For #10, click here.

For #9-7, click here.

For #6-4, click here.

3. This is my ministry…but where is my paycheck? (Danny Ortega)

“I know a lot of people that get paid to be in the ministry…..I really don’t have any issue with that. I think what bugs me is this arbitrary “ministry for cash” program that I see more and more. I have people in my life that “are called to minister” in this way way or that way. However, when a better opportunity….er…I mean….a “new calling” happens (with cash $$$$$ attached) all of a sudden their focus changes, all of a sudden the ministry with the perks seems to be the one God calls them to. I’m seeing it more and more lately.
Why does God’s calling become so clear when there is a paycheck attached?”

2. Dallas Willard and The Gospel of Sin Management

“The current situation in which faith professed has little impact on the whole of life, is not unique to our times, nor is it a recent development. But is currently at an acute stage. History has brought us to the point where the Christian message is thought to be essentially concerned only with how to deal with sin: with wrongdoing or wrong-being and its effects. Life, our actual existence, is not included in what is now presented as the heart of the Christian message, or it is included only marginally.”

1. A Car Accident and My Life’s Purpose

“I turned on to Central to complete my 4 minute drive home. I looked down to put my phone in the pocket of my shorts and I slammed into a Toyota Tundra without the slightest amount of braking. 40ish mph in my Nissan Altima. I must have hit the truck just right because it flipped on its side. I never stiffened up and I felt the impact before my brain registered seeing anything. When the airbag dust had settled and the two vehicles came to a stop, I checked to make sure everything that is Scott was still intact. Still had both legs, arms, hands and I wasnt bleeding from my head. My left hand had gone into the windshield (evidently I don’t punch as well as Oscar De La Hoya).”

For post #10, click here.

For posts #9-7, click here.

#6 – Generation Gap Part 2: Free Agency and Middle School Dances

“in many places, twenty-something leaders are being encouraged to bide their time. In another era, workers remained loyal to the same factory or company or institution for their whole career. However, sports are not the only place where free agency reigns. In the words of a wise friend in his 60s, his generation mortgaged their loyalty to a company and my generation is all about the lease. In my profession, ministers who are not given an opportunity to lead have the option to go plant a church – at my age and younger.”

#5 – Sound: mechanical vibrations transmitted through an elastic medium, traveling in air at a speed of approximately 1087 ft. (331 m) per second at sea level. (David Ellis)

“Everything was going well until the first song. That’s right…the first song. The sound system blew. Right there…in the middle of the first song…my chance to make an impression was literally blown by wattage, amps…electrical jargon that I don’t even know. I played it off well. I smiled…said ‘no big deal’…did all the right things on the outside…but on the inside I couldn’t believe that a sound issue was going to ruin this. Wow…how embarrassing to admit…but I failed on the attitude test.”

#4 – Ecclesiastes 3 – Kinda Got Stuck Here for a Bit

“I believe these 22 verses help all of us wade into the reality of life, from death to life, from wounds to healing, mourning, dancing, weeping, speaking, peace, war, silence and speaking. As I sit here constantly aware of the brevity of my life, trying to type with my scratched up hand that decided to punch the windshield, I resonate with the words of Qoheleth, the writer of Ecclesiastes. I nod when I read, “For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?” I cannot see beyond my lifetime; I cannot even tell you when my lifetime will end.”

Check out #10 here.

9. Book Review – The Advent Conspiracy

“This book lays out an incredible plan. Pastors Rick McKinley, Chris Seay, and Greg Holder describe how an incredible idea emerged from their frustration about pastoring people amidst the holiday season. They cast a vision before their communities – what if we became counter-cultural at Christmas time? What if we worshiped fully, spent less, gave more, and loved all?”

8. Communion and Stories

“For everyone who is a follower of Christ, for everyone who has put their faith in what Christ accomplished through the cross and the empty tomb, for everyone who have surrendered the life over to God, the celebration of communion is all about story. Communion is the re-enactment or the re-telling of our story. What Christ has done for us. How we who were far away found a way back to God. When Holy Spirit began to live within us. How our brokenness has been made whole.”

7. Rhythm, Sonority, and Silence or how to play with another great guitarist (Robert Payne)

“Because this great musical relationship exists at Crash, Danny and I are constantly creating space for one another. Submitting certain guitar parts for the sake of great musical balance. Sometimes Danny will play a smooth overdrive part and I will take a higher, shimmery part with a lot of sparkle and delay, or sometimes I will play a mean, low fuzz part and Danny will play a high compressed ebow part, each way, it equally attributes to the overall band’s musical expression and is equally cool in the process.”

Over the next three days, I will be sharing the top 10 posts from 2009 here on the blog.  As I looked over the stats, I was excited to see that these 10 posts come from 4 different authors.  Since we had over ten authors on the blog this year, I am glad to see the popularity spread out.  I hope you will join us for the journey.  Hopefully you will be reminded of good thoughts from the year and hopefully you will discover for the first time the great content that is shared here regulary.

