Book Review

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9/16:42:46

Friday, August 13th, 2010

You are looking at that title and probably thinking, “Okay, I know it has been stressful for Bill lately (after all he has told us that) but what in the world is that?  Could that be a number on the sign he is holding across his chest?  That obviously is not a date on a calendar.”  So…what is it?????

I am glad you asked that.  I decided since I am not preaching this Sunday (all you folks from OVCF hold your applause) to add another post.  I hope this will inspire you to read something.  About a week or so ago the wife of a man from the church I pastor stopped in the office to drop off a couple of books I had loaned her to read.  She also dropped off a book that had been given to her to read by a friend.  Her husband, Duane (a cycling buddy), who is not a reader, read the book in three days.  She left it with me to read and I will have to say I was blown away by it!!

Now…let me tell you about the numbers in the title.  The “9″ stands for 9 seconds.  That is how long it took to change a young man’s life forever.  The second number is 16 hours, 42 minutes, 46 seconds.  That is how long it took to make history. The book is called Unthinkable and is about a man named Scott Rigsby.  It is the true story of how Scott became the first double amputee to complete the world-famous Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon.  In an accident that probably took 9 seconds, Scott went from athletic, graduated, hard-working soon-to-be college student to a single amputee who struggled to even live.  Later realizing the other foot/leg was never going to heal, he made the decision to have it amputated as well.  Both of Scott’s legs were amputated just below the knee.  And although Scott grew up in the church, his life was anything (before and after) but an example of a dedicated Christ-follower.  You may even get a tad judgmental (if you are like that) about his philandering ways and his use of alcohol, drugs and sex to salve the ache inside him.  Even after his “true conversion” Scott struggled with no boundaries in his life.  His bitterness caused him to overlook God’s goodness, and is so often the case, to lose sight of God’s grace and forgiveness.  To put it bluntly: he just didn’t care.  He had his own agenda.  Ultimately, he knew God needed to be in His life in more of a “control” position than being what I would call a “hanger-on.”   Some parts laughing. Some parts gut-wrenching.  Some parts “disgusting.”  Some parts crying this book takes you through a gamut of emotions.  Somewhere along the line Scott begins to think “marathons.”  He talks about the struggles he had with his equipment, his doubts, his lack of money (sponsors), his lack of care/concern for his body, but eventually he lays out a story of hope and healing for those who have lost either limbs or even the desire to live.   I was deeply moved by the book and found I had to put it down when I didn’t want to. I am sorry if this sounds like a book review.  I had no intention of it being that.  I wanted to highlight the lost hope Scott had and how he found a purpose in Christ and ultimately in marathons.  He now is a public speaker and now a rep for World Vision.

Do you know someone who has lost hope?  Do you know an amputee who needs to hear it from “their perspective?”  Do you know someone who wants to “cash it all in?”  Do you know someone who wants to quit?  Do you just want to read something that is not “too heavy” but still has a message?  Buy this book for yourself. Read it, then pass it on.  You will be glad you did.  I don’t know how to ask for your participation in this but if you would like to make a comment then please feel free to do so.

One last thought before I go: this quote is one that Scott holds as “his saying.”   I have heard it before but after reading his story, it holds an even greater meaning:

“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”

One last thing.  Today is my day off so if you make a comment I will eventually get to it.  Please be patient.  :P

Posted in Book Review, Christian living, Cycling, Just a Quote, Leadership, Miscellaneous | 16 Responses »

The Sword

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

We all read for various reasons.  Some read to relax.  Some read to be stimulated.  Some read to learn.  Some read to be entertained.  If you are like me you read depending upon your mood and what you hope to gain at the moment.  I will try to gather some information on a topic(s) if I know that I will be preaching on something soon. I used to read a lot of fiction but because of schedules it has taken a backseat.  I still like to read western fiction by Al Lacy; courtroom dramas by Robert Whitlow and Randy Singer; and suspense novels by Colleen Coble, Terri Blackstock, Brandilyn Collins, and some others.    I call it my “escapist reading.”  I used to read a lot of fantasy beginning with The Chronicles of Narnia to the books by John White  (The Archives of Anthropos) and Steve Lawhead.  But again, I have sort of pushed that aside.

Until now.  I was in the local Christian bookstore several months ago and saw The Sword by Bryan Litfin and it caught my eye.  I put it in my Cart at Amazon but just never pulled the plug until finally I said, “Go for it.  Give yourself some escapist reading.”  Man, am I glad I did!  It reminded me why I loved this genre of writing and how much I missed it.  The Sword is part of what will be called the Chiveis Trilogy.  Chiveis is a territory where all spiritual truth is gone following a catastrophic war that wipes out modern civilization as we know it.  It takes place far into the future with events that began in 2042 with what was called the X-Virus.  I wrote Bryan about my enjoyment of the book and he informed that the landscape where the story takes place is Switzerland and also the Black Forest.  Everywhere he describes is a real place, including a cathedral the two main characters found. The central area of Chiveis is the Interlaken region of the Swiss Alps.

