Have you ever desired to have a particular lifestyle? Have you ever thought to yourself, “I really like that guy’s lifestyle. I wish I could change lifestyles?” There are many lifestyles to choose from:the healthy lifestyle; the vegetarian lifestyle; or perhaps one of the “lifestyles of the rich and famous.”

What kind of lifestyle do you have? What is your “way of life?” It is important to consider because your style of living reflects your attitudes and values. We see the attitudes and values of people when we see their lifestyle. This is obvious when we consider the lifestyle of the Amish, the lifestyle of a hippie, or the monastic lifestyle.

Some lifestyles are clearly unchristian. Others, like the lifestyles of a farmer or an executive are acceptable for the Christian. There is one lifestyle, one way of life, that every Christian can and must have. It is what Scripture calls the “most excellent way of life.”

It is a lifestyle every Christian must choose. What is this way of life? It’s the lifestyle of love. The apostle Paul describes it in 1 Corinthians 13 where he expounds on Christian love. Our lives should be all about love. He introduces the chapter by telling them he is going to show them a more excellent way- a more excellent way of life. After his exposition of love he tells the Corinthians to pursue this way of life characterized by love.

What does this have to do with spiritual gifts?

Click here to read on…

I recently read this Shopping for Time - after my wife, Tiffany, had read it. We were both very impressed and helped.

The book is written by Carolyn Mahaney (C.J. Mahaney’s wife) and three daughters. It’s a short book (95 pages) that can easily be read in a day or two (which is good for those who feel like they are short on time!).

My wife posted a review of the book on our family blog (www.CraigandTiff.blogspot.com), and I’m posting it here as well for your edification.

Click here to read my wife’s excellent review.

Someone at my church asked me to read this book and give them some feedback about what I thought it’s strengths and weaknesses were. I don’t always have time to read the books people give me, but this one struck a chord. It proposes to help you understand the biblical definition of a fool, along with their patterns of thinking and behavior. Having established this “profile” of typical fools, the subtitle promises to provide “an honorable way to deal with the impossible people in your life.”

I have dealt with “fools” before, and helped others deal with fools as well. There is a lot of great information to be gleaned, and a lot of helpful responses to be learned from a careful reading of this book. However, it would have to be a very CAREFUL reading to avoid some unintended pitfalls of following all the author’s counsel. Read on to find out what I thought were its strengths and weaknesses.