Arms Wide Open

Stick with me for a minute…

About 8 months ago, I started to get this nagging pain in my abdomen and back on the upper left side. It basically appeared over the summer and got progressively worse. One gall bladder, an ultrasound, CT scan and more blood work than one man can count later it has been determined to be a “muscular skeletal” issue. Visits to a chiropractor and massage therapist are slowly working out a problem that has built up over time. Quietly the muscles and “pressure points” in my upper back have worked themselves into a real mess. Addressing the issue and working through it is not an overnight success. It is going to take time. We could just throw pain killers and Ibuprofin at it, but it would only mask the problem.

So what in the world did that little pathology report have to do with my book review? Like I said, stick with me.

Through that magic that is facebook, I recently became re-acquainted with an old friend named Matt Bays. As luck would have it, Matt lives in a neighborhood which may one day be our destination due to our world headquarters in Indianapolis. So when Matt asked me to review his new book, The Blind Writer, I was honored to do so! I’m so proud to see a friend follow through with a dream of writing a book. After reading it , I am even more proud knowing that Matt poured his heart and deepest thoughts into this book. It is a journey through the ups and downs of a man that works in “the church” and lives in a world that is challenging our emotions and faith each day.

I took you through the story of my back because I thought it best explained what “The Blind Writer” is all about. I agree with Matt on many of his points in this book as it relates to what “the church” (pick one) has become. Like this issues that were my back, at first, we don’t even know they are there. The problems within our walls are silent, but slowly can destroy a ministry and church. When they do finally present themselves, we must be willing to go through the proper steps to find the real problem. Once identified, we must then deal with it accordingly. It’s not always popular. It’s not always easy. Yet if you and I want to see the Kingdom of God advance, we must do what it takes. We need to be like Jesus, not a subculture that has been created by men to make us feel like “Christians”.

Matt poured his time, heart and soul into this book. You may agree with everything, disagree with some or all of it. Either way, I recommend that you at least take a look at “The Blind Writer“. It might just give the pause we need to re-think how we do church.

Thanks again to Matt for the opportunity!

I’m headed to Houston and Chicago this week and Norfolk, Virginia next week. While I’m busy getting my “travel on”, I thought I would share other links to check out. I titled this “Don’t Fence Me In” because I often wonder if we don’t become silo’d in our view of the church. I have the absolute honor and blessing of calling several Pastors, Worship Leaders, Youth Pastors and Church Planters both friends and mentors. I find it so refreshing to sit and hear their heart for ministry. I am reminded that we (the church) should never let our border wars take us away from the much larger picture of reaching the world for Christ. Isn’t that what Paul had on his mind when he wrote to many of the Churches of his time? Check out these blogs and sites and see if you don’t see what I mean too.

NWBible.org – Our Church in Hilliard. Check out “Connecting Point” for updates on the current series and thoughts leading up to the next Sundays Sermon.

CECWorship – Joel and I have yet to meet in person but have teamed to pray over more than one request.

FredMcKinnon.com – Ditto for Fred and I. If you want a pulse on what is going on in the Worship Community, take a few minutes to check out Fred’s blog.

Joy in the Journey – Denny is the Head Pastor at Journey Church in Columbus, Ohio. I don’t know if anyone has had a larger influence on my journey the past 4 years. I love this mans heart!

Thinking Outside the Bunn – John is the Director of Service Programming for NewPointe Community Church. I can’t think of a more perfect role for a man that is blessed with creativity and talent.

Brad Kochis – Speaking of hearts, I could spend hours dreaming, talking and “visioning” with the Lead Pastor at Lifepoint Community Church in Dublin, Ohio.

Walls Down Church – I don’t think they have a site up yet, but check out the personal blogs of Rindy Walton and Paul Peterson for the latest news as this Church begins its vision of reaching Cincinnati.

These are just a few of the many people that in some way or another continue to challenge and shape me and my faith each day. I pray that in each of their areas of ministry that God can use them to advance His Kingdom. I also pray that I never allow fences to keep me from seeking, meeting and learning from those that God has called into a life of ministry. God bless you all!

