Own This

Do you know a young Christian? A new Christian? An underdiscipled Christian? If you answered no, you need to find one. You need to know one. And you need to start discipling one.

If you answered yes, congrats on identifying that person. But, now what? Let me offer a simple suggestion - Don't Call It a Comeback: The Old Faith for a New Day, edited by Kevin DeYoung. 

Read this book. Buy this book. Highlight this book. Teach from this book. I'm almost ready to suggest memorizing parts of this book, but it would much better to memorize the various Bible passages that give this book credibility. 

So many nuggets of scriptural wisdom with practical application. So many biblical insights with historical context and present-day realities.

Its 18 chapters are organized into three sections:
      1. Evangelical History: Looking Forward and Looking Back
      2. Evangelical Theology: Thinking, Feeling, and Believing the Truths that Matter Most
      3. Evangelical Practice: Learning to Live Life God's Way

While the entire book was a good read, I found the last section especially great. Nine times out of ten, I'm a black and white kind of person - you don't usually have to wonder what my answer is or what opinion I have. And I think that's why I resonated with the last three chapters - the writers were candid and crystal clear in why they believe what they believe.

That, and topics pertaining to the local church, worship, and missions are especially important to me. Grady and I value these things. We rearrange our schedules for these things. We reallocate our budget for these things. We structure our parenting to focus on these things.

In chapter 16, The Local Church: Not Always Amazing, but Loved by Jesus, Thabiti Anyabwile writes:

"I want to persuade you - if you're not already persuaded - that the local church and your active membership in it are

essential to your spiritual well-being and that of the entire congregation. Two things prosper when we make the local 

church central to our understanding of the Christian life: our individual souls and the souls of other Christians in the    

congregation.

"To put it another way, if membership in a healthy local church is not central to your understanding of the Christian life and your daily living, you are slowly, perhaps imperceptibly, starving, shriveling, and loveless - even if you don't feel it yet. The local church is that vitally important." (Page 202)

I can hear some of you shouting "Amen!" and others of you sarcastically saying "Whatever." For those rolling your eyes and thinking his comments are extreme, think about this:

The Body of Christ will support, encourage, love, and provide for you in ways no one else can when you face dark and difficult trials. Parents can offer love and support. Best friends can give consolation. But only the Body of Christ can wrap its arms around you, intercede on your behalf, and carry the power of the Spirit to bless and minister like no one else and nothing else.

The Body of Christ is one of God's vital ways to touch you personally and talk to you individually. Want to hear the heart of God? Want to see the Spirit work? Want to feel the compassion of Christ? Want to connect by both giving and receiving with something that has eternal significance? Join a local church.

Attending isn't enough. Tithing isn't enough. Serving isn't enough. You need to join. You need to be a committed member. You need to be an active member. You need to be a concerned member. It's not just your well-being at stake, but the well-being of other believers as well. Your participation is that important.

If you have joined a local church, thanks for taking that important first step. But now that you've joined, you undoubtedly have issues or irritations or what-are-they-thinking-doing-church-like-this moments. It's true: churches have problems; pastors aren't perfect; and worship styles aren't always the same.

 Consider what Tullian Tchividjian shares in chapter 17, Worship: It's a Big Deal:

 "... we ought to come to worship expecting first and foremost to see God. We come to encounter his glory, to be 
 awestruck by his majesty. A worship service isn't the place to showcase human talent but the place for God to showcase 
 his divine treasure. We gather not to be impressed by one another - how we sound, what we wear, who we are - but to 
 be impressed by God and his mighty acts of salvation. We come to sing of who he is and what he's done. We come to 
 hear his voice resounding in and through his Word. We come to feel the grief of our sin so that we can taste the glory of 
 his salvation. We gather to be magnificently defeated, flattened, and shrunk by the power and might of the living God. 
 (Page 217)
  "Our worship should include moments of praise, lament, and thanksgiving... It should involve a sense of guilt and 
 gratitude, desperation and deliverance, somber contemplation and joyous celebration. it should contain silence and
 singing, confession and cleansing, commendation of God and conviction from God." (Page 221) 

Imagine that! The organ or the drums, hymnals or slides, and raising hands or sitting still won't make or break the worship service. But you will. Your heart attitude will make all the difference.

