I thoroughly enjoyed "Crazy Love" and more importantly, was challenged to
change some things in my life. His style of writing is "down to earth": simple,
direct, Scriptural. My own response to Crazy Love was twofold: First, I want
to ask my Father to change the areas in my life that don't match His Word. To
help in this area, I copied several Scripture verses onto my prayer cards so I can cry out to God to change me - because I am so deeply
aware that I cannot change myself. Second, I want to look for ways to serve the
poor and marginalized of our world in new ways. I want to step out of my
comfort zone and be the hands and feet of Jesus in new places.
Francis especially hits "comfortable Christians" pretty hard. I love it. I needed the reminder. May we never be "holy enough" or "doing ministry enough" to think that we do not need reminders from His Word to reassess our obedience. Francis' approach to Scripture is refreshing - believe it and do what it says! I was raised in a middle-class, suburban background - and somehow the idea of helping the poor and marginalized was not highlighted in my experience. Francis reminds us that to be called a Christian is to care about the poor - they are not and cannot be separated. May God use me in new ways that stretch me and make me gloriously uncomfortable!
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Leading from the Sandbox - T. J. Addington
I don't have the time to review this book as thoroughly as I would like, but let me just simply say that I heartily recommend it to leaders and those who are trying to create a 'culture' of selected values within their organization. It was clear, concise, and provided easy to follow guidelines on how to identify and shape strategic goals and tools for staff evaluation. The author values clear goals and evaluations based on results. I look forward to applying what I have learned in the future.
"Half the Church" by Carolyn Custis James
The upside of airplane travel is reading time...as a die-hard book lover, air travel time = reading time. I was able to finish this book because of my recent trek to Texas and back!
The premise of Carolyn's book is that we need to take a look at the role of women from a global perspective. Responding to the book, "Half the Sky" (a description of the plight of women globally and the atrocities they suffer daily), Carolyn outlines her view that we must interpret Scripture outside of our Western context. For many of us, myself included, our view of Scripture has been deeply impacted by the culture we have grown up in. My middle-class, suburban environment isolates me from the sufferings of women around the world. Carolyn raises the question, does our so-called Biblical view of the role of women encompass ALL women globally or just those within our own cultural background? The word "submission" may be a hot button to a freedom-loving, American middle class Mom...but it is even more so to a woman in the Middle East who has suffered intense abuse in the name of "submission." She emphasizes the question, what does the Bible hold for women that is GOOD NEWS?, then lays out her views from Scripture and pictures of women that we see there (such as Ruth, Mary, etc).
On the positive side - I applaud her attempt to open up the dialogue on women's roles to a global conversation. Women in the Middle East have insights into the text that I, as a WASPy type person, will totally miss. I applaud her call that women in the church must rise up to answer the call of God as His image-bearers and His EZERS (helper-rescuers!) to a world in great need. This is not a time to hang back and wait while there is great need and suffering in the world. I also applaud her view that single women in the church are often overlooked in the discussion of women's roles...for those of us, myself included, who have not yet met "Mr. Right," this is a refreshing discussion. I don't belive that my "only" role in Biblical womanhood is that of wife and mother, because if it were, I would somehow be currently missing out on my calling in life? I don't think so - God is bigger than that, and the Apostle Paul's call to singleness in Scripture is for women, too.
On the negative side - I was somewhat disappointed in the writing style and layout of the author's material. This was one of those books where I felt that it would have been better presented as a shorter book, or perhaps a series of articles. There were mutliple good "nuggets" to chew on (and my book is heavily marked, noting these nuggets!) but inbetween those nuggets I sensed that some of it was "filler." I am perhaps being overly critical...and some of the material she shared was already familiar to me from having studied this issue from other sources.
The author refuses to claim membership in either the egalitarian camp or the complimentarian camp...hoping that this will grant her an audience in both. While this is somewhat frustrating, I also can see why she does this. As soon as one states their position, red warning flags fly on either side and all sorts of assumptions rise to one's mind. She endeavors to avoid these assumptions by asking questions relevant to both 'sides' of this theological debate of the role of women.
