Jul 12th 2010

Book Review – They Almost Always Come Home – Cynthia Ruchti

Why is it that we have to lose something before we appreciate its value? Most importantly, why is that we have to lose someone before we appreciate their value? This is what I took away from the powerful debut novel by my good friend, Author Cynthia Ruchti.

They Almost Always Come Home is a tightly written mixture of smart humor and sober life lessons. From the very first page until the last, I was drawn into the lives of its very human characters.

I read quite a few books and many, while their subject matter is good, the writing is laborious. Reading becomes a discipline and a chore.

But They Almost Always Come Home is neither. Cynthia’s writing is so very tight, her word choice so delicate, like the painter who painstakingly chooses just the right shade for the canvas.

The pacing is perfect. It has neither the break-neck speed of a thriller, nor the tiresome plodding of some literary novels. Cynthia carefully and methodically walks you through the real-life struggles and adventure of a woman not only searching for her lost husband, but searching for her lost heart.

You will not only come away with a greater appreciation for the beauty of the Northwoods, you will look again at your own relationships and your own relationships, planting the seeds of selflessness and Christ-like love that help them blossom through the seasons of life.

I highly recommend They Almost Always Come Home as a delightful and captivating summer read.

Jul 12th 2010

Book Review – Surprised by Grace – Tullian Tchividjian

You don’t grow up in the church, as I have, without knowing, memorizing, and internalizing the story of Jonah. From the time I was old enough to do Sunday School, all through Vacation Bible School, Children’s Church, and on through sermon series, books, teen discussions, etc, I have heard Jonah’s life dissected in every which way.

Jonah is the preacher’s favorite “don’t-rebel-or-you-will-face-God’s-wrath” text. But often, in our desire to zing the rebel, we miss the very heart of the story of Jonah.

This is why I was so wonderfully captivated by the majestic presentation of the book of Jonah by one of my favorite pastors and authors, Tullian Tchividjian.  Tchividjian approaches the story Jonah from the perspective of the Gospel, seeing Jesus on every one of its pages.

The real message in this short prophetic book is not about how angry God is when we rebel, but how merciful God is to pursue rebels and to extend grace to the most heathen. God’s grace isn’t just big enough for self-righteous God-followers like Jonah, but it’s also big enough for the most despicable of peoples.

Pastor Tullian uses the Gospel as your guide, walking the reader through every aspect of Jonah’s epic life story, leaving no stone unturned. He adds color by tracing history’s rendering of this story, both in literature and in art. The book reprints some of the most famous Jonah paintings and sculptures.

This is easily one of the best books I’ve read all year. I highly recommend it. If you want your faith to be challenged, you’re grace expanded, and you’re appreciation of the gospel to grow, pick up Surprised by Grace. Then, pass it on to a friend.

Jul 9th 2010

Friday Five Interview – Bill Giovanetti

A few months ago, through mutual friends and/or Facebook, I had the privilege of meeting Bill Giovanetti, Senior Pastor of Neighborhood Church in Northern California. I began reading his blog and then I had the privilege of reviewing his book, How to Keep Your Inner Mess from Trashing Your Outer World. I found it to be a powerful book on the inner life of a Christian, one of the best I have read in a long time. Bill really gets it when it comes to the two natures, sin in the life of a believer, and the crippling effect of religious legalism.

Bill and I have chatted via email and Facebook since I’ve read his book and I discovered that his ministry roots originate here in the Chicago area.

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Jul 8th 2010

Guess What? If it’s Online, It’s Live

I have over 1,000 friends on Facebook now and a growing number of Twitter followers. The world is much different now than it was even five years ago. We’re all social; we’re all sharing stuff with our little tribes. I don’t think this is a bad thing and these tools are incredibly useful in getting a message out to a wide group of people. Personally I’ve seen God use Facebook and Twitter to use my ministry to minister to people. That’s a good thing.

But there’s a trend I’m noticing on social networks that’s a bit disturbing. It’s disturbing because it’s happening among Christians. It seems that we’re becoming a bit too personal, a bit too expressive in our posts and tweets and blog posts.

We seem to have forgotten that if we post it online, its, well, online. And online means, typewritten somewhere, forever recorded, and well . . . public.

Imagine you’re standing on stage or you’re with a group of people. What would you want them to know and what would you express to them?

Put it another way. What if you were really accountable for your Facebook posts and Twitter tweets? Imagine that if someone came up to you at church or in your small group or at a family reunion and read out loud your posts.

Now all of us would be embarrassed slightly, so this doesn’t completely hold serve. And there is a certain social networking culture that lends to more expression, a bit more sharing. I get that.

But still, what we say online is public. Period. This is why I don’t understand people swearing, taking personal shots at friends, saying politically insensitive things.

For some reason, when we get behind a keyboard in the privacy of our homes, we feel so free, so unburdened, as if we can shout to the world and not have our words come back to haunt us.

I have news. Those words can come back to haunt. Employers scour FB posts and Twitter feeds and rightfully so. So do you want to be known as the loose cannon, foul-mouthed person, who is unstable?

And let’s talk from a Christian perspective. I’ve talked to several youth pastors who have said the posts by kids in their youth group have revealed a whole side to them; a side they didn’t know existed.

Who you are on Facebook isn’t some alternate creation of you that won’t be held accountable. That’s the real you.

I’m not saying to be fake. To put up some unreal version of you. I’m just saying that as soon as you hit send, you’re public.

Do those thoughts honor God? Do they edify your brothers and sisters in the church? And . . . will they come back to embarrass you later.

