Special Blend Interview: Pete Wilson Finds God’s Best Work In Plan B (Book Giveaway)
While most run from the pain of a shattered dream, Pete Wilson turns into the uncertainty of Plan B, to be transformed by God instead.
Most people gravitate towards anything and everything to make sure Plan A gets executed in their lives.
So, when I got my hands on a review copy of author Pete Wilson‘s debut book Plan B, I was part skeptical and part intrigued.
By the time I finished the first chapter, I knew Plan B was going to be different. This was a book about discovering faith when we least expect it.
Today’s Special Blend Interview guest is Pete Wilson.
Pete Wilson is a Christian blogger at WithoutWax and Senior Pastor at Crosspoint Church. Pete has been married to his wife Brandi for 12 years and they have three boys – Jett (8), Gage (6), and Brewer (3).
I sat down with Pete in today’s digital interview, to get a closer view into his thoughts on the reality of broken dreams, failed plans and the transforming power of Jesus Christ.
I hope you enjoy this special glimpse with Pete Wilson into the newly published book Plan B!
** Book Giveaway **
Today is also your chance to win a copy of Pete Wilson’s book, Plan B!
Enter the Plan B Book Giveaway at the end of today’s interview!
~~~~~
Hi Pete,
Thanks for taking the time to sit down with me virtually for this interview. I’ve been a reader of your blog, Without Wax, since last September 2009. I just happened to land on your blog the day you submitted your 60,000 word manuscript for Plan B.
It got me curious. One thing I noticed right away– checking out your blog– was your writing style. Down to earth and direct.
“While I desire to lead, love, and parent with humility and approachability my desire to be “right” can make me come across as arrogant and self righteous.” ~ Pete Wilson on WithoutWax
1. What person or experience influenced this level of personal transparency in how you relate publicly?
For a pastor, that level of vulnerability in posts like Need To Be Right seeems pretty bold.
I think John Ortberg has been a great influence on me when it comes to being open and honest about my faults.
I’ve been listening to his messages and reading his books since college and I’ve always loved the authenticity that he leads with.
Someone once said, “You can only be loved to the extent that you are known.”
So with that in mind I try to live my life as honestly as I know how.
What a great quote. John Ortberg’s The Life You’ve Always Wanted is a fave. Not only that, John’s pastoring at Menlo Park Presbyterian, which is right in my back yard here in California.
~~~~~
2. How did you come to choose the topic of broken dreams for your first book, Plan B?
Plan B was originally a sermon series in our church.
The response was huge. There were so many people dealing with Plan B’s in their life and they wanted to go deeper with the subject.
I honestly felt like I had a personal responsibility to study this topic further.
So I did. It became a small passion of mine and the book was the result.
It’s awesome you stepped up to put out an honest and encouraging book like Plan B.
~~~~~
3. Did you experience more than one Plan B moment in your life?
My life has been full of them.
Probably the first significant one was my parents getting a divorce when I was 16.
Allowing that experience to pull me closer to God really set a framework for which I have viewed other crises in my life.
Not long after I was married, my wife also experienced a miscarriage.
“This was a moment that really tested my faith in a way I had never been tested. Once again the crisis eventually led to a new understanding of God in my life.”
I believe in life that we face many different Plan B’s. Some are obviously bigger than others, but our response is what matters most.
We have an opportunity to choose intimacy with God over our circumstances in every situation and that’s what I wanted to share with people that I learned.
It’s powerful to see the lessons you’ve lived integrated into the messages you preach.
~~~~~
4. One of my favorite chapters was “Whiplash”. How has going through Plan Bs yourself and with others affected how you make decisions about new ventures? Do you find yourself more cautious or free?
I think I’m more free.
I’ve learned that God is going to allow me over and over again to step out into the unknown.
I’m not always going to get what I want, but who I’m becoming is in fact more important than where I’m going.
I often find myself in situations where if I look at the circumstances, it appears as if God is not there.
However, I’m learning that God is most powerfully present, even when he seems most apparently absent.
You’re describing a freedom that we can’t possibly capture by our own making, but we all long to see it come alive in our everyday lives.
~~~~~
5. What has encouraged you to embrace the discomfort of unresolved problems or circumstances in your life?
If God can bring Joseph through being thrown in a well, beat up by his brothers, a false rape accusation, and a prison sentence, then I am pretty sure he can take care of my “problems” as well.
