"Where is God?" by Dr. John Townsend

Where is God?
by Dr. John Townsend

Snack of choice:
Peanut Butter and Celery

Story behind the story:
This book is the second one I received from Thomas Nelson publishers blogging network, now known as booksneeze.com.

Story Line:
“Finding His presence, purpose, and power in difficult times” is the official mantra of the book. John Townsend, co-author of the bestseller “Boundaries,” brings his reader on his journey to Antarctica, a perfect picture of God’s wonder and yet an equally awe reaction to the complete desolation of the place. This journey is what moves us forward in relationship with God – moving from a place of fear to a relationship of hope.

The Real Story:
I’ve been looking for a book that I could point others to and feel confident in the material. This is that book. Solidly based in Scriptural principles (which weren’t just references, but texts), He allows for the big question, “Where is God?” While others might feel unspiritual asking this question, Dr. Townsend treads through it with confidence. He does this not because he doubts, but because he believes. He points others to relationship with God, not simply an outward display. He begins with our search for meaning in suffering and why it occurs. I love the way he writes about the three sources of suffering (excellent stuff!). He urges you to build relationship with others who are “safe” and trustworthy. This book is a great tool to work through in a practical way the troubles that we will all inevitably face – with HOPE in CHRIST!  

Check out:

“Disappointment with God” by Phillip Yancy
and “Job” as behind the scenes story of troubles. 

Rating:

6 out 5 hopeful, but troubled people

"Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations" by the IRS

Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organization
by Internal Revenue Service

Snack of choice: 
Cardboard Chips… taste like the real thing

Story behind the story:
My undergrad degree did not prepare me for this journey into the depths of the interaction between Church and State. Considering my position as an associate pastor with administrative responsibilities I figured it was about time to cross into the great unknown. It was free and can be downloaded at www.irs.gov

Story Line:
Please know this review is in no way an endorsement of any political campaign and is not reflective of the position or views of New Hope Community Church, its leadership or its membership. That being said, its title does accurately reflect what’s inside.

The Real Story:
Honestly, I was a little surprised. It wasn’t half bad. I was introduced to Church Z, Pastor M, and Candidate C, etc etc etc…etc, through examples that were practical yet stacked against the 501(c)(3) organization. We discover together the status that Religious Organizations can benefit from within the tax laws. The bulk of the pages that followed spoke of how those tax benefits can be revoked with too much political activity on the part of the Religious Organization.

I really did grow in my understanding of Religious Law, which is great, cause I’m trying to fill out more paperwork for tax exemption of real property! (I know, too much fun for one evening).

Check out:

IRS.GOV; "Zondervan 2009 Church and Nonprofit Tax and Financial Guide" by Dan Busby, CPA
and “Revelation” as additional reading in Apocalyptic literature. 

Rating:

4 out 5 suits with cases

"The Gospel According to Lost" by Chris Seay

The Gospel According to Lost

by Chris Seay

Snack of choice:
Tortilla chips, cheese, salsa, sour cream…. Oooh yeah…

Story behind the story:
I recently signed up with Thomas Nelson for some free books as long as I reviewed them. Being the book collector that I am, I couldn’t refuse. This is my first book from the publisher.

Story Line:
*Sigh* - You would think this book would be about two things… Lost (the ingenious ABC contribution to pop culture) and the Gospel (the good news of Christ’s sacrifice). Well… it was about Lost…

The author focused on characters and how they relate to a “walk of faith”.


The Real Story:
Lost is great TV on so many levels. I love hearing references, ideas, philosophies, that have their root in Scriptural (Biblical) thought. But I never really had the time to think about the extended implications and deeper meanings. I took it at face value – enjoyed it and moved on. “The Gospel According to Lost” was going to be my cheat sheet. These Cliff’s Notes were going to remind me of those “spiritual” moments in Lost and deepen my appreciation for its inclusion in the show. It wasn’t.

I don’t know if I missed it or what.

The shocker to me was that the lack of the Gospel. The central message of all of Scripture – God loves us; We’ve separated ourselves from God; Jesus, being God, entered the world to bridge that gap and give us abundant life now and in eternity; He accomplished this through His death and powerful resurrection – was absent? There were a couple of muffled voices of truth toward the end of the book, but it was the kind of muffled like a man locked in a cellar with his hands tied behind his back and tape over a mouth stuffed with an old sock kind of muffled.

Even when he spoke of Christ, I got an eerie feeling that he and I would not agree on our Christology.

Here’s what we do agree on. I do see that the writers of Lost are on a journey of faith. They may not know it, and they may never finish it (I have no idea), but they are hearing the voice of God and it’s coming out in their work. This book helped me to appreciate that fact.


Check out:
"Just Like Jesus" by Max Lucado,
"The Jesus Chronicles: Mark’s Story” by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins
and as a “Gospel” alternative try any of the Four.

Rating:
2 out of 5 “Losties”…. the rest went to see Peter Pan.

"Five Dysfunctions of a Team" by Patrick Lencioni

Five Dysfunctions of a Team
by Patrick Lencioni

Snack of choice: 
Sour Patch Kids

Story behind the story:
I got this book at the 2008 JAX Pastor’s Conference in a book bag at no cost! I also listened to a lecture the author gave there. I was in the front row… I mean, hey, he gave me a free book! My favorite kind!

Story Line:
Well, the story is pretty self-explanatory. It’s about… you guessed it… the five dysfuntions of a team. It’s set within a “leadership fable,” otherwise known as a fictional story about the new executive of DecisionTech and her currently dysfunctional executive team. Here’s the spoiler… yeah, they work through the dysfunctions to become a leader in their industry! Woo-hoo!

The Real Story:
Team and Leadership books are increasingly popular, mostly because no one knows how to be one. Lencioni’s contribution comes from a place of experience as a creator of the management consulting business The Table Group. He admits that his observations are simple, but challenges you to work through them… not so easy now, eh? I almost got to the end of the book and said, “Yeah, but you just told a story… What am I supposed to take away?” And BOOM! The last 30 pages are dedicated to explaining the dysfunction, giving suggestions for overcoming the dysfunction, showing the role of the leader, and the connection this has to the next dysfunction. Good work…

Check out:
"Good to Great" by Jim Collins, "21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership" by John Maxwell
and as a Leadership Manual alternative try Nehemiah

Rating:
4 out of 5 Dysfunctional Executives