I share it now not because I have something to hide but because it gives a clearer backdrop for my hopes in 2012.

In 2012, I want…

• More music. Less television.
• More Bible. Less books about the Bible.
• More conversation. Less isolation.
• More ranch. Less office.
• More discipling my sons. Less barking at them.
• More riding a bike. Less sitting in a chair.
• More slow food. Less fast food.
• More people. Less things.
• More self-confession. Less self-righteousness.
• More fiction. Less non-fiction.
• More serving my wife. Less being served by my wife.
• More praying for the lost in my life. Less knowing I should pray for the lost in my life.
• More dependence upon Jesus. Less confidence in myself.
• More traction. Less spinning my wheels.
• More cowbell. Less triangle. (Sorry, couldn’t resist it)

I’m hoping the grace of God will help me walk down the path of more fulfillment and less frustration in 2012. What do you hope more for?

With 2012 a few days away, here is my best of 2011…

Best Ministry Book – Holiness by Grace by Bryan Chapell. You can read my brief review of the book here.

* Honorable Mention – The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification by Walter Marshall (Modern translation by Bruce McRae). One of the books which undoubtedly influenced Chapell’s work. While Marshall might be hard to read at times, his book has been foundational for many who stress grace-oriented growth. I chose Chapell’s book over Marshall’s for its clarity and readability.

Best Fiction – I read one work of fiction. It didn’t make my “Best of” list. While I finished it at 3AM on January 1, 2012, Cormac McCarthy’s All the Pretty Horses was the best fiction I read in 2011. McCarthy’s powers of description are stupefying. As a West Texan, I was totally engrossed in his tale set in the borderlands of Texas and Mexico. This is the third McCarthy book I’ve read and have enjoyed all three.

Best Album Not By Radiohead – 21 by Adele. Wow! Get dumped by your boyfriend, make an album based on that breakup, and wind up with the best record of the year. Soulful, emotional, and catchy songs dot an album that’s been on others’ top albums of 2011 and definitely peaks on mine.

Best Movie – Last year I noted I didn’t watch a lot of movies. 2011 proves it. I don’t believe I watched one movie last year.

Best Trip That Wasn’t Fandango – Europe in May: Munich, Germany; L’viv, Ukraine; London (and Sheffield), England. Got a chance to train pastors, learn more about discipling from a friend abroad, and visit my favorite football club’s home grounds for a game.

Looking back at 2011 it appears I needed to enjoy the year a little more (What? No movies or books???), but it definitely had its highlights. However, with that said, here’s to hoping a better 2012. Maybe my next post will deal with what I want to shoot for over the next 365 days.

Incredibly proud that my alma mater, Baylor University,
is home to the 2011 Heisman Trophy Winner:
Robert Griffin III

That good old Baylor line!
That good old Baylor line!
We’ll march forever down the years,
As long as stars shall shine.
We’ll fling our green and gold afar
To light the ways of time,
And guide us as we onward go;
That good old Baylor line!

Sic ‘Em Bears!

Jennefer and I, ten months before the Towers fell.

Today marks ten years since 19 terrorists infamously attacked Americans on American soil – Pennsylvania, Washington, and New York to be exact. It changed both the nation and the world.

Watching the South Tower fall on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001

One of my wife’s friends called Jennefer and told her something horrible was happening. She then hurriedly woke me up. I rushed downstairs with our baby boy in my arms, turned on the television and heard Peter Jennings’ voice. It was only moments later I witnessed United Airlines Flight 175 strike the South Tower at 9:03 AM. There were no words. All I could do was just watch. Within the hour, the towers, and the world as we knew it, came crashing down.

My middle brother Jodey, then Special Assistant to the President of the United States, was in Washington during the time of the attacks. Not knowing if he was in the White House or not, I remember calling to see if he was okay. With no immediate answer, my mind began to race. What was going on? What would be next? When would we respond? Needless to say, it was a crazy time for everyone. One I will never forget.

With a decade behind us, I still feel deeply about 9/11. I can hardly bear to watch the images (be they still or moving) of the planes screaming through the towers. The carnage, the tears, the horror – it remains a tender wound. But I’m glad, that instead of hopelessness or despair, my eye has found glory for a brighter day. Not because I have faith in the government or even mankind (both can remain inspiring but still deeply broken), but because of the One who has suffered for me so that I might, one day, live without any semblance of suffering…at all.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more,neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”
- Revelation 21:3-5 (ESV)

John R. W. Stott (1921-2011)

I shed a few tears today upon hearing the news that John Stott, at the ripe age of 90, died. A leader among the British evangelical world, Stott was former rector (read ‘pastor’) of All Souls Church in London, author of some 50+ books and one of the sharpest theological minds around. He was a hero in the faith to me.

