thirtyonethree

• Hearing God - I just started Dallas Willard’s book, Hearing God, last night. I have seen it before and I have read two other of his books that form a loose series. The book is about a conversational relationship with God. I was interested in it recently after seeing a recommendation from John Elderedge, who is another author I like. Joh had explored the theme briefly in his latest book, Wakening the Dead. I was also interested in the book because of my recent experience of God directing us to go to Hungary this summer.
• Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller - I had enjoyed Donald’s first book, Blue Like Jazz. He has an interesting style. I would describe him as being very authentic and reflective. I can relate somewhat to his style but not necessarily to his viewpoints. But he is refreshing and he is willing to tackle topics that others would not touch. This book is somewhat similar to the Dallas Willard book in that it is exploring the relational aspect of knowing God. Donald is challenging the popular evangelical viewpoint that you following God is about following formulas. I am only two chapters into the book but I am enjoying it very much.
  

Following God can be a crazy adventure. Within a week’s time, God had completely challenged our plans for our summer. All of the sudden, we were considering an opportunity to go to Hungary for the summer. The project, Speakout 2005, is an outreach to Hungarians through a conversational English camp. American high school and college students will be going to Hungary to share their faith as they interact with Hungarian campers.

We are excited because we were a part of this project 9 years ago. We also spent a year in Eastern Hungary helping to launch a campus ministry in Debrecen. This will be my fifth trip to Hungary. I spent my first summer there 15 years ago in 1990 after the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe.

Hungary continues to be on our hearts. We just did not expect that we would be going back this summer. We have enjoyed seeing Hungary on the show, “The Amazing Race.” We look forward to going back and getting to spend the summer with many friends, both American and Hungarian. I have been reminded afresh that God does give us the desires of our heart. And I know that it is Him who planted that desire in my heart over 15 years ago.

I am a:

husband and a father,
lover and a “daddy”,
craftsman,
following of Jesus,
web practioner,
friend (barátom),
son,
brother,
reader,
journaler,
modifier,
someone whose glory is yet to be fully revealed,
pilgrim on a journey,
melacholy,
ponderer,
blogger,
Lord of the Rings fan,
Jeff

I like to read. I am usually reading several different books at once. Being an introvert, reading is something that refreshes me. I enjoy learning and God has used a lot of helpful books to help me grow in my relationship to Him. Here is a sampling of my current reading.

• Content Critical by Gerry McGovern - I am reading this book for my job. I develop websites for Campus Crusade for Christ. One of the reasons I am doing a blog is because of this book. I thought it would be good to check it out. I have found this book very helpful in thinking about Web design.>

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien - The Lord of the Ring is by far my favorite story. I get so much from it each time I read it. I am currently reading it for the fourth time along with my wife, Anne. I think there is a lot of deep spiritual truth that has helped me in my own journey.

• Questioning Evangelism by Randy Newman - I am enjoying this book that gives some new strategies to sharing the gospel with today’s audience. The author talks about answering questions with questions much like Jesus did in His encounters with people in His time. I have found it helpful in thinking about how to cause people to question the assumptions behind what they believe. I look forward to trying some of the author’ s suggestions as I have opportunities to talk to people about Jesus.

• The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player by John Maxwell - I bought this book because of my new job. I am going to have to be working more with others on Web projects. I have worked primarily as a one man team for the past 5 years. I feel like I need to grow in this area and so far this book has been helpful and challenging.

• Your Money Counts by Howard Dayton - I recently read this book for a Bible study that my wife and I are going through. It is a great book that gives an overview of God’s principles for money. We have been challenged by the study and really enjoyed the fellowship of our group. The study is by Crown Financial Ministries.