A giant in Southern politics of a day gone by, Harry Dent ultimately found himself a giant in a different kingdom–the kingdom of God. Through the process, he come to understand which had the greatest importance. I met Ginny Dent Brant a few years ago when we shared a mutual interest in Southern Baptist Convention issues, especially related to its International Mission Board. I knew nothing of Harry Dent or the Southern Strategy; she never mentioned her famous father. I have vague memories of Nixon in office, of Patty Hearst’s kidnapping and of Watergate in real time. I have no memory of Harry Dent and memories of Chuck Colson only start from my mid-teen years. For the similarly uninitiated, Harry Dent was a Republican strategist in the deep South who is credited with developing the party’s base of strength during a time that Southerners were not generally courted by presidential politics. He was also an insider in the Nixon White House until, providentially, he was demoted just before a certain after-hours tour at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D. C. Dent Brant’s book is both a memoir of her admired father and an autobiography of her own spiritual journey. Chronicling their moves to/from South Carolina and DC, Harry Dent’s not always successful juggling of his family, career and business ventures, and her own ministry, Freedom covers many years of God’s working in and through a family. While those over 50 might have clearer memories of Harry Dent’s political influence and stature than I, many of those will have no memory of his second career, indeed his second life. A lifelong church goer, Dent was of that special breed of Southerner: the moralist. Seeing church as a great way to churn out good citizens, his “Christianity” amounted to little more than a few sayings and behavioral expectations. He never saw the connection with the real world and his daughter’s desire to pursue God at all costs. After many years, though, Dent met Christ and was forever changed. Harry Dent’s second life was that of a lay-preacher fired by the gospel to reach those who had suffered under the rule of communist leader Nicolae Ceausescu in Romania. Preaching and teaching to the spiritually famished people in cities like Cluj became his passion. His founding of Laity Alive and Serving (now headed by Ginny Brant) was birthed from his desire to see other non-pastors involved in taking the love of Jesus to the ends of the earth. Finding True Freedom is for those who are interested in the Nixon administration, politics in the deep South or the way that God uses willing people to accomplish Kingdom goals. It is also a meaningful reminder of how the lives we lead touch others in ways we cannot always anticipate. Published by CLC Publications, Finding True Freedom, by Ginny Dent Brant, is available through the Amazon.com link below, at bookstores in North and South Carolina, and select Family Christian Stores. Her upcoming book signings are: Tues., Nov. 2nd 4 – 6:00 pm at Trenholm Plaza in Columbia, SC Thurs. Nov. 4th 4 – 6:00 pm at Riverhurst Shop on 123 in Clemson, SC Fri., Nov. 12th 5:30 – 7:30 at Family Christian on Harbison Blvd in Irmo Sat. Nov. 13th 10 – 12:00 at Books on Main in Moncks Corner 1 – 3:00 at Family Christian at Northwoods Mall in N. Charleston
Download free the full introduction from ‘The Generous Soul’
Beginning today, anyone can download the full introduction from my latest book The Generous Soul: An Introduction to Missional Giving via the link below. There is no cost; it is absolutely free. There is no restriction on how many times it is downloaded, so please send everyone you know a link to this page. Use the buttons above to tweet via your Twitter account or post to your Facebook wall. The Generous Soul is currently available at Amazon.com (link to the right) and bn.com (Barnes & Noble). It is also available for pre-order at all LifeWay Christian Stores nationwide (store list) and through your local bookstore. Click the link below to begin download. File size is 89kb. Internet Explorer users may need to upgrade to IE 8. [download id=”1″]
30 Seconds to Mars, ‘Closer to the Edge,’ HD video
Jared Leto is likely best know to adults for his role in the underground classic, Fight Club, alongside Brad Pitt and Edward Norton. He was also in Girl, Interrupted, with Angelina Jolie and Winona Ryder, as well as American Psycho, Alexander, and Lord of War,. To a swelling number of kids worldwide, though, he is better known as the lead singer, rhythm guitarist and primary songwriter for a band called Thirty Seconds to Mars, aka, 30stm. (Drummer Shannon Leto and guitarist Tomo Milicevic fill out the rest of the crew.) The following video was made from footage shot during 30stm’s worldwide tour and was directed by Leto (under the pseudonym “Bartholomew Cubbins,” a character from Dr. Suess). I cannot help but like the song and the energy both in the band in the crowd. It reminded me not a little of a P.O.D. concert I attended in Atlanta. What stands out for me, as a follower of Christ and watcher of culture, is the interview snippets before, during and after the concert footage. Kids who want violence to end, kids who are confused or dead in the eyes, kids who’s entire life’s meaning is wrapped up in their ability to listen to music. “Some people believe in God; I believe in music. Y’know? Some people pray; I turn up the radio,” says one young lady. “Music is. Ev. Ry. Thing. To. Me.,” emphasizes a young man. The desire to completely immerse one’s self in music is at least as old as the first instrument. You’d be hard pressed to find a person who has never just turned up the radio to drown out the pressures of the day, or to join singing with whoever is resounding through the nearest speaker system. More than could be counted attended Woodstock, dropped acid and did things they certainly did not want their kids to find out about. Ever. And the parents of those 60’s and 70’s rebels were the sock-hopping kids of the 50’s. What I see in this video is not new; but it reveals what is still true. People of all ages are looking for something with which to identify. Somewhere to hang their hat. A tribe to call their own. This video should be shown at every conference for pastors and youth pastors for the next year. Forget about the pink mohawk or whether you prefer your lead singer to wear a shirt that fits. Or a shirt. People everywhere need to know the peace and grace of God.