 were read along with the devotionals.

Final Word:

This devotional book and CD combo is a great way to start the mornings. The availability to listen and read or your time and “fit” the devotional into your schedule is excellent! I recommend this tool to help you in your spiritual growth.

The Gift of Psalms: Devotional Wisdom from 50 of the Best Loved Psalms is published by Thomas Nelson. The Copyright date is 2008. Total page count is 101 pages, plus several at the end for note taking.

Just my thoughts,

Chris

*Free* Adaptable Material

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Mar 25, 2009 in Uncategorized | 4 comments

After a “little” editing, I am making the Parent-Teacher Workbook available for a *free* download. I have placed the links below so you can download it in a Word 2003 or Word 2007 format: Right-click on the document you want and save it to your computer. You may adapt the document anyway you please, including taking out my name on the bottom right hand corner as long as you do not copyright the material.

It is an eight (8) page document I used when I lead a Teacher’s Workshop. I hope to make the other material available in the next few days. You will be able to adapt that material to you congregation as well.

Special Note: Below the download links are a couple links (Word 2003 and Word 2007) of some material I am putting together called “Basic Bible Boot-Camp.” It will be a six week course in the Basics of the Bible.  You may download and adapt this material to your congregation as well.

If you would like to leave a comment, please do.

Enjoy!

Parent-Teacher Download Links:

• Parent-Teacher Workbook – Word 2003 Format
• Parent-Teacher Workbook – Word 2007 Format

Basic Bible Boot-Camp Download Links:

• Basic Bible Boot-Camp (Beginning version) – Word 2003 format
• Basic Bible Boot-Camp (Beginning version) – Word 2007 format

Hope you have a great day!

Chris