I was given the opportunity to review Tea with Hezbollah by Ted Dekker and Carl Medaris. The following is my review: 

If you have read any of Ted Dekker's novels, you are aware that you won't ever pick one up and find a normal read. Ted probably has one of the most imaginative minds in all of evangelical literature. Some of his work, especially his latest stuff, has tended to the dark side and has turned off some evangelical readers. Nevertheless, Ted is a first-class writer and an excellent wordsmith. 

So when I was given the opportunity to review his nonfiction work, Tea with Hezbollah, I jumped at the chance. 

It’s an interesting read. On one level, it’s a remarkable sort of travelogue into the world of some ofAmerica's feared enemies. Ted interviews leaders in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Cairo, Syria, andPalestine. He met with leaders of Hezbollah, Hamas, and many of the most influential Muslim clerics in the world.

I came away with a profound sense of the complexity of the Arab world. It’s a world too many Americans and too many Christians sort of put together in a caricature as "radical Islam," as though every single Arab and every single Muslim is dangerous and a terrorist. That is a paper-thin assessment.

Ted does well to dive into the complexities of Islam and also the struggles of Christians who live in Muslim worlds. To his credit, Ted doesn't claim to be an expert in their theology or in their culture. He's merely an observer and a scared one at that.

I give him enormous credit for traveling where few will go. I mean many Christians won't even go toIsrael, where it is much safer than some of the places Ted traveled. But we ignore that part of the world to our peril and I think it does a great disservice to the Body of Christ if we marginalize those areas as being unreachable or unlovable.

So I recommend Ted's book as a beginning education on the complexities of the Middle East. However, there was a thread that ran through this book that bothered me greatly as an evangelical Christian who holds to the truth of Scripture.Ted's entire thesis is that the three major religions--Muslim, Jewish, Christian struggle to practice the words of Jesus, which are to love your neighbor. He claims many times that these radical words are why they killed Jesus. But this is really not faithful to Scripture. Jesus was killed because HE claimed to be the Son of God, the Savior of the world. Jesus was killed because Jesus laid down his life for the salvation of mankind's sin. Jesus died for the Gospel. Not to be a Gandhi-like figure that would sit everyone in a wonderful circle and make sure they got along. In fact, Jesus said he came not to bring peace, but a sword. 

Ted also seems to think here is symmetry between the world religions. A creeping universalism courses through this book. If you read this, you might easily come away thinking that all religions have merit, all are valid paths to God. 

Lastly, I think his diagnosis of the world's root problems is simplistic and, I might say, unscriptural. True, Christians have done things in the name of Christ that are horrific. Christians have committed atrocities. But the root problem of the world is sin, began in the Garden and continuing to weave its destructive path through history. And the world hates Christianity, primarily because Jesus predicted we would be hated. Not because there is something wrong with our faith or because we haven't been nice. The solution for the world's ills is the Gospel and the future for the world is peace, but only the peace brought when Jesus, the Prince of Peace returns. 

So do I recommend this book? I do actually. Not for its theology, but for the incredible insights Ted and Carl bring to the Arab world. Christians ought not to be caught up in irrational hatred of certain people groups, no matter how easy and humorous that is. We should be compelled by the love of Christ to see these people won over with the Gospel. We should be active in building up the faith of Christian brothers and sisters who suffer in these lands. 

So read Tea with Hezbollah, but read with Biblical discernment. 

Every year I read a pile of books, some from friends, others for ministry and preaching, and still others that really peak my interest. Here is my pile of books for 2010 with some comments: 

• The Power of His Presence by Ray Stedman - I'm currently reading this--its a devotional book compiled from his sermons, which were always expository, deep, and convicting. I regularly read his sermons at raystedman.org. 
  
