Author: Brian
Follower of Jesus, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Pastor
Book Look: Crazy Busy
I like Kevin DeYoung. I’ve heard him speak, been to his church for a conference, and read a few of his books. So when I was offered the opportunity to get a free digital copy of his new book, Crazy Busy, to review on this blog, I was all for it…except that I’m crazy busy. Would I have time to read it? Even though the book is only about 100 pages long, this has been a crazy busy week. But somehow, I just finished reading it, so now it’s time for a quick review.
Let’s start with a quick summary. DeYoung starts with three dangers of being crazy busy (including a loss of joy – can you relate?), and then offers seven diagnoses, plus one thing we must do (spend time with the Lord – which he points out has some amazing applications to our busyness). Along the way, he makes clear that the problem is not being busy. It is good to be busy, provided we are busy for the right reasons, within the right boundaries, and with the right attitude. Which brings us back to the seven diagnoses. Let me highlight three that challenged me.
His second diagnosis is that I am trying to do what God does not expect me to do. That is, I’m trying to do more than I can as one finite person. I have recently been big-time challenged with the importance of missions. I want to make a difference for Christ. I want to see missions go forth into all the world. And there is much that I can and should do. But I have limits. I can’t financially support, pray for, or read about every missions group that is out there. I am not the Christ. I am only one man. And for that matter, DeYoung reminds us, even Jesus didn’t do everything – as the quotes I posted from the book this morning make clear. If I try to do everything, I will indeed be crazy busy. I must decide what God wants me to do, and focus on that – like Jesus did.
His fifth diagnosis is that I am letting the screen strangle my soul. If you are reading this blog, this may be a struggle for you as it is for me and DeYoung. How many times do I have to check my e-mail or FB each day? How many times did I check both one more time before finally getting back to read his book? There is an technological allure that can quickly become an addiction. And how much time do we waste surfing the web or staring at some mindless show on TV. Not, DeYoung is quick to say, that technology is bad, but there needs to be some boundaries.
His sixth diagnosis is that I am failing to incorporate a proper balance of work and rest into my life. Here in a few pages is an incredibly wise and practical look at the implications of the Sabbath principle for today, and then some important words on the necessity of sleep. This chapter alone is worth the price of the book, and worth much further reflection and application on my part in the days to come.
If you struggle with being not just busy, but crazy busy, this is a good book to pick up. Not every diagnosis connected with me, and probably won’t with you. But the ones that do will likely be words you need to hear (or read). I know they were for me.
P.S. Through the end of the month, Westminster is selling this book for 50% off – $6.00.
Jesus Didn’t Do It All
Jesus didn’t do it all. Jesus didn’t meet every need. He left people waiting in line to be healed. He left one town to preach to another. He hid away to pray. He got tired. He never interacted with the vast majority of people on the planet. He spent thirty years in training and only three years in ministry. He did not try to do it all. And yet, he did everything God asked him to do….
He was busy, but never in a way that made him frantic, anxious, irritable, proud, envious, or distracted by lesser things…. Jesus knew the difference between urgent and important. He understood that all the good things he could do were not necessarily the things he ought to do….
Ultimately, Jesus was driven by the Spirit. He was driven by his God-given mission. He knew his priorities and did not let the many temptations of a busy life deter him from his task….
What are your priorities? What’s your mission?
– Kevin DeYoung in Crazy Busy
Passion Ethics
This week: a step in the right direction for the home-schooling parental rights story I featured a few weeks ago, abortion as a failure to love, and a religious freedom story that is really more and needs our prayers.
Wunderlich Children Returned on Condition of School Attendance – HSLDA
Abortion and the Negation of Love – Joe Carter (Gospel Coalition)
Free Saeed: A Wife’s plea to Iran’s President – Nahgmeh Abedini (Desiring God)
An Open Letter from Billy Graham – Samaritan’s Purse
As Graham’s letter notes, Saeed is a U.S. citizen, which raises not only religious freedom issues, but also international relations issues, and the ethical question of why our government isn’t doing more to bring Saeed home.
Feed People, Not Your Pride
It’s okay to be busy at times. You can’t love and serve others without giving of your time. So work hard; work long; work often. Just remember it’s not supposed to be about you. Feed people, not your pride.
– Kevin DeYoung in Crazy Busy
Prayer Quote of the Week
We must not talk about prayer,
we must pray.
– Andrew Bonar
Ministry Monday
Prayer is supposed to be a big part of our role as pastors (see Acts 6:4). So here are some good posts related to prayer:
9 Reasons Why Church Leaders Struggle With Prayer – Thom Rainer
13 Thoughts about Pastoral Prayers – pastors.com
Some Practical Help for Leading a Prayer Meeting – Erik Raymond
Pastors, Ask for Prayer – Kevin DeYoung
Declaring the Glory
Sturgeon River in Baraga County in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
– Psalm 19:1
For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature,
have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,
in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
– Romans 1:20
Passion Points
Here are some must-read posts about the church:
Church as an Oasis of Grace – Trevin Wax
Cultivating a Gracious Climate in Your Church – Jared Wilson
Is Your Church a Learning Community? – David Wells via Kevin DeYoung
Create a Contrast Culture in Your Church – Jonathan Leeman (Gospel Coalition)
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day applying some of these great ideas!
Missions Focus – SGA
My goal on Fridays is to focus on missions. I might highlight a missions group, book, quote, or a collection of posts.
Today I want to focus on Slavic Gospel Association (SGA). Eric Mock, one of their guest speakers, came to my church a few weeks ago. We were very impressed with the ministry.
SGA has been assisting the church in the former Soviet Union countries since 1934. During the years of communism, SGA covertly distributed millions of Bibles and Christian books under the Iron Curtain into the hands of believers throughout the Soviet Union, while producing and broadcasting thousands of Christian radio programs over the Iron Curtain.
SGA’s founder Peter Deyneka traveled the globe holding prayer meetings, often overnight, encouraging the Lord’s people to pray for the opening of the Soviet Union for the preaching of the Gospel. His motto became, “Much prayer, much power. Little prayer, little power. No prayer, no power!”
Today, SGA assists the church in the former Soviet Union countries in many ways. They sponsor national pastor/missionary/church-planters. They help to support several Bible institutes and seminaries to train new leaders. They have help to support numerous children’s ministries including Orphans Reborn, Immanuel’s Child, and Summer Camp. They help to equip youth for ministry. They help translate good Christian books.
They have many resources to communicate to the American church what God is doing in the former Soviet Union countries including a monthly update and prayer guide.
One free resource every church should check out is called My Mission Adventure, two 5-week missions studies for children. With DVDs, a leader’s guide, activity sheets, and more, it teaches the children about Russia and about how they can be part of reaching people for Christ right where they are. Children also have the opportunity to learn songs in Russian. My church took our children through the first study and the kids loved it. We plan to do the next one soon.
Since taking a trip to the Ukraine 15 years ago, I have always had a heart for the people there. I am excited to begin supporting SGA as they help our brothers and sisters in Christ in the former Soviet Union countries. Their website is here. Check it out – maybe God would lead you invite them to your church or help support the ministry in some way.
Brian J. Mikul 