Wild Goose Chase

I was thrilled to get a sneak peek at Mark Batterson’s latest book, “Wild Goose Chase.”

Batterson’s previous book, “In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day” was such a huge hit and had a great impact on me personally.  But if I’m honest, I expected “Wild Goose Chase” to fall short because the expectations were so high.   But I was pleasantly surprised as I read it.  The book is a great sequal to “In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day.”

• This book is great for the person who needs to reclaim the adventure in their life.
• This book is ideal for the person who knows about their faith but needs a kick in the butt to live it out.
• This book is motivating for the person who is sick and tired of settling for less than God’s best for their lives.
• This book is useful for the person who needs to dream bigger dreams and set larger, more audacious goals.
• This book is encouraging for the person who wants to be inspired by a real person who struggles with real life issues yet dares to live a life in pursuit of God-ordained passions.

Personally, the book couldn’t have arrived at a better time.  With less than three weeks until the first gathering of Project Church, it helped put some wind in my sails and remind me why I’m doing what I’m doing.  To lead others to live the lives they were meant to live.

I was particularly moved by this section:

“Some of us live as if we expect to hear God say, “Well thought, good and faithful servant!” or “Well said, good and faithful servant!”  God isn’t going to say either of those things. There is only one commendation, and it is the by-product of pursing God-ordained passions: “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:23)

“Wild Goose Chase” ends with a motivational manifesto which has become a trademark of Mark Batterson.   I suggest you grab a copy of the book and check it out.  Also, check out Mark’s blog to view more snippets from the book and other thoughts from one of the premier authors of our age.

Thanks for the words and inspiration Mark.

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Summary

Most of us have no idea where we’re going most of the time. Perfect.

“Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit–An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life. I think the Celtic Christians were on to something….

Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure.” –from the introduction.

Author Bio:

Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of Washington, DC’s National Community Church, widely recognized as one of America’s most innovative churches. NCC meets in movie theaters at metro stops throughout the city, as well as in a church-owned coffee house near Union Station. More than seventy percent of NCC’ers are single twentysomethings who live or work on Capitol Hill. Mark is the author of the best-selling In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and a widely read blogger (www.markbatterson.com). He lives on Capitol Hill with his wife, Lora, and their three children.

Tags: book, mark batterson, wild goose chase

Death By Love

Mark Driscoll’s upcoming book, “Death By Love” looks to be an amazing book.  In it he ties the cross to a dozen real life issues in the form of pastoral letters.  The book looks raw and honest.  Just what you expect from Driscoll.  Here’s a trailer for the book. Incredible imagery.

Tags: book, cross, death by love, Jesus, Mark Driscoll

Influential Books: The Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney

Continuing a week of posts dedicated to sharing a handful of influential books in my life.

Today’s book is small but packs a powerful punch: The Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney.

The books asks the question:

What’s your life centered on?

Is there a more significant question than that?

I don’t know about you, but for me, my life naturally wants to center around me. What I like. What I don’t like. What comforts me. What makes me happy. Me. Me. Me.

It’s self-centeredness but it’s so much more than that. It’s idolatry. That’s anything that takes the spot of God in my life. That’s a problem. A big problem.

The Cross Centered Life reminds me to keep first things first; that one simple truth should transform everything I do and all that I am: That Christ died for my sins.

When I center my life on Jesus- everything changes.

It provokes me to follow Jesus- not because I have to- but because I want to. It makes me want to love my wife and kids more- even to the point laying down my life- because that’s what Christ did for me. It motivates me to show grace to people when they don’t deserve it because that’s exactly what Jesus did for me. It makes me want to do a good job at work because I see it as an act of worship to Christ who died for me. It makes me want to write this blog post right now because I want you to experience the love and grace of Jesus.

Mahaney says that if you’re living a cross centered life, you should experience the following:

• Be free of joy-robbing, legalistic thinking and living.
• Leave behind crippling effects of guilt and condemnation
• Stop basing your faith on your emotions and circumstances.
• Grow in gratefulness, joy, and holiness.

I encourage you to pick up this book. It will take an hour to read but the simple truth it presents will pierce your soul. At least that’s what it did for me.

Tomorrow, I’ll share about a children’s book that greatly influenced me.

Tags: book, cj mahaney, cross centered life

Tangible Kingdom

What do you think of this? It’s based on the book by Matt Smay and Hugh Halter. I haven’t read it yet but the video is thought-provoking.

Check it out and let me know what you think the message is.

Tags: book, hugh halter, matt smay, tangible kingdom

Get Your Hands On This Book

On April 1, Tim Stevens‘ book, “Pop Goes the Church,” will be released. I anticipate the buzz will be hot as church leaders and Christ Followers get their hands on this book.

Tim will make you laugh enough to get a good ab workout. Nod enough to get a neck crap. And for some, feel enough discomfort to reach for the Pepto. But when the smoke clears, I think many will be inspired to engage culture with the gospel the same way Paul did in Athens.

