Love Does by Bob Goff

“I used to be afraid of failing at something that really mattered to me, but now I ‘m more afraid of succeeding at things that don’t matter.”

This is the best book I have read all year. It is not the best because of it’s deep theology, convicting statements, or readability. It is the best because it captures the adventurous spirit that should be the center of following Christ. Bob Goff has lived a life that most people only dream about, and yet, in Love Does, Bob makes it clear that none of us have a good enough excuse for not living life to the fullest.

Here are just a few lines that spoke to me:

“I used to think I had to act a certain way to follow God, but now I know God doesn’t want us to be typical.”

“I used to think Jesus motivated us with ultimatums, but now I know He pursues us in love.”

“I used to think being a believer was enough, but now I know Jesus wants us to participate, no matter what condition we are in.”

The more I read about his story and great adventures, the more I realized that my life has been a great adventure. Instead of envying Bob’s life, I came away affirmed and motivated more than ever to make every minute count. That is the will of God. If you feel stuck in life, please read this book. If you feel like your life is missing a certain “spark”, please read this book. If you think you have a pretty good life, please read this book and be inspired to give/love/serve/go/do even BIGGER. You can pick up a copy here.

(The folks at Thomas Nelson gave me a copy of this book for review. I am in no way obligated to post a positive review.)

Memorial Day 2012

Enjoy your BBQ. Enjoy your family. Celebrate life. While you are doing that, take the time to remember that freedom is not free.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13 (NIV)

Real Quick

1. I hope you are enjoying the long weekend with your friends and family. I know I am!

2. Remember, Memorial Day isn’t just another excuse to BBQ. Take the time to thank God for the brave warriors who have paid the ultimate price so that we can enjoy not working on Monday.

3. Tomorrow I preach at Xtreme for the first time in 3 weeks. I am fired up! If you are in town, make it a priority to connect with a local church. There’s no better way to honor those who died while defending our freedom of worship then by exercising that right tomorrow.

Writing a Better Story About the Church

Recently I’ve been talking with lots of people about the reputation of the Church in my local community. According to these folks, here are the just a few of the key words that describe it:

“Judgmental”

“Territorial”

“Divided”

“Hateful”

“Irrelevant”

“Competitive”

You probably think that the folks I’ve been talking to are a bunch of “lost” heathens who are entrenched in their “lost” ways right? Wrong. These are the opinions of church attending Christ-followers. If people within the local church feel this way, imagine what those outside think? I’ll tell you, it isn’t much better. In fact, just yesterday I was talking with a gay man about church life. He shared with me that he and his partner really want to connect with the church for the sake of their adopted son. The problem is, they believe that as soon as they get their son in church the church will teach him to hate his gay parents. Ouch.

Thankfully, within the City of Clarksville, there are several churches who are determined to write a better story. I have personally seen these churches step up to shower love on the hurting, boldly proclaim the Gospel in love, and openly welcome the disillusioned and disenfranchised in our community. These churches are not content to leave the reputation of the church where it is. They are writing a better story. It is a story where Jesus is the center, Grace wins, and Biblical Truth…not  religion…sets people free.

If you are local and have been hesitant to connect to the church for any of the aforementioned reasons, I encourage you to check out these churches. They are writing a better story.

Awaken Church

The Church at Indian Lake

Freedom Church

Grace Nazarene

LifePoint Church

OneChurch

Xtreme Christian Fellowship

Why I Took A Break

As some of you already know, for the first time in….ever, I took 3 weeks in a row off from speaking on a Sunday. In years past I have taken a week off here or there, but since 2004, I have preached or taught at least once on a Sunday. The last 3 months have been some of the most challenging and fulfilling months of my life. I have experienced record breakthroughs in my health and fitness, Xtreme has experienced record growth, I was given the honor of hosting a Monday -Friday radio program, and my mother went to be with the Lord. By the providence of God, we already had 3 speakers lined up for a worship series, so I new the time was right to step back for a few weeks and recharge. Here’s why I took a break and why I think you should too:

1. I am human. God almighty took a day off after creation and instructed us that rest is necessary. We cannot do all and be all. If you feel like you cannot stop, ask yourself the question: “Am I better than God?”

2. I lead and work with a team of winners. I knew I could take 3 Sundays off because I know Xtreme is full of passionate and Christ-filled people who love Jesus and love His church. If you feel like you cannot step away because you feel like everything will fall apart, you might suck as a leader. Yeah, I said it. Stop blaming your people.

