NEXT: Book Review

Several years ago, I read a book written by Gabe Lyons. He wrote unChristian — a book about Christians who don’t bear the name of Christian well. His research was thought provoking for me.

So, I was eager to read his second work: NEXT. After finishing the first 70 pages, I was struck by a thought… I don’t like boxes and simplistic categories of people. Lyons describes six “kinds” of Christians in the world… but no one I know fits his categories perfectly. Of course, classifications are important, but they are often too general.

The last two thirds of the book are much better (as far as I’m concerned). Lyons begins to lay out some interesting ideas for restoring our lives and communities. He says we have a calling (where our passion and skills collide) from God to help redeem people and creation.

Much of what he writes about calling isn’t new. In fact, I would direct you to a great book written a while ago entitled, Calling. Both books make the same conclusion, “[Calling] simply means restoring right where you are (Lyons, pg 126).”

NEXT would be a great read with a group of friends who want to commit to restoration in their community without any of the formalities that usually plague a typical church group. The last two-thirds of the book is worth your time… because Lyons will encourage you to do and be more than you thought possible.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I’ve done. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Anything… Except That!

After a long dry spell in blogging, I finally have some inspiration to write. What’s the occasion? My failure.

Early yesterday morning (before 5 AM), I was asking God to grant me an opportunity to bring hope in someone else’s life. Believe me, I’m no spiritual giant — especially when it comes to the world of prayer. Most times, I feel like (although it’s not true) my prayers never even go past the ceiling.

This time was different.

I pulled into a local gas station for a large soda… one of my favorite vices. After I filled my soda, paid the attendant, and gulped down a few swallows… a complete stranger approached me. The exchange went something like this, “Excuse me sir… but I forgot my wallet at home and I’m on my way to my next appointment… (and this is usually the time I tune out)… can you help me by putting a few dollars of gas in my car.”

I froze. Most times I politely refuse and move on — except… I did have some extra cash in my pocket…

My new job is a fundraising job. I don’t hesitate to ask people to give to my organization’s work (in fact, why don’t you stop by our home page now www.qwaters.org, and click on the “Donate Today” button). If I gave something to this stranger… I wouldn’t even get a tax write off… and no where in her “ask” did she volunteer to pay me back.

“Sure,” I said. “I can put ten dollars on your pump.”

Her response, “Thank you!”

That should have been enough right? Honestly, I was a little disappointed. And then, I remembered what I’d asked for from God… an opportunity to provide hope for someone else. He did, but I was hoping I would be “compensated” for my good deed.

My response should have been the same as hers… THANK YOU!

This post is not an open debate on whether or not you should give to panhandlers or other people who approach you. It’s really one of priorities. Do your priorities line up with God’s? When he gives you a chance to be a part of what He is doing, how do you respond? Actually, what are you asking God for anyway? Usually, I ask for God to give (to me), to help (me), to make everything work out in my life (because I don’t like trials)… see the pattern?

Can anyone relate to this… if you can… tell me how (jshanselman@gmail.com).

December 1941: Book Review

The older I get, the more I like books about history.  AND the more I read historical accounts, the more I realize how many mistakes we (or I) make because we are ignorant of the past.  In fact, we don’t even need to go back thousands or even hundreds of years to avoid mistakes… we could go back as recently as 1941.

Craig Shirley’s, December 1941: 31 Days That Changed the World and Saved America is a fascinating day by day account of one of the darkest points in America’s history, of course it also brought the very best in our nation too.  It only took 31 days for our country to reorganize (after a staggering defeat at Pearl Harbor) and gain the momentum to eventually win World War II.

Don’t worry,  December 1941 isn’t a step by step manual on how to win a war.  Shirley (in a clever way) looks at 31 days through the lens of a historical kaleidoscope… he is able to give the reader a good feel of American life in 1941.  He covers everything from religion to sports to diet… it was entertaining to have a break from the heaviness of the war in the narrative as he drops in humorous anecdotes throughout.

Here is one of my favorite examples:

At the same time, ill-mannered women were the target of a new, ‘anti-profanity campaign.’  Arthur S. Colborne was on a one man mission to wipe out swearing in America.  Not just the garden variety four letter words either… ‘geewizz’ and ‘doggone’ and ‘dad burn it’ because as far as he was concerned, these were ‘leader on word’ (gateway drugs as some might later think them).  he said that women in bars were the worst offenders.  They in turn thought he was full of… well, it’s better left unsaid.

The book is worth the read… but it’s extremely long, and even though I like the characters in the story, it’s often hard to keep all of them straight.  My complaints are minor about this book.  It’s well written and covers a fascinating slice in history from a unique perspective… it all about one month in history… and that one month literally changed the course of the world (you’ll have to read the final chapter to see how the author explains how).

