One Million Arrows - Review

I have just read Julie Ferwerda's new book "One Million Arrows." I stand and applaud! It is a book that resonates with my heart on so many levels.  It resonates with both the father in me and the youth pastor in me.

In recent years I have experienced a giant shift in my thinking in terms of the way I pastor students. I have come to understand that it is not the churches responsibility to raise kids to be fully devoted followers of Jesus.  It's the God given responsibility of parents.  Read more of my thoughts here in an article I wrote for Life In Student Ministry.  Julie does a fantastic job of bringing to light the importance of this matter.

She writes, "When we take to heart that the home - not the church, not the youth programs, not the Christian school - is the Great Commission Training Center, the lives of our kids are truly impacted soul deep."  How true that is.  It breaks my heart each time I think of students, both current and past, that have walked away from a love relationship with Christ, simply because they have not seen it in their parents.  Christianity equates to one thing for them.  Hypocrisy.

The book is filled with stories of families that have taken seriously their call to raise not just good kids, but kids that will make a radical difference for the Kingdom of God.  Along with the stories come a host of practical ideas that can be implemented in the raising of our children.

If we as parents are to take seriously the call on our lives to raise world changing kids then it will require a radical commitment on our part.  No longer can we rely on the 40 to 50 hours of Biblical education/training a child will receive in a typical year from the Church, rather we must embrace the 2,500 hours a year God has given to us to raise our children.

"No longer can our lives and schedules revolve around sports, entertainment, amusements, busyness, or a host of other 'good' or even 'good enough' activities.  They must revolve around best, through getting to know God very personally, glorifying and enjoying Him, and then bringing His Good News to others."

If you are a parent, or one that works with parents, get your hands on this book!  Click here or on the image above, for more on this book, along with ordering info.

One Million Arrows

I have recently been asked by speaker, author, Julie Ferwerda to read and review her new book, "One Million Arrows."  It's an excellent work on the importance of raising our children to live out the purpose and mission God has for them.  I'm still working my way through, so stay tuned for the review.

In the meantime check out this short video for more insight on the the book.  You may even see a family you recognize!

30 Hour Famine


On February 26-27, I, my students, and thousands of others worldwide will be participating in World Vision's 30 Hour Famine.



This will be the 15th year I have led a group through this amazing event.  It's purpose is simple.  To get a taste of what hunger feels like, and raise funds for, and awareness of, the hungry and needy in our world.  It's in Matthew 25:31-36 that we read Jesus' words instructing us to meet the needs of the lonely, the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned, and that in doing so, we minister to Him.  It is our desire to do that very thing.

Would you please consider joining us?  Would you please pray that God multiplies our efforts to show His love and heart to the needy in our world?  Would you also pray that our hearts would be broken and drawn in closer to His?

Would you also please consider giving to this strategic effort?  You may click here to be taken to my secure online giving site.  This year your giving will even be multiplied by 10 due to a generous government matching grant!

Here's a brief look at a past famine.

The Butterfly Circus

If you can give 20 minutes of your time, please view this short film. Joshua Weigel, the director and also actor who played Chris, the youth pastor in To Save A Life, has produced a film that does a masterful job of portraying the beauty of hope and grace.

It is for good reason this film won the 2009 Doorpost Film Project. You will be stunned by the artistry of the film, but even more you will be left with much to think about, particularly the truth of how God delights in taking the ashes of broken lives and turn them into something beautiful, to be used for His glory.



I would love your thoughts on the film. Please feel free to comment.