Book Review---"Your Church Is Too Safe" by Mark Buchanan

Review for “Your Church Is Too Safe--Why Following Christ turns The World Upside-Down" by Mark Buchanan

Published by Zondervan 2012

I’ve been trying to think of an artsy way to try and get you to read this book but I guess I’m just not that creative. You still need to read the book. It will challenge you It will cause you to see things in Scripture much differently; and you will begin to notice in the Scriptures how Christ and his followers turned their world upside down.

They  made unclean things clean; they made sure that love overtook hatred; and that everyone was given the opportunity to be different.

This is the first book written by Mark Buchanan that I’ve read. His writing style reminds me a bit of Max Lucado. By that I mean he is a wordsmith and is able to describe things in a way that are easy to relate to and memorable.

I realize the book was not intended to be a commentary on Scripture or a Bible study reference book but to be honest, after reading “Your Church is Too Safe” I’ve taken a different approach to my own Bible reading and study. I’ve spent more time in connecting the dots of context and searching out why something was done; to whom it was done; and what the reaction of those surrounding the event.

For too long the church has been a place where folks have to believe to belong rather than belong to believe. And for too long the church has been a “safe place” where Christians could gather and not be bothered by the things of the world. But that’s too safe. It’s not what Christ intended for the Church. If the Christ came for those in need of medical attention…..the sin sick…..then the Church is probably not going to the safe place that some desire it to be. And Buchanan provides example after example of how this has happened in his own church and in his own life as he became more and more aware of those who had turned their world upside down.

I was challenged by Buchanan’s fresh take on the statement of Christ that his followers would do “greater things.” For most of us this has been understood in light of technology and other advancements that have come about over the years. But when you look at it, Christ was talking about the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit causing us to do greater things, not technology.

I loved the sections of the book that dealt with James & John; Rahab and the Samaritan woman in John 4. I was deeply challenged and I know you will be too.

Towards the end of the book there was a story about a woman named Wanda….a woman with a not so great past but a wonderful future. She came to Buchanan’s church and sat on the front row. If you want to know the rest of Wanda’s story you are going to have to get the book and read it. You won’t be sorry!

I want to thank the folks from Zondervan for the opportunity to read this book. I’m looking forward to reading other books written by Mark Buchanan in the days ahead.

Dream Killer?, Part II

"Be very careful who you tell your dreams to." I remember those words as though I first hear them yesterday. But those words were told to me more than 25 years ago by a noted evangelist Lowell Lundstrom.

The reason he gave was that most folks just wouldn't understand; they would try to talk you out of it because it was something so different than what they had experienced.

I've learned a few other reasons over the years. Some folks are just jealous and don't want to see anyone do something that is larger than what they are doing. It doesn't have a thing to do with you, they treat everyone the same. If it doesn't fit into their realm of understanding and experience, they don't understand why you would want to do it.

Some will be jealous. They want to be the one to do your dream……but it's not their dream. It wasn't spoken to them to do, but their jealousy will rise up and try to kill your dream.

Some will try and strangle your dream. They will remind you that no one has ever done this before or that they had a dream like that when they were young but couldn't make it happen so who are you to think you could be the one God uses?

Some will create rules that will make it more difficult to bring your dream about. It's always been amazing how quickly Christians create "hoops" for other folks to jump through. Some will be supportive to your face but ridicule you behind your back. Some will simply ridicule you to your face…….

Be cautious about who you share your dream with. Ask God to bring people alongside who believe with you that if God spoke it, it's so. Join the ranks of Caleb and Joshua….not the ranks of the unknowns…..do you know the names of other ten spies? Didn't think so. But you knew exactly what I was talking about when you read the names Caleb and Joshua. Just as they were, we are more than able to go into the Promised (Dream) Land…..and conquer the giants. Why? Because God said so.

One of my favorite passages come from Paul's letter to the Ephesians, chapter 3. In verse 20 Paul wrote that God was able to do more than we could imagine "according to the power of God that is at work within us." (NIV)

No other reason is needed. God said so. Don't be childish…..be childlike.

