Life has a way of dealing us the wrong cards. Many of these cards come with painful circumstances which leave scars. Scars are visible reminders of a painful event in our lives. Steve Arterburn’s book, “Healing Is A Choice” shows us how to deal with our painful past.
In 11 chapters, Arterburn explores 10 choices we need to make if we are to experience the healing that comes from Christ. These Choices are as follows (these are also chapter titles):
The Choice to Connect your life
The Choice to Feel your life
The Choice to Investigate Your Life in Search of Truth
The Choice to Heal Your Future
The Choice to Help Your Life
The Choice to Embrace Your Life
The Choice to Forgive
The Choice to Risk Your Life
The Choice to Serve
The Choice to Preserve
I would recommend it for those who must look at their scars daily. “Healing is a Choice” provides a fresh touch from God. This book shouldn’t replace a pastoral counseling, but could be helpfully useful on your journey towards healing.
FULL DISCLOSURE:
I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson via booksneeze.com in exchange for this fair and honest review.
Imagine your life, wholly untouched by angst. What if faith, not fear, was your default reaction to threats? If you could hover a fear magnet over your heart and extract every last shaving of dread, insecurity, or doubt, what would remain? Envision a day, just one day, where you could trust more and fear less.
Can you imagine your life without fear?
Review
This was a very easy, quick read and I enjoyed it. I think it’s a topic that is very relevant in today’s world, there just seems to be an endless amount of things to fear nowadays. I like the message by the author that with faith, anything is possible. With faith, you have an endless amount of support and can live without fear. Pretty powerful stuff! I think we need more reading material like this, more positive messages like this and reminders how strong a tool faith really is. I thought this was an inspirational read and would recommend it to anyone who’s feeling they’ve kind of lost their footing a bit.
About the Author
In almost 25 years of writing, Max Lucado’s books have been sold 65 million times. He is the only author to have won three Christian Book of the Year awards. In 2005, Reader’s Digest magazine dubbed him “America’s Best Preacher” and in 2004, Christianity Today magazine called him “America’s Pastor.” His works have appeared on every major national bestseller list including Publishers Weekly, USA Today, The New York Times, Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, and Christian Booksellers Association. He has been featured in countless media outlets and national broadcasts.
Thanks to Thomas Nelson for a copy of Fearless and a chance to review this book. Please note that I was not compensated for this review.
I’m excited to share some thoughts regarding leadership. Recently, I googled the word “leadership” and it reavealed 141 million hits! Wow! Now I understand why many are confused when it comes to defining leadership. Since this is our first session, I’d like to begin by sharing the “best kept” leadership secret – BE A SERVANT.
The phrase “Servant Leadership” was coined by Robert K. Greenleaf in The Servant as Leader, an essay that he first published in 1970. In that essay, he said:
The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different from one who is leader first, perhaps because of the need to assuage an unusual power drive or to acquire material possessions…The leader-first and the servant-first are two extreme types. Between them there are shadings and blends that are part of the infinite variety of human nature.
The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant-first to make sure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served. The best test, and difficult to administer, is: Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And, what is the effect on the least privileged in society? Will they benefit or at least not be further deprived? (Source: Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership)
Not even the name of the product spoken in the ad.
One word to describe this entire ad campaign: Classy. Such a big contrast from ads with robotic space ships or trash talking the competition or the “hey mom, look what I can do” type of ads that we see from the competition.
The Lesson: Focus on the experience & tell a compelling story.
Paint a picture of what could be and what should be!
I’m trying to figure out how the church can show how life “could be” and “should be” with Jesus (John 10:10).
Goodness…they really know what they’re doing don’t they.
Jesus was an innovative teacher who taught in an innovative way. He came on the scene to explain God to a group of people who were confused about God. They saw God as as distant, demanding, and unapproachable. Therefore, Jesus used word pictures, parables, and fatherly imagery to show how God desires a relationship with His people. Jesus’ innovative way of teaching upset the status quo and ultimately played a part in His crucifixion and death.
What’s the lesson: Innovation is costly!
Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon.com recently shared his approach to innovation—both how to do it and how to stay focused when critics question high-risk projects. You can read the entire article HERE.
He said:
I believe you have to be willing to be misunderstood if you’re going to innovate. That’s actually a serious point. If you’re going to do something that’s never been done before – which is basically what innovation is – people are going to misunderstand it just because it’s new.
I agree with Bezos’ thoughts on innovation and see why most leaders play it safe and copy others. Innovators drink from the fountain of being misunderstood while ultimately paving the way for others.
Question: Do you agree or disagree with Jeff Bezos’ statement?
I recently heard someone say, “Life is a cruel joke and I ain’t laughing.” I agree wholeheartedly. In fact, the majority would agree that life comes at you fast, doesn’t play fair, and is downright unpredictable! Wouldn’t you agree? Since life doesn’t play fair, why should you? If you plan to excel, you’d better learn how to “hack” life and make it work for you. Hack life, what in the world is that? ”A life hack a clever solution to a tricky problem,” according to UrbanDictionary.com.
I finished last week’s post mentioning how how I used my iPhone, Cloud Storage, and a few Apps to prepare messages in 10 minutes or less. Let’s face it – there’s no way we can escape technology. It’s here to stay and we may as well leverage it for the glory of God. Furthermore, given the consumerist mindset of most church goers, presenting a real and relevant word (grounded in biblical truth) remains challenging. Communicators must learn to quickly “size” up their audience and adjust their message for maximum impact. I had to do this this earlier this year while preaching at another church.
As a pastor, I’m invited to preach at other churches during their pastoral or church anniversaries. While worshiping, God begin to impress upon my heart that the message I prepared wasn’t quite right for the occasion. I quickly discerned the room was filled with broken people who had looks of despair in their eyes. I came to encourage the pastor, but discerned that the people needed a Word from the Lord. I prayed and God revealed they need encouragement, healing, and empowerment. I opened my Bible, pulled out my iPhone 4, placed it in my Bible (to hide it), and began crafting a “NEW” message.
Quick! How do you keep the attention of a generation of church goers eternally distracted by the internet, cellphones, and technology. You make technology your friend – you leverage it for the Glory of God.
Mars Hill – TWO Churches in ONE Location
As much as I hate to admit it, in reality, I pastor TWO distinct congregations. Since we began offering additional worship experiences, I’ve noticed they’ve morphed into two very distinct, different, and unique congregations. We’re still Mars Hill – now we’re TWO churches in ONE location. How did that happen?
8AM Classic Worship Experience
Older church goers, business-types, and families with older/adult children mainly attend our Our 8AM Worship Experience. It’s early, convenient, and 60-90 minutes long. They enjoy softer music and love to reflect on the music and message. It fits their lifestyle and they primarily want worship and the Word! Period! However, it’s quite different during our 10:30AM experience.
The beauty and challenge of pastoring an urban, thriving, and large congregation are the number of singles who attend.
Our church is filled with people who’ve never been married, recently divorced, and widows. Since I counsel them all, most are eager to get back into the game before they’re healthy and ready. Since I’m a pastor, I approach dating from a biblical perspective and having a relationship with God is a given. However, since I like to keep it real and relevant, I decided to strip away the layers and give it to you – “straight up – no chaser.”
If you’re dating…considering dating…I advise you to NEVER break this rule for anyone:
If a man or woman doesn’t like you for who you are, just stop.
Why? If you have to change who you are to attract, or keep them, you are cheating both yourself and them.
Whoop, there it is (Man, I’m showing my age). What are your thoughts? Sound off?
Mars Hill is the kind of church men would love to attend.
Every Sunday, church pews fill up with despondent women who are forced to worship without the men in their lives. A recent survey by Ellison Research found that 31% of men never attend church even on holidays believing that church is for women, weirdos and wimps.
This sad statistic prompts parishioners and ministers alike to ask: “Where are the men?” While it’s true that several men spend their Sundays satisfying their vices for sports, beer, and sleep, men who don’t attend church usually have more substantial reasons for not attending.
However, I’d like to share five reasons why I believe Mars Hill is a church men would love to attend. Read more »
