Well, I took my time reading this book over the past month or so. I would at times put it down for a bit and read something else (like "Uncle Tom's Cabin" which was wonderful by the way) and then come back to it. I think it is a slow read because prayer is an area of life worth some serious reflection. I found myself reflecting on my own prayer life and finding big flaws that were previously undiscovered. It was a very worthwhile and challenging book.
Throughout the book, Miller uses stories from his own family to illustrate points. While I don't typically care for books that use tons of stories (just the facts please!) in this case, it is actually quite helpful. All growing Christians experience prayer and have been taught on the basics of prayer. Sometimes it takes seeing specific examples of prayer to show us where we are quite weak and unbelieving.
I didn't personally agree with every point made in the book; there were several pages with big question marks on them and even refutation verses in some cases. But, as a whole every point he made had to do with having an authentic and intentional prayer life. Taking prayer seriously. Realizing how helpless we are without God's help. Realizing how much God can and will do for those who ask.
The book is long and not organized as a textbook, but rather in the flowing style of a devotional book. So, I would struggle to outline it - but I'll share a few quotes that were especially striking =
"You don't create intimacy, you make room for it. This is true whether you are talking about a spouse, a friend, or God...You can't just get to know God on the fly." p. 47
[to parents]"Until you are convinced you can't change your child's heart, you won't take prayer seriously." p.167
"We don't like God too close, especially if God is a deity we can't control. We have a primal fear of walking with God in the garden, naked, without clothing. We desperately want intimacy, but when it comes, we pull back, fearful of a God who is too personal, too pure. We're much more comfortable with God at a distance." p.117
Showing posts with label christian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christian. Show all posts
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Monday, October 11, 2010
Boundaries - by Cloud and Townsend
I've been reading through this new book - and I'm very intrigued. But, I'm not finished with it yet - only about 1/3 of the way through - so, I'll have to hold off final judgment for now. I'll send out a "part 2" review of the rest of the book at a later date.
The sub-title of the book is: Boundaries: When to Say YES, When to Say NO, To Take Control of Your Life. And while the idea of looking into "when to say yes, when to say no" is very interesting to me, (a person who says "yes" too often) the "take control of your life" makes me cynical : uh-oh. here-comes-a-counselor-with-a-bunch-of-fluff. And, I have to say - so far this book does need to be taken with a grain of salt (doesn't everything?). He has really got on a soapbox preaching about "reaping what you sow" - which I think he misinterprets and mis-applies. And sometimes the authors sound like an after-school special. But some of the ideas here are very interesting, and my curiosity is peaked.
The authors start off with an example of a working mom who gets bullied by her boss, manipulated her mom, neglected by her husband, even taken for granted by her kids. She will go along with what they want, but then silent resentment and alienation will grow over time.
Then the authors attempt to define boundaries and discuss the reasons why people may struggle to be healthy in this area. Limiting time is a type of boundary. As the authors say, "What we can do is set limits on our own exposure to people who are behaving poorly; we can't change them or make them behave right." p.43 Telling someone that we won't spend a lot of time with them is an example of setting a boundary; whereas if we let that person manipulate us into spending a lot of time together, we would be guilty of poor boundaries.
They give another example for a person who may struggle with saying "no" too often. They write, "Many people do not take ownership for how they resist love. They have love around them, but do not realize that their loneliness is a result of their own lack of responsiveness. Often they will say 'Others' love can not 'get in'. This statement negates their responsibility to respond." p.48
They discuss parental boundaries too. For example: "Good parents have fun with their toddlers who jump on the bed. Poor parents either quench their children's desire by not allowing any jumping, or they set no limits and allow them to jump all over Mom and Dad's orange juice and coffee." p.69 That is a great short example of what the authors are talking about - the poor parents in this sentence either say "No" too much, or "Yes" too much.