One thing about dreams that I've learned……most of the time, its' been my experience that when we receive these dreams….visions……or words…….we are given the end of the dream and not the beginning or the middle. Often we get what the result of what our dream is to be and not how to get to that point from where we are.  I mentioned in my previous post that the process is often more important than the end. (If that's confusing to you, go back and read Dream Killer?, Part I)

That goes back to our willingness to pay the price…..no matter what it is. And as you know, I for one am grateful that God doesn't let us in on what the cost might be or most of us……would run. I'm at the head of that list.

By the way you can read the names of the ten spies who were "dream killers" in Numbers 13:4-15. After you read the list make sure you read this verse: Numbers 13:2 "Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I AM GIVING TO THE ISRAELITES." And make sure you read: Numbers 13:30 "Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it." 

By the way….I don't know what your dream is…..but I'm pulling for you! You can do it according to His power that is at work within you!  He promised!

Always in Pursuit!

Dream Killer ? (Part I)

I've been thinking……actually I've been thinking a lot lately……..no headaches….lost a little sleep…….probably seemed distant at times to those around me…..but I've been thinking.

Thinking about things that have been spoken over me throughout the years…..wondering………pondering………when will those words come about? Am I doing something to keep those words from coming about? Is someone else doing something to keep those words from coming about? What do I do with the questions, discouragement and even anger at times because I haven't seen those words come about. I'm not getting any younger….at least that’s what several folks have told me over the past three years.

At the same time, I'm learning a lot. Thinking, reading the Word, talking with other pilgrims who are on their journey with God and listening to the Spirit as He whispers…….in dreams, visions, desires and words given to me by brothers and sisters in the Kingdom.

I remember being so excited about the things I felt God promised to me. I was also a bit confused about how they would come about. I never doubted they would come about but I didn't see how or when.

Little did I know that the pursuit of these things may be a life time; little did I know what it would take to get from where I was to where God wanted me to be so He could fulfill those dreams. To be honest, had I truly known what it was going to take, I would have run. I would have said, "thank you but I don't think that's for me…..do you have something a little easier?"

I have memories of my college days…..of multiple speakers in our chapels talking about our willingness to "pay the price" when it came to serving God and doing His will. We all went forward; hands up; tears streaming; saying "yes, I'm willing to do whatever it takes." Well, to be honest, if we had known ……..what it was going to take………well…..you know the rest.

I've often commented about difficult times that have passed by saying, "I'm glad it's over; learned a lot; but I won't ever sign up for that again." Know the feeling? I'm sure you do. It's a feeling that's common to most of us pilgrims.

Here are some things I've learned that might help you:

·         I'm not alone in waiting on the Lord to fulfill His promises

·         I'm not the only one who is wondering if they missed God somewhere along the line

·         I'm not the only one doing things that God has placed in front of us to do but things that we don't want to do "when we grow up"

·         I'm not the only living being with an incredible hope that the next phone call; the next mail delivery; the next e-mail; or the next Skype call is going to open the door to God's fulfillment of those dreams He put in my heart

·         I'm not the only one who is tired of living disappointed because there was no call; no letter; no e-mail; no Skype call and no open door

·         I'm not the only who has good and bad days and gives serious thought to turning back……but I don't know what to turn back to……..

What am I learning? One thing for certain, the fulfillment of the dream, vision or word is not the ultimate. There's much more involved than seeing those things come about. With apologies to the General Secretary of the Assemblies of God, Dr. James Bradford, it's not rocket science.

Note what it says at the end of Hebrews 11, "These were all commended for their faith yet none of them received what had been promised. {40} God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."

After reading this passage you have to come to the conclusion that the journey was more important than the promise. God is more concerned with how we get there than when.

I also have to assume that heaven…..being in God's presence…..will make any promise, dream, vision or word pale in comparison to being in the presence of God…..heaven.

