Why Actual Books Are Better Than eBooks (For Me) #LeadersAreReaders September 2025

Many people today prefer reading on screens. eBooks are easy to carry, and you can store hundreds of titles on one device. But no matter how advanced technology becomes, there’s still something special about holding a real book in your hands. Here’s why actual books are still better than eBooks. First, YOU CAN FEEL AND TOUCH. Reading a physical book gives you a real experience. You can feel the pages, smell the paper, and see how far you’ve read. Turning pages helps you remember where things are in the book. Many people also understand and remember better when reading from paper than from a screen.

Secondly, I love this — FEWER DISTRACTIONS. When you read an eBook, there are often notifications, messages, or other apps that can disturb your focus (of course, you can turn them off, duh). But with a real book, there are no pop-ups or sounds. You can simply sit, read, and think quietly. Especially when reading the Bible, a printed one helps you reflect and focus on God’s Word. Thirdly, BETTER FOR LEARNING. Studies show that reading from paper helps your brain process information more deeply. When you read on screens, it’s easier to skim or read quickly without really thinking. Physical books encourage slow reading — and slow reading helps us understand more. Fourthly, NO BATTERY, NO PROBLEM. Books don’t need to be charged, updated, or connected to Wi-Fi. You can bring them anywhere — even to a quiet retreat or a place without electricity. They’re always ready to use.

Fifthly, YOU TRULY OWN IT. When you buy a real book, it’s yours. You can underline, write notes, or pass it to someone else. It can last long and can even be passed down to the next generation. Sixthly, DEEP READING, LEARNING, AND REFLECTION. When you hold a Bible or any book in your hands, it invites you to slow down. Turning the pages gives time to think and pray. Many Christians say that reading a printed Bible helps them feel closer to God’s Word — not just reading it but living it. ANYWAY, eBooks have their advantages — they’re convenient and portable. But real books touch our senses, mind, and heart in ways a screen never can. In a world full of noise and distraction, opening a real book might be one of the simplest ways to slow down and grow deeper in truth 🙏

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Don't Start Your Day with Social Media First, But... #LeadersAreReaders August 2025

Don’t start your day or your optimum time of focus by scrolling through social media before turning to the Word of God. Many people “program” themselves every morning (or every evening) on bed while endlessly scrolling social feeds. These are often filled with both positive and negative content. In my opinion, social media leans more heavily toward the negative. No offense. Dangerous, but sometimes useful. Scary, but attention-grabbing. Undesirable, but hard to ignore.

That is why an old advice is still very true: “Read with the Bible in one hand and the news in the other.” But the order matters: God’s Word first. I suggest you don’t dive into social media first thing in the morning or at your peak focus time. Save that for later. Instead, feed your mind and soul with something mor
e inspiring, uplifting, and meaningful at that hour. Begin with God’s Word. It strengthens your soul for the rest of the day. Take a moment to be thankful for another day, blessed by God, and use that time to listen (through His Word) and to speak (through prayer).

Let that be your first offering of the day or the best offering of your optimum time. As Jesus said, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). Socials later; first, the Word of God 📖

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Learning Beyond School: Why It Still Matters #LeadersAreReaders July 2025

 
I’ve learned that you don’t need a classroom to grow your mind. Today, books, websites, podcasts, and videos can teach you what schools once could only offer. With just my phone or a trip to the library, I can keep learning anytime, anywhere. Research shows that people who keep learning - no matter the method - are more confident, adaptable, and successful in life. A study found that lifelong learners handle change better and feel less stuck. They think deeper, lead better, and stay curious.

I'm hunger to learn. For me, learning beyond school helps in every area of life. It grows my faith, improves my thinking, and teaches me how to manage my time and leadership. The more I learn, the more I grow, not just in knowledge, but in wisdom. I’ve come to see that I don’t need to go back to school to move forward. Learning isn’t just about getting a degree, it’s about self-development. So, I keep reading, listening, and watching. And every small step matters. I believe this kind of learning can change lives... starting with mine. And the best part? I can start (or restart) today. So can you 🫵

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain #LearningBeyondSchool

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

When Was the Last Time You Picked Up a Book for YOU? #LeadersAreReaders June 2025

When was the last time you picked up a book NOT for school or an assignment, but for YOU? These days, many of us spend hours scrolling TikTok, watching YouTube videos (I’m guilty!) or gaming (thank God, I’m not). But let’s be real, with the exception of good YouTube videos, how often do those things help us think better or grow wiser?