The main point being made so far in this book is that we should not be passive and go with the flow that
is set by someone else. Instead we should take responsibility for our own actions (or lack thereof). As Christians we are called to follow God's will and love others; but we are not called to be passive pawn-pieces - God wants us to have some responsibility and take some action. It's important to have a good grasp on the doctrine of human agency for this book - without grace and dependence on God, we are a branch without a Vine. But, understood properly, human agency is biblical and within God's plan for us. Someday, we will be accountable for our own actions and we won't be able to blame others for what we did or did not do. As Christians, this is not about self-enpowerment - but something deeper; an active walk with God. As the authors write:
"Consider the parable of the talents. The ones who succeeded were active and assertive. They initiated and pushed. The one who lost out was passive and inactive. The sad thing is that many people who are passive are not evil. But evil is an active force, and passivity can become an ally of evil by not pushing against it. Passivity never pays off. God wants us to be active, seeking and knocking. We know that God is not mean to people who are afraid; the Scripture is full of examples of His compassion. But He will not enable passivity. The "wicked and lazy" servant was passive. He did not try. God's grace covers failure, but it cannot make up for passivity. We have to do our part. The sin God rebukes is not trying and failing, but failing to try. Trying, failing, and trying again is called learning. Failing to try will have no good result; evil will triumph." pp.99-100
Something that helped me recently on this topic is this passage: " 22Blessed are you when men hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. 23"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets. 26Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets." from Luke 6. It sucks when we have to do the right thing and have people hate us for it; but it is our fear of other people's opinions that will cause us to have poor boundaries - which is way more messy and painful in the long run.
The sub-title of the book is: Boundaries: When to Say YES, When to Say NO, To Take Control of Your Life. And while the idea of looking into "when to say yes, when to say no" is very interesting to me, (a person who says "yes" too often) the "take control of your life" makes me cynical : uh-oh. here-comes-a-counselor-with-a-bunch-of-fluff. And, I have to say - so far this book does need to be taken with a grain of salt (doesn't everything?). He has really got on a soapbox preaching about "reaping what you sow" - which I think he misinterprets and mis-applies. And sometimes the authors sound like an after-school special. But some of the ideas here are very interesting, and my curiosity is peaked.
The authors start off with an example of a working mom who gets bullied by her boss, manipulated her mom, neglected by her husband, even taken for granted by her kids. She will go along with what they want, but then silent resentment and alienation will grow over time.
Then the authors attempt to define boundaries and discuss the reasons why people may struggle to be healthy in this area. Limiting time is a type of boundary. As the authors say, "What we can do is set limits on our own exposure to people who are behaving poorly; we can't change them or make them behave right." p.43 Telling someone that we won't spend a lot of time with them is an example of setting a boundary; whereas if we let that person manipulate us into spending a lot of time together, we would be guilty of poor boundaries.
They give another example for a person who may struggle with saying "no" too often. They write, "Many people do not take ownership for how they resist love. They have love around them, but do not realize that their loneliness is a result of their own lack of responsiveness. Often they will say 'Others' love can not 'get in'. This statement negates their responsibility to respond." p.48
They discuss parental boundaries too. For example: "Good parents have fun with their toddlers who jump on the bed. Poor parents either quench their children's desire by not allowing any jumping, or they set no limits and allow them to jump all over Mom and Dad's orange juice and coffee." p.69 That is a great short example of what the authors are talking about - the poor parents in this sentence either say "No" too much, or "Yes" too much.
