Radical

Many of you have probably already heard of or even read the book Radical by David Platt.
If you haven't, you should.

It is a challenge for believers to do and be what God has called us to be. It is a reminder that the Bible calls us to leave behind the comfort and security the world says we need to live a life of obedience to God.

David Platt is a pastor of a mega church in Birmingham, AL. But don't let that scare you away. He shares stories of his own experiences in other countries as well as stories of people from his church and stories of others who accepted God's call for their life.

This book has been a good reminder for me of what being a Christian is really about and what it looks like. One thing I also especially like about the book is that it encourages living this life of faith as part of a group of believers. Although I have always been part of a church, I often feel like the convictions and calling I have are individual. While, it's true that we are each called to different ministries and such, it is also important to remember that we must work together to be completely effective,

Another thing I like about this book is that it gives certain things at the end of the book that help practically apply the concepts from the book to your own life.

Again, I would encourage everybody to read this book. Also, I would appreciate accountability in following through with some of the concepts and applying them to my own life. Thanks.

This book was provided free for review by Waterbrook Multnomah. Look up Waterbrook Multnomah to buy the book or go to Amazon or something like that. Also, I have a copy that can be borrowed after Kassie reads it.

You Call Us Your Children

First of all, the title is from a song I was listening to when I wrote it. But isn't that a sweet concept? that God calls us His children. Wow.

I have such a small concept of God, such a small understanding of everything.

Speaking of that, I think I might have wrote in my blog or somewhere else that when I thank God for everything and I actually think about it, I feel like my thank you is really insufficient.

Which makes me realize, as least as much as I can, that everything I do is insufficient. Everything I do is puny. Yet, God appreciates my piddly little efforts. God uses my next-to-nothingness and uses it for something.

How often, though, do I try to take things into my own hands? How often do I get caught up in myself rather than getting caught up in God? Well, honestly, the answer is almost always.

Also, speaking of honesty, I really didn't have any direction for this post. It could have ended up like the one that said I don't blog very consistently. But instead, God has used it to direct me to Him, and I hope you get the same thing.

Stimulation

New Year, new day, new moment, new sletter...actually, newsletter. I need to write one for my YFC supporters and am lacking motivation and inspiration, so I am using this blogspace to stimulate my brain and get my writing gears in motion.

I had a pretty awesome time with family and friends and now I am trying to get back to home and normal life, as it were. I am hoping to make some changes in this new year, although I haven't particularly specified what they are to myself or others. I think I have an understanding of what I want to change.

One thing it comes down to is, like Kirstin is trying to acquire, self-control/self-discipline, that type of thing.

I am having a hard time writing right now. I can't think of any of the words I want to use.

Anyway, I also would like to be more _____ about spending time with God. I have been reading the Bible, and the book Radical, lately, but I haven't really set aside time to pray much or really spend time with God.

Although I am not sure this helped my writing gears, I am going to try to write that newsletter now.

Consistency

I am not a very consistent blogger as you can probably tell.

Homelessness and the Holidays

What is Christmas about?
First of all, it is a time to remember Jesus' birth and give thanks to God for such a wonderful gift.

Second of all, it is a time of giving. Santa Claus is based on a real person. A real generous Christian man from Turkey.
Whether it is by dropping some change or bills in a red bucket of the Salvation Army or helping out at a local food pantry, this season is a great time to remember those who have less than us and to give back from what God has blessed us with. This reminder can really hit home when paired with the book I just finished reading.

Waterbrook Multnomah gave me this free book to review, called Under The Overpass. It is actually on old book but this is an updated version with a couple additional features.

Mike Yankoski, the author, was a middle class Christian college student. He felt nudged, called, or whatever term you like to use, by God to gain a better understanding of homelessness and to minister to homeless people. He did this by spending 5 months homeless. He found a friend and some supporters who sent them for 5 months with nothing but a backpack with some books and the clothes on their back and a sleeping bag a guitar to 6 different cities in the U.S. to live with the homeless, as the homeless live.

This book tells some of their stories and gives great insight into the culture of homelessness. Not only that, it challenges the reader to act. Not only is there homelessness all around us, along with other needs, but there are similar and some different or more intensified needs all over the world.

It challenges me not just to let myself be comfortable in accepting God's blessings and praising him for them but to also use them to bless others, even when it's difficult or uncomfortable.

I would definitely recommend this book to others. As far as the updated edition, I think it is mainly a marketing ploy to get people to read basically the same book. However, on one hand I am glad they are trying to get more people to buy this book. It is definitely a good book for many people to read. On the other hand, in my opinion, the additions to the edition did not really add to the book, although it was nice to hear a little more about the author's life after the journey of homelessness.
I think the previous ending makes a good point and an effective challenge that might in some ways be lessened by the additional material.

Read the book. You can get it from Waterbrook Multnomah directly online or various other stores.

Laptop

Kelsey helped me get my laptop to boot up. It hadn't been responding at all to the power button.

Now I have to figure out what I want to get off of my laptop before it totally dies, and where to put the things I get off of it.

My wonderful wife, Kassie, took care of the main part of the youth group tonight. All I had to do was the music. It was nice to have a break.

Dream Car!

Many people, especially guys, I would say, have a dream car. For some it is a Mustang, Corvette, Lamborghini, Cadillac or something else expensive. I must admit, the first car I remember really liking was a Camaro. After that, though, my tastes changed a little bit.

I went from Camaro to Neon to Metro. After that, I just stuck with metro but wasn't too interested in cars for a while. I ended up with a Lumina as my first car, given to me by my parents as a wedding gift. I am pretty sure a lumina is nobody's dream car. It wasn't mine. But I enjoyed it while it lasted.

After that started giving us problems we were in the market for a family friendly vehicle and ended up with another vehicle from my parents, their Dodge Grand Caravan Sport. They gave us a great deal and we really appreciate.

Around the time we got the van, we were thinking it would be very convenient and maybe even "necessary" to have a second car, and because of the deal we got on the van, we could afford to spend a little on another cheap car. I started looking around. Then somebody brought up the reality of paying insurance on two cars, which kind of mitigated my idea of getting another car.

Then, I realized that to have a second car would not only be convenient, but if I could find one with good gas mileage, it could save enough money in gas to pay for the extra insurance. Now back to my dream car.

As I said, I liked the metro. Well, I continued in the vein of economy cars but started liking more boxy cars, like the VW Golf which is generally out of our price range. I then saw a Ford Festiva. I liked it. Well, I thought I liked it. Then I learned more about that specific one that was for sale, and liked it less the more I new about it...this is wrong and these window decals and this might have to be fixed...you know the deal. So I kept looking. After looking at a Ford Aspire, a couple Metros, and trying to chase down a Yugo, I found another Festiva.

To make a long story short, I got a 1991 Ford Festiva, royalish blue with pink stripes along the sides. It has a few aesthetic problems, but seems to be mechanically sound. And it's a stick. I have never regularly driven a vehicle with a manual transmission. I have, however, learned to drive a stick a couple times, never getting completely comfortable.

I spent a little bit of time yesterday re-learning the stick, and it went pretty well...I would say smooth, but that was not necessarily the case, as I imagine is true for most people learning stick.

In summary, I got my dream car, and I am excited. Hopefully I'll get the Title transferred and get a plate for it tomorrow.

Also, I am looking forward to Kassie's dad helping me clean it up a bit.