Cartagena Day 3 Repost (w/ pics)

 

In some respects, this has been a relatively uneventful day. We did have one session today with the local ministerial association. We had a good time as I ministered to them about personal integrity and taking care of their personal lives, including their families. You should have seen their faces when I told them that it was OK to turn off their cell phones once in a while. After I spoke, they had their normal monthly business and we had to leave before they were done. I would have liked to have spoken with some of the pastors afterward though.

We rested much of the afternoon; this heat and humidity is an energy killer.

Early in the afternoon, Cheri and I walked down to the bay. It was a very nice time squeezing off some photos and just being together in the fresh, salty aired breeze.

Cartagena is certainly a beautiful city and we are quickly reminded that we are staying right in the ritzy part of it. We have seen three bedroom apartments worth millions of dollars, live in maids, nannies, and dog walkers.(We’re not in Kansas anymore Toto.)

Tonight we ministered to couples and had a blast as we spoke life and truth into their lives … All peppered with fun and laughter.

Unfortunately, we did not get to call my grandson Carson for his birthday because of the timing and accessibility of phones. I am sure he had a great day AND we can celebrate with him at Disney in a couple of weeks.

It’s time to shut down for the night.

Hasta luego!

Cartagena Day 3 repost

 

In some respects, this has been a relatively uneventful day. We did have one session today with the local ministerial association. We had a good time as I ministered to them about personal integrity and taking care of their personal lives, including their families. You should have seen their faces when I told them that it was ok to turn off their cell phones once in a while. After I spoke, they had their normal business and we had to leave before they were done. I would have liked to have spoken with some of the pastors afterward though.

We rested much of the afternoon; this heat and humidity is an energy killer.
Early in the afternoon, Cheri and I walked down to the bay. It was a very nice time squeezing off some photos and just being together in the fresh, salty aired breeze.

Cartagena is certainly a beautiful city and we are quickly reminded that we are staying right in the ritzy part of it. We have seen three bedroom apartments worth millions of dollars, live in maids, nannies, and dog walkers.(We're not in Kansas anymore Toto.)
Tonight we ministered to couples and had a blast as we spoke life and truth into their lives ... All was peppered with fun and laughter.

Unfortunately, we did not get to call my grandson Carson for his birthday because of the timing and accessibility of phones. I am sure he had a great day AND we can celebrate with him at Disney in a couple of weeks.

It's time to shut down for the night.

Hasta luego!

Cartagena- Day 2- revised post

 

I wanted to repost these that should have pictures accompanying them since … well, I have pictures. Also, Cheri is giving some input in here as well.

Today, we actually begin our conferences. Today's and Tonight's meetings are at the Iglesia de Arbol de Vida hosted by Pastor Luis. Our initial group was small- maybe 75-100 people and was comprised of pastors and wives.
One very interesting thing happened today: we were actually cut off in traffic by a donkey-pulled cart. Again I can say, I've never seen that before.

I spoke in the first service alone BUT Cheri's luggage did get here this am so she was able to speak in the second meeting.
My message re: “What is the Church?” was well received and won the approval of this reserved congregation.
Cheri was able to teach the second session re: “Living on Purpose” (much to my relief.) She spoke for a good hour and won the respect of the people.
After these AM sessions, I shared a Greek thought of the day with the word used in Romans 8:26 concerning the Holy Spirit helping us in out weaknesses. Even the Senior Pastor of the church was moved upon by the Holy Spirit on this one.
We left for the day around lunch time and retired to the apartment for needed lunch and rest.

For the evening service, I spoke concerning the Lord of the Breakthroughs. We had an altar call with over 100 coming up for prayer. (by the way, there were probably about 250 in tonight's service.
It has been a long time since I have seen God's move so obvious. I don't often get hyped up about people falling under God's power because that CAN BE a result of too much emotionalism ... but not so tonight. It was not really an emotional message.