Overall - I can recommend the book - because it asks questions that both egalitarians and complimentarians need to wrestle with!
I DO believe that Scripture says much more about women than just a handful of verses about submission or being a wife and mother. I also believe that our original design as EZERS is so much more than what we assume "helpmate" means today. EZER, the word usually translated as "helper or helpmate" in Genesis 2, appears 21 times in Scripture: Once in Genesis 2 for the role of Eve/women, three times for "nations to whom Israel appealed for military aid"...and ..."sixteen times for God as Israel's helper.." (p. 112, Curtis). It is a MILITARY word, and means "STRONG helper." This description of women is PRE-FALL and should speak loudly to us about God's original intention for women before sin produced curses and limitations.
Carolyn's conclusion is that God has created a "Blessed Alliance" - meaning that when men and women work TOGETHER they are able to create and produce something better than when they work in isolation. I wholeheartedly agree.
The premise of Carolyn's book is that we need to take a look at the role of women from a global perspective. Responding to the book, "Half the Sky" (a description of the plight of women globally and the atrocities they suffer daily), Carolyn outlines her view that we must interpret Scripture outside of our Western context. For many of us, myself included, our view of Scripture has been deeply impacted by the culture we have grown up in. My middle-class, suburban environment isolates me from the sufferings of women around the world. Carolyn raises the question, does our so-called Biblical view of the role of women encompass ALL women globally or just those within our own cultural background? The word "submission" may be a hot button to a freedom-loving, American middle class Mom...but it is even more so to a woman in the Middle East who has suffered intense abuse in the name of "submission." She emphasizes the question, what does the Bible hold for women that is GOOD NEWS?, then lays out her views from Scripture and pictures of women that we see there (such as Ruth, Mary, etc).
On the positive side - I applaud her attempt to open up the dialogue on women's roles to a global conversation. Women in the Middle East have insights into the text that I, as a WASPy type person, will totally miss. I applaud her call that women in the church must rise up to answer the call of God as His image-bearers and His EZERS (helper-rescuers!) to a world in great need. This is not a time to hang back and wait while there is great need and suffering in the world. I also applaud her view that single women in the church are often overlooked in the discussion of women's roles...for those of us, myself included, who have not yet met "Mr. Right," this is a refreshing discussion. I don't belive that my "only" role in Biblical womanhood is that of wife and mother, because if it were, I would somehow be currently missing out on my calling in life? I don't think so - God is bigger than that, and the Apostle Paul's call to singleness in Scripture is for women, too.
On the negative side - I was somewhat disappointed in the writing style and layout of the author's material. This was one of those books where I felt that it would have been better presented as a shorter book, or perhaps a series of articles. There were mutliple good "nuggets" to chew on (and my book is heavily marked, noting these nuggets!) but inbetween those nuggets I sensed that some of it was "filler." I am perhaps being overly critical...and some of the material she shared was already familiar to me from having studied this issue from other sources.
The author refuses to claim membership in either the egalitarian camp or the complimentarian camp...hoping that this will grant her an audience in both. While this is somewhat frustrating, I also can see why she does this. As soon as one states their position, red warning flags fly on either side and all sorts of assumptions rise to one's mind. She endeavors to avoid these assumptions by asking questions relevant to both 'sides' of this theological debate of the role of women.
Overall - I can recommend the book - because it asks questions that both egalitarians and complimentarians need to wrestle with!
I DO believe that Scripture says much more about women than just a handful of verses about submission or being a wife and mother. I also believe that our original design as EZERS is so much more than what we assume "helpmate" means today. EZER, the word usually translated as "helper or helpmate" in Genesis 2, appears 21 times in Scripture: Once in Genesis 2 for the role of Eve/women, three times for "nations to whom Israel appealed for military aid"...and ..."sixteen times for God as Israel's helper.." (p. 112, Curtis). It is a MILITARY word, and means "STRONG helper." This description of women is PRE-FALL and should speak loudly to us about God's original intention for women before sin produced curses and limitations.
