Category Archives: Embarrassing Moments

HUMILITY AFTER HUMILIATION

Pat Nemmers is a pastor of a thriving church in Des Moines, Iowa. That church has planted several other churches that are also doing well. Pat is the father of ten children and thirty-eight grandchildren. No typo there.

Lest you think Pat’s life is one of blessing upon blessing, his wonderfully conceived Retractions: Cultivating Humility after Humiliation will quickly disabuse you of that assumption.

Pat’s book is an honest yet hope-filled book on the life of a pastor, husband, father, and friend. Honest books on the pastoral life are somewhat rare, but I am happy to say that Pat’s book makes a healthy triumvirate alongside Zack Eswine’s The Imperfect Pastor and Eugene Peterson’s The Pastor: A Memoir.

Pat knows joy and he knows deep grief. His first wife died in his arms while still in her thirties. He knows what it is like to have wayward children. More importantly, he knows the importance of submitting his own life all over again to the Lordship of Jesus.

This is an honest, searching, life-giving, and Christ-honoring book that you just might want to give to your pastor.

 

FAVORITE PLACES TO READ #5: STARBUCKS

I have spent many hours in various Starbucks.  My favorites are in Manhattan, Charlottesville, VA, and yes, here in Austin.  

For those of you old enough to remember the TV show Get Smart, you will recall the infamous “cone of silence.”  Instead of keeping those on the outside from hearing top secrets, it was those on the inside who could not hear each other!  

I have found too many folks in Starbucks acting as if their conversations could not be heard.  Over the years, I have heard couples discussing delicate details of their relationship, questionable business practices, and I recently had someone drop some F-bombs on me when I disagreed with their understanding of the New Testament.

Third places like Starbucks are wonderful, but let’s remember that other people are there!

MEETING JOHN PIPER…IN MY PAJAMAS!

Where did you first meet John Piper?

Outside my apartment door at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 1992.

How did you run into him?

He was retuning a chair he borrowed from some of our neighbors who were gone.

What time was it?

About nine in the morning.

What was Piper like?

Friendly and full of energy.  “Bouncy” probably captures it pretty well.

What were you like?

Tired and quickly in disbelief to run into him that way.

What was Piper wearing?

Nice, casual clothes.

What were you wearing?

My favorite pajamas.