GOD ISN'T FINISHED WITH ME YET

I recently re-read a book from my shelves:  THE NEXT CHRISTIANS: How a New Generation is Restoring the Faith, copyright 2010, by Gabe Lyons.  I'm going to deliberately keep it out on my desk for a good while so that I can flip through it and reexamine the many underlined passages.  

The book slowly exposed me in areas that were painful and awakening.  I am deeply challenged by its message and find myself wanting to evolve into a 'Next Christian'.  I have a long way to go and will have to reengage myself regularly if I hope to activate this transformation.

Although I graduated from a seminary that espoused four major branches of theology [Feminist, Calvinist, Progressive, Libertion]. I managed to emerge with my Wesleyan faith-base intact.  I think this was enabled by the fact that the United Methodist Church was sending a lot of their theology students to this school, which created a tolerance for the Wesleyan perspective.  :-)

I emerged from the process as an innovative thinker, cooperative leader, and biblically-based teacher.  Having been raised in the Free Methodist Church, I found it to be a suitable and comfortable base of operation throughout the years, although I currently worship in an evangelical Presbyterian church.  My sources of influence have been eclectic: 

• a Free Methodist college
• a United Methodist seminary
• a liberal Presbyterian seminary
• a charismatic Catholic university
• and a host of friends and associates from a wide variety of Christian-faith-based backgrounds!  

I consequently emerged as a firmly entrenched theological mongrel with a mainstream way of thinking.  I was comfortable and even effective as a result of these processes.

But Gabe Lyons' book began to rattle and disturb my comfort zone.  He had a subtle way of showing me that I am judgmental, proud, and ineffective when it comes to engaging those who disagree with my paradigms.  

My activism has often resorted to boycotts, picketing and letter-writing campaigns.  This approach nearly cost my son (Travis) an education at the United States Naval Academy [but that's a story I've told elsewhere].  I was proud of this approach - until I read THE NEXT CHRISTIAN.  This book unpeeled the roots of my exclusivism, anger, and stubbornness!  I'm hopeful that - even at this late stage of my life - I might be able to change my approach to things I don't like or understand.

I want to break the patterns of rigid thinking and express patience, a desire to know and understand and a renewed passion for a restoring impact!  

Unless you've read the book, it's a challenge for me to convey its message in a brief space.  Perhaps a quote from page 75 will suffice [or at least plant a seed].

No one - Christian included - can avoid all contact with potentially corrupting people, systems, and influences.  For everyday followers of Jesus, this tension begs the question: How should Christians react when placed in an environment that celebrates sin, overlooks injustice, or tolerates immorality?

[I think ALL of us would agree that this is a relevant question for our day!] 

Michael Metzger has said, "When confronted with the corruption of our world - Christians ought to be provoked, not offended and withdrawn."

In contrast, classic Separatist Christians (the insiders, culture warriors, and evangelizers) are often offended by corruption.  Characterized by their lifestyle choices, these Christians tend to remove themselves from potentially harmful situations - citing their disgust of immorality or their pursuit of holiness as the reason.  As is consistent with their perspective, they condemn, judge, withdraw, and boycott.  They play the paradoxical role of antagonist instead of the sacrificial pursuer. 

In my copy of this book, you will see the word "OUCH!" penned in my script!

All these years, I've been offended and withdrawn - hoping to punish evil and withdrawing from its presence!  How un-Christ-like of me!  How Pharisaical!  God, help me to change!

Lyons gives many examples of 'Next Christians' working within our culture [and other cultures] to bring a spiritual restoration to situations and environments.  

I reflect on my years of ministry with a mix of pride and remorse.  I'm grateful that due to training, education and excellent role models, I did a lot of things right!  However, I lament that I dropped the ball when it comes to having a restorative impact on the culture!  I will try to do better in the years I have left.  

It's hard to capture the essence of a 200-page book in this brief forum.  If this blog has tickled or unnerved anything within you - perhaps you'd like to get a copy and read it?  

KISSES FROM KATIE - BOOK REVIEW

The book was a gift to me as a result of attending Catalyst in Atlanta last October.  Katie Davis was interviewed at that event.  Her humility was on display for 12,000 young leaders as the event surprised her by flying her children to the United States for a surprise reunion!

Katie graduated from high school in Tennessee and persuaded her parents to let her go on a missions trip to Uganda.  Then, she postponed her college plans to return to Uganda for a year.  During that time, God gave her a large house to live in;  she wondered why?

Then, God began to bring young girls who desperately needed help to Katie .  First she took them in - then she - one-by-one - adopted them.  She's been serving there since 2007.

She speaks fluently of the extreme poverty she witnessed.  God moved her heart as she began to meet whatever needs she could. 

In latter chapters she tells of going into Masese - a nearby garbage dump - where thousands live in unbelievable circumstances.  She began a ministry to women there.  They make necklaces and Katie's organization sends them to America to be sold. 

I was deeply challenged as I read of her endless caring for the least of these.  She seems undaunted by the most extreme cases of sickness, poverty, and abandonment. 

