Are you ready for a Flashpoint?

Are you ready for a flashpoint? That is Stephen Arterburn’s basic question in his book, Flashpoint.  Someone gave me this book and I can say I really needed to read it.  At times we get to a place in life which I would call a “funk” and need new direction.  I will have to go back over this book but here are some of the highlights and insight which I gained (or was reminded) from Arterburn.

A flashpoint is that point in a fire where everything combustible will suddenly ignite.  Sometimes we think we’re in a funk but in reality we are in the heat of life and are just on the cusp of a flashpoint experience.  But sometimes we snuff out the spark that could ignite something incredible in our life.  Arterburn talks about this.

I don’t want to oversimplify the idea of a flashpoint but a flashpoint is basically a point of change.  Life brings something to you – usually bad – and you are discouraged, frustrated, beat-down, or otherwise in a funk.  If this somehow describes you then you’re in need of a flashpoint experience.  I don’t want to steel Arterburn’s thunder, but be careful not to give into the voices of fear and doubt which plague us.  God stands ready to help, push, prod, and deliver.  The flashpoint maybe waiting on us to learn something (such as character, grace, patience, a vital skill, etc.) or we need to remove something negative from our lives (e.g. anger, fear, worry, or guilt).  Don’t quit on God during this time.

Take a look at your health, marriage, social life, spiritual life, and mental life.  Are you growing?  Then perhaps this is what the flashpoint is waiting on.  Perhaps you need to grow in some area.  What about you health?  Do you need to lose weight, or get in better shape or eat better?  What about your spiritual life?  We sometimes complain about things – and God – but maybe God is waiting to talk to us through His word?!

We need to develop a heart of expectancy and inspiration.  Then with this perspective of faith we need to evaluate where we are in these various areas and begin to simplify.  Make changes to what we know we need to improve.  Focus on the thing that you want to do and look for the flashpoint in that area.  Don’t quit.  Arterburn recommends that we don’t let fear, worry, or guilt stop us from moving forward.

That’s a few thoughts now off the top of my head about the book.  It at least he made me think and pray …

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Review of Love and Respect

Love & Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

The subtitle of Love &Respect (L&R) sums the book well: “The love she most desires” and “The Respect he desperately needs.” Eggerichs develops Ephesians 5:33 as his basic premise for the book: “Each [man] must love his wife […], and the wife must respect her husband.” Most marriage books center on teaching communication skills or preach to the husband to be more loving. This book does not preach but gives Biblical confirmation, objective research, and practical strategy on the truth and implementation of Paul’s statement.

Eggerichs spends a lot of time (almost 100 pages) selling “love for her, respect for him.” That early section could be shorter and more powerfully written. Unfortunately, the length of the book (317 pages with Appendices) will be a barrier to some people. But there are sections for men-only and women-only. If a person read the general sections and the gender-specific section, then the total length would be an easy read of about 200 pages.

Couples need to hear the truth and advice that Eggerichs and other couples give about marriage. I strongly suggest couples to prayerfully read and consider the ideas in this book. The message is clear and easy to understand. If someone is ready for change in their marriage, this book will be a good beginning.

Ocoee Rafting Picture – fun!

Mark Driscoll – A man for Seattle

Driscoll is reaching a lot of young folks in a city where Christianity has struggled.  What do you think of his methods?

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Not a Kid’s Game

This is a short article written for http://www.fbctmen.org

In the movie, Spy Game, Nathan Muir, played by Robert Redford, sets up a sting operation to catch a rogue agent suspected of funneling information to the former East Germany. Brad Pitt’s character, Tom Bishop, was unknowingly involved because Nathan needed a regular agent involved so that the operation looked legit. It worked, but in the process, a man died. If you’ve seen the movie you know that Bishop was furious: “You don’t just trade these people like they’re baseball cards! It’s not a … game!” Muir doesn’t flinch in giving his response.  “Oh, yes it is. That’s exactly what it is. And it’s no kid’s game either. This is a whole other game. And it’s serious and it’s dangerous. And it’s not one you want to lose.”

Risk drives us. I see it in my son, and I see it other men. Like a lot of guys, taking on dangerous projects fires me up. I don’t know if it’s the danger, the challenge, or the upside potential, but men love to take on risky ventures.  You know this about yourself. Yeah, some guys seem more laid back, calculated, or hesitant, but deep inside we want a tough job and we want to come out on top.

Single men may play the most dangerous game every day. You wake up alone and step out the door to face an uncertain world, do your thing, and return alone. There’s no one to check up on you; no phoning into mom, no safety net.

Unlike some guys, I enjoyed being single. I even liked living alone for a while.  I traveled alone a lot too. For a while I didn’t have a cell phone and I had to cover several states by car alone. I didn’t think about it then but many of us wouldn’t go anywhere without a phone. Somehow, that job gave me a great sense of pride because when I went out on the road it felt a little uncertain and exposed. I liked overcoming obstacles and returning with a feeling of “mission accomplished.”