The main point being made so far in this book is that we should not be passive and go with the flow that
is set by someone else. Instead we should take responsibility for our own actions (or lack thereof). As Christians we are called to follow God's will and love others; but we are not called to be passive pawn-pieces - God wants us to have some responsibility and take some action. It's important to have a good grasp on the doctrine of human agency for this book - without grace and dependence on God, we are a branch without a Vine. But, understood properly, human agency is biblical and within God's plan for us. Someday, we will be accountable for our own actions and we won't be able to blame others for what we did or did not do. As Christians, this is not about self-enpowerment - but something deeper; an active walk with God. As the authors write:
"Consider the parable of the talents. The ones who succeeded were active and assertive. They initiated and pushed. The one who lost out was passive and inactive. The sad thing is that many people who are passive are not evil. But evil is an active force, and passivity can become an ally of evil by not pushing against it. Passivity never pays off. God wants us to be active, seeking and knocking. We know that God is not mean to people who are afraid; the Scripture is full of examples of His compassion. But He will not enable passivity. The "wicked and lazy" servant was passive. He did not try. God's grace covers failure, but it cannot make up for passivity. We have to do our part. The sin God rebukes is not trying and failing, but failing to try. Trying, failing, and trying again is called learning. Failing to try will have no good result; evil will triumph." pp.99-100
Something that helped me recently on this topic is this passage: " 22Blessed are you when men hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. 23"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets. 26Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets." from Luke 6. It sucks when we have to do the right thing and have people hate us for it; but it is our fear of other people's opinions that will cause us to have poor boundaries - which is way more messy and painful in the long run.
Friday, October 1, 2010
CG notes - Intro to the King
this is the final paper i had from the other night - the class notes themselves.
Challenge Group ’10- ’11 The Life of the King
Introduction of the King
1. Introduction to our study
- Why Study Christ?
a. Every Heresy denies Christ. Christ is even controversial within “Christian” churches. 1 John makes it clear that people who want to be in with God need to have a proper outlook on Christ.
b. Christ is who we aspire to relate with and become like (2 Cor. 3:17-18)
c. Christ is the earthly representation of God – part of His role is to show us God’s character/relational pattern/wisdom/ etc.. in a way we can better comprehend. (Jn. 1)
d. Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King ministers to every part of our souls. Christ the Prophet (truth-teller) ministers to our minds as we see the truth; Christ the High Priest (intercessor) ministers to our hearts as we realize our acceptance; and Christ the King (sovereign) ministers to our wills as we see He is worthy of our submission.
e. Christ offers a “new and living way” of living a spiritual life on earth. (sidewalk example/ vitamin example – take in/ assimilate)
f. Also, Christ is the crux of our whole belief, salvation, eternity, sanctification, ministry “fruit”, and anything we study in the Bible plays a part in pointing to Christ. He is the Ultimate.
- Our study
2. Map/Timeline/Resources/Homework
3. Christology
- Fully Human = Heb. 2:14-18, 1 Tim. 2:5, Jn. 8:40, Rm. 5:12-19
- Importance = Mediation/ Death
- Sinless Humanity = 2 Cor. 5:21, Heb 4:15, 1 Jn. 3:5, Heb. 7:26-28
- Importance = Substitution/ Sacrifice
- Full Deity = Col. 2:9, Rm. 9:5, Jn. 1:1-10, 30; Heb. 1:10-12, Jn. 1:18, Heb. 1:1-3, Heb. 10:10-12
- Importance = Paying for an infinite amount of sin;
Revealing God to us.
- Kenosis = Mt. 24:36, Mk. 6:5, Jn. 4:4, Heb. 4:15, 9:14, Jn. 5:30, 1 Cor. 15:3, Php 2:6-7, Jn. 14:10, 15:9, 14:28, Acts 2:22, 10:38, Heb. 2:17, 1 Cor. 15:21, Jn. 14:10-17
- Definition: At the incarnation, Christ gave up not only the environment of the Godhead and His position as Ruler, but also the use of His Divine attributes.
- Importance = Jesus can sympathize with us, and shows us an example of a life led in dependence on the Holy Spirit. Jesus made real sacrifices for us; not only on the cross – but even before that.
- 3-Fold Office of Prophet, Priest, King = Jn. 1:1-18, Rev. 22:3, Jn. 17:4, 14:24, Acts 2:22, Mk. 6:14, Lk. 4:43, Mt. 19:16-26, Isa. 9:6, Deut 18:15, Jn. 20:26-28, Lk. 7:16, 24:19, Heb. 4:14
- Importance = Fulfills prophecy and typology of the OT. Ministers to our needs as truth-teller, intercessor, and ruler. Defeated Satan, death, slavery to sin, and deception with His truth, love, and authority.