I’m not saying that should make it easier, but being reminding of God’s faithfulness in the past points me to God being faithful in my current circumstances.
There is a direct correlation between crisis and transformation and I’ve gotten to the point where I truly want to become the person God intended when He thought me into existence.
Joseph is the best — talk about a bad case of Plan B whiplash!
~~~~~
6. How do you think a church community or friendships among believers would change, if we grew more accepting of the ideas that Plan Bs happen and faith takes time?
Community inside so many of our churches is surface level at best.
People are afraid to admit that life hasn’t turned out the way they had planned. People are afraid to admit they feel God has disappointed them. People feel the pressure to paint a picture that everything is going great.
Yet the reality is that authentic community is most often built inside of shattered dreams.
When we allow people to see our hurts and disappointments community is almost instantaneous.
I hope we can all be inspired to be a part in daring that kind of community to happen through us. It’s a piece of heaven on earth.
~~~~~
7. Between pastoring, working with a large ministry staff, starting new ministries, blogging, writing – being husband and daddy – how do you unwind and recharge? Do you even sleep?
Believe it or not, I do sleep.
I have an amazing family and they are what replenish me.
I am so blessed to go home every night to 3 crazy boys and my beautiful wife. It’s just a balance.
I’m so honored to be in ministry, but I quickly learned that you have to keep a healthy balance and find something that replenishes you physically, mentally and spiritually.
Watching movies can be an incredible escape for me.
I also enjoy just about anything outside.
“I love camping, hiking and fly fishing. In fact, that’s my life long dream. I want to pastor a small church in Wyoming and run a fly shop on the side.”
Sounds like the movie A River Runs Through It, except yours would mix in God, your family and ministry.
~~~~~
8. If you had carte blanche and could vacation anywhere, where would you go and what would you do?
Fiji. But I really don’t know why.
I love the idea of a beautiful beach, a good book, and complete seclusion.
Hey, aren’t you a fan of the TV series Lost?
~~~~~
9. Before we wrap up our time together, I want to thank you for your challenging blog post, Engage or Withdraw.
You shared in the post that you felt nudged to engage in a relationship, sit down and tell them the “doubts creeping into (your) mind and heart.”
How did it go?
It went really well I believe.
I’ve had to do this over and over again with family, friends and staff members.
I’m always thankful I took the time to engage, even if it didn’t turn out the way I had hoped.
~~~~~
10. It’s easier for me to withdraw than engage. What would be your word of encouragement for a reticent, recovering people-pleaser like me?
You are so asking the wrong person.
I’m a life long people pleaser. It’s a constant problem for me.
On a really honest day, I would admit to you that this is really just a form of narcissism in my life.
Quite simply, my advice to myself and to you is get over it.
Get over yourself. You’re not going to please everyone all the time. It’s impossible.
You definitely barista a hot shot of faith!
~~~~~
Thank you Pete for spending a few moments here at Faith Barista!
Someone once said, “You can tell a lot about a man by the company he aspires to keep: the famous and the successful — or the broken and the hurting? If it’s the latter, it’s a good sign that that person values Jesus as the only priority in their lives.”
You mentioned in the book that you love being around broken people because of how they bless you.
May God continue to bless you, as you continue to discover God’s best work through the Plan Bs, in you and in others.
~~~~~
If you liked what you caught in today’s interview, there’s more where that came from — Go now and order a copy of Plan B!
You’ll love it so much, you will want a second copy to give to a friend!
SSOO, what better way to get that extra copy than by winning it in today’s Plan B Book Giveaway?!
** PLAN B BOOK GIVEAWAY **
Thomas Nelson is giving away copies of Plan B to THREE Faith Barista readers who will be randomly selected to win a copy of Pete’s book.
ENTER TO WIN: 3 Winners will be chosen!
BY SUNDAY 5/23/10 – Midnight:
Comment below with your favorite quote from today’s interview. You’re entered!
EXTRA ENTRIES:
1. Go on Twitter and send the tweet below out to your peeps. Comment *a second time* that you’ve tweeted. You’re entered – again!
Find God’s Best Work In Your Plan B http://bit.ly/aQEycG Comment & win @pwilson’s new book, Plan B (via @TheBonnieGray)
2. Share this post on Facebook. Click the Share icon below. Comment *a third time* that you’ve Facebooked. You’re entered again!
THREE WINNERS:
Thank you for everyone’s entries!