This puts the responsibility to participate in and enjoy worship on you. Not the pastor. Not the praise team. Not wonderfully great or horribly awful musicians. Just you. Ouch. I have friends who don't want to hear that and I have family members who don't agree with that. But, being candid, those are the same people who often grumble about boring sermons, inadequate childcare, insufficient ministry resources, and the like.

It's simple, really. When my heart is not directed to enjoying God through worship, I cannot find joy and contentment in the various means used to lead me in worship.

If it's so important, and if it's primarily a heart attitude and intentional choice, what then is the primary purpose of worship? David Mathis uses chapter 18, Missions: The Worship of Jesus and the Joy of All Peoples, to help us better understand that.

"Missions is about the worship of Jesus. The goal of missions is the global worship of Jesus by his redeemed people   
from every tribe, tongue, and nation. The outcome of missions is all peoples delighting to praise Jesus. And the 
motivation of missions is the enjoyment that his people have in him. Missions aims at, brings about, and is fueled by the 
worship of Jesus.


"Another way to say it is that missions is about Jesus' global glory. From beginning to end - in target, effect, and 
impetus - missions centers on the worldwide fame of Jesus in the praises of his diverse peoples from every tribe, tongue, 
and nation. What's at stake in missions is the universal honor of the Father in the global glory of his Son in the joy of all 
peoples. (Page 225)


"Is it megalomania for Jesus to use 'all authority' to make himself the most famous person in the universe? If knowing 
Jesus were anything less than the greatest of enjoyments, then his pursuit would be unloving. But he is the most 
valuable reality in the universe. Knowing him is 'the surpassing worth' that makes it gain to count all else loss (Phil. 3:8). 
Therefore, it is profoundly loving for Jesus to exalt himself. he cannot love the nations without putting himself on 
display because it is he alone who truly satisfies the human soul. This makes God's heart for God the deepest foundation 
for missions.


"So the bedrock of the Great Commission is most ultimately not God's heart for the nations - amazing as that is - but 
God's heart for God. And God's pursuit of his glory makes the cause of missions unstoppable. As surely as he will not 
give his glory to another (Is. 48:11), so the commission will not fail. His honor is at stake. When we pursue the glory of 
God in the worship of Jesus in the global cause of missions, we get on board with a mission that will not abort. Jesus will 
build his church. That task of missions will finish." (Page 227)

I have nothing left to add. I'm simply standing and applauding the well-written and wonderfully-obvious truths Mathis emphasizes.

So, have you joined a church? Do you love your church? Do you worship freely and honestly? Do you support your pastor and his efforts to lead you? Have you joined the cause of missions in an honest and intentional way?

I pray so. And not just for your benefit. But for the benefit of everyone else committed to the church you attend and for everyone else in this world that has yet to hear and receive the Good News.

Book Reviews

Summer is here and that means lazy days by the pool and cool evenings lounging outside! Well, maybe for the slim .0001% of you that does. Even though my summer isn't set to involve a nice tan and a lounge chair, I'm still aiming to keep my mind active by reading as much as I can. 

I've just finished the following books this month and thought I'd pass on some thoughts for you to consider if you're looking for a summer read.

The Five Love Languages of Children - Gary Chapman

From Christian Book Distributors: 

"Does your child speak a different language? Sometimes they wager for your attention, and other times they ignore you completely. Sometimes they are filled with gratitude and affection, and other times they seem totally indifferent. Attitude. Behavior. Development. Everything depends on the love relationship between you and your child. When children feel loved, they do their best. But how can you make sure your child feels loved? Since 1992, Dr. Gary Chapman's best-selling book The Five Love Languages has helped more than 300,000 couples develop stronger, more fulfilling relationships by teaching them to speak each others love language. Each child, too, expresses and receives love through one of five different communication styles. And your love language may be totally different from that of your child. While you are doing all you can to show your child love, he may be hearing it as something completely opposite. Discover your child's primary language and learn what you can do to effectively convey unconditional feelings of respect, affection, and commitment that will resonate in your child's emotions and behavior."