Now, what I liked about the book is what some may not like.  Bryan did not paint an overt Christian message into it.  He weaved the story like a master craftsman as the two main characters (Teo and Ana) are affected differently after they find the book of Deu.  He shows the uphill battle they face to present the truth of Deu to the people of Chiveis, who are  influenced by the evil High Priestess.  I found myself fighting the urge to keep reading when I knew my bed was calling.  To protect myself I did leave my book at home so I would not be tempted to read it in the office.  :P

I don’t know if fantasy strikes your fancy, or even fiction in general.  However, if you want to do some escapist reading that has you turning pages and wondering what is next, I suggest you beg, borrow, but don’t steal a copy.  :)   Part 2 comes out in April of 2011.  I look forward to it.  I don’t want to spoil the fun of reading and discovery so if you want to know more, you can check it out here. You will find videos and interviews with the author as he talks about his book.  I enjoyed listening to them.

Just so you know: I bought this book on my own and decided to do a review.  This book was NOT sent to me by any publishing company for review, nor did the author request such.

I know this is different than I normally post.  I also know that it will not may not appeal to you.   But I do think that reading something worthwhile and giving credit for hard work done is a good thing.  I hope you will agree if you get a chance to read the book.

Posted in Book Review | 16 Responses »

Carried

Sunday, June 27th, 2010

First a disclaimer: this is a “semi”-book review.  You will know what I mean by that phrase “semi” as I move through this post.  I have to admit right up front that while I have lost people close to me- I have seen my father-in-law (1998) and mother-in-law (2001) and my own mother (2004) go to be with Jesus- I have never had the pain of losing a child in any way.  Both births were normal (C-sections) and without complications.  So to write this review and say “I know what a parent is going through” or to be judgmental about thoughts and feelings someone has is not in my vocabulary.  Now.  It hasn’t always been that way though and this book brought back some of those failings big time. The book I am talking about is I Will Carry You-The Sacred Dance of Grief and Joy by Angie Smith.  For an introduction, Angie is the wife of Todd Smith, one of the lead singers of the Christian group, Selah.  As they were excited about their fourth child, they received the devastating news that their baby (given the name Audrey) was not “normal” and if she survived the pregnancy would never survive living.  Encouraged by many of the “experts” to abort her pregnancy, Angie and Todd chose to give life a chance. This book chronicles Angie’s emotional and spiritual roller coaster as she struggles with, comes to terms with, struggles with, gets angry over, gives in to despair, comes to terms with, struggles with…(you get the idea)…the fact that the baby inside her- while alive and kicking and hiccuping and moving- will never live beyond birth (if she would make it that far).  Angie does a masterful job of weaving the ups and downs of her feelings and mixing in Scripture.  She puts life “out there” for all to see and takes a chance that there will be those who will condemn her openness, as well as all the questions and doubts she expresses.  I must confess that I am a male, and never having experienced this in any way, shape or form, she had me hooked.  I found myself riding her roller coaster with tears and trust and questions.

One very valuable part of the book is when Angie gives practical advice on helping those who are going through a pregnancy that is “doomed” from the start. Todd also takes his turn in expressing his feelings in a chapter as “Audrey’s Daddy.” The book concludes with a chapter on helping children grieve (they had three children involved in the whole process during the term of the pregnancy.  They hid nothing from their girls).  Angie and Todd have shown me/us that in spite of all our questions or doubts God is faithful and He is here.   I know my ministry toward couples who are going through this type of pregnancy will take on another dimension.  I am also pretty sure that we all know (maybe even some of you) who have lost a child at birth, had a miscarriage, or have given birth to a baby who is “less than perfect.”  I suggest very strongly that you buy this book for yourself (but don’t run right out to give it to someone saying, “Here you need to read this”), read it, cry with Angie and then use what you have learned to minister to others.

I am not going to ask you any questions in this post like I normally do.  I feel that would take away from what I hope I have conveyed in this semi-review. If you care to share any thoughts you may have then, by all means, feel free to do so.  I just encourage you to buy Angie’s book and read with your heart ready to hear God speak.  Update:  Todd & Angie have become the parents of another little one according this update from their pastor, Pete Wilson.

Posted in Book Review, Christian living, Family, Friendship | 8 Responses »

Love and War- A Review

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

Warning: this is a book review.  No wait!  Don’t run away!!  I recently read Love and War by John and Staci Eldredge and had planned on doing a review of it.  Then I was offered a free copy if I would review it.  I took that free copy with the intention of passing it along to someone else.  But, as promised, here is my review.