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I’ve done. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Mid-Course Corrections: Book Review

Most of us can sense when something isn’t “quite right” in our lives when we have a moment to be silent and reflect (not always… but it happens to me more often than I care to admit).  Sometimes (when we are open to listen), those moments help us change and get our lives back on track.  We should listen when we discern the warning signs that indicate we need to make mid-course correction changes.

If we don’t make any changes, we will fall headlong into disaster.

Enemies of the Heart (by Andy Stanley) does a pretty good job of addressing the issues many of us need to get a handle on if we want to avert emotional and spiritual disaster.  Guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy come from a heart that is not well.

Stanley’s book is a good start to investigate problems in our hearts.  It’s pretty lighthearted (and the humor is often cheesy), but he doesn’t pull any punches in the end when he offers some solutions to get healthy.

This is a short post to encourage you to grab a copy of the book if you sense something “isn’t quite right.”  Read it… make the corrections and stay on course.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I’ve done. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

2011 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 4,900 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 4 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

When you come to a fork in the road… pick it up!

Some posts, like this one, are only for the people who know our family really well (I’ll get back to regular blogging in 2012).  At the same time, it is one of the most important posts in the Ramblingrhino’s blog in 2011.  Life for the Hanselmans in 2012 is taking a new direction.  We are moving out of local church ministry and back into “parachurch” work.

First, I want to say that the past year and a half has ben really good for me for a number of reasons:

• We finished another year in Idaho (an awesome place to live and raise a family)… we will miss it dearly.
• Mary earned the recognition she needed to continue working as a sign language interpreter (where she is really good at what she does!).
• I got to teach every Sunday to a very patient group of people (we witnessed 12 baptisms at the end of the year!).
• Our family made some of the best connections and relationships we have ever known.

Now, we are following another opportunity to serve, learn, and grow.  I was offered a position to help raise money for QuietWaters Ministries.  QWM’s mission is: To renew, restore and strengthen Christian leaders and their families (check out the web site at www.qwaters.org).  We are looking forward to begin a new chapter to minister to and build friendships with a new network of people God brings into our path.

If you have any questions (or want to know more about what we will be doing) please email me at jshanselman@gmail.com.

Learning From Fullbacks

Football is the greatest game in America.  Professional football players (even the ones who tip the scales beyond 300 pounds) are amazing athletes.  They make a violent sport look graceful… I could watch endless hours of good football.

During the Monday Night Football game last night, God showed up in my living room to teach me something profound(and Tebow wasn’t even playing!).  I noticed a player I hardly ever think about… or should I say a position. It’s one of the positions that seems undesirable (at least to me) because it rarely every receives notoriety (unless something goes wrong)… the fullback.

How many fullbacks can you name on current NFL rosters?  Not many idolize the fullback.  No televised broadcast has even been about the matchup between the fullbacks on the opposing teams… it wouldn’t sell many tickets.

Heres the job description for the position:

The main responsibility of the fullback is to be a physical blocker. On running plays, you will have to go into the hole before the running back and get your shoulder pads under the linebacker’s so you can knock him backward and keep him from getting his hands on the ball carrier.

Fullbacks don’t often get the glory in the modern game, but they provide a solid contribution (from http://www.livestrong.com/article/536060-what-does-it-take-to-be-a-fullback-in-football/)

Fullbacks get no glory… because they aren’t the “main attraction.”  Here’s what I could almost hear God teaching me: be a fullback.  My answer was, “Huh?”  Where?  How?  Why?

For the past month, I have asked people at our church to do something that Jesus would do at Christmastime.  Help feed hungry people.  Encourage someone who feels hopeless.  Give to someone in need.  No one gets credit for doing those things… except God… and that’s exactly how it should be.

The point is this: do something hard so that someone else will get the credit.  Remove an obstacle for someone who cannot remove it for themselves.  Block something that will harm someone so that they can get and stay on their feet.  Be a fullback.

What are you doing to help make someone else’s dreams come true?  Send me an email (jshanselman@gmail.com), or post your activity as a fullback on my blog.

Torn: A Book Review

“Sometimes in the midst of it all we are tempted to doubt God’s goodness — or at least his goodness to us… but obviously we’re receiving some sort of payback for the wrongs we’ve done… We search for a reason.  If God really loves me and cares for me, why is this happening (Wilhite, 2011. Torn.  Multnomah Books.)?”

If you live long enough (like more than 10 years) something “bad” is bound to happen in your life.  Most of us want to have one questioned answered when things don’t go our way: WHY?!

Wilhite’s new book, Torn is a good read for anyone who has ever wondered WHY?  The author’s answer is good: “Why” is the wrong question.  A better question to ask in uncertainty is “WHO?”  Who can we turn to when our life falls to pieces?  Who in the universe big enough to help us through the darkness… who can help us make sense of our suffering?  Who knows how we fell, because no one wants to suffer in vain.

Torn is an easy and compelling read.  The book focuses on real people and stories, and avoids trite and simple answers.