#10 – A Generation Without Mentors

In this blog, I shared via video about how many in my generation feel abandoned by their elders and we seem to be growing up and into our own without help from others.  Maybe we are pushing our elders away or maybe they aren’t present and reaching out.  This and other blogs related to the generation gap sparked great discussion (and helped shape the content of and my passion for what I shared in my August 9th sermon at North Phoenix’s morning service, which you can view here)

Last night, we did a “year in review” of sorts at Crash. My buddy Rob Payne helped me to compose a montage of selections from the 11 series we did at Crash in 2009. I shared 3 things that I see God teaching us in 2009 that influence how we approach 2010. And then I shared my sense of God’s vision and direction for us moving into 2010.

(photo taken by my friend, Danny Ortega, on his iPhone with some cool filter app).

What can we learn from 2009 that influences how we approach 2010?

1. The most powerful moments we shared were connected to stories.

2a. Becoming like Jesus pulls us into a difficult and painful process of surrender that terrifies us most of the time.

2b. But in this, we find life, joy, and a sense of home with others.

3.  The way we talk about sharing Jesus with others is unorthodox and frankly, more difficult.

“If there is anything we can expect in 2010 from our experience in 2009, we will be called to larger risks and greater trust with God and other people.”

“Only let us live up to what we have already attained.” (Philippians 3:16)

Time Magazine called the 2000s “the decade from hell”.  ESPN called it “the decade for the cynic”.  Many are saying “run away, pull back, hunker down, live below, ride it out”.  But is that an option we really have?

“Obedience (when it comes to God) does not require understanding.” -Dan Yeary, pastor of North Phoenix

“That is a true but incomplete idea…because it doesn’t tell us what obedience does require…it requires trust.”

“If we truly are Crash in the fullest sense of the metaphor, then we must make larger risks and build greater trust with God and others. We must be out on the edge where failure is absolutely possible unless God intervenes.  I haven’t been living there but I sense God calling me to.”

Join us as we start our new series, I don’t know where to start, on Sunday, January 3rd.  Maxie will be sharing about “Who is Jesus?” and we will be celebrating communion.

(Disclaimer: I received this book as a promotional deal with Thomas Nelson.  I do have full liberty regarding the content of my review post).

I finished Dr. Tim Irwin’s new book, Derailed: Five Lessons Learned from Catastrophic Failures in Leadership, recently.  I LOVED reading this book.  I love Irwin’s focus on and description of the character necessary to lead effectively in times like these.

Irwin describes the derailment of six different corporate leaders: Carly Fiorina at HP, Robert Nardelli at Home Depot, Durk Jager at Procter & Gamble, Steven Heyer at Starwood Hotels, Frank Raines at Fannie Mae, and Dick Fuld at Lehman Brothers.  These profiles functioned as mini-biographies, full of intrigue, along with unbelievable and incredulous details about prominent and wealthy executives whose character lapses led to their dismissal at these corporate giants of America.

After chronicling the rise and fall of these leaders, Irwin describes the common features that these leaders lacked that led to their derailment – authenticity, self-management, humility, and courage.  

He also shares five critical lessons he learned through this process:

1. Character trumps competence

5. Derailment is not inevitable, but without attention to development, it is probable.

Finally, Irwin shares five critical habits of the heart – more like disciplines – that enable the leader to stay on track – openess, authenticity, self-/other-awareness, listening to early warning systems, and resiliency.

Irwin is a follower of Jesus, but he was not overbearing or cliched in his writing.  This book is a relevant read for any person who is responsible for managing, overseeing, or leading others.  The mix of case study, anecdotes, and principles were a nice blend and the book stayed tight and pointed, coming in at just under 200 pages.  I heartily recommend adding this to your stack for the first part of 2010.

The first time I heard Francis Chan speak, I was seated on the floor of the Phillips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia with 22,000 college students.  God spoke to all of us in a powerful way and from that moment on, whenever I had a friend who attended a conference where Francis spoke, he was their favorite presenter.  Francis’ transparency and willingness to open the Scriptures and challenge others to actually live out its teaching in radical ways has indescribable power.

However, when I read his first book, Crazy Love, I was frankly unimpressed.  I chalked it up to “Some speakers aren’t good writers and some writers aren’t good speakers.”  So, when I heard the book had sold 300,000 copies, I figured that it was probably just me.  Recently, Francis has released his second book, Forgotten God, and after several friends started posting quotes on their Twitter feeds and Facebook status, I decided to get my hands on a copy.

Francis outlines how the Holy Spirit has been neglected and forgotten by many in the church.  ”Sadly, most believers and churches are known for talent or intellect rather than supernatural power.  What’s worse is that we are okay with it.”  Francis makes a compelling case for how some have wrongly overinflated and misapplied the person and work of the Holy Spirit, while others have marginalized Holy Spirit out of fear or concern for appearances’ sake.

Some noteworthy statements from the book:

I have yet to meet anyone with too much Holy Spirit.

Thousands of years later, I think that most of us would choose a physical Jesus over an invisible Spirit.