His book, The Cross of Christ, was recommended by great men in my life. After reading it I could see why. The book plainly yet eruditely expounded upon the importance and centrality of the crucifixion. It has been – and likely will be – one of the greatest, most influential, books I will ever read. If you haven’t read it. Buy it today. Read it as soon as you can and be blessed by it!

I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Stott when he visited Houston several years ago. A friend invited me to hear him at St. John the Divine, and I jumped at the chance. He preached a straightforward, biblically sound exposition of a specific Scriptural passage which blew me away because it was so very unspectacular. No grandiose opening illustration. No bellybusting humor. No riveting narrative. Just clear, accurate teaching from God’s word. It was refreshing and instructive for a young preacher sitting in the pew that evening. Afterward I shared a few words of gratitude with Dr. Stott. He was kind, gracious and left a lasting impression on me.

Only this past May I found myself at his church, All Souls in London. I and my traveling team barely missed the evening service (they had dimissed merely a minute before). However, I counted it a privilege merely to have walked into the church building. For some reason, it felt special to have been in the same sanctuary in which a hero of mine had given his life to the preaching of God’s Word.

So it is with a heavy heart and numerous tears that I grieve my British brother’s death. While I know his is a greater reward at present, Dr. John Robert Walmsley Stott will be sorely missed by many. You can certainly count me among that number.

Thank you Lord for the life and ministry of John Stott.

NOTE: Here is a video in memory of Dr. Stott

1. Brotherhood. Leading a church is like climbing Everest. Very few can thrive in the thin air of constant critique, wayward staff and problems too numerous to count. Right or wrong, the result is an overwhelming sense of loneliness. That’s why it’s so important to find other like-minded pastor-climbers. They ‘get you,’ understand your struggles and can laugh heartily at your gallows humor, finishing with the punchlines of their own broken story. Acts 29, this cohort of climbers, has been a band of brothers for me unlike I’ve ever encountered in ministry.
2. Theology. What we believe is, and always will be, important. At least it should be. Frankly, I struggle to respect ministers who’ve left their doctrine on the top shelf in ministry in lieu of the easy reach of pragmatism. A pastor who ‘isn’t really into theology’ (something one local pastor actually told me) is akin to a doctor informing you he really isn’t into medicine. However, the truth is, one always (and I mean always) impacts the other. Acts 29 not only understands this maxim but is rooted in it. Far from being doctrinaire prigs, this collection of leaders is outpacing most, if not all, church planting endeavors in the States yet is robustly committed to biblical soundness. It’s a community where doctrinal distinctives are rightfully seen as a strength not weakness. For that I’m very grateful.
3. Humility. Unfortunately, I think  many within the network are often painted as stiff-necked, arrogant power-mongers who desire to mow people down in their pursuit of whatever is at the end of their bulls-eye. While I’m sure some have fit that description in certain times and places, from my experience, I’ve seen a tremendous amount of humility in the men whose paths I’ve crossed. From leaders who’ve confessed of deep, painful personal struggles to those who welcome direct correction and accountability, Acts 29 has been a rich garden in which I’ve witnessed the growth of grace in the hearts of rebels turned sons.
4. Fellowship. If brotherhood is a connection of heart, fellowship is a connection of sharing. Acts 29 is a place where I can hear from others, bounce ideas off friends, be encouraged by prayer, deepen relationships with old friends and lay the foundation with new friends. Like Howard Schultz’ hope for Starbucks, the network has become a ministerial ‘third place’ for me that stretches between home and church. It’s an avenue where I can speak/pray/counsel with fellow husband/father/pastor/leaders. And not only for me, but for my wife as well. In Acts 29, my spouse has found sisters-on-mission who’ve blessed her greatly and connected with her deeply. So very grateful…
5. Grace. I think, in the end, what God is doing through Acts 29 is wholly, completely an act of grace. After being around men and women who are passionately pursuing Jesus and given to the mission of the gospel with hearts full of faith and hope, I simply want to stand back and watch in amazement to God’s great work. But that isn’t the call. Ours is to jump in with both feet and not only witness but enjoin this great and good mission for the King. Oh that God would continue to use Acts 29 in it. Grace upon grace.

