due to the fact that this is a post discussion
of two
very different books...
that I've chosen to "conglomerate" here
as they have these commonalities ☺.
1. who should read these?
the same group of people. (answers will be upside-down at the end. or in small print. ha! humor me. this is going to be an intense post.)
2. the importance of the Holy Spirit. and Prayer.
ready or not. here we go ☺.
(Warning. Please understand that these books have brought this reader to consider issues that
I do not in real life OR "fb" argue and "fight" politics...PLEASE just get aloooooonng. That does not mean I do not have strong opinions of my own or am naive enough to believe that all Christians should stand in the exact same spot. Body Broken is the updated and revised version of A Public Faith. It does seem that the "body" of Jesus is as "broken" as secular culture. The body of Christ was indeed broken for us that we might be one. In love and unity. Marked different.
"God is neither 'for us' nor is he 'for our enemies'.
God is for Himself--His own purposes and His own glory." p.10
Did you choose where you would be born? Me either. Proud/arrogant? to be an American? No. Humbled. The author asks that the reader imagine a world without the United States. There is no guarantee that America (or other) will last forever. All human government will one day fail. So we put our trust in God's kingdom rather than that of man. Government for the secular and "Christian" alike is a God substitute.
"one of the chief reasons we become so angry over political differences is that those differences often threaten idols in our lives--certain ways of thinking or living on which we have grown too dependent"
Ok, now for the really good part. Did you know that there is great political power in prayer? Since Jesus went up to heaven...
well, read this
Do you know the name of your state governor, senators, congress...so that you can pray for them and their families? No, I don't...know all their names or pray for them. I know that this may sound guilt-inducing or condemning, but reading these chapters was actually very hope-giving. The author challenges us to pray with thanksgiving. To move away from tones of frustration and judgement and focusing on small things and pray asking God for the world to do what we cannot "Your kingdom come, your will be done" .
"One of the reasons Christians tend to fight with each other over politics is that we are often secret Utopians. We say we trust in Christ, but really we trust in ourselves, or some human solution to make the world a better place. We keep hoping for the 'silver bullet' --the candidate, the policy, the platform, the Supreme Court configuration--that will fix things."
This book is so very practical. Drew really does get to the heart of the matter, discusses focus, different approaches to how Jesus followers can make a real difference in the political world, how to press on, and keep it simple. WHO should read this? Pastors, elders, ministry leaders, community groups, every Jesus follower who wants to be a "Daniel" and make a difference in his/her time in a way that is respected and above reproach to all who are watching.
I received this book from NGP for the purpose of review
Take a deep breath...
next book ☺
next book ☺
(by the way, same group of people should read this one!)
I am not going to lie. Due to the nature of its content this book is a VERY intense read. If there was a scale of one to ten, one being secular psychology, therapy and medication and ten being prayer and faith, this book would probably be a nine and a half. That being said, I understand that the reason the author chooses to rely on prayer (more than medication) is so that the individual being ministered to will be free in their emotions (from the effects of "dull"ed/heightened or other) in order to do this hard and painful work. In reading this book, it is clear that Candyce Roberts is gifted by God in insight and sensitivity in helping those who have been traumatized. I hope and pray that God would use resources such as this to help churches begin to grow in wisdom and knowledge in this tender area.
I remember standing trembling outside the glass door of surgery (in the 3rd world country we were visiting)...eyes on the clock, eyes on the group standing around my anesthetized toddler. Their were setting a small fracture and I held my breath the entire 8 minutes. Evidently they had done their work and were up to date with the most current and excellent procedures. When we returned to our stateside pediatrician they commended the job as well and very thoroughly done. Let us as a church train to be equipped that we might minister in a way that is tender, thorough and excellent.
“Those who are well have no need of a physician,
but those who are sick..."
Matthew 9:12
Jesus came for those who are sick IN sin, but he always came for those who are sick BY or because of sin. I realize that complete physical, emotional, spiritual, mental healing will only come to those whose sins are forgiven when they meet Jesus face to face in heaven. However, God sent His Son to be the Wonderful Counselor and gave us His Holy Spirit to intercede for us in our weakness. I notice that Jesus was always going SOMEwhere and ministering to SOMEone. (We don't want to be like the righteous Pharisee who left the wounded on the roadside to die. In my mind, he laughed as he walked by and said "oh well, they deserve it"...they are not a 5 point calvinist like me, or something like that. I know, that was unnecessary ☺ but a little true, right?)
"a very important principle of helping the abused: Be exceptionally careful not to re traumatize the individual. Believe it or not, those in positions of spiritual authority often speak words to abuse survivors that are harsh and judgemental. Many spiritual leaders are ignorant of the damage this kind of abuse can do to the human personality." (even worse, some do and exploit them further)...
"Hopelessness is the logical result of being labeled or diagnosed with something that a person believes can not be healed...(speak) and pray words that bless. (James 3:10)".
Prayer. That is the hope-giving powerful theme of this book as well. Please read it.
I know that Candyce Roberts ministry has given me renewed faith in the power of prayer as we walk through this broken world. Pray.
I received a copy of this book for the purpose of review.
