Staying Afloat in a World Gone Adrift
Alderman's book is an engaging and humorous story in which he weaves together the many different aspects of his life: from his years as a pastor, to being a husband and father, to being diagnosed with cancer. I found that reading about Alderman’s day-to-day life felt unusually like listening to one of my favorite grandpas telling a long story. It was full of suspense, intrigue, humor, and wisdom. And it reminded me that we don’t have forever — so I want to live more with intentionality while I still can.
Alderman is the pastor of Cornerstone Church in Broomfield, Colorado. Going into his book, I had no idea how much cancer would factor into the outcome of his life. In fact, he describes it as "finding a way to live an authentic life through cancer." Alderman's story is embraced by many who received it in book form, and is being shared regularly via social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter.
In the book, Alderman shares his journey — both before and after the cancer diagnosis. From being diagnosed to surgery to treatment options to hair loss, he shares his story intimately and honestly. In addition to sharing about his journey with cancer, Alderman also talks about life as a pastor and father. One of the most helpful themes from this book is how he grapples with joyful living in a world gone adrift. He points out that there are so many reasons we could be discouraged, so instead of focusing on these things ... he focuses on what makes him happy.
Alderman says that ever since he was a young boy he’d been told "his whole adult life would be awesome.” But despite all this promise, Alderman was plagued by the fact that he worked for a living, birthed and raised children, and endured many more trials in his life (including the death of a wife and mother). He does not use cancer as an excuse to avoid life, but rather uses it as a catalyst to find newness in all that he could possibly be.
Alderman is known for his funny ministry, which attracts many people ready to hear the gospel message with humor. This was another reason I enjoyed "Alderman's already well-known humorous ministry," knowing that his approach in the book would be similar. I enjoyed the humor of the book more than I expected. He has some of the most creative methods of evangelism I've ever read about. But at the same time, you can't help but be inspired by his message. Whether you consider yourself a Christian or not, it's still a worthy read to see how one finds newness even in a world that can seem bleak.
"Alderman's story is compelling and fun to read," wrote my friend, Hank Wall. "It is full of good stuff ... and I recommend it."
From 2004 to 2007, Alderman worked as an associate pastor at Calvary Chapel Lakewood where he spent two years preaching on fire safety, disaster preparedness and marriage enrichment.
In 2005, Alderman was named the “Worship Pastor of the Year” by "Church Life" magazine, and he was awarded a silver medal in the 2006 Worship Leader of the Year competition at the Christian Booksellers Association.
Alderman is founder and president of Alderman’s Alive, a fire safety ministry. He is also founder and president of ALIVE - a marriage conference designed to prepare couples for lifelong love. ALIVE is endorsed by Focus on the Family, Love Worth Finding with Dr. Adrian Rogers, Colorado Christian University and National Community Church in Washington D.C., among others; as well as being promoted by marriage expert Gary Smalley.
In his book "Alderman’s Already Well-Known Funny Ministry," Alderman describes how he first envisioned a ministry of comedy in the early 1990s: “By the mid-1990s, however, it seemed to me that I had been kidding myself all along. I began thinking maybe laughter is an effective way to reach people with the message of God and life everlasting.”
Alderman’s Alive was established in 2002 to teach families how to live a life filled with love. The conference focuses on creating lasting relationships, being intentional about sex, and having healthy relationships while confronted by tragedy. Alderman’s Alive travels to different states and hosts churches around the country to educate them on how to talk about life, love, and everything in between. Alderman’s Alive also has a children’s ministry called Kids ALIVE! which was founded in 2016 with the vision of raising children who love God and His Word.
Alderman is the son of Dr. Jack Alderman, a professor of Old Testament at Denver Seminary for over fifty years. Alderman has been married to his wife Mary since 1992. He has seven children and six grandchildren, who all live in Littleton, Colorado.
Alda
Link to purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Staying-Afloat-World-Gone-Adrift/dp/1601460412
Now Available in Paperback!
Now Available
http://aldermanbooks.blogspot.com/2009/10/book-launch_2100200944509828.html
http://www.lifewaystores.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6394&utm_source=Lifeway
More information: http://www.booklocker.com/book/9781601460421
About the author:
An award-winning author, Jamie Alderman is director of the Summer Institute for Bible Studies and an associate pastor at Calvary Chapel Lakewood in Denver, Colorado. He is also one of the founders of ALIVE - a marriage conference designed to prepare couples for lifelong love. He lives with his wife, Mary, and their daughters in Littleton, Colorado.
Conclusion
If we don’t have anything to do, let’s go by the river. -Song of Solomon 4:16
Contextual Bible Study: Book of Ecclesiastes
OF ALL OF THE BOOKS CONTAINED within the Bible, the book of Ecclesiastes is often considered by many to be the most boring and dry. I mean, you’re talking about a book written in Hebrew that contains little more than a list of “good things” (1) and “bad things” (2)! This book serves as a perfect example of how we can encourage ourselves through Bible reading only when we understand its context — our chronological order.