Check out the sweet website accompanying the book.

I had the pleasure of reviewing an early manuscript and posted a review several months back (which you can read below).

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Review

Churches now have a guidebook that explains why and how to leverage pop culture, engage people, and point them to Jesus in the book “Pop Goes the Culture.” The book is written by Tim Stevens, a pastor at the innovative, Granger Community Church in Indiana.

As an early reviewer of the book, I can’t give away many details of it, but I can tell you that it is both engaging and provocative. The stories Tim weaves in throughout the book are a great touch with some surprising tales about his own life.

Tim comes across as a nice guy (I’m sure he is)- but he makes no bones that this book will offend lots of churchy people. After reading it, I would definitely agree. If you read it you will either dig or or disdain. I, for one, dug it.

There are aspects of the book that may be fodder for the “attack dog” “watchdog” bloggers out there. But I hope the message of the book will rise above all of that and provoke thought, discussion, prayer, and action instead. People need Jesus. Pop culture practically screams it out. Why not use it in a timely way to connect people to the timeless truth?

I think this should be required reading for every church planter, Christian leader, and Christ follower. I’m thankful for the opportunity to review this book and look forward to seeing the impact it’s bound to have on ministries, and ultimately people, everywhere.

Tags: book, Book Review, Church, Jesus, pop culture, Pop Goes the Church, stevens, tim stevens

The Book I’d Recommend to Someone Exploring Christianity

“The Reason for God” by Tim Keller. It’s currently Number 7 on the NY Times best-seller list.

Keller is one of the most articulate Christian thinkers alive today. If you still have lots of questions about God, Christianity, etc., do yourself a favor and read this book. It’s straight-forward and honest; brilliant and simple to comprehend. All typical of Tim Keller.

Book Description
Why is there suffering in the world? How could a loving God send people to Hell? Why isn’t Christianity more inclusive? Shouldn’t the Christian God be a god of love? How can one religion be “right” and the rest “wrong”? Why have so many wars been fought in the name of God? These are just a few of the questions even ardent believers wrestle with today. In this book, Tim Keller uses literature, philosophy, real-life conversations and reasoning, and even pop culture to explain how faith in a Christian God is a soundly rational belief, held by thoughtful people of intellectual integrity with a deep compassion for those who truly want to know the truth.

Tim Keller Resources

Tags: , book, Book Review, Christianity, Cool People, keller, Questions, The Reason for God, Tim Keller, Timothy Keller

A Review of “Pop Goes the Church”

Churches now have a guidebook that explains why and how to leverage pop culture, engage people, and point them to Jesus in the book “Pop Goes the Culture.” The book is written by Tim Stevens, a pastor at the innovative, Granger Community Church in Indiana.

As an early reviewer of the book, I can’t give away many details of it, but I can tell you that it is both engaging and provocative. The stories Tim weaves in throughout the book are a great touch with some surprising tales about his own life.

Tim comes across as a nice guy (I’m sure he is)- but he makes no bones that this book will offend lots of churchy people. After reading it, I would definitely agree. If you read it you will either dig or or disdain. I, for one, dug it.

There are aspects of the book that may be fodder for the “attack dog” “watchdog” bloggers out there. But I hope the message of the book will rise above all of that and provoke thought, discussion, prayer, and action instead. People need Jesus. Pop culture practically screams it out. Why not use it in a timely way to connect people to the timeless truth?

I think this should be required reading for every church planter, Christian leader, and Christ follower. I’m thankful for the opportunity to review this book and look forward to seeing the impact it’s bound to have on ministries, and ultimately people, everywhere.

Thanks for this book Tim. You rock dude!

Tags: book, Cool People, Jesus, pop culture, Pop Goes the Church, tim stevens

Pop Goes the Church

I don’t know what he was thinking but Tim Stevens, author and rock star pastor, has invited me and others to help him review his book prior to publication.

The book is called, “Pop Goes the Church” and it will be released later this year. In it, Stevens examines the relationship between church and pop culture. Tim is the right guy to write this timely book.

So I have the pleasure of reading it over the course of the next couple of weeks and add my two cents. It should be fun.

The publisher has asked that I not publish any of the specifics or quotes from the book. In fact, I think it self-destructs after January 30. Kind of like in Inspector Gadget. Remember that show? I loved it.

The theme song is now stuck in my head and my ADD is kicking in.

Thanks for the opportunity to help Tim! I’m looking forward to it.

“Go Gadget Go!”

Tags: book, Church, Cool People, pop culture, Pop Goes the Church, tim stevens

Chase the Lion!

Read this manifesto by Mark Batterson.  These are compelling words to help launch the new year.

Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshiping what’s right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze new trails. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don’t try to be who you’re not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away.

Chase the lion.

If you haven’t done so, read Mark’s book- In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day.

It will rock your world.

Tags: book, chase the lion, Cool People, in a pit with a lion on a snowy day, mark batterson