But I began to realize that this was no game. I could not overcome every obstacle alone. I needed a team with someone watching my back. Some of you know this already but I had to learn it the hard way.

Bishop didn’t like Muir’s methods, but Muir wanted to guard him. That’s why they had to get the rogue agent out of the way.

Who’s watching your back?

I want you live the adventure you were meant to live. You need to experience every great thing God has for you. Just realize that this is no kid’s game. It is dangerous and requires serious preparation.

A couple of times I stepped out and did the thing I wanted to do and it was great. But with every great step there came great risk. There was a potential loss of money, life, and fidelity.

Realize that the game you play every day in your life requires constant attention and preparation.

Bishop had to learn that there was more to the game than his little world of involvement. Many agents had died or would have died due to the rogue agent. The bigger picture had to be taken into account. In one sense, Bishop’s life and job didn’t matter as much as the greater good of rescuing East Germans and giving them freedom.

Do you see the bigger picture?

Paul the Apostle lived an amazing life. He traveled the known world at the time preaching the gospel and starting churches. That may sound ridiculous to you, but just remember that Paul lived during the reign of Nero, who used the bodies of Christians as tiki torches for his garden. Church-planting was a dangerous adventure and it was a game Paul did not want to lose. Lives depended upon it.

What people depend upon you?

You should probably read 1 Corinthians 9 sometime. It’s kind of inspiring.  Paul does what he does for the sake of the Gospel – to lead people to Jesus and rescue them from hell and sin. Paul limited himself and became “all things to all men” to win “some” to the gospel. The world changed because Paul launched into a highly speculative and complicated enterprise.

In 1 Corinthians 9:23-27, he gives us a key to his success:

²³ I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.  ²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.  ²⁷ No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

The bigger prize for Muir and Bishop was to catch a rogue agent, give people freedom, and protect democratic principles. For a while Paul sailed around the world, then he became a pastor, then he became a prisoner. But wherever Paul found himself, he lived to communicate the gospel to every individual who would listen.

What’s your op doing?

We Still Want Freedom

I have been fascinated with the demonstrations in Tehran, Iran last few days.  I sometimes forget that not everyone in Iran “likes” their government.  I certainly do not want to be a dumb American and be so flat-footed in my thinking that everyone in a place like Iran really believes what its leader says.  All I have to do to remind myself of this is to look at our own situation here at home.  It is really inspiring to read the blogs, watch the iReporter videos on CNN, and see how people in Iran are peacefully – but forcefully – pronouncing that they want more freedom.

This encourages me because it gives us all hope that even in a totalitarian situation people never stop dreaming, believing, and hoping in a better day.  It encourages me because while I think that Iran probably helps to support certain terrorism around the world, there are those within its borders who putting lives and fortunes on the line for peace and freedom.

I don’t want to give America too much credit for this, but I cannot help but think that our recent elections have helped to spur this on.  Not eveyone voted for Obama, and not everyone who voted for him is happy with what he is doing.  Many in the world (and even our own country) believed that somehow Bush would have run again for the Presidency or that somehow he would have pulled a fast one to get McCain elected.  But the fact is there was a change and it seemed very unlikely.  This is not about idealogy.  It is about freedom.  I believe that when other countries see how we can have an honest election by the people and for the people that it gives others hope that they too can have a government of the people.

My desire is that our country will continue to give hope to countries like Iran, but that we will also borrow from the strength of those who want nothing more than their freedom.  Let’s not take it for granted!

Aloneness and loneliness

Okay, so I had to go to lunch by myself a couple of Sundays ago after church. I should’ve grabbed someone to go eat with me but I had church-stuff to do and the rest of the family was out of town. I get to the BBQ place by myself and while I am satisfied with who I am and frequently eat alone, it can be a depressing thing eating alone. I am not talking about a quick bite at lunch when you’re working hard and in-between appointments. Nor am I talking about a burger on the road to a destination. I mean consuming an extended meal by yourself in a table-service restaurant. If it has been a while since you’ve tried this then perhaps you should again: particularly at dinner.

For a few years I traveled for my job. in a couple of different capacities, I worked semi-alone but there was those times I worked with a team. During these years I watched how different people handled their solitary journeys. Here’s a few of the personality types I noticed:

* Loaners – they seem to never eat with anyone. Do they eat at all?

* Joiners – these guys must have someone around or they can’t eat. If they can’t find aomeone to eat with, they’ll sit at the bar and bug the bartender or waitress all night.

* Doers – these people don’t do just dinner. They must have a further derstination in mind, eg a ballgame, Dave & Busters, bowling alley, a Hard Rock cafe, wine cellar, or cigar shop in mind.

