Hero Blog Tour

Here's a book that I'm supposed to review for Multnomah. Haven't had a chance to read it yet, but here's the info. It looks great. Can't wait to dive into it!

You already know it’s not easy being a single man in this culture today. But it is easy to be overwhelmed, to feel helpless and hopeless about living by God’s high standards for singles. It’s easy to cave in to the pressures of this sex-soaked world and accept defeat—blaming the media, the culture, even girlfriends who don’t know how tough it can be.

 

But many men have read books like Every Young Man’s Battle and Tactics and have committed themselves to stand strong and pure in the power of God, and to go on the offensive against the onslaught of negative stereotypes. Some have suffered. Some have fallen. But many have experienced victory—and you can be among them.

 

What makes those committed men so desirable to women? Be Her Hero is their motto. From best-selling author Fred Stoeker, along with his son Jasen, come the straightforward insight and real-life examples you’re looking for to help you take personal purity to its logical conclusion. Here’s straight truth with irrefutable evidence of what makes an ultimate hero to women who long for men of faith—men who stand by their convictions and make their world a safer and better place.

 

Are you ready to accept the challenge?

Fred Stoeker is a best-selling author of several books, including Every Young Man’s Battle andTactics, the president of Living True Ministries, and a popular conference speaker who challenges men to become sexually pure, to reconnect in true intimate relationship with their wives, and to train their sons to become godly men. A graduate ofStanford University, Fred lives in Des Moines, Iowa with his wife, Brenda, and their children.

 

Mike Yorkey, a writer living in Encinitas, California, has collaborated with Fred Stoeker in all his books for the Every Man’sseries.

 

Jasen Stoeker is a popular conference speaker who challenges young men to be heroic in their relationships with women and to be a Christian, rather than just seem like one. Jasen is a graduate of Iowa State University with degrees in Computer Engineering and Computer Science and now lives in Minneapolis, MN, with his wife Rose.

$10.99 @ CBD.

Haggai

I really enjoyed Haggai today. Haggai tells the story of God's people repenting for focusing only on themselves and their own houses and letting God's house lie in ruins. They repent and God honors it and they begin the process of rebuilding the temple.

A couple of verses stuck out to me. The last part of 1:6 says, "And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes." Sounds alot like the way we manage our funds all to often!

The other one that stuck out is right after the people repent.

Haggai 1:13 (ESV)

The Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people with the Lord's message, "I am with you, declares the Lord."

It's not overstated. It's not flowery. But if you think about it, that's ultimately all we want to know. Is God with us? It's awesome when we're confidant he is!

(Hebrews 12:26 refers back to Haggai 2:6,21.)

Habakkuk

Habakkuk is one of my favorites of the minor prophets. Basically Habakkuk cries out to God for help, God gives an answer that Habakkuk doesn't like so he complains, God reiterates his plan to draw his people back to him, and finally Habakkuk trusts God. He really sums it up with the last few verses. We need to learn to pray like this!

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (ESV)

Though the fig tree should not blossom,

nor fruit be on the vines,

the produce of the olive fail

and the fields yield no food,

the flock be cut off from the fold

and there be no herd in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord;

I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

God, the Lord, is my strength;

he makes my feet like the deer's;

he makes me tread on my high places.

------------------------

Paul refers to Hab. 1:5 in his sermon in Acts 13:41.

The writer of Hebrews refers to Hab. 2:3 in Hebrews 10:37.

Hab. 2:4 is referred to in Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:38.

Put Your Dream to the Test

Last night I finished John Maxwell's latest book, Put Your Dream to the Test. I really enjoyed this book. Maxwell is like Kevin Costner to me. I'm always hesitant to see his movies because I think I'm going to hate it or be bored by it, but I don't know if I've ever seen a Kevin Costner movie that I didn't like at least a little, and most of them I absolutely loved. Similarly, I always assume I'm going to be bored with a Maxwell book, but I love all of them once I get into them.

Put Your Dream to the Test is the best book I've ever read at helping you take a dream and turn it into reality. Maxwell guides the reader through 10 questions to help you assess your dream and decide whether or not it can become a reality. Is my dream really my dream? Do I have a strategy to reach my dream? Have I included the people I need to realize my dream? Am I willing to pay the price for my dream?, etc...