- Pre-Existence =
- Importance = not a demigod. He had true authority and infinity. Jesus being a Deity is something we cannot bend our beliefs about.
- Salvation and Resurrection =
- Importance = Nothing matters without this.
- 2nd Coming and Role in Eschatology =
- Importance = This world is not in order currently; things will be made right in the future. Jesus still has an important role to play. He is not just a sacrificial Lamb; but also a living King with a Kingdom.
4. History/ Background
- OT ends during the Persian kingdom; that was a time of re-building and general peace
- Then Alexander the Great defeated the Persians and as he marched into the city of Jerusalem was welcomed to read the Law and Prophets and see prophecies about himself within them. He left Israel in relative peace also.
- When Alexander died young, the kingdom was divided into 4 quadrants under his 4 generals. The Ptolemys of Egypt ruled over Israel. They lived in harmony with each other; this is when the Septuagint (LXX) was written.
- Then the northern kings in Syria began to take control of Israel – they were not as kind. One of the Syrian kings was Antiochus Epiphanies who desecrated the temple (by slaughtering a pig on the altar) and killed 40,000 people in the city of Jerusalem. The Syrian kings began religious persecution of the Jews, and eventually made Judaism illegal as they were trying to assimilate them into the Greek culture (Hellenizing) During this time, the Jews began to rely more on town synagogues and lawyers (teachers of the Law) and Pharisees.
- The Maccabean Revolt took place led by Mattathias and his family. They were tired of the years of oppression and the lack of religious freedom. Members of Mattathias’ family went on to begin the sect of the Saducees.
- Pompey of Rome took control of Israel around 60 years before Jesus was born (63 BCE) He gave control of Israel to a wealthy Edomite/ “Idumaean” officer who found favor with Pompey. Also, the Sanhedrin was set up at this time.
- The Edomite/ “Idumaean” ruler of Israel had 2 sons; one of whom was Herod the Great. This is likely the king who was ruling at the time of Jesus’ birth.
- After Herod the Great died; Israel was divided up into 3 tetrarchies. Archelaus was tetrarch of Judea, Herod Antipas was tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, and Herod Philip was tetrarch of Trachonitis, Aurtanitus, and Batanea.
- Archelaus was unpopular and ended up being banished in 6 CE. He was succeeded by a string of Roman proconsuls, the 5th of whom was Pontius Pilate. After Jesus’ death, Pilate was later banished to Gaul and ended up committing suicide in 36 CE.
- In 37 CE Caligula made Agrippa I king of first the area that Herod Philip had, and later the area of Galilee and Perea.
- In 44 CE, Caligula reversed his policy of having a puppet-king, and reverted back to using proconsuls. Two of these are mentioned in Acts 23-27 = Felix and Festus.
5. Birth
- Born of a virgin (Genealogy)
- Shepherds and manger in Bethlehem
- Circumcision and naming (8th day)
- Redemption of firstborn and purification of the mother (1 month old. Num. 18:15-16; Lev. 12:1-4, 8) Simeon and Anna meet Jesus and speak (Lk. 2:25-38)
- Visit of the Magi in a house in the city of Bethlehem (Mt. 2:11; also Herod’s edict about children 2 years old and younger means that this was likely at the time Jesus was around 1 year old)
- Flight to Egypt
- Return to Nazareth
- Education
- At age 12, he was attending feasts in Jerusalem
Discussion = Why is not much written about Jesus’ boyhood? What things about Christ have stood out to you and taught you something about yourselves?
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Life of Christ - Map/Locations
So, I can't upload a map onto the blog; but this is the next-best thing. A list of locations along with verses and in a plausible chronological order. If this were taken and looked at with a map of Israel; you could map out some of the big events the life of Christ.
