Currently In Constant Prayer (The Ancient Practices) By Robert Benson see related

24 Questions . . .

It used to be so easy to shop. You went to the store, gave the cashier your money, got your change, and left. Not any more. Now, every transaction produces what can only be called "24 questions."

I went to Sears today to buy a coat. For all of you who know me well, let it be said that I went by myself to purchase a coat that I liked without Judy. You immediately recognize that this could all be futile in the end – if she doesn’t like it, don’t put your money on me. But it did produce the following scenario.

Cashier: Would you like to put this on your Sears charge card?

Me: No maam.

Cashier: Do you have a Sears charge?

Me: No maam.

Cashier: If you apply for one today you could get $15 off your coat immediately, even if you are turned down for it.

Me: No thank you maam. The last thing I need is another charge card.

Cashier: Oh there’s no obligation and there’s no finance charge. You’ll still get $15 off whether you ever use it or not.

Me: No thank you maam.

She rings up my coat.

Cashier: That will be $59 – but if you open up a charge account today you could have it for only $44. Are you sure you don’t want to do that?

Me: Yes maam.

Cashier: You understand we do have to ask you all this.

Me: Yes maam.

I give her my money.

Cashier: (Picking up a card of some sort) Would you be interesting in joining our "shopping club"? [It had a fancier name than that, but I can’t remember it.)

Me: No maam.

Cashier: You can earn points for everything that you buy and you could begin accumulating them with this coat.

Me: No thank you.

Cashier: Its very easy to join. Are you sure?

Me: Yes maam. I’ll send my wife into join.

She gives me my change.

Cashier: [picking up something from the counter and swiping it through the machine]: Since you spent over $50 today, you are eligible for a free gift card.

Me: Thank you maam.

Cashier: It is worth $10 but can only be used on these dates.

Me: Thank you maam. I’ll give it to my wife.

She bags up my coat.

Cashier: Oh, did I give you an invitation to our "Family and Friends VIP Night?"

Me: No maam.

Cashier: [picking up a flyer] Here it is. You are invited on Sunday between 6 and 9 pm for a special sale just for our important customers. Here, let me put it in you bag for you.

Me: Thank you maam.

Cashier: Now, is there anything else I can do for you today?

Temptations and Prayer . . .

Currently Filling Up the Afflictions of Christ: The Cost of Bringing the Gospel to the Nations in the Lives of William Tyndale, Adoniram Judson, and John Paton (The Swans Are Not Silent) By John Piper see related

October 31st . . .

What do you think of when you see the date October 31? Most people undoubtedly think of that quasi-celebration called "Halloween." I don’t, but then again I tend to often think in a different direction anyway – just ask Judy.

October 31^st is also, and primarily in my mind, Reformation Day. At noon on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg, Germany. The 95 Theses were an invitation to debate the abuses in indulgences by commissioners appointed by Rome. And this singular act, although no one would have known it at the time, launched what is known in history as the Protestant Reformation.

For centuries, Protestant Germany has celebrated this day as a great holiday. I think they got it right. Obviously, however, the United States is no longer a nation which would be tolerant of such an idea. So I enjoy it privately. At some point during this coming Saturday, I will sit back and reflect on the boldness of that German monk who ultimately turned the world upside down, or, the boldness and legacy of the "reluctant reformer" who changed the world through books and education in Geneva. And I may take a book or two from my shelf written by the English Puritans, cousins of both Luther and Calvin, and be reminded that they are our spiritual forebearers.

The church of Jesus Christ has a very rich history. Reformation Day is one of its great highlights. Let’s not allow it to get lost behind costumes and candy. Take a few moments this weekend to reflect on the greatness of our Savior in the building of His church.

Currently Alexander Hamilton By Ron Chernow see related

Nostalgia . . .

Nostalgia. It’s a wonderful thing.

I was reminded of that twice this afternoon. I was walking with my wife Judy when we went through a yard full of leaves. Judy began kicking the leaves and listening to the distinct sound that makes. And she said, "I love doing this. It reminds me of when we used to do it in my backyard when I was a little girl." Memories. Nostalgia.

About an hour later, we stopped at a Dairy Queen in a small Wisconsin town to get some ice cream. [It was actually 63 degrees today – heat wave these days!] There was a older man [translate ‘older than me’] who was enjoying a banana split. We struck up a conversation which went something like this. "Every once in awhile I come here for a banana split. It always takes me back to my younger years." Nostalgia.

There’s just something special about triggering something deep in the files of our mind in the here and now – one of those experiences that transports us back to an earlier time.

What does that for you? What’s your best nostalgia story?

Frantic family life? . . .

Do the following words describe your family life? Scattered, frantic, chaotic, stressed, reactive. Do you find yourself working harder and harder only to find yourself getting further and further behind? For those who are married, does it seem that often you are just "two ships passing in the night"? For those who are parents, does it seem your entire life is simply getting the children to their next activity or appointment? Are you secretly longing sometimes for the empty nest?

Then just maybe Patrick Lencioni’s book The 3 Big Questions for a Frantic Family is for you. Lencioni is best known for his business leadership books, books with the fascinating titles like Death By Meeting and The Three Signs of a Miserable Job. The book I am suggesting is his first book addressing the family.

All of Lencioni’s books are easy to read. The first 2/3 of the book is a fable, a brief novel of a make believe situation illustrating his principles. The final 1/3 of the book articulates more clearly the principles that have come up in the fable. The 3 Big Questions for a Frantic Family is a fable starring Jude & Theresa Cousins and their three children. There lives are completely out of control with no end in sight. The fuse is lit when Theresa’s husband makes the statement, "If my clients ran their companies the way we run this family, they’d be out of business." Theresa wasn’t very happy about that statement and it sends her on a quest, with Jude, to rectify their family life.

This book is not a "Christian" book. But in the fable itself, faith is given a primary place in the priorities of the families involved. There is nothing here that will offend you.

So, if this sounds like a book that would help you regain control of a hectic schedule, I would strongly encourage you to buy it and give it a read. I enjoyed it very much.