Congratulations to the three winners have been selected by random using the random integer generator are:
Karen (ddnkd)
Sandra Heska King
Hayley Bevel
If you enjoyed today's interview, you may also be interested in: Plan B: Putting Down My Magic Slate We're currently in the middle of a new series, Living Your Story. So, jump on board -- SUBSCRIBE NOW to get the next post in these series directly in your mailbox via email (click here) or RSS (click here) news reader.
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My favorite quote is “I’m so honored to be in ministry, but I quickly learned that you have to keep a healthy balance and find something that replenishes you physically, mentally and spiritually.” Being a youth pastor’s wife, placing myself and my family in ministry I could not agree more.
Thanks for sharing this book with all of us.
I facebooked.
I like two: “We have an opportunity to choose intimacy with God over our circumstances in every situation” AND “God is most powerfully present, even when he seems most apparently absent.”
sounds like a great book. I can sure relate to accepting Plan B….thanks for the encouragement!
.-= Mari Larkin´s last blog ..Good start to the week =-.
My favorite quote is the whole answer to question six:
“Community inside so many of our churches is surface level at best.
People are afraid to admit that life hasn’t turned out the way they had planned. People are afraid to admit they feel God has disappointed them. People feel the pressure to paint a picture that everything is going great.
Yet the reality is that authentic community is most often built inside of shattered dreams.
When we allow people to see our hurts and disappointments community is almost instantaneous.”
I have been learning to be real and share hurts and dissappointments with others at my church. It has helped me be closer to people and to be closer to God. This book sounds inspired that people need to realize.
.-= Katie´s last blog ..Walking in the Light =-.
I told about it on facebook.
.-= Katie´s last blog ..Walking in the Light =-.
I told about it on facebook
This spoke to me:
‘People are afraid to admit that life hasn’t turned out the way they had planned. People are afraid to admit they feel God has disappointed them. People feel the pressure to paint a picture that everything is going great.
Yet the reality is that authentic community is most often built inside of shattered dreams.’
My favorite quote is about being a people pleaser and how that is a form of narcissism. Being a people pleaser myself, I can relate. This issue is what God is having me deal with
right now.
“We have an opportunity to choose intimacy with God over our circumstances in every situation and that’s what I wanted to share with people that I learned.” Seems to sum it all up.
.-= peacebringer´s last blog ..Musing on the Ascension and waiting =-.
My favorite quote – “I’m not always going to get what I want, but who I’m becoming is in fact more important than where I’m going.” True words!
.-= Shelli @ Hopefully Devoted´s last blog ..One Thousand Gifts :: How to Overcome Discontentment =-.
My favorite quote is the answer to your question, “It’s easier for me to withdraw than engage. What would be your word of encouragement for a reticent, recovering people-pleaser like me?”
You are so asking the wrong person. I’m a life long people pleaser. It’s a constant problem for me. On a really honest day, I would admit to you that this is really just a form of narcissism in my life. Quite simply, my advice to myself and to you is get over it. Get over yourself. You’re not going to please everyone all the time. It’s impossible.
You know I needed to read that!
.-= Joy´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – The Cat Caught a Bird =-.
I’m not always going to get what I want, but who I’m becoming is in fact more important than where I’m going.
Best quote ever!
I shared this post on Facebook before I even finished reading it!!!
.-= Joy´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – The Cat Caught a Bird =-.
I tweeted this interview and giveaway. Thanks to you and to Thomas Nelson for giving copies away!
.-= Joy´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – The Cat Caught a Bird =-.
“People feel the pressure to paint a picture that everything is going great.”
This is so very true in every day life. When asked how we are, we usually auto reply fine, even if our world is falling apart. We don’t want others to know that we are really a mess and can barely hold it together.
So many of the things in this post spoke to me. I really need to read the book!
facebooked the post
My favorite quote:
“I often find myself in situations where if I look at the circumstances, it appears as if God is not there.
However, I’m learning that God is most powerfully present, even when he seems most apparently absent.”
I also like his quote from the Community question.
.-= LaTanya´s last blog ..Old Navy: $1 Flip Flops on 5/22 =-.
I would love to win this book! I would love to have learn how to accept the fact that Plan A failed and that Plan B is better than Plan A could have been. I am a people pleaser and seem to feel that I fail everyone. My life is in transition right now and I think that this book would be just what I need. Even if I don’t win I will be purchasing this book.