If you're a dreamer, or want to be, and you want to get serious about seeing your dreams realized, this is the book for you. Inspiring stuff! Here's a little taste:

There are things that only I can do. On them I focus.

Removing nonessentials from your daily routine will be a constant struggle, but it is worth fighting for. Why? Because most people who fail to reach their dream aren't stopped because an insurmountable barrier confronted them. No, they often become worn out trying to carry too many things on their journey. If you want to reach your dream, you need to let go of the things that don't really matter so that you can accomplish the things that really do.  --pg. 110

Nahum

Lots of judgment in this one, but at least it's for the bad guys! Nahum prophecies that Ninevah, the wicked capital city of Assyria will see God's vengeance. This was great comfort to Judah who had been completely ravaged by the Assyrians.

Paul uses Nahum 1:15 in Romans while emphasizing the importance of preaching:

Romans 10:15 (ESV)

And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"

I really liked this verse, though:

Nahum 1:3 (ESV)

The Lord is slow to anger and great in power,

and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty.

His way is in whirlwind and storm,

and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

We forget and underestimate the power and might of God!

Micah 5-7

The "narrative" of Micah follows the following pattern:

• Judgment of Jerusalem and Samaria.
• Judgment of those in authority who oppress the common man.
• Judgment of the rulers, priests, and false prophets.
• The restoration of God's people and prophecy of peace.
• The coming of the Shepherd-King.
• The preservation of a remnant of faithful followers.
• Final reminders that the wicked will perish and the faithful will find salvation.

I like Micah because it gives us a little snapshot of "the bigger picture." We can't get tripped up by the individual chapters, when we know that the whole story ends with God saving the faithful through the sacrifice of Jesus. Good stuff!

In the New Testament, Matthew uses Micah in his gospel to point out that it was prophecied that the Savior would come from Bethlehem (Matt. 2:6 refers to Micah 5:2,4), and Jesus refers to Micah 7:6 when he tells his listeners that those who follow him will not always experience peace, but division (Matt. 10:35-36; Luke 12:53).

I like this one, though:

Micah 7:18-19 (ESV)

Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity

and passing over transgression

for the remnant of his inheritance?

He does not retain his anger forever,

because he delights in steadfast love.

He will again have compassion on us;

he will tread our iniquities underfoot.

You will cast all our sins

into the depths of the sea.

Green Day: 21st Century Breakdown

I've always been a big fan of the Green Day sound. It rocks, it's melodic, it's just fun music. I realize not all of their lyrics are particularly edifying, but you can't deny their talent. I loved the American Idiot album. Seriously, I'd say it's probably one of the greatest albums of all time. Their new one, 21st Century Breakdown, is not quite as good, but pretty close. It's similar to American Idiot in that it's written as a sort of rock opera. 

21st Century Breakdown is 18 tracks written in 3 movements (Heroes and Cons, Charlatans and Saints, and Horseshoes and Hand Grenades). I believe I like the second movement the best, even though lyrically it's a pretty strong judgment of "Christians". Lyrically, this album along with American Idiot are some of the best social commentary around. They're not writing songs so much to sell albums as preach a message. You may not agree with a message that calls into question the integrity of our government and the hypocrisy of religion, but the songs are thoughtful and a good look into the mind of the majority of the young adults of the world.

This really is a great album. I wish I could give it a hearty recommendation, but there are just too many f-bombs for me to do that. There are about 4 songs where the profanity is just too much. So I'd say, buyer beware or try to find a radio edit version.

Micah 1-4

Micah follows a real narrative style of judgment/redemption that extends beyond the Old Testament into the present. I'll get into this more tomorrow when we finish the book and can look at it as a whole.

In today's reading judgment is given against Jerusalem and Samaria, against those with position who would oppress the common man, and against the rulers, priests, and false prophets of the land. One verse in ch. 1 jumped out at me, and I know there's nothing spiritual about it, but it reminded me of The Price is Right:

Micah 1:14 (ESV)

Therefore you shall give parting gifts to Moresheth-gath...

I really loved the hopefulness of ch. 4, where Micah prophecies a time of peace when people will "beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks" and the nations will stop learning war. I'd like to see that day! I loved this verse, too.

Micah 4:2 (ESV)

and many nations shall come, and say:

"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,

to the house of the God of Jacob,

that he may teach us his ways

and that we may walk in his paths."...

