THE HAYFORD CONNECTION: Pointing To The Word of God

Greetings and Salutations O Ye Lovers of The Word of God. Have ya read the Word lately? If not...why not?

I am sitting in my office at home...surrounded by a plethora of books about multiple topics including: theology, martial arts, Speech Pathology, multiple versions of the Bible, Bible study aides (lexicon's, handbooks, concordances, dictionaries, MAD magazine collections, guitar, pop culture, etc. Sometimes...I am overwhelmed by words, thoughts, books.

Ever since 1970...I have been in love with The Word of God...a written expression of the heartbeat of God for mankind and a written expression of THE Word of God...Jesus. It is by hearing this Word of God...that faith comes...that I believe...that I confess...that has continually changed my life. (Romans 10:6-17) I have found that this Word of God....when I hide it in my heart that I am able to keep my way pure and I decrease my sin factor. (Psalm 119:9-11) I can apply this God breathed living document and by it I can be taught, reproved, corrected, and trained that I may be adequate for every good work. (II Timothy 3:16-17) I guess the question arises...IF the Bible...the Word of God...is so important...why would I waste time reading books about THE BOOK....or for that matter...why read any other book other than the 66 books collected into one volume called THE BIBLE. I said all of that...to say this....I LOVE BOOKS.

One of my favorite theological authors...that brings a practical application...to be walked out on planet earth...is Jack W. Hayford. Papa Jack...as some affectionately call him was for years Senior Pastor of Church On The Way in Van Nuys California...a Four Square Church. Mr. Hayford is known as the pastor's pastor....who is able to speak to many people in many denominations. He is Spirit-Filled...but very balanced and practical. "Dr. Jack Hayford is Founding Pastor of The Church On The Way, The President of King's Seminary (an interdenominational ministry training center), speaker at pastoral leadership conferences (speaking to an average of 20,000 leaders annually) and author of more than 30 books.

I have called this Recommended Ruminator Reading Review...THE HAYFORD CONNECTION: Pointing To The Word of God...because it is hard for me to choose just one book. I have placed a few pictures of some of my favorites...but unable to place pictures of all the pictures of the covers. Other books includes: Pastors of Promise (a book in the Pastor's Series), The Leading Edge (Keys To Sharpen Your Effectiveness As A Leader), Church On The Way (a history of this cutting edge church of servanthood), The Key To Everything, The Power and Blessing, as well as Hayford's Bible Handbook and The Spirit-Filled Life Bible.

The first book picture is the first book I read by Pastor Jack called PRAYER IS INVADING THE IMPOSSIBLE. It is a window into how prayer is more than just an intellectual exercise in futility...but is a practical exercise of how our prayers can pierce the heavenlies...and the Creator of the universe hears us.

The next book pictured is GROUNDS FOR LIVING (Sound Teaching for Sure Footing in Growth and Grace). I love this book. In this crazy mixed up thing we call life...if you don't have sure footing...it is easy to slip, stumble, and fall. It lays out a thoughtful overview of: (1) The Holy Scriptures (The Fountainhead of Truth) (2) The Eternal Godhead (The Glory of the Trinity) (3) The Fall of Man (Knowing Revealed Anthropology) (4) The Plan of Redemption (God's Restoration Program) (5) Salvation Through Grace (His Glory In Our Humanity) (6) Baptism and the Lord's Supper: Ordained Ordinances (7) The Baptism with the Holy Spirit (River of Release) (8) The Second Coming of Christ (Our Blessed Hope) (9) Heaven (The Ultimate Reward of God's Grace...Hell (The Ultimate Cost of Rejecting God (10) Tithes and Offerings (The Cycle of Abundance) (11) Divine Healing (A Covenant for Life and Strength).

As the back cover underscores..."Grounds For Living represents Jack Hayford's vision to disciple and train mature, spiritually vibrant, biblically strong, theologically balanced, Spirit empowered Christians. His desire is that all followers of Christ would be equipped to serve Him boldly and effectively."

The next book pictured is Living The Spirit Formed Life (Growing In The 10 Principles of Spirit-Filled Discipleship)

The prologue sets the tone of the purpose of the book with Galatians 4:19 "My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until CHRIST IS FORMED (made solid) IN YOU."
There are 3 Disciplines covered: (1) The Spirit-Formed Disciple (2) The Disciplines of the Spirit (3) The Disciplines of Prayer. Each discipline has multiple disciplines from forgiveness, the power of baptism, feeding on the Word of God etc.

"In a world with so much competing for our attention, it's easy to neglect or lose sight of the importance of the spiritual disciplines the Lord has given us for victorious living in Christ. Jack Hayford, author of Worship His Majesty, shows new believers and mature Christians alike how to rediscover the power and blessings of such basic disciplines as prayer and fasting, daily worship and the release of repentance and forgiveness." (Blurb on back of the book)

Pastor Jack served as Editor of the New Spirit Filled Life Bible...along with multiple editors and many people to comment on Kingdom Dynamics, Word Wealth, Truth In Action, Book Introductions, Outlines, Notes with an emphasis on the Spirit Filled aspects of the believer.

At the beginning of each book there is information on Background, Occasion and Date, Purpose, Content, Personal Application, Christ Revealed and The Holy Spirit at Work. The is also the obligatory Outline of the Books and maps, concordance, etc.

It is the New King James Version (I am a New American Standard Version man)...but again...always a fresh perspective to help break the rut of our preferred translations.

I like what the front cover says..."KINGDOM EQUIPPING THROUGH THE POWER OF THE WORD."

Well...that's it for now. Many books...so little time. If you had to choose between the WORD OF GOD...or Jack Hayford's books...CHOOSE THE WORD OF GOD! However...if you use ANY book by ANYBODY...as a tool...a resource...something to point you to the Word of God...and gives you further insight of the historical, the practical, the spiritual...then it is a good thing.

I give THE HAYFORD CONNECTION review of multiple Jack Hayford books a big 5 moo-moos out of 5. Instead of thumbs up...I give a big hoofs up.

Love and Well Read Kisses
Rodney "Library Man" Boyd