FredMcKinnon.Com

I just finished the new book by Ian Cron, “Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and me”.  I was so happy to get the book because I already share a personal connection to the author.  Ian was a spiritual guide at re:create in both 2009 and 2010 so we were able to hang out.  In addition, Ian Morgan Cron will be spending 3-days down here on our beautiful St. Simons Island with me and all of our “Refuge” retreat guests this October 23-26.  (register for 3 days of sabbatical retreat with myself, Ian Morgan Cron, and others at www.refugessi.com)

The other super-cool part of reading this book was that it was available as Kindle or iPad.  I chose the iPad version and LOVED reading it on my iPad2.

Speaking with Ian on the phone recently he said, “Fred, this is totally different than Chasing Francis”.  He was right, it was totally different, yet equally inspiring.

“Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and me” is Ian’s memoir.  Oddly, I suspect it’s only half-finished, as Ian has so many years of ministry, fatherhood, husbandhood, (so that’s not a word) and a life to live.

One of the biggest themes throughout the book is Ian’s struggled relationship with his alcoholic father.  For those who have lived in alcoholism you will identify with his story.  For those who have been blessed to live a life free from the effects of alcoholism you will gain a heart-wrenching insight into what life is like.

You also get glimpses of Ian’s spiritual journey, and the difference between religion for the sake of religion, and a true relationship with Jesus Christ.

I’m a CIA/Spy movie junkie, so that part of the title grabbed my attention.  You don’t really get into great spy stories – I suppose most of those stories were never really told to Ian by his father.

I have a new perspective and understanding for what it’s like for those who grow up in these tough situations.  Perhaps the greater sadness in the story is not the alcoholism, but the desperate plea from a little boy to a young man, searching for his father’s love and approval, and yes, even forgiveness.  Perhaps that gets resolved.  You’ll have to read it to find out!

You can get the book in retail stores, Amazon, and for Kindle or iPad.
Ian’s web site:  www.iancron.com
Ian’s twitter:  @iancron

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I recently had the honor of working with the production team from Dr. Charles Stanley’s “In Touch” Ministries in their creation of a new promo/commercial.  The commercial is for Dr. Stanley’s upcoming book, “Turning the Tide”.  As a New York Times Best-Selling Author, this book will be sure to be selling like crazy.

My cousin and great friend – a fellow “creative”, John McKinnon, was the Director and asked me to help them secure a beach location here and some kids to be the “extras”.

I watched them race the sunlight and the quickly approaching tides on Jekyll Island’s driftwood beach for 2 days of filming.  The commercial is now produced, and though I’m biased towards my cousin’s work, I think it’s incredible.

See for yourself – and pickup the book, which releases in July.

Brenton Brown’s new album, “Our God Is Near” just hit the market …

And I like it … A LOT.

I just published my review of the album over at TheWorshipCommunity.Com … so go check it out and let us know your thoughts if you’ve heard the record!

Great job, Brenton!

Artist:  Saint Lewis (Shannon and Cyle Lewis and friends)
Album:  Songs from the Hope Farm

Hey Everybody,

It’s with great excitement that I share the much-anticipated album, “Songs from the Hope Farm” by Saint Lewis is finally available on iTunes.  Shannon Lewis is the Associate Worship Leader at SSCC and I have the privilege of serving God’s Kingdom with he and his lovely wife, Cyle.  Shannon is also a blogger and contributer at TheWorshipComunity.Com

On a personal level, I am biased because I love Shannon, Cyle, and their family … so, I’m gonna be excited about this release regardless.  I’ve seen YEARS of sweat, prayer, toil, victory, and heartache poured into this project.  I was given the privilege of playing B3 organ on Track 3 and gave input into some of the mixes.

On a professional level, I’d highly recommend this project simply because of it’s diversity.  Lyrics are Kingdom-minded.  Melodies are diverse.  Style changes from song-to-song, yet maintains a signature “Saint Lewis” sound.

My favorites?
3.  Wandering Heart
4.  Quiet Your Heart
5.  Fly  (lyrics – I love this line, “there’s so much more to be seen from the sky …”)
8.  Never Cease to Sing (we did this at one of our Night of Worship events, love the pads and keyboard work of McKendree Augustas on this!)

So … if you’re a little bored with the status quo … with the same, pop-rock guitar sounds, pulsing 8th note bass lines, and predictable chord movements, click the iTunes graphic above or just head over to iTunes and pick this album up today.  You’re supporting an incredible artist, worship leader, and family.

Earlier this year I was asked to participate in a blog tour and review of the book “Picking Dandelions:  A Search for Eden Among Life’s Weeds” by Sarah Cunningham.

I’m hesitant to agree to a lot of reviews because my desk is already covered in book, resource, and CD/DVD reviews from publishers and record labels.  Hat’s off to a couple of websites with decent traffic, I suppose.

For whatever reason, I agreed and the book arrived shortly thereafter.  After reading through the entire book I would summarize it with words that my wife would use … it’s a “feel good” book.

You know, one of those books that just makes you feel good.  You connect.  You identify.

Sarah takes us on a journey of her life (much of which is still to be lived) and her experiences growing up in this life as a Christian.  I found myself laughing at the stories she tells as I could so easily identify with them.  I love her use of stories and humor.

Ultimately, this book is about identifying the bad and recognizing the good.  It came at a perfect time for me as the word “gratitude” has been stamped on my spirit for 2010.  Over and over, God is teaching me to be grateful and reminding me of how much I should be grateful.

Sarah, in a true display of authenticity and vulnerability, shares her own flaws and hangups.  She takes us on a journey through life with unexpected twists and turns.

For the “churched” – you can truly relate.  If we are not experiencing a tension of how to be “in the church” and how to “be the church” and “do the stuff” that Jesus tells us to do … we aren’t living.  Sarah lives this out in print and takes us through her own journey of “christian-dom” and how it has blessed her, and how it has frustrated her.

As I spoke to Sarah after reading the book she couldn’t help but ask about my perspective as a man.  It seems the book may have been unintentionally targeted to women.  My response?  Everything I read connects to me as a man.  I feel the same frustrations.  I have the same flaws.  I have the overwhelming need to find the good in life, and need help and reminders to do so.  Not to mention, I like an easy read that puts my soul at rest.

I hope you’ll checkout the book here on Amazon.Com.

In the meantime, I’ve invited Sarah to stop by and field some of your questions.

How do deal with the “weeds” in your life?  How do you focus on the good, and not the bad?
How do you think the church is doing with “outward ministry” – meaning, beyond the 4 walls of our structures?
What is the biggest change that God is taking you through at the moment?  Be vulnerable.  Be authentic, and share.

Let the conversation begin.