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Book Review: The Search for God and Guinness

8 February, 2010

The Search for God and Guinness is written by New York Times best-selling author, Stephen Mansfield.  In The Search for God and Guinness, Mansfield makes a very successful attempt at showing the history of one of the worlds largest beer brewers.  The history that you find in this book, however, is surprising in that the Guinness family has actually been compassionate to those in need in the name of Christ.

I was immediately drawn into the book as Mansfield gives a humorous story about a blonde he met outside of the Guinness Brewery in Ireland that had no idea what the company did.  What captured my attention even more is how the company has used their wealth to help so many people.  Did you know Arthur Guinness (the founder) is responsible for starting Sunday schools all over Dublin?

I have always said that there are two kinds of cultures that surround this beverage.  One can be found on almost every college campus, which is drinking beer for the sole reason to get drunk.  The other, much more respectable culture is about people enjoying the beverage because they enjoy the taste with no intent to get drunk.

After reading this book, I think it would be safe to say that Arthur Guinness, his descendants, as well as the rest of the company would like to be associated with the later of the two cultures.

In the end, reading through The Search for God and Guinness has been encouraging.  Seeing a wealthy family rise up to the needs of their community instead of being greedy and selfish brings a great respect for Guinness.

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Highlights from 1 Samuel

7 February, 2010

David has always been one of my favorite people to read about in the Old Testament.  Recently I decided to read through 1 & 2 Samuel once again, and finished 1 Samuel last week.  Here are some highlights from my reading:

  1. Hannah was an amazing woman to give Samuel to God (1 Samuel 1).
  2. What’s up with people raising children who are ungodly? (Eli’s boys – 1 Samuel 2:12; Samuel’s boys – 1 Samuel 8:3)
  3. Ebenezer: a rock/monument that Samuel set up to remember God’s help for His people (1 Samuel 7:3-14).
  4. Saul was much taller than most people in Israel (1 Samuel 9:2); which makes him seem like even more of a sissy when Goliath taunts his army.
  5. Saul was idiot when it came to following God’s commands (1 Samuel 13).
  6. God shows his greatness in the smallest of things (1 Samuel 16:1-13).
  7. Saul needed to take lessons on how to throw a spear (1 Samuel 19:10, 20:33).
  8. Always check the bathroom for monsters (1 Samuel 24:1-4).
  9. David was a ladies man (1 Samuel 25:43-44), which will be his downfall in 2 Samuel when he meets Bathsheba.
  10. David made friends with the Philistines for a short time (1 Samuel 27).
  11. Saul went to En-dor to meet up with a psychic (1 Samuel 28). I wonder if he ran into ewoks (who are from the planet Endor in Star Wars)?
  12. Saul committed suicide (1 Samuel 31:4).
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Unity in the Church

18 January, 2010

“For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men?  What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task.”

-Paul (1 Corinthians 3:4-5)

Looking at this verse, I cannot help but think of the present state of the Church.  Particularly the denominational division that exists.  Close to Crossroads I know of Presbyterians, Lutherans, Catholics, and Baptists who all meet in their own building and do their own programs.  At some point in history there was some disagreement (usually theological in nature) that caused a separation.  Generations pass, and the divide still exists.

Where is the unity that Jesus prayed for?

Are we so caught up in thinking we are right that we fail to remember this prayer?

Although I strongly believe that we are coming to an age where Christ-followers unite to help change the world, we are still in a state of division.  Sure, people have a preference in preaching styles, music choices, and rituals, but that does not mean we cannot work together.  There is a hurting world out there that needs to be loved, and who better than the Church to share the love that God has.

I don’t think we need to all be together on Sunday morning, that would require one massive building.  What I’m saying is that if we really want to impact the community, there must be some change.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

-Jesus (John 17:20-23)

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A Response to Pat Robertson

17 January, 2010

The tragedy that happened in Haiti this past week has been heart wrenching for the world.  Seeing the poorest country in the western hemisphere get demolished by an earthquake just tears me up.  Pat Robertson made a remark that greatly disturbed many people, including myself.  What ever happened to loving the world instead of condemning it?

Donald Miller, author of best-selling book Blue Like Jazz, has a great response to Robertson’s remarks.  I want to encourage you to read his blog post entitled A Response to Pat Robertson’s Comments About Haiti.

We need to look at this disaster as yet another opportunity to show God’s love to hurting people.  Please don’t use this as an opportunity to scrutinize and cast judgement on those in need.

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Book Review: The Hole in Our Gospel

12 January, 2010

I was really excited to start reading The Hole in Our Gospel as World Vision has always been a company I have respected.  Written by their president, Richard Stearns, this book poses a challenge to engaged people into helping others.  Though I much agree with what Stearns had to say, the read was not too enjoyable.

To be completely honest, I was just simply bored with The Hole in Our Gospel.  Even with the excitement to receive it in the mail, once the pages started to turn my interest was quickly lost.  It was a challenge to read this book, and to be quite honest, I didn’t even finish it.  There has been a lot of praise for Stearns writings, but personally I just could not keep the momentum going.

On the flip side, it is fascinating to see how God has called Stearns to the ministry he is currently doing.  If you want to read a story about someone making a sacrifice to further the Gospel, look no further.

In the end, I would not recommend this book to read for enjoyment.  If you are looking to learn more about World Vision, or be encouraged for outward forcused, then give The Hole in Our Gospel a try.