Recent Reads

As mentioned in a previous post, I really enjoy reading. Some of the topics/areas I enjoy reading include history, leadership, sports (especially biographies), theology, the church, and other cultures. I am not a big fan of fiction, although I try to force myself to occasionally read it because I know I need it. You know, kind of like eating broccoli and carrots...never overly enjoyable for me, but I know my body needs them! I have listed below a few of my alltime favorite books, and I have also started a new section on my blog entitled, Recent Reads. If you are ever in need of something fresh to read, maybe something from my list can get you headed in the right direction.

History
Truman by David McCullough
Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough

Sports
Joe Dimaggio by Richard Ben Cramer
The Majors by John Feinstein
To Hate Like This is to be Happy Forever by Will Blythe

Fiction
The Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis

Leadership
Good to Great by Jim Collins
Next Generation Leader by Andy Stanley

Theology
Knowing God by J.I. Packer
Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards
Indwelling Sin by John Owen

Christian Life
The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis
What's So Amazing About Grace by Phillip Yancey

Teen Culture/Teen Parenting
Age of Opportunity by Paul Tripp
The Disconnected Generation by Josh McDowell

Dead or Alive?

I really enjoy reading books. I often find myself perusing the local bookstore and surfing on Amazon and other sites for the latest read. I quickly find myself wanting to read the newest books by some of my favorite authors, or books on the latest trends. For me, it is easy to fall into the trap of wanting to read whatever is new, has a catchy title, and a hip, fashionable cover. However, more times than not I come away disappointed with my purchase.

One of my mentors in seminary was Jeff Bingham. He was my professor for a number of classes, and I spent two years as his TA (teacher's assistant). Dr B is about 6 feet 7 inches tall, skinny, and has hands that are so big they seem to take minutes to open. As a lecturer, he had an amazing gift of using simple illustrations and phrases to explain some of the most difficult and complex theological doctrines (I needed him!). Within minutes of sitting under him it became obvious to all that he had the gift of teaching and a passion for Jesus and the church.

One of the many things I remember Dr. Bingham saying was, "You need to read dead people." His reasoning for this was that dead people can no longer be influenced by the current trends and forces of culture. Additionally, if they still have an impact generations later, we should probably listen to what they have to say.

For the past 10 years I have tried to take those words to heart and have made myself regularly read books written by people who never knew cell phones, TV, or even indoor plumbing. Although the illustrations are dated and writing styles are awkward and hard to follow, I usually come away refreshed and challenged. They are the books I end up recommending the most frequently to others.

So as I recently finished reading The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe to my kids, I was reminded of Dr. Bingham's words. In light of that, I thought I would mention some of my favorite dead people to read.

John Owen - His work, Indwelling Sin, really changed my life. His writing is technical and hard to follow at times, but well worth the effort.

Charles Spurgeon - Whether devotional, pastoral or technical, all of his works are timeless and relevant.

CS Lewis - Fiction or non, a gifted writer who blends creativity with solid biblical/theological truth that can stimulate the minds of all.

John Calvin - A pastor who loved Jesus, the Bible, the church, and all of God's people. His insights on the Bible are like few others

Martin Luther - His book, Bondage of the Will, really helped shape the way I think about my neediness for Jesus.

A few others:

Richard Baxter
Jonathan Edwards
Augustine

Enjoy and help me add to my list!

The Witch, The Lion and The Wardrobe

OK, before any of you purists correct my title, I realize that it is not accurate, but that is the way Harper says it and so that is the way it is going to be.

Of all the exciting Christmas gifts my kids unwrapped this year, the one I least expected to have any kind of lasting impact was this book. When I first saw it, I thought, "Oh, CS Lewis...cool, maybe in four or five years our kids can begin to enjoy The Chronicles of Narnia."

I could not have been more wrong. Over the past month or so the characters and stories within this book have been the centerpiece of conversation within our home. Dreams about the witch, fantasies of Aslan's strength, and pictures of Mr. Tumnus have been the currency of life for the Keever kids.