R.I.P. Wayman Tisdale

"Cancer took my leg, but it won't take my spirit or my smile."--Wayman Tisdale, Oklahoma Sooner and NBA basketball great, passed away today at 44 years old after battle with cancer.

Jonah

I love the story of Jonah. I was talking to somebody about Jonah the other day and I made the comment that it's odd because it doesn't have a happy ending. Jonah is miserable at the end because God doesn't behave in the way he expected. But as I was reading today, I realized it has an incredibly happy ending and how could I have overlooked it? The happy ending is that a huge city full of evil people turn to God in repentance! This story is not about Jonah. It's about God's love and forgiveness. Jonah is just the hesitant messenger of this gospel.

Before we get too tough on Jonah, consider the following:

• Nineveh was an Assyrian city. The Assyrians were a brutal, evil nation that had attacked Israel on several occasions. They were notorious for the brutal methods of attack. Often they would surround a city and wait for the food in the city to run out and for the inhabitants of that city to either surrender or turn on each other in cannibalism. When they would attack the city, many of their soldiers carried these large hooks that they would use to rip open the wombs of pregnant women and kill the unborn children along with the mother. They were literally pagan savages.
• Jonah likely had ancestors who had been brutalized by these people.
• Nineveh is actually the modern day city of Mosul, Iraq. How many of us, if called to share the gospel in Iraq, might book a trip in the opposite direction?

Jonah is a reminder to us that God's love has always been for ALL nations. Jonah's disappointment that God forgave them instead of wiping them out, shows Jonah's hatred and racism towards these people. It's important to remember that members of God's Kingdom have only one enemy...Satan! No person on earth is our enemy. Even our geo-political enemies should be viewed as potential Kingdom members.

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Obadiah

Obadiah is sort of the opposite of what we've been reading. Obadiah's prophecy is judgment directed at those who have opposed God's chosen people, and also prophecy of restoration to his people who have already experienced the judgment they deserve. This prophecy absolutely came true. God's people who were in captivity in Babylon were freed and restored to their land, and the Edomites fell.

I want to address the question I asked yesterday. I've heard from several of you that you are struggling with this section of Scripture because you don't like this vindictive or bullying God we're reading about. This is a common response. This is why most preachers tend to focus on the New Testament. I think they find it too difficult to explain away this "angry" God, when they just want to preach the love and grace of God. Here's a few things to remember while you're reading:

1. Even though it might feel this way, you're not reading about two different Gods. The God who gave the ultimate sacrifice for us in the gospels is the same God who speaks judgment through his prophets.
2. God removing his protection and allowing his children to experience the natural results of wandering away and seeking after other gods, is completely what you would expect from a loving Father. There are times when parents need to allow their children to experience the natural consequences of their rebelliousness. Not because we hate them or are unreasonably angry with them, but because that's what loving parents do. It is not love if a parent sees their child heading down a destructive path and just sends them on with a wag of a finger, a wink, and a smile. Love requires harsh behavior sometimes.
3. When I read these prophecies, I honestly read love into every line. Remember this: GOD IS LOVE. God doesn't choose to love sometimes, and choose to be vengeful and murderous at other times. Love is not something God does; love is WHO HE IS. I see the judgment/punishment/discipline as God CHASING US. As a loving husband would pursue a wife who was trying to leave him, so God also pursues us when we sin--even if it means taking drastic measures to get our attention and get us to return to him.
4. EVERYTHING God does is just. He is God. We live in his universe. He gets to decide what is just and what isn't. He sets the bar. If he does it, it's just. He alone has the authority to decide when to show mercy and patience or when to discipline or condemn.

I want to challenge everyone reading these passages to broaden your view of God. Embrace every part of God, not just the parts that sound pleasing to us. Read these passages with confidence, knowing that they are completely characteristic of a loving, holy, just God.

Amos 6-9

Wow, God is pretty mad! As I was reading this today, I was reminded that while we are living in a period where God is drawing his people to himself and is abundant in grace and mercy, there will be a day when God will say, "Enough!" On that day, He'll judge harshly those who ignored or didn't take seriously his grace/mercy. This is why it's so important to share Jesus with everyone around us. We can't just keep it to ourselves.

One verse I loved today was Amos 6:8 which starts out with "The Lord God has sworn by himself.." When we swear (which we shouldn't do), we say, "I swear to God!" God has no one higher to swear by, so he just swears to himself. Awesome!