We feel that we are already making some new friends among these precious pastors and their wives ... and we are delighted.
We had a beautiful trip back to the apartment where we were met with supper. Our driver took us through the old city where we saw castles lit up at night, the home (at least one of them) of Julio Iglesias, and many historic sites. then we rode along the beach ... again all I can say is, "BONITA- (Beautiful)."
Around the table, we had God-ordained conversation with Francelina, our hostess. It was truly precious.
I can't wait to see what God is going to do tomorrow.

Yeshua in Context by Derek Leman- a book review

Derail Leman's new book is definitely a great read. It is one of the newer publications from Messianic Judaism and provides a contextual rendering of the words spoken by Jesus Christ in the Gospels.

I thought the research seemed sound and I thought the writing style was very engaging.

Perhaps the thing I liked most about this book is that is reflective of a growth in Messianic Judaism: it does not build a foundation for Messianic Judaism; it assumes such ... And then produces a helpful understanding of Middle Eastern, Jewish backgrounds of Jesus' teaching.

I think it is one of the best Messianic reads i have had in a long time.

Yeshua in Contet is written by Derek Leman and is published byMount Olive Press in Stone Mountain Georgia.
ISBN 978-0-9747814-4-0

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Medellin to Chicago

Today started early ... And a lesson to remember is that late nights and early mornings do not mix together well.

Marlen took us to the airport, we checked through exit tax area, checked our bags through and went through 6 stages of security checks (literally) (only to later realize that they had inspected two of our checked bags.)

For some reason, the three hour flight seemed short.

Miami is always interesting.

Our flight from Miami to Chicago seemed much longer although they were about the same.

We're glad to be home.

Hopefully I will reflect more tomorrow but for now, it's time for bed.


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Medallion- day 3

What a fabulous day!

We woke up early this morning for our final day of the Medellin Pastor's Seminar. We were really excited about what God is doing. Our anticipation was well-paid off. Again we had many visiting pastors who had not registered for the conference and we were honored by their presence ... But we were overwhelmed by the attention, reception, and appreciation these registered pastors showed us. One pastor, the president of the Bogota Pastors' Association came all the way to Medellin from Bogota ... And yes, he issued an Invitation to bring these same messages to the pastors in Bogota. We are working on dates for this.

My first message today was concerning Sabbath- being versus doing. It offered very practical recommendations concerning how to transform our performance-oriented lives into Presence-oriented ones.

Cheri then spoke primarily to the ladies concerning the heart of the lioness. A couple of husbands gave her a (fun) hard time afterward. During our break, we were approached by a group of women pastors who invited Cheri to come and speak at their retreat.

For our final presentation, we team-taught Spiritual Disciplines as a way to Spiritual Transformation. Again, we offered practical recommendations from the Word of God concerning spiritual transformation. This is what our hearts have prepared for and this is what we love. As we finished, we had a beautiful time together in the altar. Afterward, we were shown love and appreciation by all in attendance. They presented me with a beautiful, expensive Castiliano shirt (I think I spelled that right) and presented Cheri with beautiful Colombian artifacts jewelry. We were very honored and humbled by their love. We realized that some of these pastors face regular threats from guerilla forces and may not be alive to be at another similar conference, yet they keep serving the Lord.

Marlen then took us to lunch in a quaint Colombian restaurant where Cheri had pescado frijo and I had bandeja paisa ... A meal which should easily feed 3 men. We then went to the historical local village which gave us great scenery of the city.

Then we went and had sweets.

No mas! No mas! No mas! I think i have gained 5 pounds in Colombia this time ... No kidding.

We got back to the room and Pedro and Mabel, Pedro and Marlena, and Adam took us out to ..l you guessed it ... A closing meal.

Leaving good friends is always difficult but we know we shall see these again ... And Pastor Pedro is getting me a custom, hand-crafted Colombian guitar for our next visit.

We are packed and ready to go in the morning. It will be a long day of flights and airports ... But we are glad to be heading home to our family and our church family ... Still, we already miss our Colombian friends.

