The Doug Ellingsworth Blog

Young People and Shades of Grey

by Doug Ellingsworth @https://twitter.com/DEllingsworth on February 13, 2015

Shades of Grey. The books have been bestsellers for months, and now the whole world, it seems, can’t wait until the movie hits the big screen.

For those who have somehow missed it – the story is about a young woman who becomes fascinated with a wealthy man (named Christian!) who pulls her into a physical relationship that includes activities most married couples consider inappropriate. The details are graphic and the book is described as mommy porn. Its supporters say it is a love story that winds up with the couple getting married and having a family.

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Living

Let’s Celebrate!

by Doug Ellingsworth @https://twitter.com/DEllingsworth on February 10, 2015

There’s been a lot of celebrating going on this weekend. Folks are all in a tizzy about who said what while celebrating at the Grammys. I watched a little boy dig into his cake with both hands as his family celebrated his first birthday. An excited mom was telling everyone who would listen how her daughter received the Holy Ghost in church Sunday.

A whole lot of celebrating.

Ministry/Resources

Last of the List

by Doug Ellingsworth @https://twitter.com/DEllingsworth on February 5, 2015

radical-book Well, I get to the end of the list and discover that I have not one book left, but two. I guess I should have called the list My Top Six.

Actually, these two books are related. One calls for a lifestyle of commitment and giving, while the second is the story of one who is doing just that.

David Platt is a baptist pastor from Alabama. For the past several years, he has led the charge to rethink faith and commitment and how they are lived in our western culture.

Leadership/Ministry

The Fourth of the Top Five

by Doug Ellingsworth @https://twitter.com/DEllingsworth on January 27, 2015

As I’ve gone back through the books I read in 2014, I’ve found stories and lessons I’d forgotten. More than once, I’ve had to force myself to stop reading a book I’d read just a few months ago. That’s a problem when you like stories! This is one of those books that includes stories.

Love Works is a book that shares the management and leadership philosophy of Joel Manby who heads up Herschend Family Entertainment – the company that owns and operates Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, and works with strategic partners like Dolly Parton in other venues.

Folks began asking about his leadership style after seeing him on the television program Undercover Boss. In response, this book was created.

Love Works contains the seven principles that guide and inform Mr. Manby’s leadership style. With themes pulled directly from scripture, the seven principles can be adapted by leaders at any level and in any role. The seven are: patient, kind, trusting, unselfish, truthful, forgiving, and dedicated. Stories from the real world illustrate how these are applied in real-life situations.

While the principles are Bible based, the book does not come across as a sermon cloaked in a business suit. Mr. Manby does a great job showing that kindness and respect for people can exist in a fast-paced and competitive work environment.

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In just a few days, we will be drawing names from our email list to give copies of books, including Love Works, to our friends. Please forward this post to anyone you think would be interested in joining our community.

Resources/Writing

Top Five Number Three

by Doug Ellingsworth @https://twitter.com/DEllingsworth on January 22, 2015

— This post is the third in a series of five in which I discuss the five books that helped me the most in 2014. At the conclusion of this series, I will be giving away copies of these books, plus a few others, to folks selected at random from our email community list. You can join by filling out the short pop-up coupon. Thanks for reading! —

I stumbled upon this book while seeking to improve my writing skills. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve grown to understand the power of story. It’s not only our greatest source of entertainment, but it is the most powerful teaching tool available. Save The Cat! is a successful screenwriter’s effort to share with other writers how to effectively tell, or in his case, write, a story.

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Uncategorized

Another Top Five

by Doug Ellingsworth @https://twitter.com/DEllingsworth on January 16, 2015

One of the five books that William and Elizabeth Turner_lg impacted my life the most in 2014 was a short self-published book called The Church On Godless Lane. Written by missionary William Turner, the book is a collection of his experiences while serving in Russia and other countries that were once part of the Soviet block.

I gave my copy to a friend, and so instead of including a photo of the cover, I’ve attached a picture of the Turners.

(To read more, click the READ MORE link on the left below)

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Leadership/Resources

One Of My Top Five

by Doug Ellingsworth @https://twitter.com/DEllingsworth on January 12, 2015

There’s something about the leafless landscape and chilly days of winter. The cold wind jolts you into reality. Yes, 2014 did go by that quickly. And yes, we are already knee deep in a brand new year.

For me, closing a year requires a review of its events, both its failures and successes. New Year’s Day marked the mid-point of my seventeenth year as pastor of our church. The cumulative successes and failures of that role insist on being examined, too. All of this examining and soul searching leads to marking up next year’s calendar with every event and idea that I need to accomplish to make-up for the things I bungled or failed to get done in the previous seventeen.

We all know how that story will end.

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Uncategorized

Free books!

by Doug Ellingsworth @https://twitter.com/DEllingsworth on December 30, 2014

I’m going to give away five books in the next few weeks. Here is how it will work.

Over the next few weeks, I am going to write short reviews on the five books that influenced me the most in 2014. These books are not necessarily on my all-time favorites list, nor are they deeply spiritual or intellectual, but are simply things I read that gave me direction or insight at a crucial time during these past twelve months.

I will draw names from my email subscribers list and will give away at least one copy of each of the books I review. If you aren’t on my list, it is easy to subscribe. Just fill out the short form that will pop up . You can be sure we won’t bombard you with email nor will we share your address. We will use it only to contact you when I have a message or announcement I think you would want to hear.

I have also written a couple of books and have a few others that I give to friends. I may give a few of those away, as well.

Thank you so much for reading and following my blog. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think.

God’s best to you this wonderful season!

Doug

Living/Ministry

Free Christmas Ebook

by Doug Ellingsworth @https://twitter.com/DEllingsworth on December 15, 2014

While I will still give away several books over the next few weeks, I just completed a short essay about Christmas that I thought some might appreciate. (Read about the free book giveaways here.)

I am reworking this blog to be a stronger voice for Apostolics and apostolic values. I hope when the option to sign-up for my email list pops up that you will do so. I promise never to spam or share your address, but only send occasional notes to inform you of new materials or posts.

Please share this blog with your friends.

Click this link to download the pdf version of An Inconvenient Christmas.

If you need the free Adobe Reader to read this ebook, you can download it here.

Thank you!

Living

Legalists?

by Doug Ellingsworth @https://twitter.com/DEllingsworth on October 21, 2014

A legalist. No charge hits harder, no label sticks faster than to be judged a legalist. In our current Christian church culture, adulterers are embraced and elevated to worship leaders, but those deemed legalists? Whatever else they may be doesn’t matter. They are brushed aside like a bunch of children sent outside to play when the adults need to talk. But just as they have with baptism, most folks who like to use the term have it all wrong.

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