All of this has me thinking, well actually baffled. I mean how in the world does he (CS Lewis) do it? How could an old dead Irish/Britt captivate the minds and imaginations of two American suburuban kids in 2009? I wracked my mind to think about what he could possibly have in common with my kids that would allow him a window into their soul. An intellectual whose closest friends were professors and scholars! He liked to hang out in bars and smoke pipes. Born in the 1800's in Ireland, he spent most of his adult life in England. He married late in life and never had children of his own. So what is it? How could it be? What could he possibly have in common with my kids?

Then it hit me.....JESUS! They have the gospel in common. The metanarrative that shapes all of our lives. The story of creation, fall, and redemption. The battle between good and evil. A superhero that makes all things right in the end. That is what they have in common. And as a skilled (maybe I should say gifted) writer, he disciplined himself enough to write in such a way that kids hundreds of years later would hear and understand the gospel. Wow! Thanks Clive! You are amazing. How cool to know that long after you are gone people's lives are being shaped by your faithfulness! I think all of us would like to leave such a legacy!

Fresh

One of my favorite pastors, Mark Driscoll, refers to the "Monday morning blues" as bread truck Monday. After teaching 6-8 times over the weekend he suggests that the only occupation he wants to have on Monday is to drive a bread truck. His reasoning is he will not be forced to think or talk, and he will have a limitless supply of bread to comfort him. At some level I can relate to Mark. There is something "not so fun" about Monday morning and the emptiness it can bring.

But recently I have found myself longing for Monday morning. There is something exciting about a fresh start. I mean, the reality is that last week is only just a few hours ago, but it seems like a distant past. And what lies ahead begins to take on new meaning and urgency. I seem to gain clarity about what needs to happen as stale dates, numbers, and "to-do's" seem to gain life and meaning. It's like a do over, a new start, a time to begin with a clean slate. And most of the things I messed up last week will face me again. But this time there is the potential to handle them with more love, compassion, detail and excellence.

I usually start my Monday with a 6:00am work out (thanks D-Spann) or basketball game. After a few minutes with the family we all take off to start our week. I then spend the next few hours studying, reading, praying, listening to music and sermons and planning. I have designated Monday morning to preparing for the future. It could be as simple as planning for a meeting that will take place within a few days, or as complex as thinking through how and when our high school students will spend their summer in various countries around the world.

Another "tradition" I have added to my Monday morning routine is listening to "New Day" by Robbie Seay Band. It has been one of my favorites for over a year now. It captures the thoughts and emotions of beginning, newness, and starting fresh regardless of how life may have treated me in the past. In a way, it stirs my soul and reminds me of who I am, and even more WHOSE I am. It serves as a constant reminder that my Father sees me as clean, fresh and new because he sees me through the lens of Jesus. Knowing the truth that all of my sins (past, present, and future) have been paid for, and that Jesus continually intercedes on my behalf gives me meaning, purpose and hope to know that things can be different this week. Ultimately, my hope is not in my actions but in the person of Jesus. So if you find yourself struggling to "get in gear" on Monday mornings, I encourage you to follow the prescription found in the lyrics of "New Day." Try beginning your day with hope, coffee, and melody!

Bottled Up

Last week I went to my son's school to read a few books to his class. In the midst of a busy day filled with deadlines, meetings and lots of studying, the last thing I wanted to do was break away to hang with a bunch of first graders. However, as I walked through the door everything changed. As Calahan (that's my boy) noticed me, his face lit up like a firework. He began to point in my direction and tell his "boyz" that his dad was here. As we began our time together, I asked each of the students about their Christmas. They were pumped to share their favorite holiday gifts and experiences. When it was Cal's time to share, he nearly came off the ground as he told everyone that his favorite activity was playing his Nintendo Wii with his dad. By this time my attitude and outlook had been completely inverted. There was no other place I would rather be! I mean, everyone needs to experience that. It must be what Tiger Woods or Bono feel like when they slip in to surprise one of their biggest fans. But this feeling was not caused by a stranger. No, this came from my flesh and bone, my "little Jeremy", as Kelly calls him. I wished more than anything that I could bottle that up and save it for another time. It is truly a feeling like few others.

