Radical Review of David Platt's Radical

I had listened to all the hype about this new book on the market called Radical by David Platt. I mean, this book is on the New York Times Bestseller list so there must be something to it...right? I picked this book up for a trade out...I said I would write a review on my blog and they would give me the book for free. Its a done deal! So, with that, here we go...

From the very outset of the book...Chapter 1...I kind of had a biased slant on the book. I know that I am not going to be a very popular review on this book because the way I felt after reading this first chapter was this. I felt guilty for being born in America. There, I said it. I mean, for some reason, I felt it was my fault that God put me here as a son to my parents. America, one of the wealthiest countries in the world and I felt it was my fault.

The author goes on to make his case for worldwide poverty and the church of excess in America goes on like nothing is more important than their need of a new lighting and smoke system for their Sunday "Worship Experiences". While there are parts of this book that I really and wholeheartedly agree with, the more I read, the more of the social justice agenda seemed to be pushed in the first half of the book. I thought that, what seemed to be this type of agenda, was okay to address but I was really beaten down by it. While my family supports organizations that help orphans, widows and different people groups all over the world...it was almost like this wasn't enough. I mean, it was almost to the point of selling my kids, my home and assets in order to give the money I get from their sale to some person in India that has nothing.

As the book progressed, for me, it got better. I really felt the author hit his stride at Chapter 5. I am a big believer in missions work. I also know the value of going to a setting that is not your normal comfort zone. It stretches you! It beckons you! It changes you! I will never forget my first missions trip to Honduras in 1995 with a Missionary named Randy Bardwell. It radically changed my worldview.

The last thing I want to address is the year long challenge. The author give us 5 areas in which he challenges us to make a long-term commitment...this is outstanding!

1. Pray for the entire world. Get an aid such as OperationWorld and literally begin praying for everywhere around the world in this one year. You’ll be amazed, he says, at the way prayer opens our hearts and minds. Jesus asked his disciples to pray not for the poor and the sick, but for the people who would go to them. He wants us to pray for people to go to the countries you will learn about. Great family project.

2. Read through the entire Bible in one year. “We have settled for far too long for “Bible lite,” both as individual Christians and in the community of faith. We have adopted a Christianity consumed with little devotional thoughts form God for the day…” Imagine the power of praying around the world and reading the Word for an entire year! Do you think you would be transformed at the end of that year?

3. Sacrifice your money for a specific purpose. Pick a concrete project and devote every dollar you can to it for one year. Set a cap on your lifestyle for this one year and get involved with changing your world personally through your giving.

4. Spend your time in another context. This is the one we’re all afraid of, isn’t it. Go. We have to change our context and go. He suggests that if we could just give 2% of our time (roughly one week) to changing our context and bringing the Gospel to the world, it would revolutionize the other 98% of our time.

5. Commit your life to multiplying community. Find a place within your body of believers to make disciples and support each other. “If the radical, simple living we see Jesus talking about were more common in the church, it would be much easier for us to live simply as well…give liberally, go urgently and live dangerously together.”

Overall, this book was like a rollercoaster ride for me. There were points I agreed with, disagreed with, struggled through and breezed through. I am a proponent of reading things that are from different points of view than what I embrace. While they aren't always the easiest things to read and sometimes I struggle through them...they help me to grow spiritually. I would recommend this book as a read to others. I would also venture to say that this author, David Platt, might be faced with a call to missions versus pastoring a mega church in the States. Whatever his future may hold...keep challenging your faith and ours.

Costco, a stuck wheel and my Bag of Fruit Medley

I recently took a trip to Costco...okay, so I am a regular there...who is keeping track anyway? It was a windy and rainy Monday and I was kind of pressed for time as my 'to do' list looked like Santa's naughty/nice list. I was kind of in a hurry because of the cold water falling from the sky when I reached the friendliest greeter in the world. Her name was Anna and her smile was as wide and white as the crescent moon. She said cheerily, "Hi and welcome to Costco...do you have your membership card?" It was at that moment I reached for my card only to realize that I had left my wallet in the truck. I told her of my plight and she turned that white smile upside down into a frown and said, "Well, you'll just have to hustle back out there and get it." I shook my head and muttered something like, "Heaven is easier to get into than Costco..." Really, salvation is more easily attained than a Costco card...thank you, Lord, for your son Jesus and His work on the cross.

