Week #25: Brothers, We Are Not Professionals by John Piper

This book will obviously have a limited appeal. I actually received this book as a gift a couple years ago when John Piper was speaking at our district convention here in Michigan. I know it's bad that I am just now reading it.

This book is textbook Piper. These kinds of "hard" words are the reason I think so many of the younger guys are so enamored with John Piper... and to some degree... rightfully so. His clarion call is that those with clerical stripes be less like Wall Street and more like Emmaus Road. That we would be less concerned with a corporate ministry model and more concerned with proclaiming truth (that doesn't belong to us) in a loving but distinct manner.

The thing I most appreciate about this work is its inextricable link to God's Word as the source. Above opinion. Above culture. Above personal preference. I MUST be a student of the Bible before I can be a teacher!

God, help me to never forget the calling you gave to me as a young teen. The calling I have never abandoned. The call not to outthink people, but rather to nurture and shepherd them in the way of Jesus.

My Other Office

The greatest invention of this century to date must be the mobile office. Today I am sitting in my other office (also known as Panera Bread) planning for another school year. There are few things I enjoy more than planning. Among them would be bamboo chutes under my fingernails, root canals and the sound of fingernails on the chalkboard. At least in this environment I can do the "hard stuff" and enjoy it at the same time. Thanks, Panera.

Week #24: The Cross-Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney

Simple. Refreshing. I need to stop... this is starting to sound like a Sprite commercial.

In all seriousness this book is one that I will be buying several copies of to hand out to people on a regular basis. Recently I have had many discussions with students and adults alike that are seeking purpose in their lives and struggling to find it. Who of us has not been there?

For the Christ-follower the answer may be simpler than we think. Knowing should always follow doing. In this case, knowing God and His plans more intimately comes as I have a right prospective of the import of what He has done for me. As I think in those terms, centering my life on the cross (and what happened there) makes ultimate sense.

May each of us determine to live this way. I dare you to read this book! It's short. It's simple. If you live in St. Joseph, Michigan, it's available in my office.

The Value of Summer Camp

Mosquitos. Smoldering heat. Close quarters. All of these things certainly bring some less-than-positive images back to our minds... images of camp. Thankfully there are other images too!

Recently in the summers I have had the privilege to be involved at Warner Camp in Grand Junction, Michigan. Through my participation there I have been reminded of many of the reasons I value summer camp.

1. camp takes me out of my comfort zone
   
2. camp forces me to do things i would probably never choose to do on my own
3. camp allows me to meet new friends
4. camp gives me concentrated spiritual experiences

And it is for these (and many other) good reasons that I will continue to be a rabid fan of summer camps.

Week #23: Benjamin Franklin by Walter Isaacson

I have always been drawn to the simplicity of Benjamin Franklin. Unlike many of our founding fathers, I have considered him to be human and practical. It was for these reasons that I purchased this well-written biography.

The lessons I learn from Franklin are far less spiritual than they are sensible. There seems to me to be an exaggerated Christianizing of some of our forefathers. Religiously speaking Franklin was a deist who believed in a higher power yet relied more upon the will and intellect of man.

My respect for Franklin is largely because of his work ethic and determination to learn new things. The word that comes to mind when I think of Ben Franklin... versatile. Some of the well-documented accomplishments of this great man are:

• author
• inventor
• entrepreneur
• linguist (he spoke 5 languages)
• scientist
• musician
• politician

Perhaps his most impressive accomplishment is being the originator of the cool signature.

Why Do Today What You Can Put Off 'til Tomorrow?

... or something like that. The busyness of summer has officially swallowed my ability to keep up with my blogging/journaling. Thankfully I have been able to keep up with my reading schedule. Now I just need to make time to sit down and report about what I've read. Thanks for staying tuned.