For decades now I have focused on Jesus final hours during the Lenten season, and every year I am astounded at how God reveals new things and takes me to new depths in my grasp of the Cross and what redeeming love looks like.  

I hope you are on the journey this year!  Here are some resources to guide you: 

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DAILY LENTEN SCRIPTURES: From the beautiful "Passion" translation.  Click here.

​OTHER RESOURCES: Click here

Words can't describe how excited I am to share about this book by James Choung and Ryan Pfeiffer.  Not only does the hope of revival pluck continually at my heartstrings, but I am starting to believe we may be on the verge of an awakening like we have not experienced in decades.  I don’t say this glibly.  To that end, there couldn’t be a timelier guide than this book. I rarely review books, but I’m doing this for one and only one reason—to convince you to buy it immediately.  Find out why below.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I have known Ryan Pfeiffer since the 90’s when my own college son was rocked by Jesus through his influence at UCSD.  We have a long family history, and while that might make me biased, it also means I know that Ryan lives what he writes.  He is the real deal—I can promise you that!  While I don’t know James personally, I have seen his humble ministry, and his heart in the book will make you want to know Jesus more—is there anything better?

So many books on revival are inspiring and challenging, but they often leave us feeling pressured or inadequate.  We don’t know how to get holy enough, pray enough, find the right formula or do enough spiritual calisthenics to get the results others have seen.  This book will NOT make you feel that way.  Ryan and James share truth through the lens of their personal struggles and breakthroughs, and not once will you feel anything but hopeful as you read their stories. 
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​The book has three sections.  In Section one, the authors define revival, which is no small feat.  While their definition is incredibly simple, you could spend a month meditating on each phrase and still not plumb the depths.  In the second section, Ryan and James guide us through some components of revival, showing us gently but clearly what matters, and how we can press into these to bring about breakthrough.  In the final section, they offer immensely practical strategies for how to lead well, as God begins to move in power in our lives and contexts.  

If all you read was James and Ryan’s explanation of The Breakthrough U-Curve, you would get your money’s worth from this book.  Whether you want to see God work more powerfully in your family, your church, your personal life, or the world, this simple chart will help you understand not only where you are on the journey right now, but what you can do to move forward to breakthrough.  I found this extremely helpful, as it clarified, brought hope and increased my faith for revival in several areas.
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​On a personal note, this book wrecked me, albeit in a good way.  I was laid bare by the chapter on consecration, as they reminded me of what holiness is, and called me to a deeper, but costlier intimacy with Jesus.  I saw myself in Ryan and James’ stories and often had to pause and weep.  I am still being wrecked and that means that, though painful at times, I am seeing the beauty of Jesus in fresh ways.  What more could I ask for?
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​I'll end by thanking James and Ryan--not only for writing this book, but for living the lives that enabled them to do so with transparency and spiritual authority.  If I had the money, I’d buy this book for every person I know who wants more of Jesus.  If that is you, please, please, please get it for yourself right now.  Then take the time not only to read it, but to slowly ponder, pray and process God’s vision for breakthrough in your life.   Like me, as well as Ryan and James, you might find the going painful at times, but the gain for your soul will be beyond measure.  Purchase it here.

As a little bonus, watch below for a message on revival by Jon Tyson that has greatly inspired me.

“Hairy McCary!”  I’m not sure who dubbed me that in elementary school, but the sting of those words stayed with me for years—almost as much as “fatty Patty.”  Silly, I know, but it speaks to the power of words.  And speaking of that, there has perhaps never been a time when words have had greater power than today, due to their ubiquitous nature, if nothing else.  Words shout at us from our devices through texts and emails and a dozen or so apps that perpetually assault us with pings or rings or beeps or little red numbers.
 
But through all this chatter, there is one voice we simply cannot live without; one message we must not miss; one word that we desperately need whispered to our souls—the one only God knows.  And there is no better time to pause and listen than this week, as we go roaring into the 2020’s.
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​For several years now, as the days wind down after Christmas, I take some time to ask God if he has a “word” for me in the coming year.  I remember 2009 well, the year I felt God saying he wanted me to learn how to “live loved.”  I was wrecked by his love that year and have never been the same.  In 2018 the Spirit whispered the word, “rest” and I would discover how little I knew about the true rest of God.  Then last year, I heard the word, “faithful,” and I have clung to that over the months like a life raft, as I felt tossed about on a stormy sea with no shoreline in sight. 
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I am so deeply grateful for the ways God has spoken over the years and prepared me for what lay ahead.  It has deepened my faith and strengthened my soul to run harder after Jesus.  The word he’s given me this year is slightly terrifying and pretty exciting too—but more about that later. 

​First, let me share my simple practice with you, and encourage you to seek God’s heart personally for 2020.  You will be so glad you did. You can read the steps below or print them out by clicking here. 

GOD’S HEART FOR THE COMING YEAR:  A SIMPLE PRACTICE

1. Set aside some time to be still and alone to connect with God.  You will need at least 15 minutes.
2. Calm your soul in God's presence by reading a Psalm or two and giving thanks for his blessings over this past year.
3. Offer your heart to the Lord and affirm that you want all that he has for you for the coming year.
4. Ask the Lord to give you a word, a phrase, or a theme for this year.  Wait quietly, and when he speaks, write it down.
5. Spend some time pondering what you have heard, reflecting on your life as to why God might be giving you this right now.  What is he inviting you to see?  To embrace?  To trust?
6. Over the next several days, press into these things.  Look words up in the dictionary, read Scriptures that include your word, phrase or theme, look up Bible meanings, pray for clarity regarding this.
7. Choose a Bible verse that will help you hold onto this word, phrase or theme.
8. Journal your reflections often as you continue to come back to the word throughout the year.

That’s it!  At the end of the year, you will be able to look back and see what God was doing, and perhaps even understand a little more, why things happened as they did. 

So, my word for 2020 is “consecration.”  When I first heard it, I was afraid—what might this cost me?  But soon God revealed that consecration is all about preparation, and that has given me great hope.  If God wants to consecrate me, then I am confident he is planning to grace me and use me for his glory in some greater way.  What could be better than that?  I'd love to hear your word!

It had been a long, painful season.  Years of disappointment, of dashed dreams, of failed hope and unanswered prayer had taken its toll and I felt numb, my faith a barely flickering flame.  We had wanted another child so badly that the process consumed my waking hours and tormented my sleep. 

Why am I writing about this now, on November 21, 2019?  Because today is our second son, Jonathan Samuel Rhodes’ 33rd birthday and I am reflecting with deep gratitude, and pondering wisdom gleaned from decades of hindsight.  More than anything I am in awe of God’s goodness and faithfulness.  There have been many seasons of waiting on God since, and to be honest, I’m experiencing one now.  But the time-tested truth I am reveling in today is that God is always in the waiting, doing things we couldn’t imagine, changing us in ways we could never have hoped. 

So, in honor of Jonathan and gratitude to God, I’ve copied the article I wrote telling our story in 1993, back in the days of real magazines!  Click here to read it!

And since it's almost Thanksgiving, I thought I'd post my best Turkey recipe ever again. You can find it here!