There’s more to write but I’ll leave it for now. Needless to say, I’m grateful to God for the men and women who make up the family of the Acts 29 Network and the blessing to be a part of it.

Every year I take a trip with my college friends called ‘Fandango.’ Many times those annual escapades find us in the Texas Hill Country. It’s a place where we, as young, bright-eyed students at Baylor University, gazed at night skies dancing with stars, floated in tire tubes on the oh-so-wonderful waters of the Guadalupe River and swapped dreams with one another as we enjoyed the finest of cuisine we could throw on the grill. It was perfect years ago and still perfect today.

But what ‘makes ‘ the trip isn’t the beautiful scenery. That’s only the icing on the cake. The cake is the friendships. I believe great friendships, like great teams, are forged. Time, experiences (both good and bad) and love make the best ingredients for true friends, but in a world where we find ourselves increasingly isolated it seems those elements are in short supply. We far too often waste our days settling for the cheap, thin, pseudo-community in cyberland where we can give people what we want, take the same and close it down with a click. Is it evil? I don’t think so. But it surely isn’t a replacement. I’d argue, for many, it’s a weak and soul-shrinking diversion to what really matters.

The truth is few of us are really known. Even fewer are known and accepted. Most of the time it’s easy for people to know you only on the outside – things you like, music you love, hobbies you enjoy, places you go, etc. Friends on the outside are miles wide but inches deep. But rarely are there those who’ve been with you through thick and thin, who’ve got more than a decade of mileage with you, who’ve committed to stay in touch even when you move away…get married…have kids…

Blessed is the man who has friends on the inside.

Friends on the inside know you better than you know yourself. They are the safest people in the world, not because they won’t tell you the truth – they will – but you know without a shadow of doubt they’re in your corner rooting for you to do well. They love you and don’t mind telling you they do. They are the folks you talk to when you can’t talk to anyone else. They pray for you and don’t have to be prompted to do so. They get angry at your stupid choices because they really do care. They’re vested in you. To be with them is like breathing oxygen. You need it. They need it. It makes life all the sweeter.

Everyone needs ‘Inside Friends.’

So, maybe for some, that demands turning away from the computer to the phone in order to reconnect with that most precious of commodities – friends on the inside. Call them up. Make a date to meet up somewhere to share hugs, stories and hopes. You’re only getting older, and every year that passes is one less year to be together. Make an effort in this season of your life to be as intentional with inside friends as outside friends. Believe me, it’s very worth it!

Done. As of yesterday, Yancey Arrington and the 30′s are no more. I’ve officially joined the ‘Over the Hill’ club by turning 40 years old. My wonderful wife surprised me the day before with a party attended by great friends (see above pic). I know some hit their 40th birthday with depression or despair. Mine, gratefully, has seen neither of those feelings. I am grateful to God for all that he has given me and look forward to my fourth decade on this earth. (Even though I could do the 20′s over again )

This is a picture of men unloading a Blackhawk helicopter on a runway in Jacmel, Haiti, literally days after the 2010 earthquake.  The man in the khaki shirt is Dave, a brother in Christ and member of my church, who devoted his medical skills, time and money to make a dent in helping the Haitians in their time of need. The man in the stripped shirt to his right is Danny Pye, an American missionary, of whom Dave said:

Danny and his wife ran an orphanage in Jacmel and, in the crisis following the earthquake, Danny and all of the young boys from his orphanage worked non-stop to make sure that shipments of aid that came into Jacmel through the airport where unloaded and distributed to the area.  Between Danny and Mark Stuart, another missionary working in Jacmel, there was organization that would have never occurred in the first week until the Canadians arrived.  It’s hard to tell what the impact on that entire area would have been without their efforts.

Pretty awesome isn’t it? Well, what’s not so awesome is that Pye has been in a Haitian prison for the last five months for essentially nothing! Have you heard about it? Yeah, well it seems no one has either. So, when you walk through this week watching the news about what’s going on around the world, remember that you have a brother in jail, wrongfully imprisoned in a land full of people he decided to serve.

As you walk through the week, say a prayer for Danny. Ask God to strengthen him, keep his fire burning strong for the gospel and that his release will soon arrive. You might also contact your congressional representatives letting them know that even if the world has forgotten about Danny Pye, you haven’t.

UPDATE 3.16.11: Danny Pye was freed yesterday! Thanks for your prayers.