My Take:

I've read the original The Five Love Languages several times over the past 10 years and have found it valuable in helping me understand how to demonstrate love to the people I care about deeply. (Although, if I'm being honest, I'm still not entirely sure what my own love language is!)

Now that I'm a mom of three precious but "wow-I'm-tired-and-sometimes-frustrated-with-you" kids, I thought it was important to learn how to come to their level and show them, in specific ways that they resonate with, just how much I love them.

Each child is different and each love language requires a different approach. The thing is, I only have one shot at this whole parenting thing and I want to do it right. My number one goal is for them to know, love, and serve Jesus. After that, I want them to know that I love them unconditionally and am committed to showing them and telling them that each and every day.

If you too are a parent, this is a must-read.

Surrender: The Heart God Controls - Nancy Leigh DeMoss

From Christian Book Distributors: 

"If you've been fighting a losing spiritual battle, it's time to give up. Bow the knee. Wave the white flag. And turn yourself over to the King of kings. The truth is, your salvation,your initial 'surrender' to Christ,was just the starting point. You will never know real joy, real peace, real success until you learn what it means to live a fully surrendered life,to continually say 'no' to self and 'yes' to God.Choosing the pathway to full surrender will transform your perspective, set fire to your soul, revolutionize your life, and give the spiritual victory you have sought for so long."

My take: 

I worry about my husband. I'm nervous for my kids. I grip my calendar. In short, I seem to cling to things that aren't really even mine to begin with. I want control of what God has generously given to me on loan.

Page 34 - "... one of the megathemes that emerges repeatedly in Scripture is that our battles here on earth are merely a reflection of a cosmic war between the Kingdom of God and all other kingdoms. That is true whether we are talking about kids squabbling on a playground, embattled parents and teens, estranged mates in a divorce court, warring desires within our own hearts, power struggles in the church, or nations at war.

"This bigger war - the real war - begins in the opening pages of God's Word and continues unabated, gaining in intensity, almost to the final page. It is, in essence, a battle for control."

Surrender isn't a one-time act. It's not a do-it-and-I'm-done thing. Surrender is bits and pieces of my time, talent, and treasure every single day. 

Page 97 - "We think giving our all to the Lord is like taking a $1,000 bill and laying it on the table - 'Here's my life, Lord. I'm giving it all.'

"But the reality for most of us is that he sends us to the bank and has us cash in the $1,000 for quarters. We go through life putting 25 cents here and 50 cents there. Listen to the neighbor kid's troubles instead of saying, 'Get lost.' Go to a committee meeting. Give up a cup of water to a shaky old man in a nursing home.

Usually giving our life to Christ isn't glorious. It's done in all those little acts of love, 25 cents at a time."

Carolina Cousins Series - Michael Phillips

From Christian Book Distributors:


"CAROLINA COUSINS: The Civil War may be over, but the dangers continue. Two southern women with big dreams work to keep the family plantation running after the Civil War with the help of two uncles and a group of former slaves who have become dear friends. Amid the challenges and struggles, the two young women find inner strength, deeper faith, the beauty of unlikely friendships.and maybe even love. Rich with the deep spiritual insights bestselling author Michael Phillips is known for, this new series is one you won't want to miss."

My take: 


It's no secret I don't generally read fiction. But, being in the mood for something that didn't require heavy thinking and something I could read in small spurts, this set was perfect. And besides, I really like American history. 


Really though, between you and me, I got caught up in actually thinking I was the lead character and found myself imagining what I would have said or what I would have done in various situations during the book. 


My, oh my, maybe fiction isn't that bad after all.

Book Reviews

It's been a while, but I assure you I've been reading. It's my most favorite thing to do when the kids are quiet. Except for maybe take a bubble bath. Or drink coffee while it's still hot. And when I can do all three of those things simultaneously? Well, that, that, my friends, is pure bliss.

First up, Radical, by David Platt. In his words:


"You and I can choose to continue with business as usual in the Christian life and in the church as a whole, enjoying success based on the standards defined by the culture around us. Or we can take an honest look at the Jesus of the Bible and dare to ask what the consequences might be if we really believed him and really obeyed him.