It was 2002 that I first read what was to be John’s seminal book and the book that would change me in the process, Wild at Heart. I read all the reviews about the book after I read it and frankly felt that those who were so critical and negative had more of an axe to grind about his approach than his challenge to being a man.  True, not all men are Outdoorsmen and so those who weren’t may have gotten lost in the shuffle.  And I also know that some found issues with some of John’s teachings…so be it.  All I know is that I wasn’t reading the book for what can be seen as side issues (in my eyes) but what it was all about: Every man has a battle to fight; and adventure to live; and a beauty to rescue.  His book on Fatherhood carried more of that same theme while Stasi’s book, Captivating, looked at Womanhood through those eyes only with a different focus.    Know, going into Love and War, that some of that same theme is carried through into this book.   That is not all bad either.  Many men need to fight for their wives.  Many women need to encourage their man to fight for them.  By their own admission, the Eldredge’s were close to divorce twice.  Many of the issues they write about are issues that most, if not all, marriages face today. Granted, personalities are different, so dealing with difficulties are different for every couple.  What they detail for us is their way of dealing with marital love and war.   If you have read some of their material before you will be covering familiar ground, in that, they use a lot of the same imagery (love is a battle, marriage can be a war, etc).  Like all good marriage books should, they deal with the differences between male and female.  What I find good is that John writes from his perspective and Stasi writes from the female perspective.  They do an adequate job of dealing with past baggage-how it affects a person coming into the marriage with (often skewed) expectations; how it affects the way one relates to another; even to how one “fights” during a struggle.  They strongly encourage communication, which should be but is not always a given.  One of their best chapters is titled “The Little Foxes.”  Using the imagery Song of Solomon 2:15 gives- “Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in full bloom”- they highlight the “foxes” i.e. the cunning little menaces, that seek to bring ruin to a marriage,  topics that range from quirks, taboo topics, speculation, bad timing, and others.  Those and so many more can ruin the foundation of a marriage…if they are not dealt with.  To their credit, they give some great advice on dealing with these menaces so they don’t become the fox that destroys the vineyard.

Some may have difficulty relating to their ideas on spiritual warfare.  To some, their practice of “calling out” foul spirits by name and agreeing together and calling out the authority of Christ over that “spirit” may seem over the top.  It works for them.  I am not judging them but just bringing it to your attention.  For those who have read their other works, this won’t seem to strange.  (I find they lean heavily on Neil Anderson’s works in this area)  They even include what John calls The Morning Prayer at the end of the book.  Also included is a prayer for sexual healing.  These may be good for some to read each day.  I do know the Morning Prayer is also available in audio.  You may find it is a good way to start your day if you have a commute to work.

While there are some marriage books I would hesitate to recommend due to the “boring factor” or to a less-than-biblical approach to marriage, this is not one of them.  I will encourage those I counsel and those who are into counseling to read this book, learn from it, and put it into practice.   To enhance the learning experience, there is also a DVD available, which is advertised with a Leader’s Guide and a Participant’s Guide in order to take your marriage to the next level.  (I have not seen that yet so I cannot give any thoughts on it).   If you are familiar with the Eldgredge’s style you will truly enjoy this book.  If you are not, then prepare yourself for an unconventional ride.  Either way, you will be glad you read Love and War.

Posted in Book Review, Family | 9 Responses »

Breaking All the Rurals

Monday, May 10th, 2010

Word right up front: this is a book review.  I hope you will read it anyway even though you may not normally read reviews because I believe that you are either in or know someone who is in a rural church.

WITHOUT FAIL: rural churches are “animals” all their own. There is absolutely no way around that.  Another true statement: unless you have been or are now in a rural church setting, you will not (emphasis on will not) understand the way rural churches think or function.  While I was reading this book, and when I finished, one constant thought kept going through my head: where were you 30 years ago?  Where was this book 30 years ago?  Would it have made a difference in the way I approached ministry in the rural/small town church?  I would certainly hope so!   Here I am- 57 years old and currently the pastor of a small town church- and saying, “Now I understand!”

My first “encounter” with Shannon was at theSticks Conference in November of 2008, held at New Hope Community Church in Loudonville, OH.  TheSticks was a conference designed for pastors of churches in small to medium-sized towns.  Shannon was one of the speakers.  I have been following him on his blog (www.breakingalltherurals.com).   When he offered a copy of his book on his blog to the first 100 pastors who requested it, I was hoping I was in that number.  I was not asked to give a review in return but am excited to do so.