- Birth – Lk 1-2; Bethlehem
- Simeon and Anna recognize Messiah – Lk 2; Jerusalem
- Flight to Egypt – Mt 2; Egypt
- Childhood – Mt 2; Nazareth
- Confounds teachers of the Law – Lk 2; Jerusalem
- Baptism by John – Jn 1; Bethany
- Tempted in the wilderness – Lk 4; between Bethany and Ephraim
- Turns water into wine – Jn 2; Cana
- First temple cleansing, Talk with Nicodemus – Jn 2-3; Jerusalem
- Woman at the well – Jn 4; Sychar
- Heals offical’s son – Jn 4; Cana
- Rejection in Nazareth – Lk 4; Nazareth
- Settles in Capernaum – Mt 4; Capernaum
- Heals man at pool – Jn 5; Jerusalem
- Appoints the 12 (Lk 6) and Sermon on the Mount – Mt 5-7; Sea of Galilee western side
- Heals Centurian’s servant – Mt 8; Capernaum
- Raises widow’s son – Lk 7; Nain
- Pharisees’ opposition – Mk 3; Capernaum
- Parables of the Kingdom – Mk 4; Sea of Galilee western side
- Stills the storm – Mk 4; Sea of Galilee
- Heals Gadarene demoniac – Mt 8; East side of Sea of Galilee
- Raises Jairus’ daughter – Mk 5; Capernaum
- 2nd Rejection in Nazareth – Mk 6; Nazareth
- Sends the twelve – Lk 9; Capernaum
- Death of John the Baptist – Mk 6; Machaerus (possible site)
- Feeding the 5000 – Jn 6; Bethsaida
- Walks on water – Mk 6; Sea of Galilee
- Many miracles – Mk 6; Sea of Galilee, western side
- Bread of Life sermon – Jn 6; Capernaum
- Syrophoenician girl healed – Mk 7; Tyre
- Feeding of 4000 – Mk 8; Sea of Galilee; eastern side
- People demand a sign – Mk 8; Sea of Galilee; western side
- Heals blind man – Mk 8; Sea of Galilee; eastern side
- Testimony of Peter: “You are the Messiah” – Lk 9; Caeserea-Philippi
- Transfiguration – Lk 9; Mount Hermon (possible site)
- Ten lepers healed – Lk 17; Samaria
- Heals blind man – Jn 9; Jerusalem
- Raises Lazarus – Jn 11; Bethany
- Seclusion with disciples – Jn 11; close to Ephraim
- Seven parables (Lk 13-18) and Rich young ruler (Lk 18); Perea region
- Blind man healed and meets Zaccheus – Lk 18-19; Jericho
- Anointed by Mary – Jn 12; Bethany
- Triumphal entry/ Second Temple cleansing/ Last supper – Mt 21-26; Jerusalem
- Agony and arrest – Mk 14; Gethsemane and Mount of Olives
- Trials, crucifixion, burial, resurrection, appearances – Jn 18-21; Jerusalem and Golgotha
- Great Commission – Mt 28; Sea of Galilee western side
- Ascension – Acts 1; unknown?
