Ordering Chaos

I've read a couple of Gordon MacDonald's books and thoroughly enjoyed his writing style: he tells stories, and brings them alive. The stories are allegorical, and point out life lessons that we can all benefit from, and when those stories are directed at the local church, it's easy to 'recognize' certain people that exist in every congregation.

All that to say that I jumped at the chance to review the revised and updated edition of Ordering Your Private World (Thomas Nelson, 2017).             

At first, I was slightly disappointed to not find the familiar story telling style that i was expecting, but this is a different style of book, and it's written in a different style, and let's face it, the book was exceeding popular 35 years ago, revising and updating, means new information, not a total rewrite in a totally different style.

Even so the familiar style pops up in several places, and brings the story to life.

At its core, this is a 'how to book'. How to keep the focus on the main thing, how to keep the first thing first, how to say no, how to balance the different roles that we all play: child, parent, spouse, (in this case) pastor. It all starts with God.

But it's also the story of a journey. Some of the things that MacDonald has learned over decades of ministry could never be taught in a Seminary class, or at a one-day workshop. He offers tips on journaling, on dealing with people, on maintaining a healthy marriage, friendship and Sabbath. And it all starts with God.

For those interested in learning more about this sense of order, there is also a helpful study guide included in the back of the book. It can be done by individuals or by groups. And face it, at some point we all need help quieting the multitude of voices clamoring for our attention so we can focus on what’s really important.            

4/5

I received a copy of this book from Handlebar in exchange for my review. there was not an expectation that I had to write a positive review. 

thoughts on Lance Hahn's "The Master's Mind"

There are a couple of ways that I’m trying to allow my will, my mind, my life, to be bent to the Master’s. One of them is the things I do in my chosen field of ministry. And the other has to do with some self-improvement stuff that I’ve been involved with for the past 40 years.  So the title of this book fascinated me.  But I found Lance Hahn’s The Master’s Mind: The Art of Reshaping Your Thoughts (W Publishing Group, 2107) to be a bit of a disappointment. I want my will aligned with the will of God, and it makes sense that since, as we read in Isaiah: Isa 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," (NIV)

                This book is one I picked to review because I was fascinated by the title; but for some reason, I had a difficult time following the train of thought of the author. I don’t think he was off base scripturally, (and since he’s a pastor, I would hope he would be on track here). There was a lot of good information and examples provided about how negative thoughts often lead to negative actions, and why the Master would prefer positivity over negativity. But…

                When I say it was a difficult read, I don’t meant that it was too deep from me to comprehend, but rather that it was rather dry for my tastes. Additionally I didn’t find anything new to stimulate my thought processes. Others may not have been exposed to some of the things Pastor Hahn writes about, but for me it was a rehash of things I’ve read about in many other places.

                I received a copy of this book from HANDLEBAR in exchange for an unbiased review.

                3/5

Not your parents' worship--and that's okay

     This was a difficult book for me to read, because it is a book that I needed to read. And even though I like to think that I'm eclectic in my tastes, and that I'm as contemporary as the next guy, I definitely have my biases.  What's wrong with the hymns written 200 years ago? Who says we need to update the contemporary worship music from the 70's?  Why do we need a worship leader instead of a choir director? What's wrong with piano and organ, with the occasional trumpet fanfare on Easter morning?
     Yes, I'm being facetious.
      My friend and co-laborer Fred Lopez of Ogden's Hope Resurrected Church has just released Rising Soundz: From Pain to Purpose. Several of his worship leader/music minister friends have corroborated with him and in addition to the book you can also buy a CD and/or DVD.

     Pastor Fred identifies the need for a sound that this generation can identify with, much as my parents liked centuries old hymns, and I could relate to Maranatha. But things have changed. More and more people in this country (USA) are not identifying as Christian; yes there are Muslims and Hindus and Buddhists, but there is a huge increase in the group that identifies as no religious preference. How does the Christian community reach out to them?
     Lopez paints a picture of the pain that exists in all generations, but is especially visible in a certain element within our culture. But pain doesn't have to end there. God has a plan for all of us, and in many cases our pain can lead to creativity, which in some ways defines our purpose. And that purpose just might be to join God on his redemptive, restorative mission.
     As a strategist, Pastor Fred is able to develop a plan for the worship leaders of this generation to be able to connect with others in their context and culture. He identifies biblical precepts and precedents for the role of worship leader, and just as, if not more, importantly, offers the encouragement that is so sorely needed if a musician is to put forth something 'new'--that is different from what we've been doing in church for a very long time. How do we become a part of the body when we don't fit in? (It's hard to believe that a church would be so picky about who's up in front of the congregation, but there you have it).

     Unity, leadership, creativity come together to make a major impact on those who wish to minister to the least and the lost. And that combination comes together in a number of ways, most of which don't look like your parent's Sunday morning worship experience. Worship is pleasing to God; we are created to worship. You're unique, and your worship is too. Don't let the pain of your past drag you down, allow it to help your soar into the worshiper that God has always intended you to be.

head to this site to order your book.

5/5