Thursday, December 20, 2007

Book Signings

Book signings are scheduled at Sam's Club, Barnes and Noble, and Davis Kidd in January/February-all locations in Memphis, TN.

As word about the book spreads, I wonder if readers will begin to 'act' on any of the challenges suggested: Is anyone inviting a person of another race, religion, or culture over for dinner? Is anyone making any attempt at loving a neighbor any more intentionally than before?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well, Well you forgot to tell me about your BLog!! The book is wonderful I loved it you need to write another one for sure.

Unknown said...

Big Mike,

Thanks for reading it! I'm not sure how to 'gather a crowd' for these book signings...wine and cheese maybe?

amy said...

"Is anyone making any attempt at loving a neighbor any more intentionally than before?"

I am, Craig!
One of my son's preschool teachers has never been very friendly to me. It hurt my feelings. I prayed and asked God to help me see her through His eyes. I told Him I didn't like the way I felt toward her and I wanted His perspective. He put an impression on my heart to ask her how I might pray for her. Can you believe I argued with God about it? I didn't want to since she was "unfriendly". God wouldn't let up. Everyday the impression on my heart became more of a burning and I knew for sure it was from Him. So I called her up and asked her how I might pray for her. She got choked up. Her heart and her voice softened as she talked to me and admitted there were many things in her life that she needed prayer for. God is so good.
Thank you for writing this book and for your current sermon series. I have never been more proud to be a member of Hope Church.
Love in Him,
Amy

Unknown said...

Amy,

Thanks for your comment. So often, loving your neighbor is such a simple act. It's doing what is right in your heart.

It seems so natural to me to invite a diverse 'neighbor' to dinner but life is complicated.

It sounds like you found an entirely appropriate answer for a specific situation.

Wouldn't it be great if everybody would take such a step?

Anonymous said...

Hmmmm - so let me get this straight.... you think being nice to someone is more important than being used by God to bring them to Christ through leading them through the Gospel?

You make so many arrogant and intolerant remarks toward Christians that most people obviously see you for what you are... but unfortunately, you dupe some. You make big assumptions that Christians are racists or hold prejudices. Let me correct this straw man you hold up... if you are truly a Christian then YOU ALREADY LOVE THOSE OF ALL RACES, ETC. IN CHRIST, there is NO race or gender, etc. - remember - those were Paul's words.

You also make goofy statements like how being nice to people is more important than trying to save their souls. Ummmm, last I checked you CAN'T SAVE ANYONE'S SOUL. That's the work of God. Not you. Sorry, hate to disappoint you, there.

Please - before writing a "Christian" book - or before giving another sermon - please actually OPEN A BIBLE.

You're probably going to take this as an insult - and I really don't mean it to be. I just can't stand silent while you arrogantly blast Christians.

If my Hindu neighbor died tonight, it wouldn't matter how many times I fed him french fries and enjoyed a cup of coffee with him. The only thing that would matter is if I cared about him as a person, became his true friend, and shared the Gospel with him.

Anonymous said...

You replied to all previos post within a day, but not to David Maxwell's. Do you only respond to favorable comments? What a shame. Why have a blog if you can't accept criticism and respond to it?

Unknown said...

Last night was the third annual Tearing Down The Walls concert in Memphis.

It began as an event hosted by 3 faith communities: Temple Israel, New Direction Christian Church, and Hope Church. What grew out of the relationships with Rabbi Micah Greenstein and Rev. Stacy Spencer was an incredibly rich, diverse, and talented group of 12 pastors. Black and white, leftwing and right, Jewish, Protestant, and Catholic, this group of men and their wives have been the highlight of my life.

We began meeting last year with no intention of discussing theology or doctrine, we simply wanted to start a dialogue where clergy would have a safe place to talk about our lives with people we knew could understand. No one knows the trials and tribulations a pastor lives with but another pastor. It has really been profound to me.

Tearing Down The Walls last night was an expression of our new relationships and a great example of our diversity.

These relationships are those that I encourage in the book. I'm truly honored to know these men and women as friends.