While driving back from the school I pondered what it must be like for my heavenly father to look at me with the joy and happiness the way I do toward my kids. He created us in his image and made us for his glory. And in spite of all our desires to run, hide and cover ourselves from him, he chooses to love us in ways we can't even comprehend. He chose to crush his "own" son so that I may be called his son (1 John 3:1). That is unbelievable! That is the gospel! That is true love! And that is why Paul calls it the most important thing (1 Corinthians 15:3).

I know that it will not always be like this. In fact, I am too often reminded of that as I work with over 300 teenagers on a weekly basis. I mean our students love their parents......but it's different. When their mom and dad walk in from work, our teens do not welcome them with cartwheels, high fives and family hugs. But that's ok too. I mean that is the way God intended it to be. It's a subtle reminder of how much he loves us and that even our kids are not really ours. That, they too, are created by him and for him and so if we are going to do our jobs well we must be pointing them to something other than ourselves. To help them wrestle with the mind-boggling truth that Jesus loves them far more than Mommy and Daddy. I have to admit those thoughts excite and scare me all the same. I definitely have some things to learn in the coming years of parenting. But for now, I will relish the rock star status I have among my two kids and keep trying to soak up the deep feelings of joy and happiness they bring to my life.

Mostest

This is old but thought I would upload it since I am just starting this thing!

Last week I was on a date with my daughter Harper. She was busy telling me about all that she wanted for Christmas when she paused and asked me, "Daddy, what do you want the "mostest" for Christmas?" Shocked by the sudden pause in her exhaustive list, I thought for a while and told her that what I wanted most was for "the brothers" (the twin boys we are trying to adopt from Peru) to be home for Christmas. At that moment my 4 year old theologian quickly responded, "Daddy, the only person that can bring the brothers to us is God, we just have to keep praying that God will do that." You see, she said that because we do pray for that every night along with their prayers for toys, yummy food and good weather. Driving and choking back tears I began to think about the things the both of us want so deeply. I mean on one hand, it seems obvious that asking Jesus for an adoption is a much more worthy request than Elf on the Shelf or a cupcake maker. But is it? I mean could it be that my fixation on what God can get me is just as absurd as asking him for a plastic toy? No matter what it is, if I desire it more than Jesus, then he is not supreme and the affections that belong to him are now bent toward what he can get me. In those moments I am just a religious sinner whose desires are more acceptable to the culture but are no more pleasing to God who demands to be first place in everything. That thought, that idea, has caused me to wrestle with the gospel in a new way. Is Jesus really enough for me? Or do I find myself longing for what he can get me? (a perfect marriage, obedient kids, a successful ministry, etc.) If the gospel is true, then what must be ultimate, what must be my greatest desire, where I find true joy, is in the person of Jesus. Period! The message is clear, I get God! So, as I watch my kids unwrap their gifts this year, I will do it with a fresh perspective. I will know that whether we get what we want, even if we ask it from Jesus, we have been given God. And that……is what I want to desire the "mostest." Every moment of every day I want to press into Jesus more deeply and to want more of him, regardless of what additions he may or may not bring my way.

Anchored? (Original Post)

Hmm.....post #1! It feels kind of weird, awkward, and a little stupid. I guess the good thing is no one with any sense will actually be checking in!

For over a year and a half I have been thinking about the phrase "anchor of the soul." It comes from Hebrews 6:19 (hence the title of my blog). The imagery of Christ alone being what holds my soul at bay is one that I continue to ponder and wrestle with. It's hard to grasp the depths of his love for me. And not just for me but for all of mankind. To know that he alone can fix the brokenness that exists throughout this world as well as the brokenness that resonates within the soul of everyone is just so hard to fathom. It is truly a concept that cannot be grasped or understood by my simple mind. So the thoughts that follow, the stories I share, the questions I ask will all be clothed in the fact that God loves me more than I know and even more than I can believe. And He does that in a person, the God-man Jesus. Wow! That is what will keep me resting deeply in Him alone regardless of the depth of the sea or the severity of the storm.