I was most moved by her description of giving up a relationship with her high school sweetheart.  Yet, her calling to serve Christ in Uganda gave her a greater joy than pursuing her own happiness in this prized relationship.

She repeatedly reminds the reader that she is not extraordinary, or unusually courageous.  Anyone can do what she is doing!  She is simply making herself available to God to serve His lost and hurting children!

HER OWN WORDS
"I am twenty years old and have fourteen children and four hundred more who all depend on me for their care.  Who are all learning to love Jesus and be responsible adults and looking up to me.  The reality of it all can be a bit overwhelming at times.  However, it is always pure joy.  There is a common misperception that I am courageous.  I will be the first to tell you that this is not actually true.  Most of the time, I am not brave.  I just believe in a God who will use me even though I am not."

RECOMMENDATION
I am writing this review on the morning after Jerry Sandusky's guilty verdict for abusing young boys.  Katie's story is the opposite!  Her love and care for children will challenge your heart!  This is not a book for comfort reading;  this book will change you!

Katie has initiated a ministry to the children of Uganda called Amazima - which means "truth" in the Luganda language.  You can read more about (or support) her ministry at http://www.amazima.org/   I highly recommend this book!

BOOK REVIEW: LOST DECEMBER by Richard Paul Evans

Richard Paul Evans is a master story-teller!  I've read five of his novels in the last three months and have thoroughly enjoyed each one!  This from a guy who typically reads (maybe) one novel a year!

Lost December is a modern-day retelling of the story of the Prodigal Son.  But don't let that dissuade you from reading it!  Other than the fact that Evans includes the biblical story on the pages preceding his story, you will not find yourself thinking about the Bible story.

However, of course, if you're familiar with Jesus' story, you also know the plotline of the novel.  I delighted in the way Evans made the story relevant.  The characters - as always - were believable and real.  I read the book in one afternoon/evening.  I giggled and wept as I read it.

His strength is in the development of relationships - especially romantic ones.  Evans crafts his stories with unexpected twists and reconnections that delight and surprise the reader. 

I won't wait long to read another of his novels.  So far, he's written eighteen - all of which were on the New York Times bestseller list.  Each of the books I have read were borrowed from the New Middletown library.  :-)   Which proves:  you don't have to own something to enjoy it! 

A BOOK REVIEW: HEAVEN IS FOR REAL

I just finished the book, Heaven is for Real, by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent.

WHY I READ THIS BOOK

1. I've been collecting scriptures that reference Heaven for many years and reflecting on their meaning.
2. Since doing a sermon series on Heaven in the fall of 2006, I have been very interested in the topic.  The sermon series was listened to on-line and via a CD packet by hundreds of people.
3. Because of my interest in Heaven, a number of friends have asked my opinion of this book.

QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT WANT AN OPINION ON

• Do you think Colton Burpo really visited Heaven?

          Yes.  It seems to me that he either actually visited Heaven or had an extremely vivid vision of  Heaven.  Why would we want to doubt this?  Isn't God still pursuing lost people?  Isn't God desiring to comfort the hurting?  Why wouldn't God choose to use this vehicle - an almost 4-year-old - to inform, inspire, and challenge those who are willing to read his account? 

• Do Colton's reports support the scriptural evidence?

         Yes, they largely do.  However, some things go beyond what we can learn from scripture;  for instance:
                 - confirming Jesus' appearance
                 - the fact that there are no old people in Heaven
                 - that people in Heaven know what is happening on earth
                 - that we have wings and can fly when we get to Heaven
                 - that the angel Gabriel sits on the throne to God's left

• Is it wise to read this book (or encourage others to read it)?

         Absolutely!  I find nothing here that would lead anyone to any dangerous conclusions.  I found the book to be tremendously uplifting and encouraging.  The fact that God chose an innocent messenger fits in with the way that I believe God works.  Colton's reports are filtered through his pastor/father's experience, knowledge, and thoughts. 

• Do you have any fears about people reading this book?

         Yes.  I would fear that some might begin to mix the images that Colton has revealed with the truth of God's Word at an equal level!  God's revealed Word is supreme.  Colton's recollections are on a radically different level. 

Even his father states (p.148):

"As a pastor, I've always been very conscious about what I share about heaven from the pulpit, and I still am.  I teach what I find in scripture."

• What did you like most about the book?

         I particularly enjoyed the parts of the book where Colton described the colors in Heaven.  Randy Alcorn, in his very helpful book Heaven, also suggested that Heaven may reveal colors such as ultra-violet rays, infrared, and others that we don't know of yet.  The reference to the stones in the foundations of the city (pp.107-108) was fascinating to me!

I recommend the book!  It will encourage you and whet your appetite for Heaven! 

Elisabeth Elliot, the wife of martyred missionary Jim Elliot, wrote:

“Heaven is not here;  it’s there.  If we were given all we wanted here, our hearts would settle for this world rather than the next.  God is forever luring us up and away from this one, wooing us to himself and his still invisible kingdom, where we will certainly find what we so keenly long for.”    [quoted in REV. magazine, “Prayer Changes Things”, November/December, 2003,  p. 84]