Typology of Christ
There were several handouts and notes from tonight. This is just one of them; I'll send out the rest over the next few days. This one is about OT characters, events, and things that acted as "types" of Christ=
OT Typology
Persons =
1. Aaron – Heb. 5:4-6, 8:1-6, 7:27
2. Abel – Heb. 11:4
3. Adam – Rm. 5:12-21, 1 Cor. 15:45-47
4. David – Shepherd King
5. Isaac – Gal. 4:28-29, Hen 11:17, Gen 22 (sacrifice)
6. Jonah – back after 3 days
7. Kinsman-Redeemer – Lev 25:48-49, Ruth 3:12-13, Heb. 2:14-15, Ruth 4:4-6, Jn. 10:11, 18, 1 Pet. 1:18, Lev 25:27, Rm 3:24-26, 1 Pet. 1:18-19, Gal 3:13
8. Melchizedek – Ps. 110:4, Heb 5-7
9. Moses – Deut 18:15-19, Ex 3:7-10, Acts 7:25, Ex. 2:11-15, Jn. 1 :11, Acts 7 :23-28, 18 :5-6, Num 34 :1-2, Jn. 12 :29, Mt. 13 :57, 21 :11, Acts 3 :22-23, Ex. 32 :31-35, 1 Jn. 2 :1-2, Ex 17 :1-6, Heb 7 :25, Deut 33 :4-5, Jn. 1 :49
Events =
1. Clothes of Adam and Eve – Gen 3:21, Job 29:14, Ps 132:9, Isa 61:10, 64:6, Rm. 3:23, Rev 19:8
2. Preservation in the Ark – 2 Pet 2:5-9, 2 Tim 4:18
3. Deliverance from Egypt and desert wanderings – Ex 16:4, 17:6, 1 Cor 10
4. Entrance into the Promised Land – Heb 3-4, 1 Cor 10
Things =
1. OT sacrifices – Lev 17:11, Gen 4:4, 22:7, Jn 1:29, 1 Pet 1:19, Acts 8:32, 1 Pet 2:21-23
2. Tabernacle –
3. Aaron’s rod – Num 17, Heb 9:4
4. Bronze serpent – Num 21:5-9, Jn 3:14-16
5. Smitten Rock – Ex 17:5-7, 1 Cor 10:4
6. Noah’s ark – Mt 24:37-28, Lk 17:26-27, Heb 11:7, 1 Pet 3:20, 2 Pet 2:5-9
Institutions and Ceremonies =
1. Sacrifices
2. Priesthood
3. Feasts
a. Passover – Lev 23, 1 Cor 5:7, 1 Pet 1:15-19
b. Unleavened Bread – 1 Cor 15:20-23, Lev 23:11
c. Firstfruits – Eph 2:14, Lev 16:15
d. Wave Loaves (Pentacost) – Rm 3:25, Heb 9:7-28
e. Day of Atonement – Heb 13:11-13, Lev 16:24
f. Tabernacles – Zech 14:16-19
4. Cities of Refuge – Num 35, Deut 19:1-13, Joshua 20, Ps 46:1, 142:5, Isa 4:6, Rm 8:33-34, Heb 6:18-19
Monday, June 14, 2010
Questioning Evangelism by: Randy Newman
This book is about using questions with people; and answering people's questions with questions. It's about what Newman calls "Rabbinic evangelism". He shows how Jesus spoke to people this way and encourages us to be more interested in others and willing to stop giving answers and start really listening to others.
Is this approach all soft and fluffy, you may ask? He does answer this complaint; for example: "Confronting someone with unpleasant truths doesn't work in sales, but it is essential in evangelism." (p.36) He writes that we aren't to just be annoying parrots or manipulative salesmen. I'm glad he makes that point.
The antithesis he's fighting in this book is using a real unnatural formulaic approach in evangelism. Or, being to quick to pull out our list of answers and give ourselves a gold star. This is a good antithesis. That sort of approach is not really loving or normal. But, I don't know how many of us actually struggle with that.....
I think that this book might be the best for 1. Someone really rude and argumentative - or someone who won't shut up. 2. A new Believer with a lot of non-Christian friends who is overwhelmed and needs to see that evangelism can be a really natural and easy thing. or 3. someone with no non-Christian friends who needs a non-threatening way to begin deep conversations with relative strangers. 4. Someone who doesn't understand the basic features of communication and friendship.
However, I think most people who relate to non-Christian friends are already probably asking a lot of questions. In that sense, I was reading this book and thinking, "tell me something I don't already know." I'm not saying that with a complete bad attitude. It's just that he keeps bringing up the antithesis of people using pamphlets and stuff, and i don't know anyone in this church that actually does anything like that.