• Love and Respectby Emmerson Eggerich - This is long overdue, but a terrific marriage book. I'm currently reading it. Its an amazing exposition really of the well-known but often misapplied instruction in Ephesians. 
• Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris - I've always enjoyed Josh's writing, preaching, and ministry. I can't wait to read his fresh take on the importance of solid theology. 
• If God is Good - by Randy Alcorn - Nobody tackles tough, unexplored issues with biblical clarity like Randy Alcorn. I thoroughly enjoyed Heaven. 
• Forgotten God - Francis Chan - I've not ready anything by Chan, but have heard a few of his sermons. And a lot of people are telling me he writes with thought-provoking clarity. 
• Prayer, Does it Make Any Difference? - Philip Yancey - I love Yancey's writing and I'm intrigued by his take on prayer. 
• Humility - CJ Mahaney - I've heard this is a fantastic book. 
• Fire and Rain, the Wild-Hearted Faith of Elijah - Ray Pritchard - Ray is a good friend of mine and a terrific pastor, author, and speaker.
  
• Benjamin Franklin - An American Life - Walter Isaacson. I love history, especially American history. 
• Franklin and Winston - Jon Meacham - Ditto, this is a relationship that kept the Allied Powers strong. 

Who knows if I'll get to all of these and honestly I'll probably read other books not here that I haven't thought of. I'll probably sprinkle a few novels in there as well. 

 I really take New Year's seriously. I love this time of year, because it gives me an opportunity to reflect on what God has done in the last year and to set new goals for the next year. I know that by February most of us ditch our resolutions, but I don't think that means we shouldn't ever set goals. So here are mine: 

1. Make a concerted effort to lose a significant amount of weight. Time to put the fork down. 
2. Spend more and better time in the Word. 
3. Serve my wife and kids with less eye-rolling and more of a Christ-like attitude. 
4. Read more good books, even ones that are more of a discipline to read. 
5. Care more about things on God's heart, like the work of the church and the salvation of souls and less about things God already has under control, like politics and world events. 
6. Be less inhibited about sharing my faith with those God has placed in my world. 
   

What are your resolutions? I'd like to hear them. Facebook me or email me. 

• My wife of seven years, who, besides my relationship with Christ, is the greatest gift God has given me. 
• My children: Grace Marie, 4, who is a delight, a joy, and whose infectious personality lights up our home, Dan Jr, who at 15 months is a one-man wrecking crew, but whose curiosity is so cute, Emma Rose, who as of this writing is still "in the oven" but is ready to make her entrance into the world. 
• My church, filled with the most loving, wonderful, Christlike people in the world. In our two years here, you have become family. I enjoy serving you. 
• My calling. I enjoy studying and preaching. I enjoy shepherding and administrating. 
• My writing. I'm so glad God allows me to write about Him. I'm humbled at the doors He has opened for me. 
• My friends, who stick my me through thick and thin and who are willing to encourage, exhort, and rebuke at times. 
• My Non-Stop Christmas Music. I love the wonderful music of the season, both new and old. 
• My Country. Its so grateful to live in the land of the free, where we can freely worship God. 

I just finished a powerful new book written by my friend, Pastor Bill Giovenetti. I highly recommend it. Here is my full review:

 How to Keep Your Inner Mess From Trashing Your Outer World

Bill Giovanetti

Monarch Books

 Every person has a cast of ugly characters riding in the back of their bus. If you’re not careful, they’ll consume and control your life.

 That’s the premise of a refreshing book by author and pastor, Bill Giovanetti. Bill is pastor of Neighborhood Church of Redding California.

 The characters Bill describes—Inner Saint, Inn CIA Agent, Inner Legalist, Inner Idiot, Inner Flirt (his list covers just about every sin)—together they make up your Inner Mess. And Giovanetti makes the case that the reason Christians fail in taming their Inner Mess is because they have the wrong prescription.

 Writing in a humorous yet to-the-point style, Giovanetti systematically lays out a Biblical course for allowing Jesus to control the inner life.