Carolyn's conclusion is that God has created a "Blessed Alliance" - meaning that when men and women work TOGETHER they are able to create and produce something better than when they work in isolation. I wholeheartedly agree.
Monday, April 9, 2012
"Humility" by Andrew Murray
Was Jesus really meek and mild?
It has caused me to wonder about the way we see Jesus - was He "meek and mild" or strong and forthright and bold? Yes, both. Sometimes Murray seems to paint Jesus as so meek and unassuming that it doesn't match what I see in Scripture. Jesus was humble enough to be "obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross"...but He also overturned money tables in the temple and spoke outright against falsehood in religious authorities! It just makes me wonder what humility really looks like - and I think it looks meek and mild in some circumstances and bold as a lion in other circumstances...like Jesus. The difference, I suppose, is that Jesus was acting in defense of truth and the character of the Living God. We often act like lions when we are simply trying to defend our own, often foolish, selves. Big difference. I once heard the expression that those who are proud are concerned with WHO is right, but those who are humble are concerned with WHAT is right. hmmm.
True Love & Humility Shown Through Everyday Life
I'm only part way through the book - but here are two portions that hit me square between the eyes, based on I John 4:20 "Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen."
(1) Murray states: "What a solemn thought, that our love for God will be measured by our everyday intercourse with men and the love it displays; and that our love for God will be found to be a delusion, except was its truth proved in standing the test of daily life with our fellowmen. It is even so with our humility. It is easy to think we humble ourselves before God: humility towards men will be the only sufficient proof that our humility before God is real; that humility has taken up its abode in us; and become our very nature; that we actually, like Christ, have made ourselves of no reputation."
(2) And another one... "...the only humility that is really ours is not that which we try to show before God in prayer, but that which we carry with us, and carry out, in our ordinary condcut; the insignificances of daily life are the importances and the tests of eternity, because they prove what really is the spirit that possesses us. It is in our most unguarded moments that we really show and see what we are. To know the humble man, to know how the humble man behaves, you must follow him in the common course of daily life."
I wrote in my journal not very long ago that its so much easier to humble myself before God - He is holy and just. His judgment is true. His mercy is never-ending. His forgiveness is beyond comprehension. Humbling myself before men who might twist my words or use them against me is an entirely different choice to make...one that involves trust in my Sovereign Lord above the choices that men may make.
Two Different People
Two images popped into my mind of two different people that I have walked with in a busy, bustling city: the first one pushes his way through and starts arguments with those that are in his way; the second one offers to carry my bag for me, and stops to ask a homeless person about their health. Guess which one I'm going to attempt to emulate.
Comments?
It has caused me to wonder about the way we see Jesus - was He "meek and mild" or strong and forthright and bold? Yes, both. Sometimes Murray seems to paint Jesus as so meek and unassuming that it doesn't match what I see in Scripture. Jesus was humble enough to be "obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross"...but He also overturned money tables in the temple and spoke outright against falsehood in religious authorities! It just makes me wonder what humility really looks like - and I think it looks meek and mild in some circumstances and bold as a lion in other circumstances...like Jesus. The difference, I suppose, is that Jesus was acting in defense of truth and the character of the Living God. We often act like lions when we are simply trying to defend our own, often foolish, selves. Big difference. I once heard the expression that those who are proud are concerned with WHO is right, but those who are humble are concerned with WHAT is right. hmmm.
True Love & Humility Shown Through Everyday Life
I'm only part way through the book - but here are two portions that hit me square between the eyes, based on I John 4:20 "Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen."
(1) Murray states: "What a solemn thought, that our love for God will be measured by our everyday intercourse with men and the love it displays; and that our love for God will be found to be a delusion, except was its truth proved in standing the test of daily life with our fellowmen. It is even so with our humility. It is easy to think we humble ourselves before God: humility towards men will be the only sufficient proof that our humility before God is real; that humility has taken up its abode in us; and become our very nature; that we actually, like Christ, have made ourselves of no reputation."
