Junkyard Wisdom: Resisting the Whisper of Wealth in a World of Broken Parts - Softcover

Goble, Roy; Jacobsen, D. R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1940269970 ISBN 13: 9781940269979

Publisher: Deep River Books LLC, 2016

Synopsis

Junkyard Wisdom is an honest exploration of the tension between wealth and poverty, and between faithfulness and temptation, facing followers of Jesus in the developed world. Roy Goble grew up working in his father's junkyard, where he learned to take apart absolutely anything and to evaluate everything for the value of its parts. Later, as he met with success in the real estate industry, Roy experienced the complexity of creating wealth while pursuing what Jesus was calling him to be and do, beginning a decades-long quest for a way to understand his place in God's kingdom and in a global society. Like Roy, most of us live a life of unprecedented abundance. No matter what our income level, walls of security and distraction inevitably insulate us from the poor or anyone else who might threaten our comfortable life. Yet despite our trappings of wealth-or perhaps because of them-we continue to experience a spiritual hunger for something deeper and more meaningful. In a surprising solution to that hunger, God invites us to utilize our wealth and our talents to create kingdom relationships, beginning right in our own communities. We can only enjoy this meaningful life when we break down the walls and live as Jesus calls us to live. This means more than serving meals in a homeless shelter once a month or even flying to a remote region of the world on a mission trip. Instead, the way of Jesus requires genuine relationships with people who are different than us. Until we stop and remember the poor in all of our decisions, and until we intentionally break down the walls that divide us from those whom Jesus loves, we will never experience the abundance of God's love. In such relationships we will discover an exchange of hope between ourselves and the poor. We are commissioned to be ambassadors for Jesus, beginning where we live and reaching the other side of the planet. Junkyard Wisdom is the story of Roy Goble's response to that commission-from the junkyard to Silicon Valley to house churches in Myanmar to Belizean rainforests-as he searches for ways to build authentic relationships of love, faith, and hope. Here, he reveals what's waiting for us on the other side of comfort and complacency-an abundant future we can only reach together.

About this title

About the Author:

Roy Goble grew up working in his father's junkyard, where he learned to take apart absolutely anything and to evaluate everything for the value of its parts. After studying economics and business at Westmont College, and marrying his high school sweetheart, D'Aun, he joined his family's growing real estate business. As the business flourished, he experienced the complexity of creating wealth while following Jesus. He began to wrestle with what he knew about business and what Jesus was calling him to be and do, beginning a decades-long quest for a way to understand his place in God's kingdom and in a global society. Today he runs a real estate investment company based in Silicon Valley, leads the ministry PathLight International, and serves on multiple boards-while still finding time to visit and learn from friends and ministry partners around the world. Following Jesus as a wealth creator has turned out to be harder and better than he ever imagined, and sometimes he misses the simplicity of selling parts in the junkyard. After thirty-five years of marriage, however, D'Aun tells him he already owns too many old cars.

Review:

Roy Goble is a friend of mine. In fact, he’s the first friend I ever had. We met just out of kindergarten. He was a guy who was always getting into mischief and I was drawn to him like a magnet. You will be too. It’s a holy mischief Roy’s been up to since then. Roy’s success in the world hasn’t led him to the wealthy, it’s brought him to the poor and hurting. This beautifully written book is a story about what Roy has learned along the way about love and compassion and Jesus. (–Bob Goff, Chief Balloon Inflator, Love Does + Restore International)

God calls us all to not conform to the patterns of this world. But nonconformity doesn’t mean uniformity... . That’s why I like Roy Goble and his book. I doubt Roy’s going to move into a row house in North Philly with us―though if you want to, Roy, give me a buzz!―but Roy’s working out his salvation with fear and trembling just like the rest of us. At the end of the day, I am not interested in people being more like me, but more like Jesus. (–Shane Claiborne, Christian activist and author of The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical)

Finally! Now there is a way for wealthy Christians to participate in the vital work of reconciliation, beyond guilt or shame! In this ground-breaking book, Roy Goble addresses the elephant in the room and offers a better way forward through mutual and life-giving relationships with the poor. This book is a win-win for everybody and it’s long overdue. I highly recommend it. (–Brenda Salter McNeil, author of A Credible Witness and Roadmap to Reconciliation)

Roy Goble could easily be sipping wine and enjoying the good life. In some ways he does. But not at the expense of stewarding well the opportunities he’s been given. I research and write about global issues and cultural intelligence. Roy lives it. And that comes through in the pages of Junkyard Wisdom. Funny, challenging, and grace-filled are just a few words that describe what’s here. Enjoy and be inspired. (–David Livermore, author of Serving with Eyes Wide Open and Leading with Cultural Intelligence)

Roy Goble’s clear and passionate voice comes through the pages in a genuine and challenging way as he peels back the protective coats surrounding his own vulnerabilities. His openness to describing his own personal flaws allows us to consider more fully the planks in our own eyes. The result is liberating, creating an environment of true and honest self reflection. Junkyard Wisdom is written in Roy’s easy-to-read, down-home style―but make no mistake, the stories will leave you with big ideas to ponder and hopefully pursue." (–Mark Zoradi, CEO of Cinemark Theaters; past president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Group)

Powerful and compelling, this is much more than a book associated with one’s spiritual journey or a discussion of what one should or shouldn’t do with one’s life. Junkyard Wisdom centers on the struggle surrounding created wealth and its use in addressing the plight of the poor and underserved. Using real-life expressions and easy-to-understand language and humor, Roy Goble describes the conflicts inherent with wealth for followers of Jesus, and he poses important questions. A masterful storyteller and deep thinker, Goble has crafted a beautiful and provocative read, and I highly recommend Junkyard Wisdom as immensely practical and immediately helpful. (–Ed Birch, President/CEO, Mosher Foundation; chairman emeritus, Santa Barbara Bank and Trust and Pacific Capital Bancorp)

About this edition

• Publisher: Deep River Books LLC
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1940269970
• ISBN 13: 9781940269979
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 160