* drinkers – some people must have a local beer, wine, or other alocholic drink to make their evening complete.

* followers – these will do what the others want, but are usually game for anything.

* readers – obviously.

There is one common element to these personality types: loneliness. Each of these must deal with the loneliness of their soul. I have worked with dozens of people around the country on the road and when you get down to it, most people really don’t do lonely very well.

Unfortunately, many times families, marriages, friends, and affairs actually only mask our real need. We are all very lonely if the truth is known but families only seem to be less lonely b/c they have people around. That’s good and people are needed in our life – I am not subtracting from that.

But is it possible, could we find real satisfaction outside ourselves but not in another human being?

Could it be that God is there as the primary feeder of our soul?

Schooling, Homeschooling, and Morality – a Snapshot

A report was recently released by the National Center for Education Statistics (see http://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/).  This report shows that almost 50 million students are enrolled in schools in the USA.  Of these about 1.5 million or 2.9 percent of all school-age children, were homeschooled in the United States, an increase from both 1999 and 2003.

Those numbers represent a 74% increase in homeschooling from period of 1999 to 2007, and a 36% increase from 2003 to 2007.

For those of us who are in the homeschooling movement, this is not surprising.  Almost every week I receive a call from a new family thinking about homeschooling their children.  Most of the people who call me about homeschooling say they feel led by God to do this.  Homeschooling needs to be a calling but guess what: so is parenting.  In my opinion it is impossible to uncouple teaching your children and parenting.  We are all homeschooling parents, the issue is who do you want teaching them Math, English, morality, and behavioral skills?  The job of moral instruction and behavior is ultimately given to parents – not the state. 

This study echoes what I have just said (or I am echoing it).  In 2007, the most common reason parents gave as the most important reason for homeschooling their children was religious or moral instruction (36 percent of students).  Obviously, more parents are taking an active role in what sort of moral instruction kids are taught (by teachers) and caught (by peers).

Twenty-one percent of families noted a concern about the school environment as their reason for homeschooling: safety, drugs, or negative peer pressure were all cited.  I heard of a family in Florida just this week that brought their child home – with the help of the state – because she had come into contact with drugs.  That’s an interesting move.  The state suggested that this student be given a computer and work assignments from the local school system to be done at home so that she would be out of reach of those negative influences.

Seventeen percent of the families polled listed dissatisfaction with academic instruction as their reason.  And “other reasons” included more family time together (about 14 percent).  I see this quite often in our group because of commute to/from sporting events, time required for piano or other important interests, or simply “sanity” in the life of the family and the home.  About six percent of the families noted the child’s health or other special needs which influenced their decision to home-school.

One interesting statistic shows that in 1999, 49% of those homeschooled were boys, but in 2007 that number had dropped to 41.9%.  This should be a source of caution to us who homeschool boys.  I am not sure what is driving this number.  It could be athletics.  Most school districts require enrollment in the local school for boys to play sports.  Florida is an exception to this (as with the Tim Tebow Law as it is called).  It could also be that moms struggle to teach their boys as they grow older.  Dads, we need to stay involved with our sons and help them progress through these years.  One other interesting note is that more and more college-educated parents are choosing to home-school.  Again, this is an interesting development.  These are not backwards people who are trying to incubate their kids away from the world.  They have been around the block and want a say-so in how their children think.

I have three take-aways from this study:

• Public educators take note – If schooling was a business and we saw a 74% increase in the sales of a competitor’s product, then we would be trying to figure out what is going on and make adjustments accordingly.  We have tried to make public schools sterile from any religious influence but the fact is that when we remove religious influence we remove morality.  It is my prediction that eventually schools will eventually begin to teach moral values again (this has actually already begun as some districts are using the Constitution of the US as a morality model).  They will have to in order to maintain order and change the course they’re on.  The question becomes whose values will they be?  
• Homeschoolers take note – Don’t think your job is any easier because it is growing.  If we want to do the good work that God has given us to do, then we need to keep pursuing excellence.  We also have a responsibility from God to make disciples of the world and not just our own home.  The schools we remove our kids from still need our support, prayer, and involvement.  The schools are our greatest mission field because they are teaching and influencing the culture of the next generation.
• Churches take note – We should do what we can to support homeschoolers.  However, the reasons motivating parents to bring the children home also means there is a need for a greater role from the church in the life of the schools. 

This report is enlightening and scary.  It is great to see homeschooling grow in respect and numbers, but the reasons behind the movement move me to prayer for our nation.

Islam on the move

This video details Islam’s rise to prominence in our world.  We need to pray that God will raise up a tidal wave of believers to minister and witness to this group.  Will our grandchildren be named “Mohammed?”

Muslim Demographics