The Winner of Stephen Mansfield’s new book, “Healing Your Church Hurt” from Tyndale House Publishers is Lynda Buss. She will be receiving her book in the very near future. Thank you to everyone who stopped by my blog to check out the giveaway. A special thanks to Tyndale for making this free copy available.
Month: February 2012
Book Review : The Coming Revolution
I must admit that I have always had an interest in the political landscape of our nation. I do my best to keep up with the leaders, decisions, and trends that will affect, positively or negatively, the future of the nation of which I am a citizen. The current political climate in America reminds me of someone who continues to put air into a balloon, while all the while ignoring the warning signs of the impending burst. I cannot remember a time when the decisions being made on behalf of the people of these United States were so drastic and monumental. The current political setting has caused many to become discouraged and fearful; to wonder, at times out loud, what the future hold for the United States of America.
In Dr. Richard G. Lee’s new book “The Coming Revolution; Signs From America’s Past That Signal Our Nation’s Future”, Lee reveals through past history and present circumstances that our country is on the verge of another revolution reminiscent of 1776. This coming revolution is not one of bullets and battles, but one of the ballot box. Of this coming revolution, Lee writes, “What this book proposes is a revolution that is far superior to a violent rebellion. It is a revolution of faith and ideas, a new commitment to a higher cause. It is a revolution that will fulfill the charge our forefathers gave us during the founding era. A tremendous hunger for restoration of accountability exists in this country, and the popular reaction to the progressive agenda in Washington may be a blessing. Excessive control and a burdensome taxation are driving the people of this country back to the basics and, hopefully, leading to a renewal and resurgence of the American Spirit”. Lee begins his book by giving the reader a portrait of our nation. He does so by taking a brief look at the founding of our country, the major advances that lead to America’s greatness, and the current social and political issues we face today.
Dr. Lee references many of the early documents that make up the scaffolding of what the values and principles of this country rest upon. He describes what is known as the “American Spirit” which is defined as the sense of unity that existed between the early American colonies that allowed them to work together, grow together, worship together, and prosper together. He shows how this American spirit originated with the Puritans and the sermons of the Great Awakening. Lee lists the influences the Great Awakening had upon early America. These include unity and community among the colonies, moral and spiritual worldview, a spirit of independence, and a belief in manifest destiny, among others. Lee also shows the areas where America is losing ground to popular culture. He includes health care, education, the institution of marriage, to name a few.
A note to readers. Those who label themselves as moderates, progressives, liberals, or socialists will not enjoy this book. Lee often cites how the current administration has drifted from the intentions and principles of the founding fathers. This book is written in support of the Tea Party Movement that has taken a prominent position over the past year. He said this of the Tea Party, “the movement stands for a smaller government, fiscal responsibility, individual freedom, and a conservative view of the nation’s founding documents.”. Lee chronicles just how far the Obama administration has gravitated from these formative beliefs.
The best part of this book, in my opinion, is the fact that after Dr. Lee lays out the problem, he does not leave the reader there wondering what can be done. Instead, he lists ten things that can be done right now in order to make a difference. Some of these are pray for America, register to vote and know the issues, and let your elected officials know how you feel, to name a few. I highly recommend this book. It is not an easy read, in that there is a great deal of historical information which is necessary in order to understand Lee’s position. The Coming Revolution is great food for thought on the issues facing America today.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Tyndale Blog Tour – Free Book Give Away
Thanks to the good people at Tyndale House Publishers, I have a free copy of Stephen Mansfield’s new book Healing Your Church Hurt; What To Do When You Still Love God But Have Been Wounded By His People to give away. If you would like to read the first chapter of this book, you can do that here. To enter, simply answer the following question in the comment stream below.
In ten words or less, which person from the Bible, excluding Jesus, do you find the most inspiring and why?
The deadline for entry will be midnight on Friday, February 17th. I will pick a winner from all the entries and notify the winner at noon on February 18th. One entry per person please. Good luck.
Book Review : Healing Your Church Hurt
If you have ever been part of what the Greeks knew as the ecclesia, or “the called out ones”, better known today as the New Testament church, then it is likely that you have witnessed or been involved in a church hurt. As a result, either you or someone you know, made a decision to walk away from the “church”. George Barna says this “decision to permanently withdraw from a congregation” can be called “ecclesia exitus” or church dropout. In Stephen Mansfield’s new book “Healing Your Church Hurt; What To Do When You Still Love God But Have Been Wounded By His People”, he dives in to this issue and epidemic of hurt, offense, and discouragement within the body of Christ. Having been the pastor of a church who experienced a devastating church hurt himself, Mansfield is able to speak to this topic successfully.
