A Wouk on the dark side

Herman Wouk, the Cain mutinous, windy war and peaceful writer compiles his thoughts in a very good read. I happenstanced this book at the local library, intrigued by the title and the back cover description. I'm glad I did because this book is a real gift to the Christian. Plain and simple, this book is a window into the unbeliever's skeptical, agnostic mind. I learned so much about how the problem of evil as the trial of God really is the heart of the matter for the God hating evolution believing humanists in the world. I also got a nice snapshot of how the worldwide Jewish people have been affected by constant persecution of the world.

Family Devotions and Discipleship in One Resource

Perfect solution for family devotions

Jim Burns relies on decades of curriculum and devotional writing to produce a fantastic resource for parents. Quality family time is a rare commodity in our fast-paced modern culture these days, but this book could really help slow life down in a fun way.
The layout of the book sets up the leader for great success. The Key Verse and Big Idea sections keep you on track while the Focus section is usually filled with a very provocative story or statement that is sure to generate a buzz around the kitchen table or classroom. The In The Word section is loaded with plenty of scripture and super creative ways to study those passages. I believe this would take all the worries even out of the newest rookie teachers or parents that may be new or shy as leaders of their families. Finally, the Reflect And Apply section drives home the main point with great exercises that I think separate this resource from others that I have seen and used in the past. I think this section above all others gave me the vision for this book that it would work well in adult Sunday school.
If you removed the words "for families" from the title, this book would be perfect for training new believers, discipling college or highschool students or even a Sunday School class. In fact, as I read and used the book with my own family I dreamed about how easily these 52 chapters would make a perfect year's worth of Sunday school lessons for a parents class. While the studies with all the creative exercises for starting conversations probably wouldn't work for children younger than first grade, the little ones in the audience could still benefit from hearing dad, mom, and older siblings interact with God's Word.
"What a creative way to think about that concept!" were the words that kept coming to my mind as I read this book. When you see God's Word come alive with such passion and uniqueness it gets you excited to share the concept with your family. What's not to get excited about topics covered in the book like prayer, basics of Christian living, theology, modern cultural issues like sex and drugs, and relationships.
With all this book offers, when you finished it in a year I think you would want to turn around and do it all over again since all the kids would be a year older and would have new insights and answers.

Half Time Kids = Full Time Work

The plague of modern society:
Most folks are only 50% committed to anything. RSVPs mean absolutely nothing. Returning emails, getting a 'like' from a Facebook post, a one year commitment to volunteer, and showing up most of the time to church or Sunday school is relegated to "Leave It To Beaver land". Its somewhere in another time period and not anymore.

How many of us in church ministry lament the lack of committed attendance. No matter what we program and provide it seems like the majority of our kids are only showing up about half the time. Considering 52 weeks a year for Sunday school that's about 25 to 30 times we will actually see the child in class. Of course kids don't drive themselves so its really a parental issue and another post.

We already know why this happens but sometimes the stark reality of the list has some affect on us if none other than eliciting pain, thus proving that we are still alive. Here it is in all its lacklustreness: divorce, vacations, sickness, sports, hobbies, weather, out of town guests, church shopping, and just playing hooky. This list does not even take into consideration the ridiculous numbers that show up way late to every event and class. I bet another 20% show up so late that the disruption is painful and then I wonder why bother to show up at all for last 10 minutes of leftovers and crumbs. It is some of the most childish, rebukable behavior that occurs in every church I know. It is a shameful scourge on our programming.

Problem: got it down!
Answer: not even close to nailing it down.

I go back to what I'm trying to accomplish as a teacher, a discipler of children, a parent too. Biblical discipleship is what I'm trying to do. 1. Holy Spirit saves a person. 2. Holy Spirit uses a person (like a parent or teacher) through the Word of God to grow this new believer from point A to point B. This is the "walking in Christ" sanctification process.