I honestly believe that most of us – while we might say we want to be led by the Spirit – are actually scared of this reality.  I know I am.  What would it mean? What if he asks you to give up something you’re not ready to give up?

When we are at our wits’ end for an answer, then the Holy Spirit can give us an answer.  But how can He give us an answer when we are still well supplied with all sorts of answers of our own? -Karl Barth

I think dwelling on God’s plan for the future often excuses us from faithful and sacrificial living right now.

Each of us tends to switch from living the gospel of grace to trusting in a system of works.

I dont want my life to be explainable without the Holy Spirit.

I heartily recommend this book to you for a Christmas present to a friend or a book to read in early 2010.  If you are a follower of Jesus, then I think Francis Chan will be used by God to challenge you to your very core and push you to come to terms with how we have marginalized the Holy Spirit and what we can do to re-establish our openness to His work in and through our lives.

(Disclosure: I received a free advanced copy of this book to read and share with my blog readers. However, there were no parameters put on the actual content of what I wrote).

Mark Batterson’s new book, Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity, far exceeded my expectations.  Having read Mark’s two previous books, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and Wild Goose Chase (along with the facilitating the respective small groups series connected to these two books), I feel that I have a fairly good idea of what to come to expect from Mark’s writing. 

I believe this is his best book to date.  Mark is one of the most well-read Christian writers I have encountered.  His passion for the sciences, the arts and his family creates so many great stories and illustrations for the content in the book. 

In Primal, Mark unpacks his central idea: that we are not practicing the greatest commandement well – love the Lord your God with your heart, soul, mind and strength.  In a very straightforward way, Mark describes how a trip to Rome and the exploration of some catacombs under the city connected him to one of the earliest community of Christ-followers.  This experience convicted him that he had become a professional Christian and had gotten away from his “primal beginnings” as a college student who diligently prayed and sought God’s presence in his life.  The book is divided into those four categories – heart, soul, mind and strength, through which Mark unpacks his thoughts about how we can reclaim each of these pieces of our interaction with God and the world. 

It is hard to capture a book like this in bullet-point quotes, but here are some good nuggets that you will encounter if you read this book.

-Your inability to understand stems from a failure of imagination on your part. -J.R.R. Tolkein to C.S. Lewis

-One of the mistakes we’ve made in Christendom is equating spiritual maturity with knowledge acquistion, but head knowledge never has been and never will be the litmus test.  The truth is that most of us are already educated way beyond our level of obedience.

-Faith equals God-ordained risk in the face of fear.  Obedience equals God-honoring decisions in the face of temptation.  And compassion equals Spirit-prompted generosity in the face of greed.

-Who you are speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you are saying.  -Ralph Waldo Emerson

-So many Christians are so bored.  So many Christians are so frustrated by the gap between their theology and reality.  The way to close the gap, and the way to experience that holy rush of adrenaline again, is to break a sweat serving others.

You can buy this book here and here.  The book releases to the public on December 22nd.  It was a quick read for me, about 2 1/2 hours.  I think it would be a great first read for 2010 for you and other Jesus-followers that you know.

(This post may be controversial – the issue is complicated, but I think it is one worth engaging).

One of the reasons that I miss seminary may seem surprising, but going to seminary motivated me to take care of myself physically.  I would go to seminary and spend time with some great men and women.  But there was always a very small minority of male students that were not seriously overweight.  And I decided that I did not want to be the stereotype.  You know, the “overweight, lethargic Baptist pastor who cheats on his wife and “burns out” in ministry”.  You say “Wow! That’s kind of harsh.”  Yeah, but there is a lot of truth in it.

My experience in seminary was watching my brothers in Christ and colleagues who survived on coffee and Super Big Gulps filled with Pepsi – who pontificated about the growing sinfulness and depravity of our nation, all while ignoring their own sin in not honoring God with their temple, often expressed in gluttony (which is the “elephant in the room” sin in many Baptist churches).

I was very inspired by blogger and author, Ed Stetzer, primary speaker at the ACE Conference at North Phoenix in 2007 and 2009.  He lost over 125 lbs and began to compassionately and empathetically encourage Southern Baptist leaders to do something about this “elephant in the church”.

Statistics I see cite that 90% of men who attend seminary will not retire as pastors.  1,700 pastors a month around the world leave “the ministry”.  I see pastor after pastor who give up their legacy and influence for a few seconds of pleasure.  And it breaks my heart.

I have been inspired to take some steps of my own.  My plan looks like this – exercising 5 days a week, eating healthier, sleeping more regular hours, and managing the coffee and soda intake.  And I have accountability with my wife and some other friends who know these things.

What destination have you decided you will not arrive at?  What are you doing as a result of this value?  Who knows and is holding you accountable?

“Multi-tasking makes us feel efficient. But it’s insane delusion. It actually slows our thinking down.”

-A.J. Jacobs

To read the full article (which I discussed in my December 6th Crash talk – the man who experimented in uni-tasking for 30 days), click here.