 As a lifelong church brat, accustomed to living by lists and working out my sanctification in my own power, I found this book to be refreshing and empowering. I don’t know that I’ve ever read a work that so accurately and biblically fleshes out the inner life.

 A few times I actually closed the book and sat straight up, thinking through conclusions and theology that I’d never before considered. For instance, Bill says that we wrongly strive for WWJD—What Would Jesus Do. When we try to do what Jesus did, we fail, because only Jesus could do what Jesus did. The better way is to allow Jesus to live through us and allow His grace to flow through our lives.

 Every day, Giovanetti says, we wake up to a battle. But it’s not the battle we think. It’s not a battle against sin or even against our flesh. It’s the battle inside that says “Christ can’t do something in me.” In other words, the key to living out the Christian life is to have a bigger faith and it’s that faith that releases the grace that empowers our lives.

 He encourages us to build up our soul by immersing ourselves in the Word, in community with like-minded believers, and in Biblical preaching. All that serves to build a muscular faith, a faith that works.

 I highly recommend this book for its clear, practical, sound teaching on the inner life of a believer. You won’t finish this book thinking you have to do more, be more, say more. You’ll finish it realizing that Jesus Christ really can do a work in and through you, despite the ugliness of those characters at the back of your bus. 

1. I'm thankful for my life--given to me by God. Every breath is a blessing. 

2. I'm thankful for my salvation, purchased for me on the Cross 2,000 years ago by Jesus Christ, secured forever by the Holy Spirit. This gives me the promise of eternal life in Heaven. 

3. I'm thankful for my beautiful wife of seven years. Marriage to her is infinitely more blessed than I ever imagined. 

4. I'm thankful for my children. Grace Marie is almost five and fills our home with such joy and laughter. Dan Jr. is 1 and is walking and has his own unique and curious personality. And Emma Rose is awaiting her entrance into this world, sometime around Christmas. Can't wait to see what she looks and sounds and acts like. 

5. I'm thankful for my parents, who courageously raised us children in the Lord, who provided more than we needed, who encouraged us along the way, who set us on a path to success. Every year that passes I'm more grateful for them. 

6. I'm thankful for my church, Gages Lake Bible Church, who has welcomed the Darling Family with open arms. Their generosity and love and patience has overwhelmed us. You are a wonderful people. We love you. 

7. I'm thankful for the opportunity to serve in ministry. Ministry is my passion and God has graciously granted me the opportunity to preach and teach and encourage and disciple. 

8. I'm thankful for the opportunity to write, for a publisher willing to publish my work, for Tamela, my incredible agent, for all the publications willing to publish my articles and devotionals. 

9. I'm thankful to be an American. America has a lot of issues, but we still have the greatest nation on earth. We still live in the top 1% of the world. I love this nation, warts and all. 

10. I'm thankful for great friends, who are there through thick and thin, who encourage, exhort, and even rebuke when necessary. You've enriched my life. 

 I just finished a fantastic novel by my friend, Tricia Goyer. Here is my review: 

"This is a time for war, not love," says Gabi Mueller, an unlike heroine in a time of war. Hitler's crusade had encroached upon her village and so her courage, Christian faith, and competence led her into a cooperative role for the Allies. 

This is a well-crafted, first-rate novel, each page sparkling with action, dialogue and rich character development. I found myself knee deep into the lives of the characters and the drama of the times. I was overwhelmed, at times, by the historical and cultural touch points. I felt when reading, that was right there in the midst of WW, mixing into the lives of the common people forced to make tough choices. 

This novel wasn't just a pleasurable diversion, it delivered an education into the lives of the common person on both sides of the Swiss-German border in a time of considerable, historical tension. I heartily recommend this book.

The Bible says it like this: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." – John 15:13.

In other words, if you want to see real love in action, look at a man who gives himself for his friends. When I think of that verse, I think of the brave men and women throughout history who have set aside their lives, donned the military fatigues, and went to battle to fight for the interests of our great country. Many didn't come back. They spilled their blood on the battlefields all over the world. 