Amos 9:11 is quoted in Acts 15:16 when a special council is called in Jerusalem (aka - The Jerusalem Council) to discuss whether or not the Gentile converts are to abide by some of the old Jewish traditions/laws. James, the brother of Jesus, reminds everyone that Amos prophecied long ago that when God "restores the house of David" the Gentiles would be included in that restoration. (Lucky for us!)

Amos 1-5

In these first 5 chapters Amos delivers a healthy amount of prophetic bad news. There is one section that I really loved (and that scared me a bit):

Amos 5:21-24 (ESV)

"I hate, I despise your feasts,

and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.

Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,

I will not accept them;

and the peace offerings of your fattened animals,

I will not look upon them.

Take away from me the noise of your songs,

To the melody of your harps I will not listen.

But let justice roll down like waters,

and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."

Let me give you the 21st century translation of this. "I hate it when you go to church. I hate it when you tithe. I hate it when you sing your worship songs and play your guitars. When you do these things, but don't treat your brother/sister with justice and live out your so-called faith, I am not pleased!" (NMV - New Myers Version)  Bottom line: God doesn't want our religious habits unless he can have our hearts/lives/obedience first.

--------------------------

(The New Testament tie-in on this one is in Acts 7:42-43 where the early church deacon, Stephen, refers to Amos 5:25-27 in his sermon before he was stoned. He reminds the religious leaders how they turned away from God even when he was present with them in pretty visible ways.)

Manchester Orchestra: Mean Everything to Nothing

Okay, you all know I like discovering new talent when it comes to music. These guys aren't exactly brand new, but they're new to me. Manchester Orchestra is a band that deserves a listen if you haven't yet. I actually heard about them for the first time in (of all places) a John Maxwell leadership book I've been reading. Turns out that they're not only an amazing band, but front-man Andy Hull is turning the music industry on its ear in some innovative ways as well.

I just downloaded their new album, Mean Everything to Nothing. It's great. Scratch that, it's perfect. It's the first perfect album I've heard in a few years. Andy is a pastor's kid and the music is full of spiritual imagery. It's not necessarily a "Christian" album. There are some language issues (if you're easily offended by that sort of thing). But the lyrics are thoughtful and soul-searching. It's their sophomore release. Check 'em out below rocking Letterman's face off! And, seriously, go get this album!

Joel

The reading today was the book of Joel. I like Joel a lot because there's just as much or more prophecy of restoration as there is prophecy of judgment. If you were having trouble following exactly what was happening, this is the general consensus among scholars (in a nutshell):

• 1:1-20 -- There is a locust invasion and extreme drought in the land. Joel uses this historical event to foreshadow God's judgment.
• 2:1-17 -- Joel prophecies an army invasion and uses the locust invasion as an example of the destruction this invasion will bring. This is because of the unfaithfulness of the people, particularly in the area of their failure to bring offerings to the temple (1:13).
• 2:18-32 -- The Lord responds to the repentance of the people by being merciful and restoring them.
• 3:1-21 -- Joel prophecies a global judgment, but promises that all those who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.

I love that a big part of this promised restoration is an aspect of our faith that we currently experience: the constant presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. Peter quotes Joel 2:28-32 in his sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:16-21) explaining that they had just seen the fulfillment of that prophecy. Paul quotes Joel 2:32 in Romans 10:13 as he explains that the salvation of Jesus Christ is for all people regardless of nationality, sex, or social status.

All of this judgment came because Israel wouldn't make God "ultimate" in their life. Join me today in making serving/loving God your #1 priority today. Infuse it into everything you do today--every conversation you have today!

The Furious Longing of God, Pt. 3

If it won't make you too mad, and since it's not a mystery novel, allow me to ruin the ending for you. Amazing words!

When the night is bad and my nerves are shattered and the waves break over the sides, Infinity speaks. God Almighty shares through His Son the depth of His feelings for me, His love flashes into my soul, and I am overtaken by mystery. These are moments of kairos--the decisive inbreak of God's fury into my personal life's story.

It is then I face a momentous decision. Shivering in the rags of my seventy-four years, I have two choices. I can escape below into skepticism and intellectualism, hanging on for dear life. Or, with radical amazement, I can stay on deck and boldly stand in surrendered faith to the truth of my belovedness, caught up in the reckless raging fury that they call the love of God. And learn to pray.