I will post pictures as soon as we get settled in at home and have the means to do so.

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Location:Calle 15A 30,Medellín,Colombia

Medellin Colombia -Day 2

Wow!!!

Another incredible day of the Pastor's Seminar. They are so hungry for God to move in their midst; we are humbled by their pull on us.

The day started with me alone. Cheri had been so sick through the night and I know she was tired from being sick. So I left her at the hotel room after emailing the church for prayer, praying for Cheri myself, and then downing a great cup of Colombian coffee.

When I got to the church and stepped up into the pulpit, I realized something very crucial: I do not necessarily need Cheri to speak beside me or to speak instead of me; I need Cheri for her love and support. It was different Sunday as we went two different directions to minister out of necessity. We each knew that, even though we were ministering in two different places, we had one another's backs. But this time, i was alone in the pulpit and she was alone in the bed. I had the president of the Pastors' Association call her at 10:30 ... And she Was ready to be picked up so we could team teach. (Thank God Cheri wasn't carrying the whole load; she was drained of energy ... But her heart said preach")

I spoke about avoiding stagnation in ministry at 8:30; Cheri and I spoke together about a healthy me, a healthy family, and a heathy ministry.

After praying with several pastors, we went to lunch at a large charismatic church that is based in the G-12 movement. This was a gathering of prominent business men and political leaders. It was refreshing to brush elbows with these dedicated Christian leaders of the Medellin community. (and their church, btw, is in the midst of Pablo Escabar's neighborhood. We actually saw a couple of buildings he built for the community ... Very interesting.) Lunch was excellent ... And then they asked me to speak. Hmmm, no one told me I would be speaking at this meeting. But I refused to show surprise (i hope) and moved forward with some "now" thoughts God had laid on my heart.

To tell you the truth, we are feeling such an anointing, I think I could recite the ABCs and lives would be changed this week. ;-)

We retired to the room for a late siesta where Cheri can simply regain some more strength; in the meanwhile, I will pray and hone tomorrow's messages.


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Location:Calle 15A 30,Medellín,Colombia

Medellin Colombia day one

Today we opened our Pastors' Conference in Medellin. We woke up ready for this (although I woke up at 4:30 AM to the tune of two teen-aged boys fighting in the hallway on the floor below.)

After breakfast, we went to the church and discovered that they had gone all out on this event. They had eight foot tall banners with Cheri's and my face taking up about one third of it ... And there are no other speakers. And we found out they have flyers all over town ... In full color. Of course, we knew they had tv ads because we actually videotaped those (minus the tag lines) back in Tinley Park. ... But then we got the real shock: all of these pastors are wearing buttons with Cheri's and my pictures on them ... I mean 2" round buttons. We are not used to this kind of attention to say the least. And we're not embarrassed; we're humbled by it all.

Anyway, service started on time with great worship. I was up first and ministered on What is the Church? We took a break and Cheri ministered regarding Guard Your Heart. We were very well received and enjoyed our fellowship aver the services.lunch was with Pastor Andrew, pastor of the host church. I don't know how many they run but they have four services, all mostly full and their sanctuary seats well over two thousand people. He was a delight and spoke to us about coming in for staff consultation next year with his personal staff. (it's good to be recognized for qualities again.)

We spent the afternoon in siesta and then went out with good friends Pedro, Mabel, and Alejandro and Margarita. These accept us as family and provide us an incredible experience. They tells us, "you are not paisa (native country men) but you are familia. Again, this gives us a great feeling.

Well, we barely (literally) make it back to the room and Cheri is violently ill. Afterwards, she feels much better but is still nauseated. She feels as if it is something she ate but that is somewhat strange since food preparation hygiene is at US or above standards. And I feel a little wrest too as I write this.

Oh well, finalize preparation on tomorrow's messages (as we here several gunshots down the street), then we're off to bed.

By the way, we really DO feel absolutely safe and in God's hands here in what was once known as the most dangerous city in the world.