A couple of quick thoughts:

1. My goal is not the numbers but the quality of the training
2. I have to work with who shows up, the committed. Just like a coach has to field the team that is there and practiced up. The injured reserves and the lazy won't be playing Sunday in the game no matter how good they might be, were, or could be.
3. I have to start on time even if its just me and a fellow teacher's kid in the room. (Again, reason? See point #2)
4. The content of the program cannot be driven by or dictated by the lazy and the uncommitted. Jesus had a ton of 'disciples' or followers who came and went based on the food and the miracle show. He always programmed for the 12, the truly committed. Sure the crowds benefited from this, but if you look closely at the context, Jesus always was working with the 12. We should do the same.
5. The modern "seeker" churches are in a real bind. They appear to be more committed to the masses (in all likelihood the lost in their midst than they are with the truly saved, committed small core.) They have subscribed to the tragic mistake of programming church for the lost, fair weather fans instead of the core rain or shine fanatics. 

Bottom line: Jesus programmed for His 12 handpicked fanatics. The masses benefited as they came and went, fickle as it was. In John 17:4 Jesus prayed to His Father, acknowledging that He had completed the work He was given to do. Seeing how this is pre-cross and in the context of a prayer for His disciples it would seem that He was talking about finishing up His training of the twelve committed. We would do well to aim for the same type of prayer at the end of our ministry time as well.

Tale of Two Bibles: Best Study Bible ever.

Being a brand new Christian and walking into a strange new world, the Christian Bookstore, looking for a new bible can be pretty overwhelming. I was thankful to even find a good store in Cookeville, TN in 1986 but I did. Cornerstone Christian Bookstore came to my aide. (Store location)
I was directed to the Thompson Chain Reference Bible (1983 edition when it was still in partnership with Zondervan) and it was such a good choice. I love this Bible and it has helped me grow in Christ and has made me look much smarter in Bible studies than I really am. The chain references and index is far superior than just study notes. You build your systematic theology every time you follow a chain of references. I love it. In fact I loved it so much that I started wearing my copy out after 25 years. I hated to retire this gem of a copy for several reasons. First, I knew this copy so well that I could find verses even if I couldn't remember their address simply by remembering what area of a page they occurred. Secondly, the Thompson Chain has gone through at least one new edition and thus the pagination changed and the partnership with Zondervan ended thus the newer copies are still wonderful but the concordance is not as robust as the old one I have.
Bring on eBay! I knew what I wanted, a replacement 1983 edition of my Bible that was clean and pristine and also in leather since mine was a hardback and I don't think they last as long. Plenty were to be found and the prices were about right $25 to $40. Remember, new ones will cost at least $59 and up. I bid on one but lost it in a bidding war and then God helped me land the perfect one. Leather bound, pristine and clean and at a great price, $25 after shipping even.
The only problem: used Bibles sometimes have the previous owner's name engraved.  I'll have to change my name to the Rev. Harold F. Marr. I guess that could get more expensive than buying a new one.
Do you love your Bible too? Tell me about it in a comment below.

Turning over the keys to a new driver = FEAR

A challenging book about parenting that introduces some new ideas. Having something new and fresh to say about a topic that already has a million books shelved and a billion opinions expressed is tough to accomplish. The Stadtmillers may have pulled it off in Give Your Kids The Keys. While I certainly don't agree with all of their theology, especially their hearing God's voice beliefs, I was more than challenged and encouraged by the overall direction they have taken in parenting. I really appreciated the personal examples found throughout the book as well as the bigger vision of parenting they revealed to me. The title of the book is fabulous because it helps me to easily remember the contents of the book but more importantly reminds me of my role in my kids life. As a father, I must be working towards affording my kids every opportunity to be their own person before the Lord even at the youngest of ages. I can see this book not only in the hands of parents but also in the hands of church leaders, Family Pastor's and Children's Pastors.  This one goes in my permanent library and will be referenced again.

Note about the review: I received this book free from Gospel Light with no strings attached and with no expectations of even posting a review, let alone a positive review.

