Junky Car Club

Today I joined the Junky Car Club. The Junky Car Club is "a group of people who have made a commitment to live with less so that we can give more."

Here are the requirements to join:

Basic Membership

1. You are wanting to live with less so you can give more and looking for ways to be more generous to those in need.

2. You care about the issues of poverty and social justice and want to bring awareness to these important issues.

Chrome Membership

1. Your car is paid off and you have no car payments.

2. You are wanting to live with less so you can give more and looking for ways to be more generous to those in need.

3. You care about the issues of poverty and social justice and want to bring awareness to these important issues.

Elite Lemon Membership

1. You are currently sponsoring and helping a child who is living in poverty. If you want to sponsor a child now, please click on the COMPASSION banner above.

2. Your vehicle is 10 years old or older and MAY have trouble starting on cold mornings, have a funky smell inside, and have an annoying hum coming from the radio.

3. You are wanting to live with less so you can give more and looking for ways to be more generous to those in need.

4. You care about the issues of poverty and social justice and want to bring awareness to these important issues.

At this point I belong at the Chrome Membership level. Though my Honda is paid for--it's not ten years old. Julie, Tabs and I sponsor three children through Compassion International: Inte (Who lives in Ecuador), Darwin (Who lives in Peru) and Bakari (Who lives in Tanzania).

I strongly encourage you to consider how you can live with less to give more. It's what Jesus- followers do.

Check out the Junky Car Club at www.junkycarclub.com.

To change a child's life both for now and all eternity, go to www.compassion.com.

Finding Fish

Throughout the year I save a pile of books for my "Summer Break" reading list. Because they come very highly recommended I usually have a great few weeks of nothing short of fantastic reading.

This past spring in the middle of the media deluge that accompanied our "Pure Sex" teaching series at RiverTree a new source suggested a book I had never heard of. We were sitting in my office with cameras rolling when one of the TV news personalities from one of the major Cleveland networks took an unexpected interest in the fact that Julie and I are in the process of domestic adoption. She quickly asked, "Have you read the book, Finding Fish?" She proceeded to explain that Finding Fish is the memoir of Antwone Quentin Fisher and that it had recently been made into a major motion picture directed by none other than Denzel Washington. I added it to my "Summer Break" reading list.

Finding Fish is the amazing true story of Antwone Fisher (hence his nickname "Fish"). "Fish" spent his life in the Cleveland, Ohio area living in a Foster Home with a preacher, his wife and their family. Unfortunately, the book chronicles the amazing abuse that Antwone received in his upbringing and his triumph over what appeared to be insurmountable odds in his adult life.

The book leaves me with many challenging questions. How can professing Jesus-followers perpetrate such atrocities on a child? Actually, that's the easiest one. We, who claim to be Jesus-followers, are still sinners struggling to do our best to live the life God has called us to. Unfortunately, that leaves us flawed followers. What is disturbing is the ongoing lack of remorse from the preacher and his wife over what they put "Fish" through.

The bigger questions are much more personal.

For instance, what is my responsibility to children who have been damaged by troubled homes and systems, especially in light of Jesus' consistent valuing of the oppressed which was especially magnified when it came to children? As difficult as the Foster Care system is and as troubling as the children can be, if followers of Jesus do not care for them . . . then who will love them in Jesus' name? Who will share with them the bright hope and future that God has for them? Who will, in many cases, give them a home they hardly dare dream imaginable?

For me, Finding Fish has been an important read. One more step on the journey of life that God has me on. If you don't want to face some difficult questions you may want to skip this one.

Fallingwater

I visited Fallingwater this morning.

Fallling water is the amazing home that Frank Lloyd Wright designed for the Kaufmann family in 1935 in rural Southernwestern Pennsylvania. As amazing as the home is (literally constructed over a falling stream), the most astounding part is that Wright designed his most renowned home when he was 70 years old. Most people thought Wright was retiring and yet after Fallingwater he went on to develop 200 more architectual marvels--including the Guggenheim Museum which he rendered after he was 90 years old!

I want to grow old like that . . .

To visit Fallingwater online, go to http://www.paconserve.org/index-fw1.asp.

A Thousand Splendid Suns

I just finished reading A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. You might remember that Hosseini also wrote the international bestseller, The Kite Runner.