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Location:Calle 14,Medellín,Colombia

Cartagena - Medellin Colombia

Today was a day of transition.

We woke up early and went to the beach in Cartagena.

We had lunch with the administrator and financial secretary of Arbor de Vida church and exchanged gifts and prayers.

We packed and headed to the airport where we were greeted by more members of Arbor de Vida to say good-bye.

Then we flew to Medellin.

We were met by Pastor Marleyn (and I may discover a better way to spell her name)

We are now ready for bed.


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Location:Colombia

Cartagena-day 7

What a marvelous way to end our ministry in Cartagena. I preached two messages at Arbor de Vida. Arbor de Vida is a Multi-site church and Cheri spoke at one of their other campuses. Although Cheri and I conducted these alone, Pedro was with us as the Colombian president of Christ for the City International. He spoke at three churches today ... So three of us spoke at six services today.

Cheri was very well received at her church as she spoke on Freedom and certainly, freedom was in the house.

I, too was well received as I spoke on God using our brokenness. There was a great encouragement among the congregation

After a brief siesta, we toured the city, took many photos, rode a horse drawn carriage on tour, and purchased a few souvenirs.

We then came back to the apartment, ate, and had a marvelous time of prayer with Maria and Francelina.

Tomorrow will be a sad day as we leave a part of our hearts in Cartagena.


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Location:Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena- Day 6

I'm not sure when this will post; it's been a long day and a late night and I have two services to preach Sunday: one at 7:00 and the other at 9:30.

We closed out the Pastor's Seminar this morning with two great services. The building was relatively full and the people were expectant. I spoke in the first meeting regarding Staying on Task: Finishing the Journey. You could look at the faces and see that many were ready to quit simply out of weariness and frustration. Most every pastor understands this sentiment and primarily needs some encouragement. I gave the encouragement and some needed Scripture regarding how to protect oneself from such happening again.

And Cheri and team-taught to wrap up the series. We taught on spiritual disciplines as a means to renewing our spirits and minds. It was well received and many gave testimony of how their lives had been changed and challenged through our time together.

We went to the apartment for lunch and had a (briefer than normal) siesta. The reason for the shortness was that we had a city wide youth rally to conduct.275-300 teen showed up for the incredible time together. Their worship team did a great job and it was obvious that we were working with a group of kids who (mostly) lived the Lord.

I came up next and led in a crowd surfing race. Because the church was divided into two sections, we simply had two teams whose goal it was to transport one youth leader on each side all the way to the back and then back up front again. All of this was done over their heads ... As in they passed the youth leaders over the students heads from front to back and to front again. (I think one youth leader was briefly dumped on the way back up ... But no one was injured and nothing was broke.)

These kids were hyped. Cheri spoke (masterfully) about being a lion chaser and terrorizing the lions in our lives. Her challenge was that the same energy that went into a brief, frivolous game could by used for Jesus to win a generation and to win a country. We had a tremendous altar call with most students dedicating themselves to use their energies for Christ. We also had at least 13 saved and had many more staying afterwards for prayer, counsel, and photos. I have one really good shot of Cheri in a bunch of kids. We had fun ... And God moved too.

Now to finalize preparation for services tomorrow.




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Location:Cartagena, Colombia

Colombia- Day 5

Today was our first and only free day.

We began the day with breakfast which we all enjoyed. We also noticed on the news that Japan was hit last night by a powerful earthquake and were also reminded that about his time last year, we were in Hawaii awakening to tsunami warnings, which Hawaii is again doing today.

George took us on a guided tour today, beginning at a restaurant on the bay inside the walls of the walled city. I made sone fabulous pictures ... Many of them ... Only to discover that I had not replaced my memory card in my camera after I had imported them into Cheri's net book. Arguing.

Well, I couldn't go back and make up for these but I did have my video camera with me and it takes some decent stills. Cheri also had her camera but it doesn't seem to take crisp photos like my Pentax.