The cancer and poison of unconfessed sin

Psalm 32

3 When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night
your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.
9 Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.
10 Many are the woes of the wicked,

Here is the cry of a sinner that sounds a lot like mental illness. I am convinced from my own life experience and life observation that most onset (non physical injury) mental illness and insanity is the result of unconfessed and unrepentant sin. Notice the terrible consequences of this hidden sin: they are physical: bones, strength, uncontrolled body movements. They are emotional: groaning. They are mental: no understanding. They are social: woes of the wicked, must be physically restrained (padded cell, straight jacket, sedated possibly). It is not a pretty picture at all.
I remember many times in my life where the weight of hidden, unconfessed sin was crushing me in many of these ways. Fear of being caught in particular was extremely raw. In the 4th grade I caused an entire classroom to be flooded at West Newton Elementary school by some foolish actions that all the boys were doing but my hand was the final straw that busted the in class water fountain. Even as the students were all huddled on desktop I began the cover up that lasted for years. It was not until I was saved by Jesus some 12 years later that I confessed that sin to my parents.
This is what we do as sinners. From the garden fig leaves to an ornery boy in the 70s we are cover up artists for our sins. There is only one answer: Christ. Confess and repent and run to Christ in belief of His perfect life and His perfect answer in the cross. Notice the passage before us.
1 Blessed is he
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
2 Blessed is the man
whose sin the LORD does not count against him
and in whose spirit is no deceit.
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, "I will confess
my transgressions to the LORD "—
and you forgave
the guilt of my sin.
6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you
while you may be found;

See the elements of confession and then forgiveness by God.

Finally, notice all the amazing benefits afforded by God in this passage. Spiritual health permeates our whole body both material and immaterial.

1 Blessed is he
2 Blessed is the man
5 you forgave
the guilt of my sin.
6 surely when the mighty waters rise,
they will not reach him.
7 You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you.
10 but the LORD's unfailing love
surrounds the man who trusts in him.
11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Singing before the Lord or silent shameful suffering.

Hey, don't feel bad, nobody told me either!

Well, this book was sure an eye-opener. "Nobody told me either!" is what I kept catching myself thinking as I read this  book. Oh sure I had most of the biology of sex and relationships down by late high school but the emotional and spiritual scars of fornication and adultery are still so shocking and sobering to hear.
This is a great book. This is a book I will have each of my own children read before they hit the "dating" years. This is a book that should be required reading in every middle school in the country. This is a book that every "dating" person of any age should read, reread and take on their date with them to be co-read by the couple. Sex outside of marriage is an extremely grievous condition to fall into. Pam lays out the truth in all its sad and gory detail in a modern, social networking format that is brilliant and will certainly keep the attention of any teenager. Using Facebook as the genre of writing is both brilliant and novel. Excellent job, Pam. I look forward to sharing this book's insights and inspirations toward godliness with as many who will listen.
A way I think the book could have been improved. Everything can be better, right? I wish Pam would explore and latch on to "courting" instead of "dating". Courting is a more Biblical, godly way to pursue marriage than dating which is quite worldly. Courting involves the whole family, commitments to all that Pam mentions in her book, but in the context of relationship for the sole purpose of marriage. She really needs to explore the purpose of her 'dating' advice at 16. I disagree wholeheartedly with that age.  I know she talks mostly to worldly people on school campuses who will continue to worldly date and "go steady" but standards are standards. Here is a better way. No "dating" or "courting" or whatever you want to call it until you can support a wife or are able and mature enough to be ready to marry. "Dating" is for spouse hunting not just something socially to do. Dating implies window shopping and try before you buy. Courting implies commitment with intention to marry. With that change of mindset everything changes with kids. I've rarely meet a teenager that is mature enough to be ready to marry and thus they should not be dating. This would improve this book greatly by adding a chapter on this topic: the better way. I know this sounds old fashioned and impossibly impractical in our modern age but I serve a God who is all that but provides the grace and strength to make all things possible.