Now that I am back to the door, Anna, greets me like it was my first time and she had the worst case of short term memory loss on God's green Earth. The same conversation takes place but this time...sopping wet...I show her my card that allows me through the pearly aluminum door of Costco. I am finally just getting over my faux pas and grab a buggy to do some Costcoing!

Televisions, Blu Ray players, Computers, Cameras, Clothes...all inundate my senses. I think to myself...I hope there are samples today...

As I am pushing my buggy, one of the wheels gets stuck and starts making that awful sound of a wheel not doing what God intended it to do...you know, TURN...

It was then I realized, I should probably head over to the bedding area and just take a nap. However, I felt the spirit of NASCAR Pit Crew member come over me and decided to flip the buggy and work on the wheel right there. I had to unstick the wheel. I couldn't just let it go. Even some 'Associates' admired my initiative in executing a shopping cart pit stop. Finally, after borrowing a box cutter from one of the paid admirers, I was able to free the wheel and let it going back to doing what it was created for...rolling! Which is what I needed to do in order to get the kids picked up from school on time. Sometimes, I have to admit, in my spiritual life I feel like that wheel sometimes. We were created to have fellowship with God yet so many times I feel stuck in my spiritual growth, prayer life, study life, personal life. Sometimes, I need God to do a little pit stop on me to get me unstuck. He does this through a book, a blog, a friend, an overheard conversation, a phone call...really, any number of ways...I just have to be willing to have my life flipped upside down in any place...even the aisle of Costco if need be.

Back to Costco.

I am steering down the aisle with all the agility in the world and some of the best defensive buggy driving known to mankind. I am grabbing samples left and right not even hesitating to hear the worker's spill about why I need to buy this product. I was hungry and in a hurry. That is when I saw it...a 2.5 pound bag of Fruit Medley. I love fruit. I love medley. What could be better than a huge back of both...and it all mixed up?

I grabbed one and considered two. I couldn't wait to pay and get back to the truck, rain or not. I unpacked and literally threw everything into my truck as quickly as I could. I ripped open the fruit medley and promptly ate some kiwi, strawberries, raisins, walnuts, mango, pineapple and of course, bananas. It was my little piece of heaven. Each piece of fruit different flavors, different sizes, difference thicknesses...it was AWESOME!

Recently, I took that bag of fruit medley to the deer blind with me. It was so great to sit there and watch deer and eat fruit medley. I began to think of all the people that I have crossed paths with in my life. Those friends are a lot like that bag of fruit medley. Different backgrounds, different personalities, different thicknesses...okay, sorry...

But I began to think...God created each of us for a purpose. For His purpose. He also created us to produce fruit...it just so happens that all of us that are followers of Christ are a part of His big bag of Fruit Medley. I must admit...I am glad I am in that bag. If you aren't, I want you to seriously consider Christ.

Romans 5:8 says that "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

I love that! It is because of that verse that we don't have to have a Costco card to get into Heaven. Our wheels (lives) are freed to become whe He wants them to become and we are a part of the Heaven Fruit Medley (different flavors and sometimes mixed up). Nonetheless, God loves you and I am truly glad that He place each of you in my life at one time or another.

Things I learned from mowing my yard...

So I decided that my yard needed to be mowed. I mean, I mow it regularly but we have experienced some rain this month that triggers the fertilizer and makes my yard grow even faster. Now, it wasn't too hot...I mean, it is Texas and it is the Summer so there will be some heat. As I was preparing to mow, I noticed a couple of things that really caught my attention.

1. There were weeds growing with the grass and in my flower bed. Now granted, I haven't been giving the attention I need to, but I had no idea how quickly they can grow in among the things you want to grow.
Lesson: Your spiritual life is the same way...unless you give special attention to growing the things God wants for you, weeds will invade and take your attention away from Him.

2. I realized that the grass was greener and taller and standing up toward that sun. One thing I am sure of is that water brings grass to life. Gardening tip...if your grass is brown, add water. It was awesome! I love having a green yard and want to cut it so that it remains green. The grass loves the sun and without it the photosynthesis process could never take place. Okay, just so you know I understand what I am talking about...photosynthesis is a process that converts carbon dioxide into organic compounds, especially sugars, using the energy from sunlight. How about that? Plants create their own energy and ability to live on a daily basis.

Lesson: Just as the grass stretches out toward the sun for life, we should stretch out toward the Son for life. We need to water our lives with the presence of the Holy Spirit daily and create a bond that creates a lifestyle that reflects the life God has given us.