Hosea 11-14

It's easy to read these prophetic passages and come away feeling that God is double-minded. In one chapter he says "my compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute my burning anger," (11:8-9) and then in the next chapter he says "they shall fall by the sword, their little ones shall be dashed to pieces." (13:16)

However, God is not double-minded and there are a few things to remember while reading passages like this.

• God is sovereign. His power, judgments, and will are absolute. He can choose to punish or show mercy to whomever he pleases. If he chooses to discipline in order to draw his people back to him, he is completely justified and right to do so. If he chooses to be patient and show mercy, he is equally justified and right.
• In this case, I believe the execution of God's "burning anger" I referred to above is God telling the people they deserve to be completely wiped out because of their behavior. He doesn't do that. Instead he hands them over to the Assyrians. They experience horrible defeat and many unspeakable acts committed against them, but as a nation they are preserved and promised forgiveness if they turn back to God.

In Matthew 2:15, Matthew points out that Joseph, Mary, and Jesus traveling to Egypt was a fulfillment of Hosea 11:1. Paul quotes Hosea 13:14 in 1 Corinthians 15:55.

1 Corinthians 15:55 (ESV)

"O Death, where is your victory?

O Death, where is your sting?"

Keep Digging

Great post today by Mark Batterson! Couldn't agree more.

In Genesis 26, there is a story about the Philistines filling the wells Abraham had dug with dirt and debris. Isaac reopens the wells by removing the debris, but the shepherds of Gerar stake claim to them. Then Isaac does something interesting. Instead of arguing over the old wells he keeps digging new ones. 

I don't want to stretch this analogy too far, but I think every generation needs to keep digging new wells. We can't just drink from the wells dug by our fathers. We need to dig new wells. 

The 17th century Japanese Poet, Matsuo Basho, said, "Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the men of old; seek what they sought." 

Listen, I'm a conference junkie. So take this the right way. But it seems like we spend so much time and energy trying to learn from others. And that is good. But we better be investing more timeseeking God because God has the key to our cities. God has the solution to our problems. God has the magic model of ministry. We don't just need good ideas. We need God ideas. You can get good ideas from a conference speaker, but God ideas come from God himself. And one God idea is worth more than a thousand good ideas! 

Keep digging!

The Furious Longing of God, Pt. 2

I've said this a hundred times, but no one can say it like Brennan.

Jesus said to love one another as I have loved you, a love that will possibly lead to the bloody, anguished gift of yourself; a love that forgives seventy times seven, that keeps no score of wrongdoing. Jesus said this, this love, is the one criterion, the sole norm, the standard of discipleship in the New Israel of God. He said you're going to be identified as his disciples, not because of your church-going, Bible-toting, or song-singing. No, you'll be identified as his by one sign only: the deep and delicate respect for one another, the cordial love impregnated with reverence for the sacred dimension of the human personality because of the mysterious substitution of Christ for the Christian.

(pg. 86)

Hosea 6-10

Wow, this was a tough reading today. Lots of anger, disgust and judgment. I think the key to understanding God in all this is found in the first verse of today's reading.

Hosea 6:1 (ESV)

Come, let us return to the Lord;

for he has torn us, that he may heal us;

he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.

God's love means that he will discipline his people in order to keep them close. He's a God of tough love. But the quicker we learn to follow him closely, the less we have to experience that discipline. Also, most of that discipline is just God allowing us to experience the natural result of our choices. He sometimes removes his guidance and protection so that his people can really feel what life without him would really be like. But he doesn't give up on us. He's always ready for us to return to him.

Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6 in Matthew 9:13 and 12:7. It was a central theme in his teaching. God hates your religion--what he wants is your heart. Also, Hosea 10:8 is referred to in Luke 23:30 and Revelation 6:16 to illustrate how desperate and ashamed those without Christ will feel on judgment day--calling for the rocks to fall on them and such.

Matthew 9:13 (ESV)

"Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

The Furious Longing of God

I've stated before how big a fan of Brennan Manning's books I am. No other author has done more to shape my understanding and appreciation of the grace and love of God. His books have been key in the process of me walking away from the legalism that crippled my faith and spiritual development most of my life. So when a new Brennan Manning book hits the bookstores, I'm generally first in line.