Something to think about.

Jul 6th 2010

Reflections on ICRS/IFCA

Well I’m back in the office after quite a few days on the road. We combined vacation with conferences and appointments this year. Not sure its a good formula, but that’s what our schedule allowed, and to be honest, all our three children care about at this point is a hotel with a pool. So we had an enjoyable time.

First, we spent four days in St. Louis. As a lifelong Chicagoan, I’ve always regarded St. Louis as a sort of inferior city, whose only claim to fame is a big steel arch. Oh, and the Cardinals who are always good and winning while the Cubs are perpetually terrible.

I have to walk back a lot of that, because our time in St. Louis was really wonderful. Its a very nice city, and unlike Chicago, there is actually free parking or cheap parking. There is plenty to do, including free zoos, museums, etc.

We ended up visiting the famous Arch. I was impressed by this structure. Its really quite something to behold in person. We actually took our family on the train and went up to the top. I don’t recommend this with three young children. Actually I think we should get some parenting award for it. But once up there, we enjoyed the incredible view of the city, the Mississippi, and Busch Stadium. The free Gateway To the West Museum at the bottom is really incredible.

Also, we were able to meet the New Hope Publishers team at the arch. I really love these guys and they are like family to me. And they got to meet my family for the first time, which was cool.

On Sunday, we got up early to go to church at Summit Community Church in O’Fallon, a St. Louis suburb. We went there because the Senior Pastor, John Ryan was Angela’s youth pastor at Glenview Baptist Church in Fort Worth, TX. But just our luck, this was one Sunday he was out of town and the one Sunday they do a combined service at 10, so we totally missed the 11 o’clock service. But all was not lost, because Brandon, the youth pastor, is a longtime friend of Angela’s family and we got to talk for quite a while.

Sunday Night, I went to the America’s Center and enjoyed dinner with my friends from Crosswalk.com, who publish my weekly devotional. Then I enjoyed hearing from speakers like Randy Alcorn, Phil Vischer, and The Son of Hamas. Very interesting and refreshing.

The next day, Monday, was busy as I had two book signings, multiple radio appearances, and several meetings with my publisher and others.

I also got to walk the floor and see what is new in Christian publishing. There is a new seriousness in the CBA. Less “Jesus junk” and weird stuff and more substantive, serious, biblical books being published. I’m delighted to see that. I think the culture now is scared and shaken by economic and social upheaval and looking for truth. The truth of the Word of God is what this culture needs now more than ever.

On Monday, we left St. Louis and traveled to Springfield for the IFCA International Convention. Our church is a proud member of IFCA. We enjoyed four days of preaching, instruction, and fellowship. We came away just totally refreshed for ministry. We were challenged by Pastor Bobby Scott, Alex Montoya, Dr. Charles Petitt, and Les Lofquist. The ladies were encouraged by Martha Peace.

We spent an extra day down in Springfield, taking in the Abraham Lincoln Museum. I was visibly moved by the White House Exhibit. This is a world-class, state-of-the art look at the life of one of our greatest Presidents. I highly recommend it. Illinois has been a laughingstock lately because of our corruption, but we did contribute Lincoln and for that we can and should be proud. (Plus, after driving through hours of cornfields, its a nice respite!).

Jul 2nd 2010

Friday Five Interview – Chris Fabry

Today I’m privileged to interview author and radio host, Chris Fabry. Chris is a familiar voice if you’ve been a long-time listener of WMBI in Chicago or Focus on the Family or Love Worth Finding, the radio ministry of the late Dr. Adrian Rogers. Chris is also a prolific author. He partnered with Jerry Jenkins to write the Left Behind Series for Kids and The Red Rock Mystery Series. He has also written biographies with sports figures such as Drew Brees and Coach Jim Tressel of Ohio State University.

Chris is the host of Chris Fabry Live and a cohost with his wife, Andrea of Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman. Both are broadcast on the Moody Broadcasting Network.

In 2009, Chris won the Christy Award for his novel, Dogwood. His latest novel, Junebug, was nominated for a 2010 Christy Award.

What I have admired about Chris, whether through his radio show or his writing, is his sincerity and authenticity. Recently, Chris and his family endured a grueling series of trials that forced them to move from their home and depend on God financially, spiritually, and medically. You can follow their journey through Chris’ website: Chrisfabry.com.

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Jun 25th 2010

Friday Five Interview: Ray Pritchard

It is my privilege to interview a pastor whose ministry I have long admired. I discovered Dr. Ray Pritchard while I was on staff and editing a Christian publication and was delighted to excerpt some of his books. I began following his blog. He began blogging way before blogging pastors were cool.

Dr. Ray was the senior pastor of Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, IL for many years and is the author of numerous, best-selling books, including An Anchor for the Soul, which is distributed around the world and translated in many languages. Ray is frequently interviewed on radio stations across the country and is a prolific speaker at conferences around the world, including Word of Life. Dr. Ray now is the full-time director of Keep Believing Ministries which equips pastors and church leaders around the world with a resource-rich website, Ray’s books, and a speaking ministry that takes him around the globe.

I have personally benefited from Dr. Pritchard’s ministry. He has been a rich source of wisdom and advice on pastoral ministry, writing, and life. I consider him a great friend. I also regularly peruse his archive of sermons and blog posts for insight into my own preaching.

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Jun 19th 2010

Nice Review of Crash Course

My good friend, Charles Stone, has written a wonderful review of Crash Course:

Although my kids are well beyond the teen years, I wish I could have given them this devotional when they were kids.

You can read the rest of the review here.