We were in an older part of Cartagena today and I did get to snap a few photos of some of the older homes. They were all very beautiful. We also went up the mountain to an old convent. Here you could see the entire city, both rich and poor. Here too we made many pictures.

Then we went down to the castillo where again we made pictures and where I a was ably to pick up a couple of xxl t-shirts. (They're actually difficult to find here. I guess most men aren't the same size as me here.) We also went to an artisan mercado and viewed their goods. I hope we get to go back here.

We had lunch with the host pastors and the administrative pastors as well as Pedro and Adam. We spoke for a long time about what God has done during this time of ministry and we planned for the future. Who knows what God has in store.

And siesta was wonderful although prior to resting, we all tried to catch up on what's going on about the earthquake.

After our time of siesta, we were picked up at the apartment by Jorge and Dianna. They are such a delightful couple whom God is just beginning to mightily use. They took all four of us out to an incredible meal at a typico Colombian high-end restaurant. Cheri and I both had the most wonderful fish (and they were different from each other.)

Then we had such intimate conversation wherein God was so tangible. It felt good to be used in that way as we counseled and prayed with this couple.

We also sense God changing our messages for tomorrow somewhat so I am sitting up (very) late re-hashing the messages for tomorrow. (Late nights make for long days ... so I am praying for divine rest as we finish up our Cartagena Pastors' Convention Saturday AM.




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Location:Cartagena

Colombia - Day 4

This has been a very exciting, yet very tiring day.

Cheri spoke first to the Pastor's wives today regarding Guarding Your Heart. I then spoke to everyone concerning community and working together. During the break, the pastor proudly showed us his audio, video, and internet equipment. He was so proud of the assets in this area and we were proud for him. While he was showing us these things, I spied a Cartagena poster concerning our ministers' convention. Pedro kept telling me in Spanish, "Pastor Jim, you're famous." apparently, these posters are all over town with Cheri's and my picture on them.

We have won two new friends on this journey. One is a young worship leader named Wilson. I guess he is mid-20s to 30 and is simply a delightful young man that happens to know a little English.

Our other friend is a little girl name Dianna who has really attached to Cheri. (I think Cheri has fallen for her two. She is probably 6 or 7 and is simply adorable (and shy.)

After the break, I was up to speak again. This time i spoke concerning "doing versus being" and it launched that from the commandment to remember the Sabbath to keep it holy.

We broke for lunch and immediately travelled to The Colegio Corporacion Cartagena Latino-americano where I joyously addressed the teachers and staff of this 600+ member school. (he may have even told me 800 but I forget.) my message regarding needing one another was well received. We were also invited to speak at another church Sunday but unfortunately, we are already booked up with Cheri going in one direction and I in other.

After a brief rest, I once again ministered to the pastors and local church attendees where I spoke on the woman with the issue of blood and the need for memorials to remind us from where God has brought us. We had a marvelous time with strong prayer for healing afterwards.

We are really enjoying seeing what God is doing and we are humbled that He would choose us.

We are also excited that He has placed us in such a beautiful place among so many new friends.

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Location:Cartagena, Colombia

Colombia-Day three

In some respects, this has been a relatively uneventful day. We did have one session today with the local ministerial association. We had a good time as I ministered to them about personal integrity and taking care of their personal lives, including their families. You should have seen their faces when i told them that it was ok to turn off their cell phones once in a while. After I spoke, they had their normal business and we had to leave before they were done. I would have liked to have spoken with some of the pastors afterward though.

We rested much of the afternoon; this heat and humidity is an energy killer.

Early in the afternoon, Cheri and I walked down to the bay. It was a very nice time squeezing off some photos and just being together in the fresh, salty aired breeze.

Cartagena is certainly a beautiful city and we are quickly reminded that we are staying right in the ritzy part of it. We have seen three bedroom apartments worth millions of dollars, live in maids, nannies, and dog walkers.(We're not in Kansas anymore Toto.)

Tonight we ministered to couples and had a blast as we spoke life and truth into their lives ... All peppered with fun and laughter.