What's good about the book = it's super cool how he uses the example of Jesus and the wisdom from the Proverbs to make an argument for being more wise and (as he says) "Rabbinic" in our approach to others. Also, he really touches on big questions that people have (i.e. about sexuality and marraige, problem of evil, etc..) and helps the reader think through how to be wise in the face of such concerns. And I like that he is telling Christians not to just be defensive, and answer whatever question comes up - but he's telling Christians also to be investigative- to push past people's defenses and see what it is that they really think about life and love and faith and reality. In that way, the book has a great message that I really enjoy reading about.
I also really enjoyed all the example-conversations. That does get the mind firing. In most books, I think the examples can be a waste of time - but not in books like this one.
So, overall - I do recommend the book, especially in certain situations (i.e. the 4 types of people i mentioned above). But, I don't think the antithesis he's fighting is one that our church struggles with. In fact, I think that people in this church naturally employ the techniques he's talking about if they have love relationships with non-Christians. This book is about the heart and soul of friendship evangelism - and not just that; but all relationships in general ----- being others-focused! And pushing past the surface of things with questions.
Is this approach all soft and fluffy, you may ask? He does answer this complaint; for example: "Confronting someone with unpleasant truths doesn't work in sales, but it is essential in evangelism." (p.36) He writes that we aren't to just be annoying parrots or manipulative salesmen. I'm glad he makes that point.
The antithesis he's fighting in this book is using a real unnatural formulaic approach in evangelism. Or, being to quick to pull out our list of answers and give ourselves a gold star. This is a good antithesis. That sort of approach is not really loving or normal. But, I don't know how many of us actually struggle with that.....
I think that this book might be the best for 1. Someone really rude and argumentative - or someone who won't shut up. 2. A new Believer with a lot of non-Christian friends who is overwhelmed and needs to see that evangelism can be a really natural and easy thing. or 3. someone with no non-Christian friends who needs a non-threatening way to begin deep conversations with relative strangers. 4. Someone who doesn't understand the basic features of communication and friendship.
However, I think most people who relate to non-Christian friends are already probably asking a lot of questions. In that sense, I was reading this book and thinking, "tell me something I don't already know." I'm not saying that with a complete bad attitude. It's just that he keeps bringing up the antithesis of people using pamphlets and stuff, and i don't know anyone in this church that actually does anything like that.
What's good about the book = it's super cool how he uses the example of Jesus and the wisdom from the Proverbs to make an argument for being more wise and (as he says) "Rabbinic" in our approach to others. Also, he really touches on big questions that people have (i.e. about sexuality and marraige, problem of evil, etc..) and helps the reader think through how to be wise in the face of such concerns. And I like that he is telling Christians not to just be defensive, and answer whatever question comes up - but he's telling Christians also to be investigative- to push past people's defenses and see what it is that they really think about life and love and faith and reality. In that way, the book has a great message that I really enjoy reading about.
I also really enjoyed all the example-conversations. That does get the mind firing. In most books, I think the examples can be a waste of time - but not in books like this one.
So, overall - I do recommend the book, especially in certain situations (i.e. the 4 types of people i mentioned above). But, I don't think the antithesis he's fighting is one that our church struggles with. In fact, I think that people in this church naturally employ the techniques he's talking about if they have love relationships with non-Christians. This book is about the heart and soul of friendship evangelism - and not just that; but all relationships in general ----- being others-focused! And pushing past the surface of things with questions.
Monday, May 3, 2010
jill briscoe - 8 choices that will change a woman's life
The intro to the book is a bit cheesy and sugar-sweet; but the chapters are another story. Great, deep, hard-hitting, and biblical. There are certain moments when she talks about things (like the "Devil's cheese" left out to trap church mice) that I kind of inwardly groan - but if you can get past small moments like that; you can love this book. My only other complaint is that her own life may be un-relateable to most. She talks about being married to a husband who is a televangelist and flying all around the country doing speaking engagments, etc.. I can imagine a suffering person wanting to write her off for this - like, "Well, we can't all be Christian celebrities!" So, aside from those 2 small things - it's a very usable book. I'm even thinking of using it in my challenge group next year.