I received an email this evening from a subscriber to my blog that has an opportunity for each of us to consider. It is my honor to share something this important through my site. Below is an excerpt of the email I received…

“I am subscriber of your blog…..I have enjoyed reading and listening your blog for sometime now…. Can you help me with something?

I am in charge of the re-release of our film Expelled…The goal is to gain 1,000 new theaters to release the film….over the summer…We are booking new theaters now…

The caveat is that we need at least one group of 250-300 to support the film with a verbal commitment and then tell me personally what theater is preferred and I will see to it that theater get the film at once…

It would mean so much if you could place something for our film telling your readers to contact me personally if they would like to see our film in their city….The film will not just show up unless someone books it with me…We only have 1000 prints and they are gone then we will not have any more to send…Please let me know if you would help me get the word out about out film…”

Please contact Tripp Thornton of Motive Entertainment at – Trippht@bellsouth.net

For more about “Expelled” check out the preview (HERE)

Let’s do what we can to get “Expelled” back in our towns this summer! Thanks in advance for helping Tripp with this important message.

“Today there are thousands of people sitting in church pews every Sunday who look like they’ve got it together on the outside but are broken on the inside. People who want to grab a Christian brother or sister by the shoulders and shout, “I’m not together! I’m in trouble! My relationship with God is terrible! I feel like a fake!” Instead, they pass out another bulletin or stack another chair, afraid to reach out, because everyone else looks like they have life’s problems whipped”

-Michael English from the book “The Prodigal Comes Home“

“Stained Glass Masquerade” by Casting Crowns

[audio http://leftfield8.com/audio/ccstained.mp3]

Let me begin by thanking Kerri for her recommendation of the new Michael English book “The Prodigal Comes Home” a few weeks ago. I started reading it on Friday and couldn’t put it down until I finished it last night. I am still thinking about it today. It’s not a fairy tale story. I won’t give away details, but I recommend this book to anyone. To those that struggle with addiction, self-doubt, Religion vs. Jesus, failure, doubt and self control…this book is a must read. It’s a story of Gods endless pursuit of our heart and His matchless grace.

Michael has also released a new single called “The Only Thing That’s Good In Me”. After reading his book, the lyrics take an entirely new meaning. The two parts that spoke to me directly were:

“If you would walk the hallways of my heart
And see things as they really are
I wonder if you might be surprised.
Seeing faded walls of pride and fear
Rooms I filled with faithless tears
Corners where I’ve stood in compromise”

“The only thing that’s good in me is Jesus
The only thing that’s good in me is Jesus
I’ve lived long enough to know
No matter what this life might show
The only thing that’s good in me is Jesus”

I’ve learned over the years that the web and blogs can make this big ol’ world pretty small. That being the case, if you know Michael English, or have any way to contact him, I post this message below to him directly.

Michael - Thank you for being transparent. Thank you for putting your struggles, failure, battles and long road home in print for others to read. I pray that you continue on your road to healing. I pray that God uses your journey to bring others into a loving relationship with him. I pray for his strength and power as you walk each day in a renewed relationship with him. Thank you again.

“For such a time as this, I was placed upon this earth. To hear the voice of God and do His will, whatever it is.” -Wayne Watson

During my travel yesterday (delays, cancellations and all) I powered my way through the book “Confessions of a Reformission Rev.” by Mark Driscoll. If you follow this blog regularly, you know that I really enjoy the teaching and preaching of Driscoll. Sure, Mark has his critics but so did Paul. He’s abrasive at times but he reminds me of one of those friends that you have that tells it like it is no matter what. There are times when you can’t believe they just said what they said, but you were thinking the same thing. They just had the guts to say it.

As I reflected on the book this morning, I was reminded of how fortunate we are to live in this time and this place. With the internet and the media available we have access to so much outstanding teaching. Imagine the ministry of Paul had he lived in a time where his podcasts could be heard across the world. Imagine if his writings were published and blogged in real time. I’m thankful that God has placed me in this time in history to have access to what I do.

I have also learned that God in His wisdom places books in my hand at the perfect time. To read a book about a church that is on a mission and made tough decisions to continue that mission (at all costs) was so refreshing. I was inspired and encouraged. I’m challenged by their commitment to advancing the Kingdom. Lastly, I am evaluating why God has placed me here for such a time as this.