If Jesus is who he said he is, and if his promises are as rewarding as the Bible claims they are, then we may discover that satisfaction in our lives and success in the church are not found in what our culture deems most important, but in radical abandonment to Jesus." 

This book is an easy read and full of stories and statistics and commentary that probe why you do what you do as it relates to church and giving and serving. 


For an insightful review of this book, considering both some positives and potentially negatives, click here.


Next up, Be Mature, by Warren Wiersbe. 


Christian Book sums this up by saying, "Beloved author and teacher Warren W. Wiersbe leads you through this practical book with advice on overcoming temptation, controlling the tongue, praying effectively, and practicing what the Bible teaches. With end of chapter study questions and a new introduction, Be Mature is the perfect companion for a study of James and becoming more mature in Christ."

I joined a women's Bible study last September to study this book together. Although I joined a new study this January, I took time to complete the book and am thankful I did.

The Book of James is my husband's favorite book of the Bible. He reads it a lot. He refers to it a lot. In fact, he has it memorized. (Yes, the entire book.) Since I live with this guy and spend a little bit of time with him, I've picked up on some of his passion and delight for this book.

And now, having studied it more deeply, I understand why. James is full to overflowing with practical wisdom for daily living the Christian life. Be Mature is an excellent resource to help you - no matter where you are in your spiritual journey - better understand how to live as a mature Christian.

Finally, Bringing Up Girls, by James Dobson.

In typical Dobson fashion, this book is full of statistics and stories and real-life examples that put a lump in your throat, bring you to your knees, and have you begging God for wisdom in raising your daughters.

Although this book is long (304 pages) it is an extremely easy read and I had it completed in less than a week.  Bringing Up Girls is not full of rocket science, but does contain pertinent reminders and insights about the uniqueness of girls and the complexities of raising them in the world today.

I was a little disappointed with the lack of discussion about the "Princess Movement" and how it's shaping today's little girls, but he does lend some opinion on the topic.

I was very encouraged, however, with his specific and intentional instruction to dads and their critical involvement in raising daughters. In fact, this book is now on Grady's nightstand for him to read - after he's done with a pile of Sports Illustrated magazines.

Book Review(s)

Because I've gotten several emails asking about books that I've read recently, I thought it was time to do another Book Review post. (Can I just say, it makes me kind of proud when I get emails asking things about my blog. That means someone is actually reading it. And I thought this was just a personal online journal...!)

First up: Ashamed of the Gospel by John MacArthur. I read this book in late high school and it was recently re-released in its third edition. Grady was given a copy and brought it home a couple of months ago so I decided to reread it. Same content as several years ago and just as relevant and striking today.

In short, MacArthur "challenges seeker-sensitive, user-friendly, entertainment-oriented pragmatism that permeates the church today." Care about the direction of your church? Concerned about the vision of its leadership? Interested in knowing what attracts people to the Gospel? Read this book and take notes.

Next, Think by John Piper. This is a new release by Piper and, like all his books, it won't disappoint. Piper gives clear insight and direction on how to love God with all your mind. And, different from some of his books, it's not overly academic so it's easy to read and follow.

We often receive instruction on loving God with our emotions and our actions, but it's not too often we're told how to love God with our minds. In this book, Piper shows what proper Christian stewardship of the mind is all about.

And finally, for those that find fiction fun to read, the Newpointe 911 Series. It's not a secret: I don't enjoy fiction. But, when Annalyse was born I wanted something that didn't require me to think that I could read while laying low and recovering from surgery. 

I blew through the five books in this series in less than a month, and, I'll admit, they were actually somewhat entertaining. Terri Blackstock is a Christian fiction author who has received a lot of acclaim for her writing. Since I'm not usually involved with Christian fiction, I can't comment on anything else she's written and I can't compare her stories to other authors. But, if you're after some adventure and suspense that is centered around Christian values, this is a good series to consider.

Book Review: Worth the Effort

Like the title says, the latest book I read is well worth the effort. And, it is effort to read the book, digest the content, and then talk about its substance with understanding.

