Read more about Enemies of the Heart right here.

It’s the life story of Josh, a little boy who grows up in foster care.  Being a foster parent myself, this drew me in right away.  The story had many similarities to the way we have seen foster children live, behave and act out.  The story takes Josh through foster care–the good, the bad and the ugly!  When he is an adult, he lives with a co worker and his mom and from there, we see the title of the book come alive.  It truly is a “Place called Blessing”.

It has been 20 years since I was first introduced to John Trent and his book “The Blessing”.  It changed my life and my ministry to families!  Now, as I read “A Place Called Blessing”, I see all the principles coming out as Josh tries to navigate life and his “past”.  Themes such as guilt, forgiveness, value, worth and unconditional love make this book an amazing read.  That’s why I couldn’t put it down!  Above all else, it’s a story of Hope!  Hope for people who feel hopeless–like children in foster care who have issues with trust, worth, and love.  John Trent wrote this book in such a way as to stir every emotion– you can feel the pain of the boys going into foster care.  You can hurt with them as Josh faces rejection and feels worthless.  You can cheer for him as he begins to put his life together in a way that honors God.  And you can cry with him as he struggles through one of the most difficult times in his life.  The story is that captivating.  And I’m grateful I picked it up yesterday… I’ve already given it to my wife to read… I imagine I’ll share it with many others… especially foster parents, so that they’ll know how very important it is to make our lives and our homes “A Place Called Blessing”!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Many of you know last year I began working in the insurance industry again.  While I love my job, it is 40 hours a week and it takes up a chunk of time I used to use for other things… like blogging, twitter and facebook.  That’s why I’m unplugging from the blog… I’ll keep twittering and facebooking… and I heard someone say, “if you can’t say it in 140 characters, you don’t need to say it at all”.   Not sure if I subscribe to that totally, but for now you can look for me on twitter (journeypastor) and facebook (www.facebook.com/erictaylor1).

Who knows what the future will hold– I may kick this back off in the future, but for now… I’m going dark with the blog.

David Platt’s book is one of the most challenging I’ve ever read.   My faith was stretched and my motives were called out.  That’s because Platt has painted an incredible picture of what American Christianity has become— It’s all about ME.  This book seeks to call us away from self centered and self serving faith to a Biblical faith that is all about leveraging everything you have… time, talent and treasure, to make an impact in the world.
I loved the book because we are involved in foster parenting—something Platt’s church, The Church at Brook Hills, advocates strongly.  I loved that he challenges his church to not only pray, give and show concern.. but to put feet to their faith and be open to what God might call us to if we just make ourselves completely, radically available to Him.
If everyone who read this book would simply choose one area Platt talks about and applies it to our lives and live it out in our daily context, then I believe we would see Radical transformation happen because  of the power of the Gospel being demonstrated in the lives of God’s people.
I encourage you to get a copy and read it… but don’t just read it… DO IT!
“I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnoma Publishing Group for this review.”

My favorite line in the book talked about David dancing naked… not that I ever want to dance naked… I’m not that good of a dancer… especially naked!  But he talked about David’s authenticity and his shedding of his Kingly robe (where some might think his identity may lie) and dancing completely bare before his King (His identity was clearly formed in his heart of worship!)

The other area that kicked me in the head was a line where he said– “Comfort impedes spiritual growth”… that caused me to take a look at my level of comfort and my innate desire to seek comfort over Christ.  It’s natural, but, in order to grow to become who we are meant to be, we must seek Christ over comfort.  That looks different to different people, but for me, it hits home… because my job as a pastor and a Christ follower is to comfort the afflicted, but also to afflict the comfortable!