We're on a journey. Often it's a difficult journey. Often we have to deal with circumstances on this journey that are not of our doing. It's not our fault; but we have to deal with it; perhaps we have to get over it.

More tomorrow…….

Always in Pursuit!

A Little Tail Waggin'........

In John 15:11 Jesus told his disciples to "remain in his love." Earlier in the chapter he referenced the need to stay connected to the vine, the source of life. But in verse 11 Jesus promised our joy would be "full" or "complete" if we remained in him.

I love the story Len Sweet tells in his book, "I Am a Follower." He relates how that when the New Testament was translated into some the Eskimo dialects, there were no words that corresponded to what Scripture was saying so they had to look to something within the culture that would help paint a picture of what was being said. One such challenge was to find something to represent the word "joy." There was no word in some of the Eskimo dialects for this word.

In their search for something in the life of the Eskimos that pictured joy, they discovered that families that owned sled dogs experienced great joy when the sled dogs were fed every evening. It was a family time; sled dogs would come running; barking and yelping and wagging their tail. In some instances it was such a joyous occasion that neighbors would come out and join in the excitement.

The translators chose to use this experience to describe the emotion of the disciple’s encounters with Jesus. And you guessed it, the Eskimo translation read, "When the disciples saw Jesus, they wagged their tails."

Perhaps, as Len Sweet suggested, we could identify a true follower of Christ by checking to see if their tail is wagging.

Just a thought…….hope it brings a smile and makes your tail wag!


Always in Pursuit!

How Ya' Smellin'?

Ever had a time when you were hot and sweaty? You had worked really hard; muscles straining; teeth gritted; and sweat pouring off your body? And when you got done, relaxed just a little you noticed something. Something doesn’t smell right. To be honest, something stinks…….and it’s you!

I've heard some folks who have done this make the claim that by the time they hit the shower, they could hardly stand themselves. I’m pretty sure this is not part of the plan to win friends and influence people.

I wonder if that was what Paul had in mind when he wrote 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 ""But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life."

I suppose the truth of the matter is that all of us have a unique smell…..er …..aroma. I've walked into rooms after certain individuals have entered and could smell their cologne or their perfume. I knew they were there or had been there without seeing them. I could smell them.

I've also hadhandshakes and hugs from folks that left me smelling like their perfume or cologne. Sometimes to be honest, it was pleasant while at other times I've started sneezing. (I'm a sensitive kind of guy to some of those aromas…….not the hugs just the smells)

Smells are great reminders as well. I can smell certain foods being prepared and immediately be taken back to my childhood standing in one of my grandmother’s kitchens. This past Christmas Day, my boys asked their grandmother to fix fried chicken for our Christmas Dinner. Standing in the kitchen, enjoying the smell of my mom's fried chicken took me back to my childhood when we ate so much fried chicken because it was cheap meat. But when mom got done fixing it, it was a meal fit for a king…..at least one who wasn’t' too concerned about eating fried foods. But I digress……and search for my cholesterol pills……there they are…..next to the bacon.

Physically each of us has a unique odor about us. We also have a spiritual aroma about us. How we smell is up to us. We can be the aroma of God….a pleasing aroma to Christ or I guess we can smell like the burning sulfur of hell. The choice is always ours. How we choose to live our lives will dictate the aroma we emit.

Peter, the fisherman, wrote in his letter that we should "live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." (1 Peter 2:12)

He also wrote, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." If you will allow me to paraphrase this verse, it might read as, "always be prepared to explain why you smell so good to those who are used to the bad smells of this life."

Let’s change the way our world smells. Let’s be the aroma of Christ…..the smell of life and not the smell of death.

So, the question still stands……how ya' smellin' ?

Always in Pursuit!

It Happened Again!

A review of The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson, published by Zondervan in 2011

It happened again! Every time I read a book by Mark Batterson I come away challenged and I come away thinking and praying that God will help me do better.

The Circle Maker is a book about prayer. For most believers, this would be a reason for them to not to read the book. Most of us have several books on our shelves on the topic of prayer but still struggle with the discipline of prayer in our lives.

