I am challenged...

My friend Matt Moehrig and Still Water Christian Ministries gave me a book for speaking last week at their soccer camp.

The Book? Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper. I am sad that I began reading it. I am sad that I read the back cover. Here is a link where you can read the book online as well as to a study guide. Be prepared. It is gonna Rock You left and right ... http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/OnlineBooks/ByTitle/1593_Dont_Waste_Your_Life/

The back cover says this: John Piper writes, 'I will tell you what a tragedy is. I will show you how to waste your life. Consider this story from the February 1998 Reader's Digest: A couple 'took early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast five years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30-foot trawler, play softball and collect shells....' Picture them before Christ at the great day of judgment: 'Look, Lord. See my shells.' That is a tragedy.

I challenge you to read this book. This SHATTERS the American Dream. Work hard for a season and then do what you want to do. I began thinking. Did Jesus take an early retirement? Did Jesus ever do what He wanted to do? Or just what the Father wanted Him to do? What about the Disciples? Retirement for Peter, James and John?

More from cover: Most people slip by in life without a passion for God, spending their lives on trivial diversions, living for comfort and pleasure, and perhaps trying to avoid sin. This book will warn you not to get caught up in a life that counts for nothing. It will challenge you to live and die in boasting in the cross of Christ and making the glory of God your singular passion. If you believe that to live is Christ and to die is gain, read this book, learn to live for Christ, and don't waste your life!

Are you challenged? I wish I would have never read the words from this book. It has changed me already...

These words from Oswald Chambers in My Utmost For His Highest rocked me this morning... Quit praying for yourself and be spent for others as the bondslave of Jesus. That is the meaning of being made broken bread and poured out wine in reality.

Heaven's to Betsy! Does that rattle your cage? At least a lil' bit? If not, you must examine your heart to make sure that it knows Jesus. Or do you just know about Jesus in your head and not know Jesus in your heart? That is the longest 12 inches ever ... from your head to your heart.

Happy Struggling...