Unfortunately, we did not get to call my grandson Carson for his birthday because of the timing and accessibility of phones. I am sure he had a great day AND we can celebrate with him at Disney in a couple of weeks.

It's time to shut down for the night and I still have not figured out how to load photos through this iPad onto the blog ... Oh well, we'll just keep trying.

Hasta luego!


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Location:Cartagena

Cartagena- Day 2

Today, we actually begin our conferences. Today's and Tonight's meetings are at the Iglesias de Arbol de Vidal hosted by Pastor Luis. Our initial group was small- maybe 75-100 people and was comprised of pastors and wives.

One very interesting thing happened today: we were actually cut off in traffic by a donkey-pulled cart. Again I can say, I've never seen that before.

I spoke in the first service alone BUT Cheri's luggage did get here this am so she was able to speak in the second meeting.

My message was well received and won the approval of this reserved congregation.

Cheri was able to teach the second session (much to my relief.) She spoke for a good hour and won the respect of the people.

After these AM sessions, I shared a Greek thought of the day with the word used in Romans 8:26 concerning the Holy Spirit helping us in out weaknesses. Even the Senior Pastor of the church was moved upon by the Holy Spirit on this one.

We left for the day around lunch time and retired to the apartment for needed lunch and rest.

For the evening service, I spoke concerning the Lord of the Breakthroughs. We had an altar call with over 100 coming up for prayer. (by the way, there were probably about 250 in tonight's service.

It has been a long time since I have seen God's move so obvious. I don't often get hyped up about people falling under God's power because that CAN BE a result of too much emotionalism ... but not so tonight. It was not really an emotional message.

We feel that we are already making some new friends among these precious pastors and their wives ... and we are delighted.

We had a beautiful trip back to the apartment where we were met with supper. Our driver took us through the old city where we saw castles lit up at night, the home (at least one of them) of Julio Iglesias, and many historic sites. then we rode along the beach ... again all I can say is, "BEAUTIFUL."

Around the table, we had God-ordained conversation with Francelina, our hostess. It was truly precious.

I can't wait to see what God is going to do tomorrow.

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Location:Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena- Day One

Wow.

This day started with a bang as Cheri woke up at 1:30 AM to begin her preparations for Cartagena.

I woke up at 3:00 AM and we left our hotel shortly after 3:30 to go through security and all that good stuff at CHicago O'Hare.

Pretty uneventful although both of us realize that God really has a plan for us here.

Miami International was even smoother although we had to walk literally from one end of the airport to the other (and it's a long airport.)

After a small layover, we boarded Avianca airlines to Cartagena. It was a very smooth ride ... until we went to baggage and found that Cheri's bag with all of her toiletries and lady-things didn't make the flight with us. (Yes, we are supposed to speak at 9:00 AM and Cheri has almost none of here necessities.)

No panic though; we are in God's hands and all things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose and walk according to His will.

Avianca calls and finds her bag ... in Bogota ... several hours away.

We should have it later tonight or tomorrow.

We really have a booked schedule here speaking to pastors, wives, churches, schools, and youth group .... and that's the first set of Pastors' Seminars. I think, when I total it up, that we are speaking 19 times this week.

We also met with Pastor Luis tonight and scheduled the week out. He is a delightful man who has pastored his church for 35 years. I know we are here to teach and mentor, but I also hope to glean some of this man's anointing.

We are delighted to be with Pedro Hernandez and to have Adam Cabeen as our translator again; we really have a connection with these two guys.

We have no pictures yet be we will have plenty over the next few days I'm sure.

OK, I know some of you who read my blog are waiting for this: Tonight's meal was: water, jugo de naranja, braised pollo, ensalada, y arroz, a very typical Colombian meal. I am not sure what the dessert was but I will find out. It was something like dolce leche (and I WILL find out.) Of course this was topped off with a cup of delicioso Colombian cafe con leche.

By the way, our accommodations are great. We are staying in a nice apartment, 5th floor, overlooking the beach here in Cartagena. And our hostess and cook are marvelous.

