A Magnolia's Heart Beats

Who are some of your favorite "self-help" authors and speakers?

Paul was such a great encourager to young Timothy. As Paul prepared to die, he left some final instructions for Pastor Timothy. He knew the culture of the day was going cause many to be headed away from wanting to hear the gospel of God, the true conviction story of sin and redemption, and would be moving toward a new age.

I'm concerned that new age has dawned in our society. Which messages would you like to hear?

Develop Your Potential vs. Develop a Relationship With God

The Secret to Financial Prosperity vs. Lessons in Giving: A Widow's Mite

Encourage Yourself vs. Serve as Jesus Served

Your Time is Coming vs. Christ's Return - How Not to be Left
Behind

Expect Good Things for Yourself vs. Loving Others as God Loves Them

I'm not a preacher so I could have done better on the sermon titles, but my heart is just heavy over seeing the vision that Paul had come to pass in this world. When I go to church, I want to go to hear the Word (the meat and potatoes), not a motivational speech (dessert). I could go to a conference and get that! I did, not too long ago, and loved it. Now I'm wondering if the too much of a good thing, the dessert, could cause me to stumble. I don't want to do that, so I think I'll lay off on watching him.

"In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." ~ 1 Timothy 4:1-5

I am all about bettering myself - as long as it's for God's glory and service. I love to read books on how to become a better me by authors who have sound biblical knowledge and teach the true gospel of Christ.

It dawned on me the other day that one who I thought was one of my favorites to watch on television has never preached a sermon that ended with an invitation to know Christ! It may after the show itself ends, but not on television.

Who are some of your favorites to watch, read or listen to?

Some that I know are real are:

Charles Stanley

Lysa TerKeurst and other authors of the Proverbs 31 Ministry

Charles Swindoll

Stormie Omartian

Greg Laurie

Elizabeth George

Who are some of your favorite Christian authors and speakers? I don't want "prosperity gospel", I want "Jesus gospel", if that makes sense.

Sometimes it's just hard to know, so I appreciate your input!