Book Review - Primal by Mark Batterson

"This is the first book you should read in 2010." Yes, that is the publishers asked reviewers to say... and it is true!

Pastor Mark Batterson of National Community Church in Washington, DC has written another superb book, that I simply cannot recommend highly enough. The intent of the book is to help Christians live out the Great Commandment - love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. In short, he argues that believers must demonstrate compassion (heart), wonder (soul), curiosity (mind), and energy (strength).

Primal is both impossible to put down and impossible to not put down. The reader cannot get enough of this well-written and provocative challenge that gives practical ways to live out the Great Commandment. You just want to keep reading for the next golden nugget of truth explained so plainly. Yet one needs to stop and pause (after almost each page) to reflect on the convicting words of the author. Batterson's mind and pen (or laptop!) have clearly been led by the Spirit to penetrate the hearts and minds of readers as he explains the biblical principles of living out Primal Christianity.
I highly recommend this book as a great challenge to the heart, soul, mind and strength of each believer wanting to make 2010 a year that counts for Christ and His Kingdom.
This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

Russell Hantz deserved to win Survivor Samoa

I really believe that Russell Hantz deserved to win Survivor Samoa on Sunday night, not Natalie. While the fact that America agreed that Russell H was the "best player," I am also feeling slightly embarrassed and concerned that I am so disappointed that Natalie won and Russell H did not. Do I really think that his abrasive and obnoxious persona, arrogance, and constant lies and betrayals are commendable?

Allow me to explain. First, Russell said at the beginning that he was going to play the game, and that the way he played Survivor was going to be totally different from how he lived. He admitted he was going to lie, cheat, and annoy people and play the most strategic game possible. He did not say he was going to play a moral game or that this was the way to live.

Secondly, he did stuff on Survivor Samoa that has not done in the past 18 seasons: finding two immunity idols without clues, using the immunity idol the one time he needed to, but not playing it unnecessarily. He saw the intelligence of John to vote him off right after Laura, realizing he was an intelligent player and legitimate threat. He won a key immunity challenge at the end to make sure that Brett did not survive. While it took the other Foa Foa members cooperation, the fact that they went from down 8-4 to up 4-1 in members was simply remarkable and co-ordinated by the four staying strongly aligned.

Thirdly, Natalie did not play the game with a strategy. Perhaps after Foa Foa was down to four people and started to knock off the Galu members, she then adopted a "strategy." However, from what viewers saw, she never had a "stay low and let Russell take the bullets" strategy until the final few episodes. Even Mick would have been a more deserving winner, I think. He at least won a few immunity challenges and early on said that the "let Russell take the bullets" strategy would be shrewd. When Brett won the immunity that eventually led to Jaison being voted off, it would have seemed obvious that the time was perfect to try to team up with Jaison and Mick to blindside Russell (even though he had the immunity idol, he didn't plan to play it). Yet these three guys never even talked about "now's our chance."

So, no, I am not embarassed to say that Russell was the best player and should have won Survivor Samoa. Lying, cheating, betraying people is not the way to live and these actions are simply wrong. If this was the way he lived outside the game, I would be concerned, yet I don't believe it is. Nonetheless, part of almost any "game" (eg. sports, board games, reality tv) is the element of making your opponent believe you are going to do one thing and doing another (eg. a head fake in football, basketball, or hockey; a change-up pitch in baseball or stealing a base). I'm looking forward to seeing season 20 of Survivor: Heroes vs Villains begin on February 11 and hope that Russell will be one of the cast members.

A few pics of Rachel

We brought our precious Rachel Lynne, home from the hospital today. Here's a few pics taken since Monday.

In case you were wondering about her name: Rachel is the Hebrew word for "lamb" and a name we liked. We trust that this precious little girl will grow up to trust in the Lamb of God personally and love and serve Him, as well as lead others to know the Lamb. Lynne is a fourth generation name in the Hunt family, Sarah's middle name, as well as grandpa Marlowe's middle name (without the "e") and Sarah's grandpa Hunt's first name (also without the "e'). We trust that Rachel Lynne will grow up to a beautiful woman like her mother, a woman of humble/quiet character and spiritual depth and beauty.

Rachel Lynne has arrived

We are praising the Lord for the safe arrival of a healthy baby girl, Rachel Lynne Ibbotson on Monday December 14 at 4:16 pm weighing in at 8 lbs 1 oz. Pictures will be forthcoming both here and on Facebook. Sarah and Rachel are doing well. Steve is fine too. Caleb is being spoiled by his grandmothers!

Ted "Teeder" Kennedy's hero

Just found this great article, In Memoriam, by Ted "Teeder" Kennedy's son, Mark, at the Christian School Journal blog.

Book Review - More than a Match

You would think the son of Dr Gary Smalley, long-time marriage and family counselor, would have a better chance than most of having a great dating and marriage relationship. As Michael Smalley and his wife, Amy, share... it did not turn out that way. Their book, More than a Match discusses how there is more to marital compatibility than just filling out the 436 questions to arrive at your 29 areas of compatibility on eharmony.com

The Smalley's do a good job of sharing their personal journey and in the process, explaining a number of key discussions a dating or engaged couple needs to have as they prepare for a marriage. As they discuss their relationship, it was slightly frustrating, even disappointing, to read some of their story. In my estimation, some of the issues that brought significant struggles into their marriage relationship were concerns that even the most novice pre-marital counselor/advisor would have waved red flags about very early on. Of course, since Amy ended a previous engagement in May and she and Michael were married by December of the same year, you can guess that there was not much time to throw red flags up on these issues... and of course the timing/rush is one of the significant issues.

The principles they discuss are important, though I found myself thinking "duh" a lot of the time. Unfortunately, their romance story had so many problematic features that its difficult to feel much sympathy for the struggles they faced initially in marriage... though again, they do share honestly and provide wise solutions to these struggles.

There are many good books for dating/engaged couples to read as they prepare for marriage. This could be a useful book for a couple to read in preparation for or alongside pre-marital counseling.

This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah press.

Stephen Harper visits China - An example of good leadership

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's visit to China over the past few days has drawn lots of media coverage due to the Chinese government's "reaction" to his absence until now. Nonetheless, from my perspective, Harper has done our country proud by standing firm on the major human rights issues that exist in China, especially in regards to people of faith. He has even risked "financial benefits" for our country for doing so... and now will be reaping the rewards.
In addition to a leader standing up for an important issue even at the risk of financial loss, Harper has also been wise in being culturally sensitive and not in any way attempting to talk about specific issues in public contexts (eg. press conferences) and bring shame upon the Chinese leaders. This would be catastrophically detrimental to the Canada-China relations as well as to the hope of bringing resolution to the issue. Thanks Stephen Harper for being an example of good leadership!

Book Review - God's Love series

I was more than happy to receive two books in the "God's Gave..." series by Lisa Tawn Bergen as our toddler son is beginning to enjoy books. Unfortunately, these books are for a little older child, I would suggest between 5-8 years old, rather than for children not yet school age.
In terms of content, the books are a nice way of introducing the concept of God as the Giver of all things. In God Gave Us Love the idea that there are different types of love and yet they all come as a reflection of God's love for us is clear. As well, in God Gave Us Christmas the foundational meaning of Christmas is explained. The "family" in the story are a traditional, mother & father bear, grandpa bear, and cub with brothers and sisters. The simply yet clear message of each book is in line with Scripture and represents good theology.

The illustrations and artwork seem nice, though I would not pretend to be any sort of accurate assessor of the quality of this area.
From looking at these two books, I would guess the whole series is solid and a decent purchase for young families.
This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing House.

Buy the book at Amazon.ca