We are going to have a good time AND enjoy what God is doing.




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Location:Cartagena, Colombia

Colombian Pastors' Conference- preparation

We are about to turn in for the night so we can be on board at 5:30 AM. We are heading Cartagena for a four-day conference as well as Wednesday night and Sunday morning services.

We know that God is going to speak through us and we are ready to be used and changed.

Please pray for us and the pastors there in Colombia.

Pastors Jim and Cheri



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Location:Chicago O'Hare

Book Review- The Next Christians by Gabe Lyons

 

This book was a real Hate-Love relationship for me.Lyons is basically a proponent of the post-Christian era … not that he believes that this is as it should be; rather, he seemingly resigns himself in the concept that this is where the world now is. Certainly, he would be joined by many who would offer a similar opinion.

The book started off on a very negative slant (from my perspective) as it delineated the gradual digression of the church since its birth. In this digression, Lyons affirmed that there is a growing disdain for Christianity and the church.

What I failed to grasp at the initial stages, however, was that Lyons was building a foundation to introduce a counter culture similar to the original intent of Christianity (but from which Christianity has moved throughout the years.)

These “next Christians” as he called them are those who mingle among the world’s elite as well as the world’s down-and-outers.

They are those who are confident in their callings and who often choose to use those callings in their various venues.

In other words, these individuals who Lyons introduces are those who have the gifting to move in any circle but who choose to move among those whom many of us would define. as secular; they choose to ignore the lines between the sacred and the secular.

Perhaps this is all OK, but it sits strange with me.

While I have always stated that we need to allow the sacred to invade and influence the secular, what is see here is a “blurring of the lines” in which one can hardly tell the difference (if there is, in fact, such.)

My critique of The Next Christians: although it was a well-written book with many powerful vignettes of Christians participating in their local “worlds,” I felt there was a call for relevance when I would have preferred to have seen a call for difference.

On a scale of 1-5, I rate this book a 3.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Isaiah 49:2- "I am like a polished arrow in His quiver."

Garrett Ministries is a division of Polished Arrow Christian Endeavors, a Not-for-Profit Corporation licensed in the state of Illinois.

(This review concerns Radical by David Platt. It is published by Multnomah Books and bears ISBN 978-1-60142-221-7)

Wow!

In this day and time when many of our Christian books deal with branding, marketing, and … well, soft-peddling so as not to offend, we are given an in your face, challenging book that is … well, … radical.

Platt takes the reader on a journey where church is not lived within the four-walled entities with said title; instead, church is lived out in the streets, on the field, and where one works.

I think the most astounding challenge for me was to read of a life of simplification and incarnation. In other words, Platt makes a case for Christians having less and doing more with that less by being Jesus to the world … even to the point of selling businesses and going on the foreign mission field, selling the home in the suburbs and moving to the city that one is trying to reach, and in doing so, to alter the Western values we Americans have grown up with into the foundational values as presented by the early Christians in the book of Acts.

To reiterate that I was deeply challenged would be a gross understatement. In fact, I tend to read three or four (or more) books at the same time, and while I was reading this one, I was also reading a book on church growth and another one on unChristian America. Because of these latter two book’s inclination toward branding, relevance, and (IMHO) compromise, I found Radical to be a breath of fresh air.

I give it a 5 out of 5 and challenge all Christians to read and heed.

I am enrolled to receive and review books for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. I did not receive this particular book from them but it is one of their books and I gladly post my review.

Polished Arrow Christian Endeavors is a Not-for-Profit Organization licensed in the state of Illinois.

Will you pray for us over the next couple of weeks.

We are conducting two Pastors’ Conferences: one in Cartagena, Colombia and the other in Medellin, Colombia. we love these Colombian pastors and cannot wait to speak into their lives BUT we only want to speak His thoughts, not ours. So please pray.

Here is a poster of the Medellin Conference (and yes, it is in Spanish.)