Book Review for "Who Moved My Pulpit?"

I am currently in a group of bloggers who review books for Lifeway.  As a part of this process from time to time I will post my reviews of the books on my blog as well as on other retail market websites.  

This book review is related to the book "Who Moved My Pulpit?" by Thom Rainer.  His target audience is to those in ministry but his ideas for leading change can be applied to any organization.  

"This book is a must read for any one in ministry. Thom Rainer is a very learned and respected man and his ideas for leading change in the church are Biblical and practical as well as effective. As a pastor's wife I found the book to be encouraging as well as heartbreaking. The encouragement came from the truths about leading change and the heartbreaking part came from the truths about leading change. The book's introduction of the email of desperation actually brought me to tears. My husband has been in the ministry for forty four years and I have seen some of the best of times and a few worst of times in church work. Rainer's practical advice for leading change is necessary and needful in light of an ever-changing society before an unchanging worthy God."

A Handy Hanky

Handkerchief.  While society has almost eliminated the practice of the handkerchief or even the word itself, I was recently overcome by such an incredulous gift. 

As I was growing up it was the art of a man to always carry a “hanky”.  My dad did so as well as any man I can remember.  In fact my first ironing lesson came from ironing dad’s handkerchiefs.  I guess mom felt there wasn’t much I could mess up by ironing these cotton squares.  It was a “go-to” gift for any man on your Christmas list and if you wanted to make it really special, you would have their initial appliqued on a corner so it could be displayed just so.  Some may think we have evolved since that era and using tissues are much more sanitary and while I am certain to go through my share of tissues throughout any given day and more during allergy season, there are times nothing can replace a hanky.

On the website The Art of Manliness, there is an article entitled “Why Carry a Handkerchief?”  The article is humorous yet very apropos.  One sentence in the article states, “The best reason (i.e. for a man) to carry a handkerchief has nothing to do with you.”  I witnessed that first hand last week.

As we were at the end of my father-in-law’s memorial service and friends began to walk in front of our family, many began to stop and offer hugs and encouragement.  I became overwhelmed from the loss of a significant keeper of our family but even more overwhelmed from the outpouring of friends and family who had traveled to come to be with us during this time.  Unfortunately a box of tissues was not readily available so I was in quite a mess.  Suddenly a true gentleman ready with his hanky handed it to me.  Glen Moret will never know what his simple act of kindness meant to me. 

For me that hanky brought sudden memories of the men in my life that had had a handkerchief handy in a moment’s notice.  I remembered these men who were so practical and yet purposeful with the hankies in their pockets.  They were ready to wipe tears, boo-boos, and of course messy noses. 

My purpose of this story is not to discuss the benefits or bane of carrying a handkerchief but to be thankful for a man who was ready to demonstrate “a gallant and chivalrous gesture.”  I found such comfort in it.

Isn’t it stunning that God uses the simplest of gifts to mend our hearts?  Cards, food, flowers, and even handkerchiefs have been healing balm for our family.    Each one blesses us in astounding ways. 

Whose Story Is It?

“Once upon a time” such a familiar start to a story.  I think the writers used it because they had such a hard time starting their story.  That’s the way I feel this Mother’s Day.  The words have been in my heart for the last few weeks but they have been unable to make it to my hands.  

My sisters and I were with our mother about a month ago today as she took her last breath of earthly atmosphere and breathed her first breath of heavenly paradise.  It has been hard, of course, but we have certainly been comforted by knowing her faith in Christ has been realized in sight.  So many friends and family have reminded us through cards, donations, flowers, and prayers that God is aware of our grief and He has comforted us by means of the arms and hearts of those who love us and loved our mother.

As I spent time a few days after mom’s funeral cleaning out her room at the assisted living center I found a pure treasure.  Inside the book “God’s Story, Your Story” by Max Lucado that was among the stack of devotional readings she read each day, Mom had written this inside the front cover “Completed in three days.  You want to keep reading- one (maybe the best) near the top.  I really enjoyed trying to find how my story fits in.”  Reading this inscription absolutely opened a flood in my heart.  If she had only known how many times we had heard just over the last few days of how mom had blessed people’s lives.  We continue to receive notes, letters, and pictures all with the same sentiment - “your mom made such a difference in my life, in my walk with God, etc.”  

Since that day just a few weeks ago it seems everywhere I turn, I see something about “your story”.  Whether it be on a random television show, a passage in a book or even on a billboard seen driving down the road, I am reminded of the story I am writing of my life.  I am reminded of how my mom’s story intertwines with mine.  