First of all, I thought The Kite Runner was an amazing novel. Secondly, A Thousand Splendid Suns is even better.

Hosseini was born in Kabul, Afghanistan and moved to the United States in 1980. He writes predominantly about actual events that have occurred in his country of birth over the past 30 years. Though fiction, his books are based in accurate historical context.

I couldn't put Splendid Suns down. I read it in one day. Men and women alike will find this read irresistable.

Summer break

Julie and I began our summer break yesterday after weekend services came to a close. For the next three weeks we will spend time rejuvenating, refreshing and replenishing our spiritual, emotional and physical tanks.

We'll take walks together.

Spend large amounts of time together with Tabitha.

Sit quietly in prayer, journaling and filling ourselves with God's Word.

We will read, read and then read some more.

Over the past several years we have found this time away absolutely vital to our own well-being and extremely beneficial to the church God has called us to serve.

I have already finished one book: Gossamer, by Lois Lowry. Lowry is a two time Newbery Award winning author. Gossamer is an amazing work telling the story of a distressed mother and child in a most creative manner. I recommend it highly.

The most dangerous time

If you talk to anyone who has ever lived through active combat, they share many common experiences. They know that there is an enemy lurking that wants nothing more than to bring an end to their life. The enemy is not shooting blanks-live ammo is being fired. An extreme alertness is required. The senses are heightened. Life hangs in the balance.

The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 6:10-12: A final word: Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.

Make no mistake about it . . . we are at war. There is an enemy that wants nothing more than to bring an end to our life. Bring an end to our marriages. Bring an end to our relationship with our children. There is an enemy whose primary purpose is to destroy our integrity. Ruin our relationship with God. Send our children down a path of destruction. And our enemy is relentless. He is using live ammo. Gorilla warfare. You name the tactic--he's using it. And your life hangs in the balance. The life of your spouse hangs in the balance. The lives of your friends hang in the balance. The lives of your children hang in the balance.

God gives us the good news in 1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome the enemy, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

We don't have to worry about being defeated. We don't have to run scared. But we must be aware of the battle raging around us. Are you spending time in prayer? Are you filling your mind with God's Word? Are you worshiping on a regular basis? Are you interacting with others who "have your back?" Are you getting adequate rest? Are you taking care of your physical body?

The most dangerous time for any person in combat is when they think they are safe. When they forget they are living in a war zone. It's the most dangerous time for us all.

Time with kids

One of the best decisions I have made this summer is to spend every Monday with my eight year old daughter, Tabitha. Please understand that because I lead church services on both Saturday and Sunday, Monday is the “weekend” for my family.

To begin, I went to Borders and purchased the book, “Fun With The Family In Ohio,” by Khristi S. Zimmeth. Having spent most of my life in Ohio, I was pleasantly surprised by all the new “fun things” the book suggested we do. Between Khristi’s ideas and some creativity of our own, we’re having quite the summer.

Here are some of our favorites so far. We spent the entire day at Geauga Lake’s Wildwater Kingdom water park in Aurora. It was one of those ninety degree Ohio days that was perfect to spend soaking in the pool while we soaked up the sun.

One day was spent at the McKinley Monument in downtown Canton. Not only did our daughter learn some valuable local and American history, but she had a great time as well. Her favorite part of the monument experience was the adjacent science center, Discover World. It’s a hands-on adventure for kids of all ages.

Another day we simply started by having breakfast at our local IHOP (International House of Pancakes). Of course Tabitha ordered the Funny Face pancake as her breakfast. There’s nothing better than a chocolate chip pancake with a whipped-cream face painted on it for an eight year old’s healthy beginning to her day! After breakfast we spent the next couple of hours in Border’s book store. We looked at books, we read books on the floor together and we purchased a couple of story books to read in the afternoon at home together.

One of our favorite “Monday activities” actually began on Sunday night. We allowed Tabs to invite one friend over to spend the night. At 8:30 we picked her little friend up and then we all headed over to the Magic City Drive-In located in Barberton, Ohio. (I have wonderful memories of my parents taking me to Magic City when I was just a boy.) We backed our SUV into the parking spot, opened the tailgate where Tabs and her friend had made a bed in the back, broke out the snack food and enjoyed a great family film—Ratatouille.

