JP Pokluda

Why Do I Do What I Don’t Want to Do?
Baker Books, 2023
By JP Pokluda

WHO: JP Pokluda, lead pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, Texas. 

HE SAYS: “The only way to conquer a bad habit is to replace it with a better one.”

THE BIG IDEA: This book looks at 10 sins that seem to consistently trip us up and the Scriptures that show us how to respond in God-honoring ways to these vices. 

THE PROGRESSION: In Part 1, “The Ancient Battles,” looks at five “classic” sins and their corresponding virtues: pride and humility, anger and forgiveness, green and generosity, apathy and diligence, and lust and self-control. Part 2, “The Modern Wars,” takes on the battles we fight on a daily basis: perception management and authenticity, entitlement and gratitude, busyness and rest, drunkenness and sobriety, and cynicism and optimism.

“The day-to-day grind of fleeing sin and pursuing holiness is difficult. But just because it is difficult does not mean that it isn’t right.”

Higher Learning: Reaching Young Ugandans in Their Schools

“If John Wesley could send out bands of young people to change the world, we can too." -Pastor Moses Kalanzi

The Block Church: See You at the Block

The spiritual dynamic of The Block Church changed dramatically when the leadership made the decision to raise up and develop an intercessors ministry.

5 Approaches Christians Take Toward Culture

As we help our people live as disciples in this culture, we must exhort them to 1) deal with sin inwardly and 2) display their Savior outwardly.