The book helps us answer the question “Who am I?”  The key to getting the right answer is knowing TO WHOM DO YOU ASK THAT QUESTION.  Who are you asking that question to?  is it your parents?  your family?  your boss?  your teachers?  your friends?  They all have a perspective…But Batterson uses this book to help us see that the only One qualified to answer that question is the one who created us in the first place… and throughout the book he helps us sift through the lies we believe about ourselves that hold us back from discovering our divine destiny.  It’s a GREAT READ and an EASY READ.  The BEST PART about it is that he has included DISCUSSION QUESTIONS for each chapter.  You can process this individually or in community with others.  Either way… you’ve got to pick this up.  It’s going on my “essentials” list that I give to all those I counsel along life’s journey!

DISCLAIMER:  ”I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”

DOWNLOAD CHAPTER ONE

Take a look at this VIDEO

I have to be honest and say that I saw a lot more of myself in the first part of the book as he characterized what we’ve come to believe is “normal Christianity”– I’m talking about the kind that exists in the South and  in the suburbs and other places where we have insulated and isolated ourselves from the rest of the world.  We can be Seperatists, Culturists or Restorers.  This was very difficult for me because, while I long to be a Restorer, I saw some tendencies toward the other two and I realized that this book was going to rock my world if I let it.

Gabe proceeded to unpack what it meant to be a Restorer and not just the kind that does social justice because it’s the sexy thing to do these days.  No, a real restorer has the Gospel as it’s foundation and the World as it’s mission field.   So many books have belabored the point that we all need to help provide clean water in Africa, stop sex trafficking in parts of Europe and help the homeless in our own country.  But I love how this book reminds us that while doing social justice provides a great service, it’s the Gospel, the Story of a redeemer who through His love and grace motivates us to move into the dark places with the Light of Jesus Christ.

He finishes the book with a plan that helped me evaluate my own motives and actions and caused me to look at the ways I can not only serve Jesus by serving others, but how I can impact the world through my ordinary, everyday schedule.

I am thankful Gabe Lyons wrote this book, and I believe it should be used by Christ followers  to remind us that there are others out there who desire to love and serve Jesus even though it may not look like the way they love and serve Jesus.

DISCLAIMER:  I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

I’m going to rest well. Billy Graham was asked what was the key to his longevity in ministry. He said “I rest well”!
I’m going to read. I have lots to catch up on
I’m going to spend extended time with the Lord with my Bible and my journal.
I’m going to listen to other pastors and speakers so I can grow. I’ll be visiting some other churches to worship and NOT to get the latest and greatest ideas. That in itself will feed my soul.
I will be listening a lot more than I speak.
These are just a few things I’ll be doing. I’m not sure yet if I’ll be blogging, tweeting or facebooking much during this time.

One last thing I want to do is get back to spending time with people-my wife and kids and friends- so I can renew my deepest relationships.

I’m pretty pumped about this time and I’m so glad I serve a church that loves me and cares for me enough to do this for me.

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. ³⁶ I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

³⁷ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? ³⁹ When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

⁴⁰ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,^[c] you were doing it to me!’

So, I issued a challenge to serve someone who fit into the “least of these” … it could be the homeless or hungry or it could be a friend who’s imprisoned by an addiction or could even be someone they’ve never met yet… a stranger they bump into randomly at a restaurant and initiate a conversation with.  Maybe they pay for someone’s meal, visit someone in the hospital or give money to build a well in Africa… The idea is to get moving.  The Church has  been still and complacent far too long… until now.

I hope you’ll share how you’re serving the Least of These so that others will be encouraged and inspired… and who knows how lives will be transformed because our passion for Jesus drives our compassion for people.  Just leave a comment below of how you served Jesus by serving the Least of These.

Celebrating a National Championship at Toomers

I hope your preparation through this fast is going well.  I want to encourage you to know that the struggle you feel right now is going to be well worth it on the other side.  You are preparing for God’s presence and power.  You are setting yourself up for a mighty move of God in your life and in the life of your family.  You are getting ready to go to the next level in your spiritual journey.  And I’m honored to be along on the ride with you.

I’d love to know how your fast is going.  Leave me a comment or drop me an email and let me know.