(2) And another one... "...the only humility that is really ours is not that which we try to show before God in prayer, but that which we carry with us, and carry out, in our ordinary condcut; the insignificances of daily life are the importances and the tests of eternity, because they prove what really is the spirit that possesses us. It is in our most unguarded moments that we really show and see what we are. To know the humble man, to know how the humble man behaves, you must follow him in the common course of daily life."
I wrote in my journal not very long ago that its so much easier to humble myself before God - He is holy and just. His judgment is true. His mercy is never-ending. His forgiveness is beyond comprehension. Humbling myself before men who might twist my words or use them against me is an entirely different choice to make...one that involves trust in my Sovereign Lord above the choices that men may make.
Two Different People
Two images popped into my mind of two different people that I have walked with in a busy, bustling city: the first one pushes his way through and starts arguments with those that are in his way; the second one offers to carry my bag for me, and stops to ask a homeless person about their health. Guess which one I'm going to attempt to emulate.
Comments?
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Necessary Endings
Life brings endings. Its not easy, and if you are wired like I am - loyal to the core - then endings feel like the end of the world! But sometimes endings are necessary! I've been reading a lot by Dr. Henry Cloud lately, and I'm in the middle of his book "Necessary Endings." In it, he points out that sometimes hope, while often a great quality in a person, needs to be founded on some reality or some measurable difference that shows that something will change in the future. If its not founded on reality, its just wishful thinking. Maturity and wisdom means that we can see the difference between hope as a positive virtue, and hope as wishful thinking.
I recommend this book to anyone who would like to get some clarity in their life on whether or not you should hold on a bit longer, or bring something to an end.
http://www.amazon.com/Necessary-Endings-Businesses-Relationships-ebook/dp/B0049B1VO0/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1?_encoding=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2
I recommend this book to anyone who would like to get some clarity in their life on whether or not you should hold on a bit longer, or bring something to an end.
http://www.amazon.com/Necessary-Endings-Businesses-Relationships-ebook/dp/B0049B1VO0/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1?_encoding=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Its Been a While...
Hi Everyone - Life has been a little crazy, but I plan to resurrect this blog. I've read many books in the past six months and will be adding some thoughts soon.
Blessings!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Drawing Water from a Dry Well
I've recently finished the book "Boundaries" by Cloud/Townsend. Its been on my "want-to"read list for a long time. I was quite familiar with the idea of 'boundaries' before reading the book, but I'm thankful that the book revealed some new areas I had not yet thought of.
I enjoyed the book very much. I will say that often their use of Scripture to support their points was faulty - they took Scripture out of context several times! But nevertheless - the book does contain wisdom and some truth for us to glean and wrestle with....particularly from Proverbs.
Below is a personal realization, inspired partly by the book , and partly by a personal coach/mentor of mine who has been trying to drill this into my head for years: :)
I will begin with an illustration: I'm a mezzo-soprano, meaning that my vocal range is high but richer in the middle and not so lovely in the highest spots. If I was singing for a director who gave me a solo that was written for a first soprano (those skilled in high areas), he would soon discover that I would sing it rather poorly. In the future, most likely that director would be careful to give me solos that would be better suited to my range so that I could perform at a higher level. However, if that director continued to give me solos that I was not suited for, and then was angry at me again and again for singing them poorly, the fault would lie with him and not with me. I am weak in that range, to be sure, but it is not the range that my vocal chords were designed for.
A similar illustration is the following: If I need to fill up my bucket of water and I have several wells to choose from, most likely I will go to the well that has the freshest and largest supply of water. However, if I choose to go to the empty well and try to fill up my bucket - and come up short - I am being foolish. If I continue to try and fill up my bucket from an empty well...well, that's just insanity. :) Getting angry at the empty well wastes a lot of time and emotional energy when I could simply draw from other sources.
