Crazy Busy - Book Review

Book Review of Kevin DeYoung's "Crazy Busy A (Mercifully) Short Book about a (Really) Big Problem".

“Pride is the villain with a thousand faces”, says Kevin DeYoung. And fittingly, he starts the book by identifying his own pride and problems in being crazy busy. It sounds like DeYoung had (and may still have) a very busy life, but through it all, by the grace of God, he seems to be killing his pride, reducing his anxiety, and welcoming his Jesus into the inevitable storms that arise in life. Hearing from his experiences of busyness and his humble attempt to explain what he’s learning from it all has proven to be both comforting and encouraging. But this (mercifully) short book is more of a helpful handbook than it is a biography.

DeYoung describes the Killer P’s of pride, helping us see that our jam-packed timetable, our tendency to double-book appointments, and our lack of rest isn’t just the result of poor time management, but it is often rooted in pride. These insights go deep into the heart, and help us to invite the Spirit to surgically remove the pride that so easily entangles (i.e. Power: “I need to stay busy because I need to stay in control”; Prestige: “If I keep pushing myself, I’ll finally be somebody. I’ll finally matter. I’ll finally arrive.”; Pity: We enjoy the sympathy we receive for enduring such heroic responsibilities).

In this short book, DeYoung brings much practical help, insight from scripture, with gospel-centered perspective and encouragement . He touches base on topics of: technology for the social media fanatics, parenting for the stressed out soccer-moms, people pleasing for the peer-pressured pastors, and devotions for the University students in the midst of exam-season. Pretty much, every chapter will most likely apply to everyone at one point in their lives. Though this is book is not a silver-bullet to fix all of our problems, it does serve like a compass and a map, to get a clearer view of our spiritual landscape, and to point us back to Christ.

If you’ve had someone ask you “how’s it going”, and you say “busy”, I’d recommend picking this up. Oh and while you’re at it, save your loved ones some time by picking them up a copy too!


As a part of this review, Crossway has graciously provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through Beyond the Page.

Good News to the Poor

Book Review of "Good News to the Poor" - by Tim Chester

The subject of justice and mercy for the oppressed is something that has been greatly lacking in my discipleship. Most people I know don’t talk much or know much about this topic. This book has been an ideal read as I seek to find out what the Bible says about taking care of the widow, the orphan, and the alien, as well as what it says about the rich.

Chester, in this greatly helpful and challenging book, gives a thorough and widely-scoped look at what the Good News is for the poor. As I am a conservative and reformed evangelical, taking a course on Biblical Justice at a more liberal and somewhat emergent bible college, I appreciated his balanced approach in urging “conservatives not to marginalize those who uphold the cause of the oppressed and to urge social activists not to go down the blind alley of theological liberalism” (Loc.169).

Chester approaches this issue of justice and mercy from many angles, yet they all go well together to give us a comprehensive understanding of the issue at hand, all-the-while not boring or overwhelming us with a weighty tome to read. He writes this book with sound grace-based, gospel-centered theology, rooted in and elaborated with scripture, looking back at church history and forward to Christ’s return, challenging us with radical commitment to Christ, and providing ample applications and examples for how we can live this out.

This book challenged me, amongst other chapters, in the chapter titled: “Good News to the Rich”. Where Chester confronts our consumerism and lack of contentment: “How we handle our money is vital for our spiritual well-being. Every time we spend money, we are making an ethical decision” (Loc.1759).

This book is for pastors and parishioners, leaders and labourers, pew-sitters and activists; Christians - poor, middle-class, and rich. This book will stir-up thoughts, raise important conversations, evoke praise, and hopefully, challenge and put God’s people to the task.

May it be a blessing to you as it has been to me.

As a part of this review,  Crossway has graciously provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through Beyond the Page.

Spoken Word Poetry for God's Glory

Doxology: Greek: δοξολογία, from δόξα, doxa, "glory" and -λογία, -logia, "saying"; Speaking God's glory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MucHuFlWT8

This is a spoken word poem that I put together as a 21st century psalm. Video by my mentor Gareth Evans. Filmed in Royal Jubilee Hospital Chapel. Soli Deo Gloria.

Workday/Labour day - Baby photo.

Our students gathered at Compassionate Resource Warehouse to serve this ministry that sends much-needed resources to foreign countries in times of disaster and relief.

Thank you to all who have supported us! If you have not yet had the opportunity to give, please consider sending a gift to our General Sunago fund to help us continue the work for Christ on campus at UVic. 

You can give here: http://bccampusministries.com/giving 

Soon after the WorkDay was finished, around 12:30, I went home and Bethi went into labour, by 5:00 that day she gave birth to Joy Nova Lacasse. 6lbs 9oz. 

The family is healthy, sleeping well, and eating well (thanks to many friends helping with meals, thank you!).

Students Volunteer to Help the Homeless

Sunago, as a group, will be participating in a WorkDay at the Mustard Seed, an organization that provides shelter, food, and clothing to those in poverty. The students will help organize materials, clean, paint, and renovate. This is an excellent way of providing hands-on help to the community while simultaneously raising funds for Sunago and some good ol' fellowship.

Will you consider giving 50$, 100$, 200$ as a one time gift to support our students and fund our ministry? All giving $20 and up is tax receiptable.

If so, you can give here (designate your donation to Sunago).

When will this happen? Saturday, March 1st, from 9am until noon. Where? 625 Queens Ave.

Thank you!

A Story about Forrest

“This might not work out, as I am an atheist.” Said Forrest.

I received an email from a student who I’d never met before and he wanted to find out more about our club. We had planned to meet-up, but when he found out that it was a Christian club he was hesitant to find out more. I don’t quite know why he initially chose to email us, but God made it work out for the best. We met up, went to my favorite place to bring students, the University Club to play pool. He mentioned that he loves philosophy, and so we talked a lot about philosophical questions and I talked about how these questions helped me start my spiritual journey. We eventually got talking about the gospel, and I shared my testimony, explained how Jesus fulfilled over 300 prophecies and read through Isaiah 53 together. After our conversation, as we walked to his car, I invited him to our neighbourhood group potluck. Forrest expressed a little hesitation (wondering if there was going to be a sermon and what the believer/non-believer ratio was), but I assured him about the group, he ended up coming out, and he had a great time. I don’t think that his atheism is much of a barrier to faith anymore. As Forrest sees the fruit of the Spirit in a redeemed community and continues to engage in gospel conversations, he will have ample opportunities to let his heart be vulnerable to God.

Please pray that God would soften Forrest’s heart and provide faith to follow Jesus wholeheartedly!

Pray for Karthik

"You are one of the most influential people in my life!" Said Karthik.

I was going to the bibliocafe to meet with a student and ran into Karthik, a second year pre-med student who had attended our discovery group bible study last year.

He said that he misses the Christian community, that there is such an amazing  peace there, and that he would like to come again this year. He's been incredibly busy with school and volunteer work and admits that he wants to find a balance with that and social life. He said that God has brought me to his mind several times over the Christmas season and about how influential I've been in his life (which comes as a total surprise to me!), so tomorrow we're getting together for coffee to talk about life and faith. 

Pray for Karthik, that he would be blessed with new life in Christ, believing the gospel and that Jesus is the only way to the Father, that God would show him how to balance his life, and that we would have a great time of encouragement tomorrow.

Thank you for supporting me in ministry!