Manning's latest, The Furious Longing of God, is a short but powerful book. He doesn't cover a lot of new ground here (in fact, it almost reads like a 'greatest hits' book) but for me that doesn't take away from the fact that this book is incredible. Reading this book was not only a great reminder of life-changing truths, but it was somewhat therapeutic, too.  Have you ever gone for years and years of only taking showers and then one day decide to soak in a big ol' bubble bath? You're left wondering why did I ever give this up when it feels so great? Same feeling reading this book. I didn't want it to end as quickly as it did.

I thought I'd blog this review in 3 parts and share three different quotes. Here's the first one.

"I have given them the glory you gave to me, that they may be one as we are one. With me in them and you in me, may they be so perfected in unity that the world will recognize that it was you who sent me and that you have loved them as you have loved me." (John 17:22-23 NJB)

While praying over those remarkable words, I came to the inescapable conclusion that the degree of Abba's love for me is in direct proportion to His love for Jesus. For example, I can love the mailman with twenty percent and my best friend with ninety percent. But with God there is no division, no more and no less. God loves me as much as He loves Jesus. Wow! 

(pg. 61-62)

Hosea 1-5

About 15 Living Hopers have started an email Bible study today. We'll be reading through the Minor Prophets during the month of May. One of the things we'll focus on is how the New Testament writers use the Minor Prophets to tell the good news of the gospel. I'd love it if some of the blog-readers want to follow along, too. (The reading plan is at the end of this post.) I'll be sharing our insights here this month.

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I've always been fascinated by the book of Hosea. God calls the prophet Hosea to demonstrate His love and message to the Israelites by literally living out the way God feels. God feels like his people are cheating on him with prostitutes when they turn away from him and pursue other gods and allow other things to take priority over God, so he tells Hosea to illustrate this by marrying a prostitute. He shows someone love who completely doesn't deserve it (sound familiar?).

But the illustration doesn't end there. When Gomer eventually returns to prostitution, Hosea forgives her, loves her, and takes her back to be his wife. God's love for us is greater than we realize and endless!

Romans 9:25-27 and 1 Peter 2:10 quote Hosea 1:6, 1:9, 2:1, and 2:23. Peter and Paul use Hosea's kids' names to remind us Christians that we are God's special people and He's shown us incredible measures of mercy. Meditate on this today: GOD CHOSE YOU!

1 Peter 2:10 (ESV)

Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

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May 6 -- Hosea 1-5

May 7 -- Hosea 6-10

May 8 -- Hosea 11-14

May 11 -- Joel

May 12 -- Amos 1-5

May 13 -- Amos 6-9

May 14 -- Obadiah

May 15 -- Jonah

May 18 -- Micah 1-4

May 19 -- Micah 5-7

May 20 -- Nahum

May 21 -- Habakkuk

May 22 -- Zephaniah

May 25 -- Haggai

May 26 -- Zechariah 1-6

May 27 -- Zechariah 7-10

May 28 -- Zechariah 11-14

May 29 -- Malachi

10 Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe

Last night I finished a great little book by Larry Osborne called 10 Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe. I really enjoyed this book and Osborne's writing style. It's similar to his last book that I read and reviewed, Contrarian's Guide to Knowing God (which I believe has recently been retitled). Osborne likes making faith make sense and debunking spiritual myths.

The 10 spiritual "urban legends" he deals with in this book are:

• Faith can fix anything.
• Forgiving means forgetting.
• A Godly home guarantees Godly kids.
• God has a blueprint for my life.
• Christians shouldn't judge.
• Everything happens for a reason.
• Let your conscience be your guide.
• God brings good luck.
• A valley means a wrong turn.
• Dead people go to a better place.

This is a great book that will answer a lot of life questions for the typical church attender, and an even better source of good sermon material for pastors. Check it out. $10.99 @ CBD.

Nightline Face-Off: Does Satan Exist?

I just watched this and wanted to pass it on. About a month ago, ABC's Nightline aired a debate about "Does Satan Exist?". The panel consisted of Deepak Chopra, Carlton Pearson, Annie Lobert, and Mark Driscoll. It's really a great discussion and a great snapshot at what people in our country think about truth, God, satan, etc...  You can view the 1st part of this debate here. It's divided into 10 parts and the other parts are on the sidebar of the same website. Definitely worth an hour of your time. Good stuff.