HALFTIME REPORT 2023: The Most Surprising Books I've Read (So Far)

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Summary

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! Last week I introduced my Facebook group, Heaven Citizens, to the ten books I’ve read so far this year that made me think. This week I did the same, looking at the books that took me by surprise. I appreciate the interest being shown; if this encourages you to read more, my work here is done — so long, of course, as your regular Bible reading doesn’t suffer. Hal Hammons serves as preacher and shepherd for the Lakewoods Drive church of Christ in Georgetown, Texas. He is the host of the Citizen of Heaven podcast. You are encouraged to se

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Podcast Jul 21, 2026 18 min

WINE: Drunk on love. "The Alcohol Experiment." "A Case of You." Machi Koro 2.

Hal Hammons · Citizen of Heaven

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! Wine comes up in a wide variety of contexts in the Bible. This week we’ll discuss how the most famous Bible passage about wine may not really be talking about wine at all; how choosing to leave the drunken lifestyle doesn’t always yield the results you had hoped for; how being in love is like drinking wine, both for good and for ill – and how it’s worth it in at least one instance; and how you don’t have to make wine while playing a game just because the cards say so. Check out Hal on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@halhammons9705

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Podcast Jul 14, 2026 19 min

TEA: Civilization. "Blood Orange Brewery." The Tea. Ceylon.

Hal Hammons · Citizen of Heaven

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! We’re talking beverages this month on the podcast. Last week was coffee; this week we’re going a bit highbrow – or maybe not; we’ll have to see. We’ll discuss whether civilization is all it’s cracked up to be; whether tea is merely a beverage or an entire lifestyle; what “the tea” really is (not “tea,” mind you – “THE tea”); and whether you should content yourself with growing “good enough” tea, both in your game room and in your walk with Christ. Check out Hal on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@halhammons9705 Hal Hammons serves as

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Podcast Jul 9, 2026 29 min

COFFEE, part 3: with Mark Roberts and BJ Sipe

Hal Hammons · Citizen of Heaven

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I hope everyone else has enjoyed this week at the coffee shop as much as I have; let’s have one last cup before we leave. To conclude the discussion, Mark Roberts and BJ Sipe discuss the willpower you have to find sometimes to walk away from something that may not be dangerous or sinful in and of itself. Links to their respective work are included in the show notes. Thanks again, fellas, for the talk. I’m stepping away from the table with quite the buzz. Check out "Romans for Everyone" and "The Sermon on the Mount for Everyone" at http

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Podcast Jul 8, 2026 31 min

COFFEE, part 2: with Mark Roberts and BJ Sipe

Hal Hammons · Citizen of Heaven

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! We’re back for a second cup with Mark Roberts of the West Side church of Christ in Irving, Texas, and BJ Sipe of the church in Danville, Kentucky. Links are included in the show notes. We’re talking here about mornings – how a cup of coffee can get you going physically, and what it might take to get you going on a daily basis spiritually. Whether you’re a morning person or a night owl, I think you’ll find something here to get you into gear for your work in the kingdom. Check out "Romans for Everyone" and "The Sermon on the Mount for E

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