Reframing Our Futures

He’s written over 60 books, he’s earned three Gold Medallion awards (roughly equivalent to a Pulitzer Prize, only within the Christian publishing genre), and he has over 6,000,000 books in print. No small achievements, there. But, there’s more. He also is host of one of the nation’s most popular syndicated radio talk shows and founded the Women of Faith ministry, with conferences across the continent attended by more than 3,000,000 women. Whew. This guy keeps busy.

By his own admission, he struggles with an attention deficit disorder. And, he’s faced some tough—really tough—disappointments in life. He’s made some awful—really awful—choices in life. And, he’s made some smart—very smart—decisions, too. One of those was to allow Jesus to “reframe” his life. His latest book talks about “reframing”—how all of us can overcome the challenges, failures, injuries, and barriers of life by looking at them differently, inviting God to turn for the good what the devil meant for harm. Reframe Your Life: Transforming Your Pain into Purpose is the book’s title (FaithWords, 2007). The author’s name, of course, is Stephen Arterburn.

Arterburn’s New Life Ministries (including radio’s New Life Live, heard locally on WQME 98.7 FM at 1:00PM on weekdays), has brought the healing hope of Jesus and His teaching to literally millions. His Every Man’s Battle series has been a perennial best-seller. His last book, Healing Is Choice, still flies off bookstore shelves. New Life’s Lose It for Life is a three-day intensive program that has helped thousands address weight loss from an emotional, spiritual, and holistic perspective, with-out shame, condemnation, or guilt. And Reframe Your Life has, in just three months, caused a healthy and provocative stir. All of Arterburn’s material speaks directly into real life, in a straight-forward and honest way, defining psychology with biblical truth, bringing the Gospel to bear in a most relevant way.

I’ve just spent a few days with Steve at the annual CBH (Christians Broadcasting Hope) Retreat at the Billy Graham Training Center (called The Cove), in North Carolina. Not only is he a man of deep faith, astonishing insight, and rare authenticity, he also is a wit of the first rank; the guy could nail stand-up comedy if he ever tires of writing books.

But, most importantly, Steve concisely framed some of the most common obstacles we face in the pursuit of wholeness (e.g. “stubborn resistance” to effectual change, “arrogant entitlement” in a way that emphasizes “I deserve what I want,” and “justifiable resentment” fed by the sense that my unforgiveness is somehow righteous); he also unapologetically prescribed biblical remedies (e.g. “willingness,” “humility,” and “forgiveness”).

And more. He talked about other ways we subliminally sabotage our own progress and block God’s grace. He also wonderfully illustrated how Jesus always works to “reframe” the world in which we live to set us free and give us hope.

Arterburn is a powerful voice for “the God of second chances,” the premise that no matter where we’ve been, no matter what we’ve done, the Lord is willing to work with us and redeem. It’s an age-old story told in fresh new ways.

The three hundred people gathered, from coast-to-coast, at The Cove for the CBH Retreat sat spellbound as Steve spoke. We laughed. We cried. We learned. We sensed the Holy Spirit’s presence. We were changed. Unforgettable.

And, why am I telling you all of this? Well, because Stephen Arterburn will, once again, be our guest in a few weeks—he’s speaking in both Sunday morning services at Madison Park on November 18. I will be there; I hope you will be, too.

This will be a great opportunity for you to invite a friend to Madison Park. Ask the Lord to impress you with the name of someone He knows will be blessed by the teaching, fellowship, and worship. Once you have a name, make the call. Make plans to swing by and pick up your friend on the way—or to meet your friend in The Commons. Sit with him (or her or them). Meet them for lunch after-or follow-up with a treat from Holy Grounds (I don’t even like coffee, but I’m really enjoying the vanilla protein smoothies!).

I’d like to think that the Madison Park Church is helping Madison County reframe its future, too: providing options and opportunities for a community that might otherwise miss out. In November, Stephen Arterburn will be speaking to large conferences in Atlanta, southern California, and to millions on the radio, in 50 states. And, oh yeah, he’s also speaking in Anderson at the Madison Park Church.

Why? Because, he loves the Church of God and he believes in the ministry of the Madison Park Church. The Lord is opening doors for us so that we can open doors for others.

What a great place to be! And, what a great time to be here. Reframe your November with us. Stephen Arterburn. At Madison Park. Sunday morning, November 18. Be encouraged. Dreams Work. We’re just at the beginning of something greater still.