We put the latest leadership principles into practice; we stay current with technology; and we force ourselves to become knowledgeable on current trends and fads in worship, preaching and discipleship methods. But has our prayer life advanced? Probably not. The Circle Maker will challenge you to advance your prayer life!

Batterson talks about answered prayer in his own life; in the life of National Community Church; in the life of friends and parishioners of National Community Church plus the prayers of family members who have gone on to their reward.

I’m embarrassed by this but at times when I would read about answered prayers in Mark’s life, I found myself thinking, “All he did was pray.” And then I had to confess my own prayerlessness and dependency upon other means which could be translated as idols.

There were several “take aways” for me. For instance, Batterson wrote that most of us don’t get what we want because we don’t know what we want. We haven’t given thought to what our needs are. Another take away for me was that many of us don’t get what we want because we don’t ask.

I was thoroughly challenged by the section of the book that related our dreams to our prayers. It seems that the more we dream, the more we pray and the more we pray the bigger our dreams are. I never really put the two together like that before. It has now become quite a challenge for me. Especially when you consider that if our prayers aren’t impossible to us, they may be an insult to God. Why would we ask Him to do something that we could do on our own or with the help of some others? Paul wrote in Ephesians that God was able to do more than we could dream or imagine.

Also I was challenged by the section of the book on Life Goals. Mark provides a ten step plan for goal setting that would benefit all readers.

If you are a pastor, teacher or small group leader, you will want to use this book in your teaching/preaching. But don’t get so caught up in communicating what was written to others that you don’t allow the message to get deep down into your being.

Again, this is a great book. It’s not dry! It’s not legalistic! And it’s not something from long ago. This is something happening today with a promise of tomorrow being even greater!

A View from Inside the Bear

I have a good friend who frequently uses some "pithy" sayings. One of them was, "Lord, if you don't help me, please don't help that bear."

Another one of his little sayings was, "some days you eat the bear and some days the bear eats you."

Ever had a day when the bear ate you? I know it's not very spiritual but I've had my share of those days and the view from inside the bear really isn't something to write home about. But……it happens. And when it happens we need to know how to handle it.

I’ve heard over and over that the most successful people in the world are the ones who have picked themselves up off the floor more than anyone else.

You have to pick yourself up; dust yourself off; learn from whatever caused you to be on the inside of that bear and make a commitment that this turn of events is not going to be permanent. It's temporary. There's another day coming. And we are going to do everything we can to make sure the outcome will be different. (There is probably another bear coming too so it’s a good thing to learn from this one.)

A few years ago I heard a great sermon on David and Goliath. The speaker talked about why David picked up five smooth stones. The Scriptures don't tell us why so we have to speculate a little bit. This speaker's take on the five smooth stones David picked up was that David was determined to finish off Goliath. It’s possible that even though David felt confident he could do the job with one stone, he picked up a few more stones just in case.

Not everything we try to accomplish happens on the first try. Sometimes we have to back up and take a second whack at it….or a third or a fourth or even a fifth. The key is not how many times we fail or fall but how many times get up or fight our way out from inside the bear.

Scriptures contain many examples of difficult circumstances being turned around to bring great victory. We need to read about the people of Israel staring into the Red Sea and noticing the cloud of dust behind them (Exodus 14); we need to read about King Hezekiah seeing the Assyrian army surrounding the city of Jerusalem and how the angel of the Lord swept through the Assyrian camp (2 Kings 19). We need to be encouraged about how God provided for those who were facing difficult times because two things haven’t changed. One is that difficult times will come (Psalms 34:19; John 16:33); the second thing is that God has not changed (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). He will do the same for you and me as He did for those in Scripture.

Finding your self inside the bear is no fun. I've had more of those days than I care to remember. However, I've learned from those days. I've learned how to make choices that help avoid those days; and I've learned how to fight through those days. I may be inside the bear but I'm going to give that bear a lot of indigestion before busting out!

How about you?

Always in Pursuit!