Already the summer is passing far too quickly . . . let alone our daughter’s childhood. God has entrusted many of us with children for a brief number of years. What are you doing with such a minimal and valuable commodity of time? I, for one, don’t want to look back on these years and regretfully say, “I wish I would have spent more time with my kids.”

Happy birthday Julie

Hi Hon,

Well, your birthday is coming to a close.

I didn't want us to call it a night without saying a few things to you.

This morning I watched you do this amazing job of leading our worship services at RiverTree . . . And I want you to know that you looked just as beautiful today as you did sixteen years ago when we first met. You are still smokin' hot! More importantly, there is a spiritual beauty that only comes with time and you allowing God to develop the character of His Son in your life.

I watched you this afternoon with our daughter, Tabitha. The two of you were dancing in the kitchen together. Thank-you for being a dancer and for teaching Tabs to dance--wherever and whenever.

I watched you this evening with our parents. Parents that are wonderful, amazing and like us all, sometimes challenging. Your unconditional love for our family is both humbling and inspiring. I want to learn to love like you love.

Tonight perhaps I'll watch you sleep . . . Every once in awhile I wake beside you and think how fortunate I am to have you in my life.

So, happy birthday honey. I love you now more than ever and look forward to growing older with my "true companion."

As ever,
Greg

Howard Stern or the Pope?

I've had a couple of questions regarding my bio on the front page of my blog. Specifically regarding the statement that I make: "I would rather spend an hour with Howard Stern than with the Pope."

As cool as it would be to spend some time with the Pope, the way God has wired me up is to reach out to pre-Christian people. Sooo, as sure as I can be, the Pope is headed to Heaven. However, at this point, I wouldn't want to bet the house on where Howard is heading.

Jesus said in Luke 19:10, "I came to seek and save the lost." I don't consider myself to be equal with Jesus, I do however consider His mission to be my mission. In fact, I consider it to be the mission of any Jesus follower.

A few years ago I had the opportunity to spend about a half hour talking with Howard about his relationship with Jesus Christ. I made it very clear that there is very little difference between him and me . . . we're both sinners in need of a Savior. It was a GREAT conversation. Unfortunately, to my knowledge, Howard still hasn't moved to the point of becoming a Jesus follower. Of course, ultimately, that's his decision.

I continue to pray and hope that I'll once again have the opportunity to spend some time with Mr. Stern.

So let's flip back to the Pope and any Catholics I might have inadvertently misled with my statement. Not too long ago we did a teaching series at RiverTree in conjunction with St. Michael's Catholic Church. Father Brad and I shared a series together titled, "What Christians Can Learn From Catholics And What Catholics Can Learn From Other Christians." Father Brad taught with me at RiverTree and I taught with Father Brad at St. Michael's. It was a blast! (You can get copies of those messages by contacting me at http://www.rivertreechristian.com/.)

For far too long Christians have been erecting barriers rather than building bridges with one another. I've committed my life to being a bridge-builder in Jesus' name, for Jesus' sake.

Jesus stated, "Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my followers." (John 13:35)

The Pope or Howard Stern? Gotta love 'em both!

Favorite fiction

I believe reading is not just for information but also for entertainment. The reason I started reading was simply that it was fun! When I was seven I found myself making repeated trips to the local library, not to check out the latest scientific journal, but to devour an anthology of Batman comic books. My mom made the brilliant parenting choice of encouraging me to read . . . even if it was, what many would consider to be, a waste of paper and ink. Those comics began a lifelong love of reading for me.

Sooo, here's my "fiction" list. The books that entertain, inspire, spark creativity, break my heart, cause me to lose sleep, and on many occasions . . . educate. Most importantly, they remind me why I love to read.

Classic works

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. This is hands down my favorite book of all time. If you've seen the musical you have to read the book. If you haven't seen the musical, read the book anyhow. A compeling story that weaves ethics, intrigue and the highest questions of human values.

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. This is my favorite Dickens novel (A very close second would be A Tale Of Two Cities). Great Expectations combines romance, mystery and of course, the tension between the "haves" and "have-nots."

