Pit Pastor #11: How I Grow
By: Troy Wong
December

I thought I'd end this year with a list of some things that helped me grow – or at some times stay afloat -- as a Christian. I also threw in a few random items that I just plain old enjoyed. Hopefully there's something in this list that you'll find interesting and helpful.

Movies:

The Mission – It's old but it's good. In some ways it raises the issue that we face right now with the Islamist. When to use deadly force if ever? Watch it to the end and ask yourself who did the Christian thing, Robert DiNero or Jeremy Irons?

Facing the Giants – This film was made by a local church – enough said.

End of the Spear – This is courage, this is faith, this is love. Stay for the end credits, it's hilarious.

Band of Brothers – Technically it's a mini-series that aired on HBO. Rent it or borrow it. Dick Winters displays excellent leadership.

Mongolian Ping-Pong – I'm 99% sure that this film inspired the makers of one of my favorite films: Napoleon Dynamite . The camera work, timing, humor . . . identical.

Amazing Grace – William Wilberforce abolished slavery in England. It took him a lifetime. This is his story. My only regret is they downplay his Christian motives.

Books:

Navigator Bible reading plan – Well it's not a book, but it's helped me and my family read The Book together. (See last month's pit pastor.)

When I Don't Desire God: Fighting for Joy (John Piper) – This book changed the way I view my walk. It's solid Biblical theology – which is very rare in this day of Joel Olsteens and TD Jakes.

Gates of Fire (Steven Pressfield) – A historical fiction novel about the battle of Thermopylae. Great insight to a culture that produced proud, loyal, sacrificial warriors. Read this before after watching the movie 300.

The Great Giveaway (David Fitch) – If you're a pastor type over 40 you should read this. If you're not, pray about giving to your pastor. If you do give it to your pastor, don't tell him or her that I told you because this book will probably tick him/her off.

Other stuff:

Downloading John Piper sermons for free. It irks me that ministries charge for their sermons. The Gospel is free, why not the sermon? Oh well . . . Piper stands alone on this one. He's a top shelf preacher and his sermons are free at www.desiringgod.org

Weekly riding . While not as safe as lying on a couch, it's a lot cheaper than psychotherapy.

Have a blessed 2008.
Troy