I'm a huge D'Souza fan. Huge. However, this isn't a curl-up-before-bed-and-read-a-page-or-two-until-you-get-sleepy kind of book. You have to be ready to think. And you have to be ready to read a sentence several times before you actually get what it's saying. A handy dictionary may be useful too.

So, if that into hasn't scared you off, I recommend Life After Death: The Evidence, by Dinesh D'Souza.

The most compelling aspect of this book is D'Souza's ability to lay out a clear and logical argument for life after death, without basing his logic solely on Scripture. Know someone that is Buddhist? Hindu? Pantheist? Atheist? D'Souza evaluates the philosophy and doctrine of various religious groups and shows where each falls short regarding life after death.

This is a good read for someone looking for a fair discussion on life after death - beyond simply providing verse after verse as the only source of evidence.

Book Review: Don't Bother

So, by now, you know that I'm an avid reader and always looking for something new to start. After many (too many) people asking if I've read The Shack by William P. Young, I finally decided it was time to give the book a try. After all, it's a best-seller, widely circulated in many churches, and highly-endorsed by some close friends and family.

A few things: 1. I don't enjoy fiction. 2. I don't enjoy wordy, overly-descriptive, rambling, missing the point sentences. 3. I don't enjoy dialog that goes on and on and on... and on. It took less than seven minutes of flipping through the chapters in this book to realize it had three strikes against it before I even read it.

But, wanting to give it a fair read, I cracked it open and got comfy. I finished the book in two days. Not because it was so good I couldn't put it down. And, not because I had so much free time I didn't know what else to do. I finished it in two days because by mid-way through the book, I was doing some serious skimming just to get through it.

Try as I may, I couldn't give honest attention to a book that portrayed God as an African-American woman called Papa; Jesus as a Middle Eastern, middle-aged man with simple looks; and the Holy Spirit as a small Asian woman. And, on top of this, the Trinity is described as "in a circle of relationship, not a chain of command." (Ay-yi-yi...!)

The book has some moments of drama and some scenes of tender emotion. But the book also construes what Scripture says about revelation and authority and salvation and forgiveness, to name a few.

If I really believe that 2 Timothy 3:16-17 is true, that "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work," my immediate response is to raise the yellow flag.

Is this book good fiction? That's a matter of preference. Is this book entertaining? Again, a matter of preference. Is this book a guide for scriptural application? Nope. Is this book a useful resource for teaching the character of God and training the reader in God's design for love and forgiveness? Nope.

I'm not a great writer and I'm not a great book-reviewer. I've read a lot of reviews for this book and encourage you to take a look a the following:
http://www.challies.com/archives/book-reviews/the-shack-by-william-p-young.php

Take it or leave it - that's up to you. But how you choose to handle God's name and his Truth - that's a different matter. Just sayin'.

(P.S. Bring it! I'm ready for the influx of emails.)

Book Review: A Must-Read

Pre-children I was a believer in reading a book a week. Post-children I am now a believer in reading whenever you can, in hopes of actually completing a book (and no, Goodnight Moon and The Little Red Caboose don't count).

I'm on a "read-and-finish-a-book-about-every-two-weeks" track right now. Not too bad.

I just finished a book that is a must-read. I repeat: a MUST-READ.

Michael E. Wittmer's newest book, Don't Stop Believing: Why Living Like Jesus Is Not Enough, asks and answers some of the toughest and most important questions facing the Church today. For example:
- Must you believe something to be saved?
- Are people generally good or basically bad?
- Which is worse: homosexuals or the bigots who persecute them?
- Is the cross divine child abuse?
- Can you belong before you believe?
And the list continues.



Wittmer delicately navigates the growing current to "love like Jesus" that, in many ways, clashes with the historical tide that "believing Truth is all that matters." This book will help you understand conservative theology and its historical context in light of today's liberal push - and why any of this matters for the Church tomorrow.

"Authentic Christianity demands our head, heart, and hands. Our labor for Christ flows from our love for him, which can arise only when we know and think rightly about him. Genuine Christians never stop serving, because they never stop loving, and they never stop loving, because they never stop believing." (Wittmer, p.20)

What are you reading right now?