.-= Mindy May´s last blog ..Dear Lord, I mean Jesus =-.
Favourite quote, because I find it to be true in my current situation: “I’m not saying that should make it easier, but being reminding of God’s faithfulness in the past points me to God being faithful in my current circumstances.”
I tweeted!
.-= Mindy May´s last blog ..Dear Lord, I mean Jesus =-.
I tweeted this interview and giveaway; Thank you to Pete for persevering with the study of this particular topic and kicking us off on our personal journey towards our own to truly become the person God intended each and every one of us to be when He thought us into existence.
It was hard to pick only one quote–there are so many great ones! I need to read that book!
Anyway, here’s the one quote I chose:
“There is a direct correlation between crisis and transformation and I’ve gotten to the point where I truly want to become the person God intended when He thought me into existence.”
Thanks so much for introducing us to this man and his book.
“I’m not saying that should make it easier, but being reminding of God’s faithfulness in the past points me to God being faithful in my current circumstances.”
I am always amazed that we want God to make things easier when ther is no evidence of that in the Bible. However, we ask away. I need to remember that God gives us the ability to withstand and actaully learn something in the process.
* a third time*
My favorite quote is “Get over yourself. You’re not going to please everyone all the time. It’s impossible.”. Being a people pleaser myself this speaks volumes.
Great interview!
Favorite quotes:
“I’m not always going to get what I want, but who I’m becoming is in fact more important than where I’m going. ”
And:
“I’m a life long people pleaser. It’s a constant problem for me.
On a really honest day, I would admit to you that this is really just a form of narcissism in my life.
Quite simply, my advice to myself and to you is get over it.
Get over yourself. You’re not going to please everyone all the time. It’s impossible.”
For much of my life, I’ve considered the life of Joseph – what he went through and the ultimate fruition of God’s plan. My favorite quote is:
“If God can bring Joseph through being thrown in a well, beat up by his brothers, a false rape accusation, and a prison sentence, then I am pretty sure he can take care of my “problems” as well.”
My “problems”, as big as they may seem, don’t compare to the scale of what Joseph faced. This realization helps me keep things in perspective and to hold on to God’s promises.
Sounds like a great book – and one that we could all benefit from reading!
*a second time*
*a third time*
While not a tweeter, I Facebooked!
“There is a direct correlation between crisis and transformation and I’ve gotten to the point where I truly want to become the person God intended when He thought me into existence.”
It really speaks to where I am now- I feel I’m in the gray area between crisis and transformation, but stuck.
Great Interview! Sounds like a terrific book!
I tweeted.
Great interview and I would love to have this book (not that I don’t already have a stack of books to read). I tweeted the post as well. Thanks Bonnie!
.-= jasonS´s last blog ..Believing in vs. Knowing God =-.
I actually stopped to write this one down: “Yet the reality is that authentic community is most often built inside of shattered dreams.”
I can’t wait to read this book!!
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Bringing Up Baby (1938) =-.
This really resonated with me:
“If God can bring Joseph through being thrown in a well, beat up by his brothers, a false rape accusation, and a prison sentence, then I am pretty sure he can take care of my “problems” as well.”
Thanks for the wonderful interview, Bonnie. Can’t wait to check out the book!
.-= Meg´s last blog ..Random Tuesday Text =-.
There’s something about “allowing God to work” even when our first, best plans have gone awry. I think of King David. I’m sure killing Uziah and stealing his wife wasn’t part of God’s plan. And he lost a baby for it. BUT, the second child from that unholy union was Solomon — who was also in the lineage of our Savior. Amazing how God works things out. I think this book will be a great read.
.-= David @ Red Letter Believers´s last blog .."How did I get here?" Lessons from someone who lost his way =-.
“Yet the reality is that authentic community is most often built inside of shattered dreams.”
I loved that quote!
.-= Kevin M.´s last blog ..Book giveaway: Transforming Church in Rural America =-.
I tweeted it!
.-= Kevin M.´s last blog ..Book giveaway: Transforming Church in Rural America =-.
I shared it on Facebook too!
.-= Kevin M.´s last blog ..Book giveaway: Transforming Church in Rural America =-.
This quote is great – one I hope I remember always, because it’s absolutely true even if it’s hard to remember in the midst of a Plan B moment:
I’m not always going to get what I want, but who I’m becoming is in fact more important than where I’m going… I’m learning that God is most powerfully present, even when he seems most apparently absent.
