For the Love by Jen Hatmaker

When I was looking around the Book Look Bloggers website for a book to read, I came across For the Love. I recognized the name Jen Hatmaker, but don’t remember reading anything by her in the past or hearing her speak. As I trolled around the social media world, I saw a lot of people posting and tweeting about the release of her new book. Some of them were authors I had read before or speakers I enjoyed, so I was drawn to it by their recommendations.

I had hesitated at first because it was a female author and thought it might be geared for the female population. Then I remembered my same hesitation in reading Michele Cushatt’s book Undone. I ended up reading it and enjoying it, so I thought I would check out For the Love.

I got through the introduction and right away I noticed Hatmaker’s sense of humor, so I thought it was a good pick. Then, as I’m reading through the first chapter, I come upon this phrase: “Here is part of the problem, girls: we’ve been sold a bill of goods.” So, at that point, I made the brilliant observation that this particular book was directed toward women.

That being said, I think the message is helpful for any reader. The tag line of the book says “fighting for grace in a world of impossible standards.” I’m pretty sure that all followers of Jesus have experienced that and Hatmaker spells out how that struggle plays out in how we see ourselves, as well as in our home, our neighborhood and even in the church.

Right before I realized this book was geared for ladies, I read Hatmaker’s observation that because we don’t accept God’s grace for ourselves, we have a hard time showing that grace to others. The self-critical become others-critical. If we don’t see ourselves as good enough, we won’t see others that way either.

So, for any females, who might read this post, you should check out For the Love. Hatmaker points to that fact that Jesus came to set us free. We all could benefit by living out of that freedom.

I was a little behind the news on this, but was impressed how Louie Giglio handled the situation pretty well. I saw several tweets on it before I had a chance to read the article.

Really like this quote Giglo gave: “Clearly, speaking on this issue has not been in the range of my priorities in the past fifteen years. Instead, my aim has been to call people to ultimate significance as we make much of Jesus Christ.”

Passion 2013 Live Stream

I’m starting out the new year in the office with the Passion 2013 Live Stream playing in the background. I listened to the live stream last year from Passion 2012 and was excited when I saw it was available this year.

Passion 2013 is a gathering of college age students and leaders in Atlanta, GA. They meet for worship, community groups, teaching and to raise the cause of freedom for those caught in modern-day slavery.

For those of us who couldn’t be there (or maybe are past the college age demographic), the live stream is a great way to be a part of what is going on. Check it out this week. Passion runs January 1 – 4, 2013. Click here to check out the Live Stream.

Surfing for God – a review

A hundred years ago, G.K. Chesterton wrote, “Every time a man knocks on a brothel door, he is really searching for God.”  That summarizes well the premise of author Michael John Cusick in his book Surfing For God.  The book is an honest and open look at a problem with which so many men face.  Cusick shares from the perspective of one who has battled issues with pornography and sexual struggles and as one who now helps other in their own battles.

The author focuses on sexual struggle as a symptom of a man’s brokenness and not simply as an issue that stands on its own.  Relating pornography to the quote above by Chesterton, Cusick digs into the heart of a man, identifying the brokenness and the lies the individual believes.  One sentence from the book explains it well.  In telling the story of man’s struggle, he described the man this way, “His soul was thirsty for God but absorbed by porn.”  Cusick does a good job of handling a difficult topic with grace and truth, mercy and honesty.

Another quote from early in the book reflects his candor:  “No matter how we may justify or rationalize it, in two decades of counseling, not one man has told me that pornography made him a better man, husband, father, employee, minister, or friend.”

One of the things I appreciated about the book was the author’s honesty regarding his own struggles and the struggles of other men he assists.  He brings this difficult issue into the light and deals with a dark topic in an open and transparent way.  He shares stories from his own life and relates similar experiences other men have faced.

Surfing for God is a good read not just for those who are struggling with pornography, but for leaders in a local church or other ministry.  It gives keen insight to the root of this issue and how God can bring men out of it.

(I received a copy of this book from Booksneeze in exchange for my review)

Passion White Flag

The Passion movement has grown over the past 14 years. This year they moved to the Georgia Dome in Atlanta and I followed some of it through their Passion Live Stream.

They released their latest worship CD called “White Flag.”  I’ve been listening to it through the day. Some of my favorite songs are “White Flag,” “Jesus, Son of God,” “One Thing Remains” and “Lay Me Down.”

Check it out and get a copy of it!  Good stuff that I hope we will be singing in our church in the coming months.