The Count Of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. This is an amazing story of treachery, revenge and the capabilities we humans have to overcome amazing adversity.


Contemporary works

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. An epic tale about young men growing up in brutal circumstances and the adults they become. I enjoyed this one so much that I just picked up Hosseini's most recent release, A Thousand Splendid Suns.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I read this on my study break last summer. I couldn't put it down. Since then I've given it to a dozen people as a gift. Extremely well written.

The Bridge To Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. Bridge is a winner of the Newberry Award. Originally written for young teens, this novel has a very meaningful story line that will engage the youth in all of us.


Historical works

Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt. This one is heart breaking and triumphant. A story birthed in the poverty of Ireland.

The Power Of One by Bryce Courtenay. This one is set in South Africa and all of its political and social unrest. A story of the difference one person can make if they are willing to pay the price.

Follow The River by James Alexander Thom. This book is unbelievable. Based on true events it is the story of a white woman escaping captivity from an Indian nation.


Absolute "burn-through" fun

Sackett by Louis Lamour. Okay, any book by Louis Lamour. Great cowboy novels that will keep you turning the pages.

Holes by Louis Sachar. This one is good for the entire family. Really enjoyable, fun read.

Sleepers by Lorenzo Carcaterra. Very intense. Will make you stay up too late at night to finish it.

The Jester by James Patterson. This is simply a fun read for the flight or for the beach when you arrive.


There are so many more . . . They'll have to wait for another list. So many books . . . so little time.

How about sharing your favorite fiction?

What leaders are reading

I'm at the North American Christian Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. The NACC asked me to teach a seminar on what leaders are reading. Soooo, here's my list . . .

In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day by Mark Batterson. The big idea behind Batterson's book is this: "What if the life you really want, and the future God wants for you, is hiding right now in your biggest problems, your worst failures . . . your greatest fears? "Mark makes the case that God is waiting for people to overcome their biggest problems, allow God to use their worst failures, face their greatest fears. And if we do . . . let the adventure begin!

Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt. In his book, Levitt argues that many apparent mysteries of everyday life don't need to be so mysterious: they could be illuminated and made even more fascinating by asking the right questions and drawing connections. For example, Levitt traces the drop in violent crime rates to a drop in violent criminals and, digging further, to the Roe v. Wade decision that preempted the existence of some people who would be born to poverty and hardship. (Hmmmm.) Elsewhere, by analyzing data gathered from inner-city Chicago drug-dealing gangs, Levitt outlines a corporate structure much like McDonald's, where the top bosses make great money while scores of underlings make something below minimum wage. (Ineteresting.) And in a section that may alarm or relieve worried parents, Levitt argues that parenting methods don't really matter much and that a backyard swimming pool is much more dangerous than a gun. (Fascinating read.)

Sex God by Rob Bell. SEX GOD is the title of Rob Bell's second book. His first book, "Velvet Elvis," is one of my favorite books of all time. If you haven't read it, it is a MUST READ. SEX GOD is about a lot more than sex. I tried to find favorite quotes to share with you, but the chapter titles themselves say enough.

Chapter one: God wears lipstick.
Chapter four: Leather, whips, and fruit.
Chapter nine: Whoopee forever.

SEX GOD is raw, transparent and will draw you closer to the heart of God (The One who invented IT).

Confessions Of A Reformission Rev by Mark Driscoll. This is the story of the birth and growth of one of America's most innovative churches--Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington. Mars Hill is one of America’s fastest growing churches located in one of America’s toughest mission fields. It’s also the story of the growth of a pastor, the mistakes he’s made along the way, and God’s grace and work in spite of those mistakes. With a good bit of sarcasm and some laugh out loud humor, Mark exposes both himself and the church he leads to help all of us become better Jesus followers and church leaders.

Too Small To Ignore by Wess Stafford. Wess is one of the most amazing leaders I have ever encountered. Too Small gives us fascinating insights into how God has developed him as a leader as well as casting a blazing light on the Biblical mandate that we MUST care for children. This is an ABSOLUTE MUST READ for every emerging church leader!

The World Is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman. Friedman is not so much a futurist, which he is sometimes called, as a presentist. His aim in The World Is Flat, is not to give you a speculative preview of the wonders that are sure to come in your lifetime, but rather to get you caught up on the wonders that are already here. The world isn't going to be flat, it is flat, which gives Friedman's narrative much of its urgency.