I’ll wrap up this review with one of my favorite quotes from the book (because it sums up the direction the author takes), — it’s a valid way to view the world and think about the difficulties in life we all have to face:

Take some time to consider your expectations of God and faith.  You may realize that you need to adjust them, as I did.  It’s okay to face this and accept it.  Adjusting your expectations will help you acknowledge that there is a new now.  Life may not look the way you pictured it.

If you need some hope… and a new way to think about the realities of life… you need to grab a copy of the book Torn by Jud Wilhite.

Tebowing

I can’t wait any long to write this and share my discovery…  Tim Tebow is a miracle worker!

First, the victories he’s posted this season defy explanation.  Many of the games he won were DOA by the middle of the fourth quarter… no way the Broncos should have won.  What’s more… I don’t care how he pulled it off.  As far as sports go, I’m a Broncos “homer.”  So, I am enjoying the roller coaster ride and pausing to enjoy each win (we’ve had some many losses in the recent past… it just feels to good to root for a winner).

Tebow brings the one thing people need the most: HOPE.  He’s an unlikely hero too.  Every analyst who watches Tebow footage makes one pronouncement, “He’s a terrible quarterback!”  Maybe he isn’t what we expect at his position on the football field.  The expectation is a traditional passer… someone who acts like an NFL quarterback… someone who… someone who isn’t… Tebow.

Two thousand years ago, a small nation in the Middle East expected a deliverer.  They wanted a mighty King who could vanquish their enemies, and establish prosperity for their nation.  Israel was expecting a Messiah who looked and acted the part of a conquering warrior.  Instead, God sent a baby.  Jesus was no prototypical Messiah.  His arrival on earth brings HOPE.

Even when things looked like a certain defeat — Jesus arrived as a sign that God had not forgotten us, and we were not destined to live broken lives and with despair… we have HOPE!

Before you jump to any conclusions… Tim Tebow is NOT the Messiah (or the Mile High Messiah as he is not affectionately referred to).  Tebow is (in my opinion), a very good example of someone who has done well to follow Christ for most of his life.  Whether or not you buy into the whole Christian thing, or ever want to hear Tebow say the name of Jesus in a press conference ever again… the fact remains… Tim brings hope.

Hope that, even though you have an amazing platform (as the QB of an NFL franchise), even though you have loads of money (not sure what Tebow makes, but I know it’s in the millions), and even though you are the talk of the nation… I have hope that our heroes are able to remain authentic and genuine.  Tebow is legit!  By the way, the same analysts who hate Tebow’s “game”… all of them praise him for being an amazing person… that doesn’t happen very often.

Are you on the Tebow bandwagon?  What do you think about his remarkable run?  Post your comments… or pictures of you “Tebowing.”

More Than A Slogan?

Good marketers are able to creating meaning out of meaningless slogans… see how many of these companies you can identify by their slogans:

• I’m lovin’ it!
• Just do it!
• Melts in your mouth and not in your hands…
• The real thing.
• Where’s the beef?

Those slogans and people who create a false sense of “value” and “meaning.”  Most of us don’t really believe drinking a $4 beverage, or using a certain gadget will complete us… right (hmmm… I might have to curtail my Starbucks and Mac addictions)?  The real question is this: what do we think makes life meaningful?  The highest value of our culture is CONSUMPTION.  Tim Willard and Jason Lucy explain: “Consumption is not so much an action but an underlying belief system, a belief that personal meaning comes from the things we buy (Vaneer. 2011.  Zondervan).”  Can you say, “Black Friday“?

My family skipped the deals at the mall on Black Friday this year (only because I love football more than shopping… which is another value statement in itself).  We trim the tree and crank up the Christmas music.  Even though I love that time with my wife and kids… I was reminded of this thought:

We take [Christmas trees] into our living rooms, stick it in a stand, decorate it with ornaments and stars and knickknacks and tinsel and lights.  We make it look as rich and  beautiful as we can, only to throw it away a month later.  Cutting a tree from its source of life and making it look good for a season, in the end, accomplishes little else than seasonal beauty (Vaneer).

Maybe we’re all human Christmas trees… driven by what’s in season, or shiny things that catch our attention.  It’s more difficult to understand what drives us, so we dress up on the outside and try to ignore how parched we are inside.  Could you lay aside all of the THINGS in your life, or lose them, and still articulate where your real value lies?  Here’s the truth (and I think it’s crucial to remember during the Christmas season): everyone needs to feel loved and known for who we are.  If you understand that truth… can you think of someone in your life who doesn’t?

My view of meaning is the same as Paul’s… he said it best when he encourages us to count everything as “worthless when compared to the infinite value of knowing Christ.”

Is there one tangible step you can take to show the infinite value of Christ?  Who can you feed?  Who can you encourage?  Who can you love?

Tell what you’re up to this Christmas to de-value consumption and emphasize the infinite value of Christ (email me jshanselman@gmail.com, leave a comment, or connect with me on Twitter @JSHanselman).