3. The lawnmower needs gas to run and sharp blades to cut...oh yeah, and never forget to check the oil level. Even though oil is unseen, it is what keeps the lawnmower engine running and the blades turning. Now, couple that with gasoline, and you are all set to cut the grass. Like all plants and trees, pruning brings new growth. Pruning is painful for the plant. The process of pruning is finding the places that can be lopped off and done without yet making the tree or plant stronger and more beautiful.

Lesson: There are "things" in our life that could be pruned. Let's face it, there are some things that we think are vital to living, but in reality, we would never miss it if we did without it. Think back before cell phones...did you miss them? NO! Think about now...we used to be tied to pagers and thought we couldn't do without a pager...where are they today? They have been pruned! I had to ask myself the question...God, what do you want to prune in my life and when it is pruned, what NEW growth is going to come from it? Check out Psalm 139:23-24

4. I have a bag catcher on my lawnmower. I have to make frequent stops and empty the bag. I filled up an entire trashcan full of grass clippings. After I mow, I take this trashcan down to the curb for the trash men to pick up at the next scheduled stop. They empty the can and return it to my curbside. I think those clippings wind up at a landfill, discarded with other "junk" that people have discarded and designated to die and never be heard from again. When you think of your clippings this way...its kind of depressing. They are destined for death in a rubble heap. Yet, they served their purpose, have been pruned and now are gone.

Lesson: This reminds me of one of my favorite passages of Scripture...2 Corinthians 5:17 I love this passage! It is the grass clippings passage. No matter how many times life has mowed over you, how many times you have been put out and left for the trash heap, no matter what kind of shape you are in...God takes all of that away and says...I see new life! I see the things that can be great! I have a purpose for this person. And instead of us viewing ourselves and our current circumstances as trash destined for the curb, God sees us as the plant that has been pruned and will produce new growth and more beautiful fruit that is pleasing to Him.

If there is one thing that I have learned about God and His Word...

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”- Matthew 24:35

Maybe it was just the heat and I was delirious...

but maybe this was for someone out in the world of internet...

Tom Landry, Purple Sage, Roses and a Ford F-150

Last Monday, we had the 33rd Annual Tom Landry Open. What a day! We had right at 284 golfers out at Stonebriar Country Club in Frisco, TX. It was awesome! I was stationed at one of the holes on the Country Club Course with Long Drive Champion Nyle Pruitt aka The Nyleator! He can crush the ball…over 400+ yds per drive. He spent the day trying to catch up to my drive that I put out there…okay, that is a stretch…no, really I am just dreaming. The course was in great shape. One of the things I noticed was the Azaleas. I used to live in South Louisiana and had them in my flower bed. Can’t grow them up here without a lot of work and $$$...

This weekend, I was slated to do some flowerbed work. My whole list was given to me by my wife, Shannon. She told me to dig up the Purple Sage bushes…she said she didn’t like them. So, off to get the shovel and put in some sweat equity to get rid of them. After digging a while on the first one and knowing I still had 3 left, I decided to go and get a rope and my trusty F-150 pickup. I was already tired and decided to just pull them out of the ground. That was a decision that I will never regret!

One of the rules of our gardening at the house is...when you take something out, put something else in that requires little to no attention and will come back each year. Shannon told me to make it pretty...So, I planted roses. I told her I planted 3 rose bushes...one for her, Madison and Katie. She was flattered and I got some much needed brownie points.

Here is where it got interesting. I was digging in the bed to plant the roses when my shovel hit something that sounded like a rock or metal. So, I did what every good shovel operator does and dug down again to see if I would hit it a second time and I did. Come to find out, it was a huge piece of concrete that was down deep in the soil. All I could do was think, I added the majority of this soil a few years ago. How did this get here?

That is when God dropped this little nugget in my thoughts. I began to think, even though the flowers are blooming and everything looks great on the surface, below the topsoil and mulch, down deep, there are rocks. In order to have the best growing conditions possible, you have to get all the rocks out. I was reminded of the passage of Scripture found in...

Matthew 13:5 (NIV)
5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.

Prayer: God, help us to get all the rocks out of our lives that are below the surface and unseen. They may be rocks that only you and each of us know about. Help us to dig deep so that we can be the most fertile soil for You and Your Word. Amen.

Weekend Reflections

One thing I have learned this weekend is...I am no longer designed to do the splits! After slipping in my garage, doing the splits, hurting my back and then kicking the hearth of our fireplace and probably breaking my little toe, it has definately been an interesting weekend.