Choice #1 = To Resist Pain or Use it
Whether looking at verses about how a servant is not better than his master, or how we should consider it pure joy when we face all kinds of trials, the Scripture - especially the NT - is full of counter-cultural wisdom about suffering. This chapter confronts everything that is at the core of American belief and values. We are Americans with the unalienable right to pursue peace and happiness! But, Briscoe claims that while American Christians are praying, "God, get this trouble off my back!" - that other Christians around the world say instead, "God, strengthen my back to bear it".
She also quotes wisdom from some other great Christian thinkers =
"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world." C.S. Lewis
"Not only is pain useful as a warning, it may also be an essential dimension in our richest experiences." Philip Yancey
One thing I really like about this chapter is that she spends a fair amount of time talking about serving other suffering people. Sometimes, when I read a book or chapter about Christian suffering - it turns me inward as I think about "woe is me". But, she is good at acknowledging that as Christians we will suffer; but that this life isn't all about us and our happiness. "Trouble trains us to serve troubled people." (p. 19)
She uses a few different Bible translations that I'm not as familiar with; and it can be nice to read familiar verses in a new way - such as:
"God sometimes uses sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek eternal life." 2 Cor 7:10 TLB
"We can be full of joy here and now even in our trials and troubles. [Taken in the right spirit] these very things will give us patient endurance." Rom. 5:3 Phillips translation
"When the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So, let it grow, and don't try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete." James 1:3-4 TLB
The discussion/prayer guide at the end of the chapter seemed quite useful and cool too.
She gave a metaphor for us that I liked a lot. She talked about a little girl playing around in a crowded train car. A traveler watched her and began to wonder who she belonged to - she was so well-adjusted and friendly with everyone it was hard to tell. But just then the train entered a tunnel and was filled with darkness. As that happened, the girl ran to a man at the front of the traincar. As the darkness came, she showed who she belonged to. And so will we if we run to God in our own dark times.
Choice #1 = To Resist Pain or Use it
Whether looking at verses about how a servant is not better than his master, or how we should consider it pure joy when we face all kinds of trials, the Scripture - especially the NT - is full of counter-cultural wisdom about suffering. This chapter confronts everything that is at the core of American belief and values. We are Americans with the unalienable right to pursue peace and happiness! But, Briscoe claims that while American Christians are praying, "God, get this trouble off my back!" - that other Christians around the world say instead, "God, strengthen my back to bear it".
She also quotes wisdom from some other great Christian thinkers =
"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world." C.S. Lewis
"Not only is pain useful as a warning, it may also be an essential dimension in our richest experiences." Philip Yancey
One thing I really like about this chapter is that she spends a fair amount of time talking about serving other suffering people. Sometimes, when I read a book or chapter about Christian suffering - it turns me inward as I think about "woe is me". But, she is good at acknowledging that as Christians we will suffer; but that this life isn't all about us and our happiness. "Trouble trains us to serve troubled people." (p. 19)
She uses a few different Bible translations that I'm not as familiar with; and it can be nice to read familiar verses in a new way - such as:
"God sometimes uses sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek eternal life." 2 Cor 7:10 TLB
"We can be full of joy here and now even in our trials and troubles. [Taken in the right spirit] these very things will give us patient endurance." Rom. 5:3 Phillips translation
"When the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So, let it grow, and don't try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete." James 1:3-4 TLB
The discussion/prayer guide at the end of the chapter seemed quite useful and cool too.
She gave a metaphor for us that I liked a lot. She talked about a little girl playing around in a crowded train car. A traveler watched her and began to wonder who she belonged to - she was so well-adjusted and friendly with everyone it was hard to tell. But just then the train entered a tunnel and was filled with darkness. As that happened, the girl ran to a man at the front of the traincar. As the darkness came, she showed who she belonged to. And so will we if we run to God in our own dark times.
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