Reading books might sound “nerdy” or “old-school,” but it’s actually one of the best things you can do for your mind and your heart. A good book can help you understand life, people, and — in the case of The Book a.k.a. The Bible — the mind and heart of the LORD God. It teaches you to think clearly, make better decisions, and gain practical wisdom.

So… how can YOU start reading more?

1. Start small — aim to read at least 10 minutes a day (and increase over time);
   
   
2. Read what you like or interested — the Bible, biographies, magazines, comics, real stories… anything! (in the month of June, I'm soo interested in The Toral and Messianic Jews);
   
   
3. Swap some screen time for book time - don't try to eliminate screen time completely at once. Instead, focus on replacing some of your regular screen time with reading;
   
   
4. Find a reading buddy or join a group (I have one — let me know if you're interested!);
   
   
5. Visit your state or local library, or a book fair — you might find a gem!

 Reading isn’t just for “bookworms.” It’s for anyone who wants to grow. So if you want to think better, live wiser, and have an informed heart — open a book. One page at a time. Let's start reading and let’s read more. Let’s make reading cool again. You’ve got this! 💪📖 #ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Hearing God in the Age of A.I. #LeadersAreReaders May 2025

Justin Peters once said, “Want to hear God speak? Read your Bible. Want to hear God speak audibly? Read your Bible out loud.” In today’s digital age, where AI offers answers instantly and voices speak from devices, it’s easy to forget where true wisdom comes from. While technology is helpful, it cannot replace the voice of God. AI can provide information, but only Scripture offers divine truth and wisdom. The Bible is God’s Word—unchanging, eternal, and alive (Hebrews 4:12). In a world flooded with content, reading the Bible helps us discern what is real, right, and true.

Reading God’s Word regularly keeps us rooted. It reminds us of who YHWH (LORD God) is and who we are in Him. In contrast to AI, which learns from human data, the Bible reveals truth straight from the mind and heart of God. In a noisy world of digital voices, let us listen to the one Voice that truly matters. Open your Bible. Read it often. That’s where you’ll hear God speak 😉 #ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #LeadersAreReaders

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Letters to My Son #2 You Are Unconditionally Loved

Dear Son,

    God’s love is unconditional. That means it’s not based on our strength or goodness, it reaches us even in our weakness and sinfulness. As Romans 5:6 says, “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” Christ died in our place while we were still weak, showing us just how unconditional His love really is. It’s a love so deep we can’t fully understand it—though I caught a glimpse of it when you came into the world.

    After hours of waiting to see you at the hospital, I finally had the chance to meet you. You were white-reddish, full of hair, and just so cute to behold. You had a bit of jaundice, so you had to stay under the light for another 24 hours. But the moment I saw you, I instantly fell in love. You hadn’t done anything yet but I loved you. Your mom loved you. While you were still just an infant, I loved you unconditionally. Maybe that’s what parenthood does… it gives us a small taste of how deeply God loves us. So, son, no matter what you become or what you do, know this: I love you for who you are. And more importantly, your Father in heaven loves you unconditionally. You are a child of God in Christ Jesus, the Son. Amen.

Love, Dad

Letters to My Son #1 You Are Wonderfully and Marvelously Made

 

Dear Son,

The day I heard you were coming, your mom gave me the biggest surprise. I had just come back tired from preparing for the FES National Conference the next day. Your mom had arrived that afternoon and was resting in the room. She had come to help out as a graduate helper. I thought she was already asleep that night, but when I entered the room and turned on the light, there she was—sitting on the bed, smiling, and holding out a pregnancy test result. She said, “I’m pregnant.”

For a moment, I didn’t know what to say (also, I honestly had no clue how to read a pregnancy test—what do “T” and “C” mean? What are the double red lines for? I never cared to know before). But after your mom patiently explained it to me, the thought of you coming into this world was just… wonderful. I hugged your mom tightly and we kissed. That night, all my tiredness disappeared. I was the happiest man at the campsite (even though nobody else knew yet). And your mom? Beautiful as ever!

One Bible passage that came to mind as we prayed and gave thanks to our LORD for the precious gift He gave us was Psalm 139:14–16: “Thank you [LORD] for making me [and that’s you too, my son] so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvellous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” To your mom and me, you are—of course—wonderful and marvellous. But, my son, your Father in heaven loved you even before you came into the world. His gentle hands formed you in your mother’s womb, and His loving eyes watched over you from a single cell to the complex, amazing being you are now. Son, I welcome you into this world—and I speak the name of Jesus, the Son of God, over you.

Love, Dad.