Mark Hall is the lead singer of the band, Casting Crowns.  He has just released his second book entitled, “Your Own Jesus’.  “Your own Jesus” is a great read, especially for those that are familiar with the latest Casting Crowns CD, The Altar and the Door.

In this book Mark uses stories from his own life and other lives as well as strong Biblical examples of what it means to really have a relationship with Jesus. Each chapter is based on a song from the latest Casting Crowns project and the theme of the chapter ties in with the theme of the song.

Mark’s goal throughout the book is to not just give fun or touching stories that explain the song, but to really try and connect with the reader and make them understand the importance of having a true relationship with Jesus – a relationship of your own and not a relationship that is based on other people’s lives.

Mark is a youth leader at his church and as a fellow youth leader some of the stories really hit home (as did a great new idea to use with my leadership team that involves towels, corn syrup and dirt). Mark makes us all realize that we need to invest in the lives of everyone we come into contact with – especially youth – so that they may grow as disciples and be able to stand and face the world

Travel Agent – someone that suggests where to go, give you information about the place, and tells you to enjoy your trip.

Tour Guide – someone that goes along with you on your trip, has been there themselves, has a passion for the trip and all it entails.  Some that stays with you from the beginning until you reach your destination.

Right now I’m reading Simple Church: Returning to God’s Process for Making Disciples
by Thom Rainer & Eric Geiger.

It’s a case study of four hundred churches across the country and the conclusion that simple churches = thriving, disciple making churches.  It examines the four ideas that simple churches focus on:  Clarity, Movement, Agility & Focus.  If you are in any church leadership position I strongly recommend this book.

Here’s a quote from chapter on Clarity that I keep coming back to:

“People need spiritual tour guides.  They have had plenty of spiritual travel agents.  Be a tour guide through the process of spiritual transformation in your church.  Take people on a journey with you.”

Do I see myself as a tour guide or an travel agent?  Do OTHERS see me as a tour guide or a travel agent?  If I’m not a guide what do I need to change in order to become one?  How can I help encourage others to become guides?

How about you?   Which are you?  Which would you like to be?

…unless you want to really take a hard look at yourself.

I just finished reading “Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God” by Francis Chan.  I’ve heard very good things about this book for quite a while and it’s been sitting on my shelf for a few months but I hadn’t read it until this past week. I think partly because I was scared of what it would do to me.

This is a challenging book that will really make you take a look at your life, at your faith and at your relationships.  Francis doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to looking at things like what a lukewarm christian looks like today (as referenced in Revelation 3:16).  He challenges you to take a look at your priorities – where are you spending your time and your money.  He makes us think about whether we are giving our best to God – our first fruits…or whether we are just giving him our leftovers.  He talks about how the God of the universe – the Creator of everything WANTS to have a relationship with you…wants you to pursue Him, to spend time with Him. He offers HOPE to us that while we can never become perfect in this life and that we will make mistakes and fall short that God has given us his GRACE so that we can have a relationship with him.

I could go on and on but the bottom line is that I think it’s really a great book and I would strongly recommend you take the time to pick it up.  It will get you thinking and looking at things with a Kingdom viewpoint.  I know it’s got me thinking about a lot of things in my own life.

If you’ve already read it I’d love to hear your thoughts – leave me a comment and share how it’s affected you.