I think of my own grandfather. He passed a few years ago, but his memories are still with us. Grandpa was a valiant man, a product of the Great Depression and World War II, part of what Tom Brokaw so accurately described as "The Greatest Generation." I'm not sure they make people like Grandpa anymore. He grew up in Chicago. His mother emigrated from Poland and raised her children by herself. Grandpa never knew anyone who owned a car. They literally had no money. He would ride the backs of milk trucks and delivery cars to go to the butcher to buy liver that was going to be thrown out. But people in Grandpa's generation didn't complain. He often said to me, "Dan, we didn't know what we didn't have. We had a good life." 

When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Grandpa enlisted in the Army. He didn't want to mess with being drafted. He want to have some control over his destiny. Grandpa served for years in the Phillipines as a tank commander. 

How I loved Grandpa. He had a lifetime of wisdom and wit. He was content in any situation. He loved his family and worked hard to support them. He sold cars in the city of Chicago. He often let us come to the showroom and climb in the new cars. 

When Grandpa passed, it left a hole in our hearts that remains today. 

Grandpa was just one of many veterans who gave their lives. I think of others like my friend Tim who served in Vietnam. I think of Jim, an elder in our church who served in the Navy during WWII. I think of my own brother, Tim, who served in this latest Iraq War. 

Most of us go about our lives, living in the greatest country on earth, oblivious to the fact that thousands of our fellow countrymen are sweating it out on some desert or in training or in a foreign land. They do it for love of country. We owe them a lot. 

Not all veterans are perfect. Not all soldiers are saints. Nobody is saying that. But on this day what we are saying is this. Let's take a step back and give them an extra measure of gratitude for their service. 

What do you believe exactly?

I get that question a lot as I'm out and about in the community. People ask me what our church believes, what we teach, what we do. Most people, especially those who don't attend church and don't consider themselves too religious have a kind of vague notion as to what churches do.

I typically give them this answer. "Check our middle name." We're Gages Lake Bible Church. That is to say Gages Lake preaches, teaches, and applies the Bible to life. We believe the Bible to be the written revelation of God to man.

We discussed this a few Sundays ago in our message, "Why We Believe What We Believe - About the Bible."

Well, saying we believe the Bible is a great answer to the "what do you believe question." But its not the whole answer. Because if you could boil down Christianity to one singular question its the question of a Person. Jesus Christ. In fact, if you believe the Bible to be God's Word, then you'll know that the Bible's pages demand you reckon with the question, "Who Is Jesus Christ?"

And to personalize it, "What will you do about Jesus Christ?" Well, if you've wondered that, then join us Sunday as we share, "Why We Believe, What We Believe - About Jesus Christ." 

 So  my job on Sunday is really easy. Explain the Trinity in a 40-minute sermon. 

Actually, no, I won't explain the Trinity, because the Trinity is unexplainable. But what we will do is explore the Trinity as we continue our series, Why We Believe What We Believe. 

Why do we talk about the Trinity? Isn't that one of the boring, dusty doctrines of old? Well, this is why we should explore what the Bible says about the Trinity. 

Because this is what the Bible says about our God. And its very important that we know who God is, what HIs nature is, and what we believe about God. It gives us clarity in our doctrinal perspective. 

I would also argue that a study of the Trinity inspires our faith. Because we are suddenly confronted with the "bigness" of God. We're also confronted with the "smallness" of ourselves. I hope that as we go through this study on Sunday that we are compelled to do one thing and one thing only: bow our knee before our holy and righteous God. 

For me, this week's study was intense, but highly rewarding. I felt like I dove into the deep end of the theological pool. But I came up with a newfound reverence and awe for the God of the Bible, the one true God, who is three distinct Persons and who is not just powerful, but personal. 

A God like this demands our worship, He demands our obedience. 

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