Book Review: "The Greener Grass Conspiracy" by Stephen Alltroge

I must admit I have been anxiously anticipating the release of this book ever since it's author first mentioned it. I only know Stephen Alltroge through his immensely encouraging and incredibly hilarious tweets and blog posts--so when I received his book in the mail, to say I was stoked would be a big understatement.

Alltroge's book is not the reflections of a contentment master, but the "sweaty, bloody, hastily scribbled notes from a battlefield,"(p. 14) as he puts it so adequately. What the book lacks in length, it makes up for in substance and biblical reflection. As I read each chapter, I felt like I was being pierced on every side: Stephen slowly unveiled idols in my heart and uncovered the truth behind the lies that I so easily believe regarding what would make for a better life. While quick on the humor, he does not mince words. He is direct about what scripture teaches and serious about the dangers of the discontented heart.

In particular, he describes it as a sin that kills joy, leads to hardness of heart, and tells the world that God is a liar and untrustworthy.

God really spoke to me through this book but I also thought about how this will really serve so many other people. The battle for contentment is one of the biggest spiritual struggles in my own life. I hardly think that I am unique. And if you are reading this review, there is a good chance that you too are familiar with discontentment.

Alltroge does a terrific job of uncovering many of the nuances of this deceitful sin, and caused me to realize how discontentment often lies beneath other sins that we struggle with: lust, envy, ambition, lying, pride, and so on. Alltroge also provides a lot of practical guidance through the application questions provided at the end of the chapter. As a result, I think that the book lends itself well to being discussed in a group setting. In fact, I would go so far as to place this book at the top of my shortlist for small group reading. (I am seriously considering donating copies to my own church.)

Stephen shows himself to be a true gospel-centered pastor, continually pointing the reader back to the cross, and the person of Jesus Christ. If you are looking for practical and engaging insight in the fight for contentment, then I highly recommend Stephen Alltroge's "The Greener Grass Conspiracy." If you think you can trust my judgment, get this book!

"In Evil Long I Took Delight". Poem by John Newton

In evil long I took delight,
Unawed by shame or fear,
Till a new object struck my sight,
And stopp'd my wild career:

I saw One hanging on a Tree
In agonies and blood,
Who fix'd His languid eyes on me.
As near His Cross I stood.

Sure never till my latest breath,
Can I forget that look:
It seem'd to charge me with His death,
Though not a word He spoke:

My conscience felt and own'd the guilt,
And plunged me in despair:
I saw my sins His Blood had spilt,
And help'd to nail Him there.

Alas! I knew not what I did!
But now my tears are vain:
Where shall my trembling soul be hid?
For I the Lord have slain!

--A second look He gave, which said,
"I freely all forgive;
This blood is for thy ransom paid;
I die that thou may'st live."

Thus, while His death my sin displays
In all its blackest hue,
Such is the mystery of grace,
It seals my pardon too.

With pleasing grief, and mournful joy,
My spirit now is fill'd,
That I should such a life destroy,
Yet live by Him I kill'd!

Location:Bradley Blvd,Greenville,United States

Are You Teachable?

Reading through the book of Proverbs can be one of the most challenging experiences in studying scripture. Yet, it is also one of the most rewarding. While the themes that can be listed are endless, there is one I want to zero in on. One that God has really been bringing to my attention and convicting me: The wisdom in receiving instruction and the stupidity of shirking it.

Whenever a brother or sister in Christ calls me out on a particular bit of sin, I find that my initial reaction is one of blatant pride. Someone sees something that could grow into a huge problem and my brain goes right into defensive mode: "They don't know what they're talking about", or "Well, there's another self-righteous punk out to attack and look down on me", or "You don't know me, what gives you the right to judge me like that!?" These thoughts--and more--spring from my heart in response to someone attempting to bring instruction, correction, or advice.

But Proverbs appears to constantly exalt the teachable and gives warning to those who would, like me, respond in pride:

"Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid" (12:1)

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice" (Proverbs 12:15)

"A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool" (17:10)

"Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future" (19:20)

"Hear Instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the one who listens to me." (8:33)

"Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray" (10:17)

"Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored" (13:18)

"

Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence." (15:32)

This list is far from exhaustive, just enough to hint at what God has been revealing to me lately--whenever I dismiss what brothers/sisters in Christ say, I am denying a means of grace in my sanctification. It is an act of love for a brother to call me out on an issue. Sure, there are people who are overly-critical and harsh, and that absolutely needs to be addressed as well. God wants to shape their hearts also.

On the other hand, he doubtless uses there mis-spoken critiques to work out sanctification in the lives of those around them. So we should be careful not to dismiss what they say altogether! If there is a chance that God, in his sovereignty, could reveal truth to me through what they say, I would be a fool to ignore it. Throughout the bible, we see God using imperfect people to accomplish his purpose in the world, so is it completely absurd to think he is still doing the same when it comes to my life?

Consequently, I want to be more teachable, more open to correction, and more inviting to others so that they can speak the words that God gives them to grow me. May the Lord soften me to his well-placed reproofs, and show me how to delight in this means of grace!

I thank God to be in a church where there are men and women willing to do just that. Do they do it perfectly? Heck no! But they care, and God is at work as they step out in faith. Even when it's someone I've wronged deeply, they still care enough to call me out on it. And imperfect though it be, the love of Christ is still modeled.

As we grow in fellowship with our local church communities, we need to ask questions of ourselves and others so that we do not overlook sin. We need to have Gospel-focused vision that is on the look out for grace and sin in our midst so that we can give and receive correction--and encouragement--with joy.

I want to invite criticism and I need grace to call people out in a loving way and not overlook the sin. And I want to ask questions of myself that demand I take input seriously, stopping to pray through what people say to me and carefully examine the responses of my heart to criticism. In short, I want to be teachable.

God is making me more like his son, and he uses imperfect sinners to accomplish the hard and long process. I would be a fool to ignore it. How about you? How are you reacting in response to criticism?