Flight Plan (a book review)

Summer vacation has started and that means that, for many people, the reading list gets beefed up as people anticipate some leisure time either home or away. For those in ministry, it can also include having some time to look ahead to fall ministries in a variety of age ranges.

Flight Plan: Your Mission to Become A Man would fit either situation. For a dad that wants to be intentional about leading his boys to manhood, or for a ministry worker that wants a solid program for the young men in their care, Flight Plan offers a solid "field guide" for covering topics relevant to growing boys today.

As a mom, I like the information they present, the "boy-centric approach" and the level of integrity they encourage in both men and men-to-be. Covering issues from making smart choices to understanding risky ones, physical growth to spiritual growth, Flight Plan uses practical illustrations to explain concepts that could, if not handled in a setting of interaction, fly right over the head of some boys. For example, in talking about drugs and alcohol, authors Burns and Brady use the idea of a high-power engine. In a BMW, with an experienced driver, the risk is much lower than if that same engine was put in a go cart and given to a new driver. They compare boys' growing bodies to the vehicle, pointing out how there is a difference in the ways a teen body and an adult body will react to drugs or alcohol. (And they aren't encouraging using drugs or alcohol, by the way.) They also offer very practical recommendations for responsible behavior, like not having internet access in a bedroom to minimize the risk of getting involved in pornography.

This book is designed to be used in a group setting - offering discussion questions and different application scenarios at the end of each chapter. For younger groups (middle school), it would probably be best to offer excerpts in a group setting as the book itself is rather text-heavy according to many teen resources today, although photos and bullet points to help lighten it slightly. For high school or college ages, it would work very well as a complete participation study. It would also be a fantastic resource for a parent and child study at home.

With a mix of Scripture, familiar examples and peer input from well-known public figures, Flight Plan provides a wealth of material to guide boys to manhood.


Review copy provided by The B&B Media Group.

Revive Us Again (a review)

While on a long flight last week, I took out Frank Viola's "Revive Us Again: Living From a Renewed Christian Script."

Viola explains in his introduction that "I expect that during the course of your reading, you will say in your heart, "But of course!"" and for much of the book that was the case. Things that were frequent observations, or accepted traditions, are examined with a fresh eye to the practical ways those thoughts or habits might play out in the church - for good or for bad.

For example, Viola looks at the notion of claiming "The Lord told me":

"What I'm addressing here is the tendency of many Christians to announce that God has told them something ... I've routinely watched God get credit for things that He never authored and blamed for things He never imagined."

With a blend of Scriptural examples and practical insight, Viola goes on to point out that in the New Testament, people don't talk like that. And neither should we. Or how often have we heard (or said) "I'll pray about it." What does it typically mean? Nothing. Viola specifically avoids judging people but does point out that we need to take responsibility for the statements we make. In each chapter, he goes on to address other key areas where similar traditions or habits might need a careful re-examination.

As suggested by the legal pad cover design, the writing is clear and, in spite of a couple strained analogies, straight forward and generally easy to follow. With a clear outline and plenty of Scripture to back up his observations, Viola takes a good look at the cliches of the Christian life and challenges us to walk (and talk) intentionally into the life God has for us as believers.

Highly recommend.

Review copies provided by The B&B Media Group.

The Fitting Room (a review)

I've just finished reading "The Fitting Room: Putting on the Character of Christ" by Kelly Minter and found it to be a refreshing look at the "virtues" of the Christian life. Drawing her list from Colossians 3:12, Minter examines not just the thought-to-be-holy aspects of peace, forgiveness, compassion, kindness, humility, patience and joy, but also looks at the day to day evidence of a life that is expressing these virtues. Her approach is practical, often humorous and really gives a taste of how these virtues will look as day wear, and not just as characteristics of Christ to be reserved for Sunday use.

Minter promises (and keeps her promise) not to flog the makeover analogy to death but really hits the fact that these are not outer transformation when she says, "I've realized ... There is simply no way to detach my heart from my actions, especially when it comes to the characteristics of Jesus." She is frank about some of her own heart failings and provides discussion questions to try to encourage a thoughtful examination of our own motives or challenges in living a Christ-centered life which will produce these characteristics as an outgrowth of the inner reality.

"The Fitting Room" is not a heavy read but will leave you with a sense of purpose and a better understanding of a life made over to the Master Designer.

Review copies provided by The B&B Media Group.

Every nation, every tongue

A friend forwarded this video taken the day the Word of God arrived in Papua in the Kimyal language. How beautiful to see.

Cleanliness is next to ...

I'll be the first to admit I'm not a great housekeeper. (My husband would be the second to admit it.) We don't live in squalor or anything, but I do typically live with what I refer to as a visual filing system. So this quote tickled my funny bone:

Cleanliness becomes more important when godliness is unlikely. - P.J. O'Rourke

Is it odd to find this comforting in a convoluted sort of way? :)

Amazing Grace by Josh Wilson

It's been a long time since I posted here, but for today I want to share an amazing rendition of Amazing Grace. I was fortunate enough to see Josh Wilson live last weekend and loved his version of this wonderful hymn.

Who's in your manger?

One of the central images of the Christmas season is the nativity with the infant Jesus lying in his small manger. It's generally depicted as a sweet family moment with Mary and Joseph looking on, wise men and shepherds gazing in and possibly an angel hovering overhead.

Our church this year did a Christmas drama that took a look at the things that a lot of people currently think about Christmas. Everything from the "good message" of morals to the bah-humbug approach were parodied among a group of mall store owners and customers. It was a fun evening of enjoyable characters.
As I watched, though, it occurred to me that what really was taking place was that those people were trying to put something else in the manger. And in each of those characters I saw someone I know, someone trying to avoid the question of who the event of Christmas is for. I suspect its often because if they really were to acknowledge that that baby was the Incarnate God, life might get very uncomfortable for them. If that was truly God, the things He has to say about their life might mean they'd have to change something. And so they take the warm fuzzies of the season but don't want to step too close to see who is actually in that manger. So reindeer and elves and snowmen and grinches and penguins and polar bears and family and generosity fill the holidays and give them the illusion of celebrating the season without having to examine the Christmas story.

But not everyone wants to avoid the Christmas story.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2: 8-12)

The shepherds, on getting the news of the manger rushed off to see if it were true. This was a promise they had been hearing about all their lives. And to think it might be true! And in the manger, they found the child.

Throughout the Bible, we see that this baby has a variety of names and roles. But none of those names is St. Nick.

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). (Matthew 1:23, quoting Isaiah 7:14)

Immanuel - God With Us. I think it's the most exciting and the most terrifying of God's names. Exciting because God came to be with us. Because He loved us so much He would do whatever it took to be with us. Terrifying because a mighty God can ask anything He wants of me. I suspect God came as a child to help us not be overwhelmed by the fear of a very present God. Usually the appearance of angels or God himself began with a "fear not", and probably for good reason. But make no mistake - Jesus came because He passionately loves you, and wanted to provide a way to be with you forever. That baby is also your Saviour, the only one able to take your sin away and promise a future of hope and purpose.

So my prayer for you this Christmas is that you see Jesus in the manger - God with us - and come to know him as the reason for your season.

Merry Christmas!