I then began to think back to last weekend and realized I was speaking about the Holy Spirit. I know that there is a spiritual battle taking place in the heavenlies and that the enemy of our soul doesn't want anyone to tap into the Spirit's power. So, I stood up this morning with a heartbeat in my toe and said, "Satan, that's the best you have? I am still standing!"

We were able to take a trip through the Old Testament and see the workings of the Holy Spirit. I found it interesting that the Holy Spirit rested on people for specific purposes in the Old Testament. Now, the Holy Spirit is for all believers.

As I am preaching through this series, I want the Holy Spirit to lead me, protect me, provide me with wisdom and empower me to serve God's purposes more each day.

TOMS Shoes, Facebook & Christianity

My daughter recently asked if she could have a pair of TOMS shoes. I immediately went to my closet and started to grab her a pair of my shoes. That is when she told me what they were. She told me about this company and how they give one pair of shoes to a person in need with every pair purchased. I then asked her to let me see the shoes. We went to the website and looked at them. I thought...Meh...

She pleaded with me...its for a good cause. Sure they were more than I wanted to pay for THOSE shoes...but the purpose was a good one.

I then saw their advertisement on Facebook and quickly realized how big this project was. There are 175 million people that log in to Facebook everyday. That is incredible! TOMS shoes is now taking their purpose, their cause, their core value that everyone should have at least one pair of shoes to the world of Facebook.

I had to ask...what if the church...what if my church, my denomination...the Assemblies of God...what if I...took up the cause of Christ like TOMS Shoes has taken their cause?

We spend a lot of our lives trying to find happiness. Helen Keller said,

"Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose."

I can think of no more worthy of a purpose that the cause of Christ...what will you do?

The Holy Spirit and "Unisex" Clothing

I know you are probably wondering about the title...pretty catchy huh? I hate to admit this, but after finding that my predominate spiritual gift is the gift of putting my foot in my mouth...not sure on the Scripture reference. Anyway, the whole 'unisex' clothing, cologne, names and pretty much whatever else you can think of, really is not a good thing for people like me.

A few months back, I went back to my hometown to visit. We were out and about and I ran into a friend that I attended High School with. After making the courteous restaurant table visit and catch up that is so much expected in the Deep South, the conversation turned to what we are doing now and how many kids we have. I, being the excellent father that I am, had a picture of my 2 kids(that was BK...before Katie). Then my friend announced that she had just had a child and just so happened to have the baby in the car seat on the floor beside her. This is when business picked up. I could feel it...my spiritual gift welling up inside and about to be exposed to the world.

The proud mother grabbe the handle of the car carrier and showed me her most cherished newborn. Now, to be fair to me, all newborns look alike! All of the them are kind of crinkly, red and slobbery. What sets some apart is that some have more hair than others. I know what you are thinking..."You didn't tell her she had an ugly baby." No, that was a different lady. Anyway, one of the first things I noticed was the UNISEX color of the carseat, the UNISEX color of the baby's blanket and matching beanie. So, what do I do now? No clues yet as to if it is a boy or girl. So, I reach in and kind of pull the blanket down to get a peek of the baby's clothes...guess what...the color is ambiguous. I have no clue what I am looking at other than it is a baby and a proud momma.

So, here comes the moment my spiritual gift is getting closer to public demonstration. I ask, "What is the baby's name?" The mom said, "We name the baby Terri/Terry. I know both men and women named Terri/Terry. Come on God, I need some help here...throw me a bone! So, I said to my friend and proud mother, "It sure is cute!" That was the moment you have been waiting for.

My friend, was incredibly upset at my choice of pronoun I used to describe her baby. She said idignantly, "IT! I will have you know that you do not need to call my DAUGHTER...IT."

So, I did what any good person would do...I tried to explain myself. However, I soon realized that you can't explain your way out of this type of thing and what was intended to be a very cordial moment with an old friend that I had not seen in years was now victim to me in all my glory. So, I apologized and quietly walked to my table with those in my party just shaking their heads in disbelief as to what happened. I even think I heard a random "Bless his heart" by some onlookers like they were on the midway watching the maneating chicken.

Then I thought, what if God has the same reaction to us when we call the Holy Spirit it. I wonder if He just shakes His head and looks at Jesus and says, "These people, they just do understand who He is."

The Holy Spirit wants to have a relationship with us, counsel us, give us divine wisdom, protect us and give us supernatural love, joy and peace. We just don't know what we have in the third person in the Trinity.

So, with that, pursue a relationship with the Holy Spirit...He will change everything.