The full title of the book is Transforming Church in Rural America: breaking all the rurals. I knew from hearing Shannon in ’08 that he had taken a pretty big step in moving to Bergman, AR from a well-paying youth pastor’s job in Oklahoma City.   He could have gone just about anywhere but felt God was leading him to Bergman and I am glad he shared the struggle he and his wife had in making that decision and transition .  Shannon unfolds the story of his “trial” sermon, his call, and subsequent escapades in adjusting to small town USA.  He gives the victories and defeats; the wins and losses; the highs and lows of this ministry.  What I appreciate is along the way, he interjects great thoughts on V.A.L.U.E. (Vision, Attitude, Leadership, Understanding, and Enduring Excellence).  Some of you may say, “I have read/heard that all before”…you know… “been there done that” but I venture to say, “Not this way you haven’t.”  Shannon’s unique rural perspective helps in applying these thoughts to where they are most applicable-the rural church.  Many of the principles are the same, to be sure, but it takes a special insight to separate their application from the rural and the metro/suburban church.   I will let it stand there.  There is no sense in me trying to lay it all out here for you.  That would be impossible.  I would simply suggest that you buy the book and read it for yourself, especially if you are the pastor of a rural church.  If you know someone who is, and may be struggling and looking for hope and direction, buy it or suggest it to them.  It will stay on my desk for awhile to come and I know I will refer to it many times as I rethink my ministry approach and vision.  Well done Shannon!  You may order it here or you can go to BNC’s website (Brand New Church) at brandnewchurch.com

Posted in Book Review, Church | 4 Responses »

Raising Purity- A Review

Friday, March 12th, 2010

I read Pastor James MacDonald’s blog here.  One of his guest bloggers is Gerald Hiestand.  Several weeks ago he made this offer and I took him up on it.   I am a pastor and I am beyond the child-rearing age so I have no axe to grind or hidden agenda.  I offer this review for your consideration (book now known as RP from here on).

When I first skimmed the book my mind flashed to a book from a few years ago: Josh Harris’ I Kissed Dating Goodbye.  I have to admit that I had my reservations about Josh’s book and therefore about this one as well.  My mind said, “Just another rehash of Josh’s.”  What I found was that while some of it was along the same lines as Josh’s book, it also took another road.  Both call for a revolution to “the dating game” but RP takes it to another level.  RP calls for a new approach to the age old idea of dating as we know it, in order to get to know whether the person is a “candidate” as a future mate.  He calls for the dating relationship to be more of a neighbor relationship.  It differs from the dating relationship in that a dating relationship allows for some physical expression while the neighbor allows for none.   The premise is that our sexualtiy must be reserved exclusively for our spouse, for Christ has reserved Himself exclusively for us.

While I or you may not agree with all of Gerald’s ideas, he presents a pretty convincing case and does his best to cover all the scenarios of dating.  To his credit, he shows parents how to help their children guard their hearts to keep them from getting hurt from the “falling in love” scenario that is typical in the normal dating relationship as we know it.  He also has a chapter on answering common objections to his approach.  One of the more thought-provoking chapters and one that every parent- whether they accept his approach or not- will appreciate is his discussion of several practical issues: internet use; cell phone use (especially the prevalence of “sexting”); dress; dancing; music, movies & TV; and masturbation.  The key, he says, to all of these subjects is communication.  Although I may not have agreed with all of his conclusions, I can most heartily say “yes” to that!

As a father of two adult children (34 & 30), here are my thoughts and recommendations.  First, you should get the book, especially if your children are pre-teen.   When you do I suggest you both read it and discuss it and formulate a plan of action.  I must admit that when we raised our two daughters we did not face many of the issues parents & teens face today.  The internet was a baby, cell phones were almost non-existent except for business, dress was not nearly as suggestive (unless you count the big hair of the 80s bad), music while it had its weak points was not nearly as blatant as today (especially what is found in gangsta rap, punk, etc), and even movies and TV were tame compared to now.  We still had our challenges but not nearly like today. My wife & I took a very strong stand on not dating until they were 16 and even then not until dad met the would-be suitor.  No honking the horn for my young lady! :) So…would we try to implement Gerald’s book?  I can’t really say but we would definitely have considered it.   The ideas are somewhat radical in their practice and it would take BOTH parents firmly committed to making it happen for it to be the standard. While we were both involved in their lives and while I understand what Gerald is trying to teach, I think it will take a certain set of parents to teach and live and “enforce” this approach.  BUT, it is worth your time to read and investigate what he is proposing and then to decide whether you want to go this route.  I firmly believe in sexual purity and therefore can recommend this book because I do believe that is the ultimate goal.  You need to decide if it is to be your approach.

This book was supplied to me upon my request and commitment to review it.  I was not compensated in any way financially for this review.  You can find the book at Amazon. You can also find out more at www.raisingpurity.com/about.

Posted in Book Review, Family | 5 Responses »