An extraordinary calling for ordinary guys

I’ve just finished reading Average Joe: God’s Extraordinary Calling to Ordinary Men, by Troy Meeder. If you’re a man trying to figure out how your average life can have meaning, and how to find fulfillment without becoming a spiritual (or corporate) superstar, this wonderful little book will show you just how important “average” is to God’s plan. Meeder, who left a promising career in Human Resources to become the full-time Youth Pastor at a dynamic church, found his dreams of grandeur dashed when he was fired, and forced to take on a job as a landscaper to pay his family’s bills. When he was almost killed in a hole filled with sewage, God touched his heart and helped him to realign his priorities and see that “average” people in “average” jobs can still play a significant role in the Kingdom of God.

Each chapter in the book tells the life-story of an average person whom God used in extraordinary ways, weaving their story with stories from the Bible. Long on story, and light on scripture, this book would be a great, non-threatening way to introduce a group of average men to the gospel. There is a study guide included that can be used by individuals or groups.

The stories are inspiring, and the only criticism I would make is that Meeder sometimes fails to make a strong enough connection between the true-life stories and application for the reader. For instance, at the end of a chapter about a gardener who became one of Meeder’s mentors, he says, “A man can search the world over and never once meet a person like Jim.” But then, on the same page he observes, “There are Jims all around us. They work in the shadows of our everyday lives. Find them.” I was left wondering how I should do that.

Still, overall I found the book inspiring and worthwhile, and I’ve gained a new appreciation of how the aspirations of the world – even the aspiration to spiritual greatness – are a poor substitute for embracing God’s calling wherever I am, and however God will use me.

The publisher, Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group, provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. See a preview of this book HERE.

Give us this day our daily bread...

“Give us this day our daily bread…” 

Jesus told a story about a farmer who had an amazing harvest. He filled his barns and still didn’t have room for all the grain. He decided to build bigger barns, store the excess, and have security for years to come. Of course, he died that night. 


The story implies that his existing barns were quite big enough to meet his needs. But instead of using his wealth for God’s kingdom, he placed his confidence in “stuff.”  Too bad he forgot that God was the one who gave him a harvest, his “daily bread,” in the first place.

There’s nothing wrong with planning for the future. But when we ask God to give us our “daily” bread, we’re affirming that it is God who supplies all of our needs, day by day. As we are thankful for what we have today, we can trust God for our tomorrow. And when we have extra – let’s trust God and use it for his kingdom.

The Skin Map, by Stephen Lawhead

The Skin Map, by Stephen Lawhead, explores what happens when a young man, Kit, discovers that he has a special ability to travel through time. Kit is a young professional living in modern day London with a boring job, a boring girlfriend, and an altogether neat and tidy boring life. That is, until he unexpectedly meets his great-grandfather and is whisked into a series of adventures as they travel through time and space in pursuit of “The Skin Map,” an ancient document that just may unlock the secrets of the universe.

The Skin Map is a fun read, with several interesting sub plots as various characters try to adapt to life in places as far flung as ancient Egypt, and 16^th century Austria. All of this, of course, as they flee a villain named Burleigh who seems to have a knack for always showing up at the worst possible time.

Unfortunately, The Skin Map is ultimately unsatisfying. The battle scenes are well written, but unrealistic. For instance, there is one scene in which Kit and his companions, battling for their lives and armed with swords and a gun, only use these weapons as clubs.

But the most unsatisfactory part of this book was the ending. As I neared the end of the book I kept wondering how Lawhead would bring all of the plot lines together. He didn’t! It just ends, as though he ran out of pages. This is billed as the first book in a series, but it would be more accurate to bill it as the first volume in a book.

On the other hand, it’s refreshing to find a book where many of the key characters make decisions based on their Christian beliefs, without being preachy or artificial. It’s just part of who they are. I enjoyed reading The Skin Map enough that I’ll look forward to the next book. But I hope that it will have a more satisfying ending than this.

The publisher provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through BookSneeze®. See a preview of this book HERE.

From time to time I'll be posting reviews of books I've been reading. Some, like this, will be just for fun! Others will focus on biblical teaching, church life, or modern living. I hope you'll enjoy!

Thy Kingdom Come...

“Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven…”

Hebrew poetry is based on creative repetition, and that’s what we see here. To pray “Thy Kingdom come,” is what it means to pray “Thy will be done…”, with the emphasis on the word “Thy.” 

So often people will brag that “I did it my way.” To accept God as our king is to commit to saying “I’ll do it Thy way!”

Imagine what a great day it will be when God’s reign is complete, and his will is done on Earth as it is in Heaven! We bring that one step closer to reality whenever we let God’s will rule our own lives and families.

On the Death of Osama Bin Laden

Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him. Proverbs 24:17-18 (NIV)

I presided over two funeral services following the destruction of the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001 – two Christian men, loving fathers, devoted husbands and members of First Presbyterian Church of Dunellen who died in the attack. By God’s grace, another member of our church escaped the buildings before they collapsed. The pain of that terrible day still resonates deep within my soul.

And yet, I find myself strangely torn since the President announced last night that Osama Bin Laden is dead. I'm cautioned by the Word of God which warns us not to gloat when an enemy falls - even an enemy as evil as Osama Bin Laden.

On the one hand, I feel great relief. Justice has been done. A man who committed terrible atrocities against my friends, my nation, and even against humanity, has finally met his end.

I feel gratitude to the soldiers who risked their own lives to carry track Bin Laden and bring him down. For them, this was undoubtedly the culmination of years of training and preparation, and I admire the dedication and skill of these heroes. And, I appreciate President Obama for his leadership in this quest, and his appropriately somber speech last night announcing the news.

Of course there is worry. Who knows what retaliation the supporters of Al Qaeda are planning against Americans? The war is not over, and our nation’s youth are still placing their lives on the line on battlefields around the world.

But most surprisingly, I find myself wrestling with a sense of grief. I was, frankly, offended by Geraldo Rivera’s fist pumping and whooping as he announced the news. I’m disturbed by images of people singing “Hey hey, goodbye” in the streets. I’m glad that Bin Laden is no longer a threat. I’m pleased that justice has been done. But... I can’t bring myself to rejoice at the violent end of any human life – not even Osama Bin Laden’s.

Every human being is created in the image of God, and in every one of us that image is warped. Still, the Bible tells us that “[God] does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NLT) So, while God himself may have been guiding and protecting the Navy Seals who went into Pakistan to eliminate Bin Laden last night, I also wonder if God was weeping as they pulled the trigger and launched the bullet that ended his life.

I hope that as time goes on we will feel pride, relief, even gratitude that Osama Bin Laden is dead. But rather than gloat, let’s share God’s grief and dedicate ourselves to overcoming evil by doing good. (Romans 12:21)  Remember, "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) 

Our salvation does not come through bullets or bombs, but only through the grace of Jesus Christ, who gave his own life so that we might live. Our hope is in Jesus Christ, who defeated the power of death by rising from the grave. "Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV) 

May the peace of God be with you.

May 2, 2011