Thanks for the interview!
This one spoke to me ~ “I’m not saying that should make it easier, but being reminding of God’s faithfulness in the past points me to God being faithful in my current circumstances.”
I think that sometimes, as Christians, we expect God to make everything easier and that’s just not how it works. A great reminder for me!
Brightest blessings,
Pat
.-= Pat´s last blog ..~ Inspiration ~ =-.
I especially connected with what Pete said about the community within the church:
Community inside so many of our churches is surface level at best.
People are afraid to admit that life hasn’t turned out the way they had planned. People are afraid to admit they feel God has disappointed them. People feel the pressure to paint a picture that everything is going great.
Yet the reality is that authentic community is most often built inside of shattered dreams.
When we allow people to see our hurts and disappointments community is almost instantaneous.
I hope we can all be inspired to be a part in daring that kind of community to happen through us. It’s a piece of heaven on earth.
Plan B sounds a lot like the Al Anon philosopy. I agree that lots of people within the walls of the church are hurting but are afraid to let anyone know. Why? There’s a false belief that Christians don’t have problems and don’t have heartache. I’ve seen hurting people ignored and the ‘super’ Christians ‘run’ the church pushing the hurting to the periphery. I learned not to let anyone know when you are hurting because a lot of people come to hide in the church and are not equipped with the compassion to fight faith battles. I used to say they cower in the shadow of the cross. A minister once told my mother that I ministered to the people who really needed it. But I seemed I was the only one who really did and I became resentful and told God that I could not take care of everyone. I’ve seen the ‘perfect’ Christians cathect the rich and talented and leave the ordinary, struggling person to grieve alone. During the time I encountered a very difficult journey, one of these perfect Christians scoffed me with sarcastic remarks that cut deep into an already battered soul. I was angry about that for a very long time, but I am learning to forgive. This is the only way. God will bring healing to me and strengthen me for His ministry. Christ was wounded deeply on the cross for our redemption. I can certainly survive and surmount any woundings I have encountered.
favorite quote, I think: ” Get over yourself. You’re not going to please everyone all the time. It’s impossible.”
I know that and yet I still think I’m responsible to make everyone happy (I know even God doesn’t do that, so why do I think I have to??)
My life is so broken right now – -I am seeking grounding. I’m hoping this book gives me some encouragement and some hope!
There is a direct correlation between crisis and transformation and I’ve gotten to the point where I truly want to become the person God intended when He thought me into existence.
This quote says it all….”If God can bring Joseph through being thrown in a well, beat up by his brothers, a false rape accusation, and a prison sentence, then I am pretty sure he can take care of my “problems” as well. “
I enjoy the enter I’ve never heard of the book or auther but I will definitely be checking out his blog. So much of what he said rings true for me but I’d say my favorite quote is “People are afraid to admit that life hasn’t turned out the way they had planned. People are afraid to admit they feel God has disappointed them. People feel the pressure to paint a picture that everything is going great.”
.-= Wanda´s last blog ..You’re Unforgettable =-.
What a wonderful interview Bonnie! I just love the idea of this book. Heydon and I are SO living our Plan B! From the Army and Army life to living out in the country and art. I would love to read this book!! My favorite quote is, “but being reminding of God’s faithfulness in the past points me to God being faithful in my current circumstances.”… love that!
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..cross =-.
“I’m not saying that should make it easier, but being reminding of God’s faithfulness in the past points me to God being faithful in my current circumstances.”
“We have an opportunity to choose intimacy with God over our circumstances in every situation…” This so hit home with me, because I always tend to wallow in self pity instead of choosing God. Wow what if the next time I choose God! Thanks I am excited to read this book and tell my friends and family about it. Marie
“I’m not always going to get what I want, but who I’m becoming is in fact more important than where I’m going.”
I tweeted it @TheBonnieGray. I’m Panda444.
Debbie
.-= Debbie´s last blog ..Word Filled Wednesday ~ Be Still =-.
“I’m so honored to be in ministry, but I quickly learned that you have to keep a healthy balance and find something that replenishes you physically, mentally and spiritually.”
I loved this quote.
Debbie
.-= Debbie´s last blog ..Word Filled Wednesday ~ Be Still =-.
I Facebooked a link on my profile. Btw, is that a word?
Blessings,
Debbie
.-= Debbie´s last blog ..Word Filled Wednesday ~ Be Still =-.