Mansfield did not write this book to simply tell the reader that people get hurt in church. Instead, he writes to assure those who were hurt that it is possible for them to reconnect with the body of Christ. Mansfield begins by giving the root of the problem of offense and hurt: human nature and sin. He then takes a look at how we tend to look at others. He believes that how we look at others may determine our willingness to mend a relationship and length of time it might take. This chapter brings out these types of questions: Have our expectations of others that didn’t prove to be true given weight to our hurt? Are we guilty of forgetting how ugly the human nature can be?
Chapters four and five are the best chapters in the book and are very powerful. Chapter four entitled, “Lessons From a Season in Hell”, Mansfield asks the reader to do something. He asks, “I want you to take the most agonizing season of your life and examine it piece by piece.” He does this by asking five pointed and probing questions. They are:
1. Of the things your critics said, what do you know to be true?
2. How did you try to medicate your wounded soul?
3. Were you clinging to anything that contributed to your church hurt?
4. What did those closest to you do when you went through the fire?
5. During the bruising season, what fed your inspirations and your dreams?
In Chapter five, “The Throne Room of Your Mind”, Mansfield deals with how our minds process the hurt and how we tend to play the hurtful act over and over, rehearsing all the “should-have, could-have, and would-haves”. He demonstrates this by sharing a recurring dream that he has. As he sits on a grand throne, everyone who has wounded him becomes aware of their offense and they line up and come before him to make amends and tell him how sorry they are. As he enjoys having them in the palm of his hand, he touches them with his scepter and declares them forgiven. They exit thanking him for forgiving them, promising never to offend again. Of course, this is a fantasy. He says that we all have in our own minds a similar throne-room experience. Mansfield goes on to say that being hurt is about being offended, or suffering an offense. It is in this chapter that he gives to us a piercing word study demonstrating how devastating an offense can be. He concludes the book by dealing with forgiveness and restoration. He suggests that God may have a divine purpose for our hurt.
Stephen Mansfield has written a powerful book. It is efficient and to the point. His advice is practical and immediately helpful. Healing Your Church Hurt is a must read for those who have been wounded by the body of Christ. He sums up his reason for writing, “There is a myth that we need to knock in the head – and we need to knock it in the head now. When we’ve been hurt by the church we often tell ourselves that we are going to keep loving Jesus but that we no longer want anything to do with his people. The Bible makes it clear that we cannot love Jesus and hate his people.”
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Book Review : Wild Goose Chase
Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson is the prequel to his other great work In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day. This book is about adventure. It is about excitement. It is about passion. It is about pursuit. All of which Batterson says is lacking in the life of institutional Christianity. The title of this book was borrowed from the Celtic Christians. They had a word for the Holy Spirit, “An Geadh-Glas”, or “The Wild Goose”. Their word hints at the untrackable and untamable nature of a wild goose, which is also true of the Holy Spirit. Batterson declares that the Christian life should not be boring because we don’t serve a boring God.
As he begins his book, he speaks of cages that we find ourselves in. He says Christians were not meant to live cages lives. Batterson writes, “Sure, you can choose the safety and predictability of the cage, forfeiting the adventure God has destined for you. But you won’t be the only one missing out or losing out. When you lack the courage to chase the Wild Goose, the opportunity costs are staggering.” The bulk of the book (six chapters) centers around six cages that, as Batterson says, “keep us from roaming free with the Wild Goose and living the spiritual adventure God destined us to.” He also introduces us to six “goose-chasers” from the scriptures.
Cage One is the cage of responsibility – the story of Nehemiah. We learn here that our main responsibility as Christians is to pursue what God is passionate about. Cage Two is the cage of routine – the story of Moses. Routines lead to rut and ritual and quench the adventurous spirit. Cage Three is the cage of assumption – the story of Abraham. Excuses and assumptions abound. God can use anyone, anywhere, anytime. Cage Four is the cage of guilt – the story of Peter. If you allow your past ways to chart your future course, it will always be safe. Cage Five is the cage of failure – the story of Paul. Failure is often the beginning of our pursuit of the unknown. Cage Six is the cage of fear – the story of Jonathan. No guts, no glory.
Batterson has a great book here. His style of writing is unique and entertaining. He has the ability to communicate a difficult truth in a practical way, much like Andy Stanley. You will enjoy this book and find it challenging and capable of rekindling lost dreams.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising
The Road Less Traveled 