There is a wideness and diversity in the Body of Christ. We all have different spiritual gifts, talents, resources, etc. To ask that Person A fill my need for ______ is fine...IF Person A is skilled in ____. But if Person A is not skilled - and I return again and again demanding him/her to fill that need, then the fault lies with me, and not with them. Instead I should be asking, 'who is designed to fill the need of _____?' and choose instead to go to that person.
I Corinthians gives us such a glorious picture of the Body of Christ - each part has its role. How foolish would we be to ask the arm to be an eye, or the ear to be a foot?? But that is just what we do with each other sometimes.
Think of someone who continually disappoints you and hurts you...have you been trying to draw water from a well that is dry? Remember the wideness of the Body of Christ and look for your needs to be met in a variety of sources and people. Choosing this view helps us to be free from anger and resentment...and turn instead to appreciation.
Ironically - demanding that someone meet a need that we have that they are not skilled to meet is only a recipe for making the relationship worse. It creates insecurity and a critical spirit. Instead, when we delight in the goodness of what gifts and help that person has to offer, we find a thankful spirit in our hearts that creates an environment for trust, encouragement, affirmation, and the valuing of one another.
Ultimately, our "WELL" is truly CHRIST Himself. He alone meets our deepest needs. But He often chooses to meet those needs through others in the Body of Christ. If you have a need that is unmet...ask God to direct you to the right person in the Body of Christ to help you to fill it.
I enjoyed the book very much. I will say that often their use of Scripture to support their points was faulty - they took Scripture out of context several times! But nevertheless - the book does contain wisdom and some truth for us to glean and wrestle with....particularly from Proverbs.
Below is a personal realization, inspired partly by the book , and partly by a personal coach/mentor of mine who has been trying to drill this into my head for years: :)
I will begin with an illustration: I'm a mezzo-soprano, meaning that my vocal range is high but richer in the middle and not so lovely in the highest spots. If I was singing for a director who gave me a solo that was written for a first soprano (those skilled in high areas), he would soon discover that I would sing it rather poorly. In the future, most likely that director would be careful to give me solos that would be better suited to my range so that I could perform at a higher level. However, if that director continued to give me solos that I was not suited for, and then was angry at me again and again for singing them poorly, the fault would lie with him and not with me. I am weak in that range, to be sure, but it is not the range that my vocal chords were designed for.
A similar illustration is the following: If I need to fill up my bucket of water and I have several wells to choose from, most likely I will go to the well that has the freshest and largest supply of water. However, if I choose to go to the empty well and try to fill up my bucket - and come up short - I am being foolish. If I continue to try and fill up my bucket from an empty well...well, that's just insanity. :) Getting angry at the empty well wastes a lot of time and emotional energy when I could simply draw from other sources.
There is a wideness and diversity in the Body of Christ. We all have different spiritual gifts, talents, resources, etc. To ask that Person A fill my need for ______ is fine...IF Person A is skilled in ____. But if Person A is not skilled - and I return again and again demanding him/her to fill that need, then the fault lies with me, and not with them. Instead I should be asking, 'who is designed to fill the need of _____?' and choose instead to go to that person.
I Corinthians gives us such a glorious picture of the Body of Christ - each part has its role. How foolish would we be to ask the arm to be an eye, or the ear to be a foot?? But that is just what we do with each other sometimes.
Think of someone who continually disappoints you and hurts you...have you been trying to draw water from a well that is dry? Remember the wideness of the Body of Christ and look for your needs to be met in a variety of sources and people. Choosing this view helps us to be free from anger and resentment...and turn instead to appreciation.
Ironically - demanding that someone meet a need that we have that they are not skilled to meet is only a recipe for making the relationship worse. It creates insecurity and a critical spirit. Instead, when we delight in the goodness of what gifts and help that person has to offer, we find a thankful spirit in our hearts that creates an environment for trust, encouragement, affirmation, and the valuing of one another.
Ultimately, our "WELL" is truly CHRIST Himself. He alone meets our deepest needs. But He often chooses to meet those needs through others in the Body of Christ. If you have a need that is unmet...ask God to direct you to the right person in the Body of Christ to help you to fill it.
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