3. Rest makes me better. I am an introvert and my batteries get recharged in the quiet times. I am my most focused when I work in short bursts with lots of breaks. Because of my personality type, I get more done in 3-4 hours than some do in an 8 hour day.Therefore, I know that when I take a concentrated break, I will always come back better than when I left. Some don’t rest because in busyness, they find escape from tough issues that need to be dealt with. If you feel like you can never take a break, I ask you, “What or who are you trying to avoid via your constant activity?”

“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;” Psalm 46:10

Lighten Up, It’s Only Tuesday

Take a break from idiots and their electric gay fences, finicial crisis, the downfall of Western Civilization, and other horrible things that are freaking you out at the moment. Have a laugh on me. Enjoy.

Why So Miserable?

I wrote about this topic last week here. I keep bringing it up because it seems like everyday I meet someone struggling with this issue.  In the past couple of weeks I’ve had several conversations that went something like this:

Them: I hate my _______. I can’t stand being there. I’m miserable.

Me: So, why are you still there?

Them: Oh, I don’t know. Blah blah blah. God’s will. Blah blah too hard. Blah blah where would I go? Blah blah blah.

Me: Seriously?

I only see 2 choices when it comes to being in a miserable situation.

1. Leave and be prepared for whatever happens next.

2. Stay and change your perspective.

There is no middle ground. Actually, there is a middle ground. It is full of lazy, unambitious, jaded, and cynical people.For the record, I believe that 7 times out of 10, option 2 is the right choice. When it comes to marriage, I believe that option 2 is the right choice 10 times out of 10.

Why so miserable?

Sunday Thoughts

1. It was great to be back with our Xtreme family today!

2. Pastor Kevin has done a wonderful job putting together our worship series this month. Hard work works! Our team wins because they epitomize selflessness day in and day out. I’m so honored to serve with them.

3. Aaron Long and Brian Campbell were a great change of pace for us today during worship. They are doing big things. Tomorrow they’ll be live on The Spirit of Clarksville 9-10am.

4. I also got to hang out with a bunch of my old MC students today. Good times!

5. Next Sunday I’ll be preaching at Xtreme for the first time in 3 weeks. I am beyond ready to bring it.

6. Yesterday I saw two of the craziest videos ever. One featured Ray Boltz. The other featured B-Shoc. Google and enjoy ; )

7. Hope your Sunday was awesome!

Uncomfortable

Yesterday I had a great talk with a college regarding the comfort levels of Christ-followers. We talked about all of the folks we know who are throwing stones from the sidelines because by their own admission, they are “not” comfortable getting in the game. They don’t serve during weekend services because they are not comfortable with the responsibility of leading. They don’t come out to feed the hungry because they are not comfortable in “that” part of town. They don’t share Christ or even invite someone into community because they are not comfortable talking to strangers or opening up their lives.

Here is what Jesus says about our comfort (Luke 14):

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.”

“…anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”

“…any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”

The Carlo Serrano International Version interprets those verse like this:

“Screw your comfort. YOU follow me.”

For me, this means there will be more uncomfortable conversations in my future. More stretching. More conflict. However, it also means I’ll be right in the middle of God’s will because when I said yes to Jesus, I said no to a life of selfish comfort.

What uncomfortable thing is God asking you to do? Where is He asking you to go?

Screw your comfort. Follow Him.

“It Is Dangerous to Be Right When the Government Is Wrong” by Andrew Napolitano

I don’t usually do the political stuff on this blog and I’ll try my best to keep it down as election season gears up. In fact, I’ll keep this review very simple:

If you believe in the constitution, God-given rights, and a government that is supposed to serve the people then you will enjoy this well written book.

If you believe that the constitution is ever-evolving, that rights come from the government, and that the solutions to the problems of life are found within the beltway, then you will probably hate this book and see it as anything but fair and balanced. This book sucks if you believe those things.

You decide. Pick up a copy here.

Personally, I found the book to be very informative. Judge Andrew is a constitutional law beast. He knows his stuff. Actually, I don’t really know my stuff, so he could be totally full of it for all I know. Either way, he had me convinced in some areas ; ) I will say that his sections on privacy and personal property get a little weird, but I think I understand what he’s trying to say.

The bottom line: get informed. Stop letting Hollywood and MTV disciple you. Stop thinking that Fox News is fair and balanced. CNN does not have your best interest in mind. Americans need to wake up soon. This book is doing its best to sound the alarm.

The folks at Thomas Nelson gave me a copy of this book for review. I am in no way obligated to post a positive review.