What Friedman means by "flat" is "connected": the lowering of trade and political barriers and the exponential technical advances of the digital revolution that have made it possible to do business, or almost anything else, including ministry, instantaneously with billions of other people across the planet. Definitely food for thought.

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling. Okay this one hasn't even been released yet. At 12:01 A.M. on July 21st more than 20 million copies of Rowling's new book will flood the market. If you want to stay relevant to contemporary culture you need to at least know why the Potter books are making such a global impact. AND, you might just become a Hogwart's fan yourself.

Made To Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath. This is a book every communicator must read. The Heath brothers have done extensive research to discover what makes certain ideas and messages "sticky." As much as many of us leaders would love to believe that people actually are remembering what we're saying, the vast majority of what we say is lost before people even leave our presence. Ouch! Made To Stick at least gives us a fighting chance to get the most important message the hearing it deserves.


So what books do you recommend?

A few more nuggets from Ecuador

Throughout our week long trip, we were exposed to a variety of challenging resources encouraging us to evaluate our lifestyle so that we may more effectively minister to those close to God's heart.

"It is poverty to say that a child must die so that you may live as you wish." --Mother Theresa

"Tell me what you think about money and I can tell you what you think about God." --Billy Graham

"God says, 'If you mess with the poor, you are messing with me. If you bless the poor, I will bless you.' " --Bill Hybells

"We must move our lifestyle back to 'enough.' " --Wess Stafford

"You ask why I live in a dinky house . . . because it is enough." --Wess Stafford

Mmmm . . . something to think about . . . something to live about . . .

Happy Freedom Day America

Have you ever considered what it meant for those 56 men--an eclectic group of ministers, businessmen, teachers, university professors, sailors, captains, farmers--to sign the Declaration of Independence? This was a contract that began with the reasons for the separation from Great Britain and closed in the final paragraph stating "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

Dr. Benjamin Rush, the father of American Medicine and a signer, recorded that historical day in his journal. In 1781 he wrote to John Adams, "Do you recollect the pensive and awful silence which pervaded the House when we were called up, one after another, to the table of the President of the Congress to subscribe to what was believed by many at that time to be our death warrants?"

Those 56 men, willing to risk their lives for freedom, ensured the freedoms that you and I enjoy today. And yet those very freedoms are perhaps more in jeopardy today than at any other time in history.

In 1962 public prayer was removed from the classroom. In 1963 public Bible study was removed from the public school system. In 1980 the 10 commandments were removed from school walls. The court system said that if the 10 commandments were posted on the walls of a classroom, a student might read them and then meditate on them and then be lead to obey them. And that is unconstitutional. Do not kill. Do not steal. Do not commit adultery. Incidentally, for something to be considered unconstitutional means that it would have been opposed by our Founding Fathers.

Since 1963, teenage pregnancies have increased by 553%. The divorce rate has increased by 117%. Violent crimes have increased by 544%.

Consider these statements:

If there is anything in my thoughts or style to commend, the credit is due to my parents for instilling in me an early love of the Scriptures. --Daniel Webster

It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians, not on religion but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. --Patrick Henry

The highest story of the American Revolution is this: It connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity. --John Adams

The Bible is the Rock on which this Republic rests. --Andrew Jackson

We've staked the whole future of American civilization not on the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all political institutions upon the capacity of each and all of us . . . to govern ourselves according to the commandments of God. The future and success of America is not in this Constitution, but in the laws of God upon which this Constitution is founded. --James Madison

It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible. --George Washington

The United States of America has existed for more than 200 years in its original form of government based on the Constitution. In comparison, in 200 years, France has had seven different forms of government. Italy is in its 48th form of government. The Soviet Union, under a Communist form of government, disintegrated. How has our nation remained so strong? Secular historians have concluded that our Constitution was derived primarily from the truth of the Bible!

America was founded not on the belief that she was blessed because God chose her but that she was blessed because she chose God. And that when we quit choosing God, we will cease to enjoy God's blessings.

If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophy may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity. --Daniel Webster

"What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord." (Psalm 33:12)