Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10)
This post concludes my 4-part series, “Lifting Up My Friends.” Today, I want to lift up my good friend Leonard Sweet.
As most of you know, Len is the co-author of our joint-essay “A Jesus Manifesto” (published in June 2009) and JESUS MANIFESTO (the book we released this past summer).
I spent this last Thanksgiving with Len and his family in his home (which I happen to believe is part of the Witness Protection Program).
In numerous ways, Len is a kindred spirit. My brother from a different mother. But more, a friend and a colleague in the Lord’s work.
If you want to know what Len Sweet is about . . . and for that matter what I’m about . . . read JESUS MANIFESTO. That book is chiseled somewhere deep on our hearts.
Over the years, Sweet has written no small library. His books are worth your time investigating.
I’ve selected several of them to be part of my Top 100 Best Books list.
I’m thankful that God has brought this like-minded/like-hearted soul into my life.
Now . . . since this is the last installment of my “Lifting Up My Friends” series, I’d like to quickly acknowledge a few other friends of mine:
Stephanie Bennett – I forged a friendship with her and her husband Earl back in the 90s. Wonderful people. Steph is an author and college professor. Very gifted. Since the Bennetts live in Florida, I usually get to spend time with them a few times a year.
Michael Morrell – I have known Mike since the late 90s. One of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. Despite the fact that we have many theological disagreements, he’s a dear and trusted friend of mine.
Robert Ricciardelli – a fellow Pizon. Kind-hearted and gracious. He’s an Italian version of Mike Morrell. 😉
There are so many other friends whom God has put in my life as well, all of whom I’m thankful for. Some of them have websites and use social media. But many of them do not. Yet I love them all. (Please forgive me if I didn’t mention you. You know who you are!)
In closing, I’d like encourage you to lift up your friends also. People you actually know face-to-face, respect, and love. Consider honoring them in some way. Friendships are precious, and they should never been taken for granted.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. (Phil. 2:3-5)
Have a blessed, happy, peaceful, and joyful new year!
Lifting Up My Friends: Part I – Tony & Felicity Dale
Lifting Up My Friends: Part II – Milt Rodriguez & Alan Levine
Lifting Up My Friends: Part III
I typically don’t write comments on posts, but your post urged me to commend your writings. Thanks for writing this, I will definitely common your website and arrive back as soon as in awhile.
Awesome ‘lifting up’ idea, Frank. I started mine as well.
Keep up the great work..
Hi Frank,
First let me say that I’ve been so blessed by several of your books, thank you for that. God used “Pagan Christianity” to help bring me back from the brink of giving up on the idea of the Body of Christ altogether…
However, I find it a bit of a weird coincidence that you are doing this “Lifting up my friends” series, especially this one on Leonard Sweet.
[The remainder of this email has been removed by the blog manager because it contains slander, false accusations, and gossip about Mr. Sweet.]
Dear Daniel:
Out of all my friends, Len has the most detractors. “Where God builds His house, the devil builds a chapel,” said Luther. And as has always been the case with the Lord’s servants, slander is satan’s chief weapon. (As Jon Zens so insightfully pointed out, the word “devil” means “slanderer.” He is the “accuser of the brethren.” See http://frankviola.wordpress.com/2008/12/16/guest-article-have-you-heard/)
Jesus said to His disciples, “Beware when all men speak well of you.” This is so often forgotten.
Some of the most vicious and hateful mail I’ve received are from people who have read/heard slander about Sweet and his views and felt to rebuke me for co-working with him.
Every time I’ve responded to such hate mail, my opening line has been: “And what did Leonard say to you when you shared your criticisms with him over coffee?”
That question reveals volumes. In every case I’ve seen, a person’s critics are those who aren’t presently in the life of the individual they are smearing. They have no real present relationship with them.
Point: I know Len personally. I’ve spent a great deal of time with him. I’ve also seen the fruit of his ministry in the lives of those who are presently in his life.
Whenever there’s contention, conflict, or controversy about a person, one way to determine who the Lord is standing with is to ask yourself a simple question: “Who continues to point to Jesus Christ and who is throwing stones?”
Len points to Christ, and I’ve yet to see him throw a rock at his detractors. He’s also very accessible, which is quite rare for Christian authors today.
The stuff you heard/read about him is simply untrue. And things were taken out of context, which is routinely done to all authors by their critics.
If you want to know what the man believes and stands for, read JESUS MANIFESTO. And if that doesn’t satisfy you, write him yourself and state your concerns in the form a question that is open-minded and willing to believe the best. He’s quite accessible.
I hope that helps.
I just counted the number of your friends, which means that together with you there is a Perfect Seven….seven is the “perfect” number, right? My maternal grandfather, a humble, devout, Bible scholar, used to tell me, “Learn the Bible’s three Sevens, and you’ll have a good understanding of God’s unfolding plan: Seven Feasts of the Lord (Lev. 23), Seven Parables of the Kingdom (Mat. 13), and Seven Letters to the Seven Churches in Asia Minor.”
I took a class at GFES that was taught by Len. He’s a great guy.