I cannot do justice to her life with this one narrative. Her life, her story is much greater than this.  Not great as the world sees greatness.  She never wrote a book or blog.  She never had a lot of money to be noticed by others.  She never traveled too far from her home.  BUT as my oldest daughter Heather stated “Grandma influenced so many by her quiet obedience.”  That was truly it.  Mom was quietly obedient.  Doing the small, seemingly insignificant daily tasks like they were the most important things on the planet.  Yet they were noticed, even while she didn’t mean for them to be!

I want to follow my mother’s example of quiet obedience.  Kara wrote a Mother’s Day poem this year that was a perfect reminder of while she and Heather watched me when little, they still do.  I want my story to be God’s story.  I want my daughters, my grandchildren, my family, others I encounter to see God in my daily walk with quiet obedience.  

While this is a difficult Mother’s Day, I think more than ever I am so thankful for a mother who was quietly, faithfully obedient.  God’s story was my mom’s story.  What greater legacy could she have left!  

Manning Mania!

Peyton Manning is my favorite football player and that's why I balled my eyes out listening to him give his retirement speech at yesterday's press conference.  When he was with the Colts, Bill got me an official Colts jersey.  When Manning went to Denver, I got his number in Bronco style.  It wasn't about the team for me it was about the player.

Of course I was elated when the Broncos won Super Bowl 50.  I watched every segment of post game programs and 'day after Super Bowl' commentaries to see what was said about my favorite player.   I wasn't looking or listening for his announcement of retirement because I knew he was going savor the Super Bowl win moments knowing the "forthcoming" announcement would have its own emotional toll.  Watching and listening to this strong man yesterday was proof he was speaking from his heart.

Now I have to admit I didn't sit and watch each game during the season.  Many times I would just watch and find out the score or watch highlights of the games.  I do enjoy football but usually household chores keep me from sitting too still. 

You may think that's not much of a fan but more than the game I was so drawn to this young man (yes he's still young!) who persevered in ways not many people do today.  He didn't look for excuses but looked for ways to prepare and improve instead of pointing fingers.  When he was injured, he worked and worked until he was able to play once again.   No one could disagree of his love for the game and his desire to do better.  

I loved how Peyton Manning kept his class during wins and losses and his family out of the spotlight and drama people crave.   To see someone with his character yet with his clout is extremely rare.  

As he closed yesterday's press conference, he quoted 2 Timothy 4:7 about finishing the race and keeping the faith.  While Paul probably wasn't thinking about football when he wrote the verse, the meaning and intention can be applied to Peyton's (as well as our) lives.  When we have finished our race/life, can we say we did it with our best efforts, not giving up when it gets hard, hushing the critics by living a life of faith.  It is a worthy goal.  

Omaha!

Shortcuts Won't Work

Exodus 13:17a – “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter.”

How is it that you can read something many times and yet read it for the first time?  The story of the Israelite exile from Egypt is a familiar story to most – thanks to Cecil B. DeMille and Charlton Heston in the 1956 movie “The Ten Commandments”.  While not completely accurate, even today as I read the story out of the book of Exodus I picture scenes from that movie.

As a part of my 'read the Bible through plan' this year I found myself these last few days reading from the book of Exodus.  In between the plagues and the revelation of the Ten Commandments, I found an interesting insight. 

Finally the people were leaving Egypt after some extremely powerful signs from God and with the plunder of silver and gold.  The four hundred plus years of slavery and bondage were at an end.  Promised Land here we come!  Except…God did not lead them on the road through Philistine country though it was shorter.   

All logic, all GPS’, all maps would say the shortest and fastest way to Canaan was the way through Philistine country.   No one would have said ‘let’s go via the desert and toward the Red Sea.’ That did not make sense. 

I guess the reason this verse impacts me is that I have found myself more times than maybe I want to be in a place that didn’t make sense, was illogical, and definitely not the shortest way to..…well not the shortest way. I have had quite the conversation with God (albeit one way conversation) about this issue.  ‘Surely You didn’t mean to send me here.’  ‘Surely I misread or misunderstood something.’ ‘Surely You didn’t mean for this to happen.’   

Whether by our own choices or by circumstances around us I suspect most of us find ourselves wanting the easy (or easier/easiest) way out.  I can imagine the Israelites were pretty confused when Moses led them the opposite way they were supposed to be going. 

God, of course, had a purpose in leading them the way He did.  The purpose is always His glory and in the crossing of the Red Sea we see just one more amazing provision and exhibition of His power. 

God’s way for us may not be the shortest, easiest, or make the most sense (in our minds).  In fact it probably won’t be any of those but we will grow in ways we would have never known.  We will experience Him in ways we never have.  His Word will come alive for us like it never has.  I would rather take the long way with God than the shorter route without Him.  Shortcuts can and will shortcut us of blessings. It just doesn’t turn out well…check with the Israelites a little later in the book of Exodus.  They find out the hard way.