I love books that encourage folks to go beyond what they think is possible, and Mark Batterson's press into a deeper understanding of the core of our Christian walk is just one of those books.
In the same gutsy but friendly tone of his, "In A Pit with A Lion On A Snowy Day", and "Wild Goose Chase", Batterson encourages us to look beyond our supposed weaknesses and restrictions to the strength of the Great Commandment.
"Primal" is different because it doesn't build with more theories or a new set of practices, but digs down to the center of what really matters - the same "mattering" that Jesus laid out: To love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.
He addresses each of these sources of our love for God in the four sections of the book, intertwining natural and spiritual examples as well as giving us quite an impressive overview of the physical function of the brain - increasing our awe for Our Creator.
At this Primal core, what he refers to as "the Lost Soul of Christianity" we find our greatest meaning and are both convicted and released to find that place of God's bidding out of which we can live at our best, bringing glory to our God.
If we are to pursue God entirely, the launching spot must be the Great Commandment, and "Primal" gives us both the language and the understanding to pursue with everything we have.
You can purchase a copy at, www.RandomHouse.com .
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Secrets 2 - repost
I'm not sure when or from whom we learned this exercise, and it has become so much a part of our lives that it doesn't seem to be so intentional anymore as automatic.
That's ironic because the whole intent is to avoid the automatic, the status quo, the ordinary, and the mundane.
We call it "STOP. NOTICE. AND DECIDE."
We invoke this occasionally to make sure that our lives haven't found a rut. That we are actively and in a meaningful way pursuing the plan of God for our lives. I love the quote, "A rut is just a grave with both ends kicked out of it." It speaks for itself. We don't want to be "the walking dead".
So first, we STOP.
In the busy-ness, crowds, and noise of our culture we can forget to just take a break. A day or two, or maybe an afternoon or an hour together when we purposely unplug and clear out the cobwebs. We position ourselves to hear each other and to hear the voice of God through each other.
And then NOTICE.
We turn that break into something more than an escape. We turn it into an intentional and fearless review of what we are doing. Are we in God's plan? Is there eternal significance to what we are putting our hands to? Is it good for God? For people? For our family? For our community?
And then DECIDE.
This is where the rubber meets the road. What will we do with what we have just heard and noticed? This is the gutsy, full-on, step-up-to-the-plate part of living that makes it really living.
We've closed businesses, fed the homeless, started new ministry tracks, opened businesses, bought airline tickets, fostered the abused, enrolled in universities, sold houses, had children, retired, re-hired, bought houses, changed careers and a whole lot more out of these "STOP. NOTICE. AND DECIDE." moments.
I don't have specific scripture for this, but I can tell you that the fruit has been lasting. And the adventures with God have been thrilling, fostering a relationship with Him that is alive, relevant, and head-over-heels full of love.
That's ironic because the whole intent is to avoid the automatic, the status quo, the ordinary, and the mundane.
We call it "STOP. NOTICE. AND DECIDE."
We invoke this occasionally to make sure that our lives haven't found a rut. That we are actively and in a meaningful way pursuing the plan of God for our lives. I love the quote, "A rut is just a grave with both ends kicked out of it." It speaks for itself. We don't want to be "the walking dead".
So first, we STOP.
In the busy-ness, crowds, and noise of our culture we can forget to just take a break. A day or two, or maybe an afternoon or an hour together when we purposely unplug and clear out the cobwebs. We position ourselves to hear each other and to hear the voice of God through each other.
And then NOTICE.
We turn that break into something more than an escape. We turn it into an intentional and fearless review of what we are doing. Are we in God's plan? Is there eternal significance to what we are putting our hands to? Is it good for God? For people? For our family? For our community?
And then DECIDE.
This is where the rubber meets the road. What will we do with what we have just heard and noticed? This is the gutsy, full-on, step-up-to-the-plate part of living that makes it really living.
We've closed businesses, fed the homeless, started new ministry tracks, opened businesses, bought airline tickets, fostered the abused, enrolled in universities, sold houses, had children, retired, re-hired, bought houses, changed careers and a whole lot more out of these "STOP. NOTICE. AND DECIDE." moments.
I don't have specific scripture for this, but I can tell you that the fruit has been lasting. And the adventures with God have been thrilling, fostering a relationship with Him that is alive, relevant, and head-over-heels full of love.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
"Well DONE, Good and Faithful Servant"
I love this scripture (Matthew 25:21, 23) and the encouragement it brings in knowing that, as we exercise the talents He has given us, we are sure to be pleasing to Our Father.
It reminds me of how important DOING is. Sure, His grace has saved us, but serving the Lord in DOING because of His Grace for us is a high form of worship, acknowledging that what He has done for and in us is worth putting into action. We were saved to save others and DOING something is a powerful way to influence your world.
The parable doesn't state, "Well SAID, good and faithful servant", or "Well LEARNED...", it says, "Well DONE...".
The exercise of our talents according to our differing capabilities, giftings and opportunities is critical to our active service in Him.
Some may pray, some sing, some write, some love, and some may give food to the hungry. Some may never leave their city and some may traverse the globe. Certainly we can't judge others for how the Lord uses the talents He has invested in them.
I have met beautiful believers in China, Japan, Africa, Russia, Italy, France, Central and South America and other parts of the world who would all define service different because of their culture and opportunities; but the Lord, Who looks on their hearts, knows the worth of their doing.
The fastest growing and largest body of believers is in China. And they are doing this without a single street preacher! Imagine if we were so narrow-minded to think that is the only way to be faithful!
In much of the world, we seem to focus on service through the church, the local gathering of believers. There is strength in these numbers, as well as a diversity that brings multiple giftings together for good. A lot is accomplished through local churches. I pray each one does its part in DOING.
In your service to the Lord, don't let anyone judge you based on what they are doing and you are not. But be certain that you are doing something that magnifies Him by exercising what He has invested in you.
Our "saying" and "learning" must be exercised through our "doing". And in this, He is pleased.
It reminds me of how important DOING is. Sure, His grace has saved us, but serving the Lord in DOING because of His Grace for us is a high form of worship, acknowledging that what He has done for and in us is worth putting into action. We were saved to save others and DOING something is a powerful way to influence your world.
The parable doesn't state, "Well SAID, good and faithful servant", or "Well LEARNED...", it says, "Well DONE...".
The exercise of our talents according to our differing capabilities, giftings and opportunities is critical to our active service in Him.
Some may pray, some sing, some write, some love, and some may give food to the hungry. Some may never leave their city and some may traverse the globe. Certainly we can't judge others for how the Lord uses the talents He has invested in them.
I have met beautiful believers in China, Japan, Africa, Russia, Italy, France, Central and South America and other parts of the world who would all define service different because of their culture and opportunities; but the Lord, Who looks on their hearts, knows the worth of their doing.
The fastest growing and largest body of believers is in China. And they are doing this without a single street preacher! Imagine if we were so narrow-minded to think that is the only way to be faithful!
In much of the world, we seem to focus on service through the church, the local gathering of believers. There is strength in these numbers, as well as a diversity that brings multiple giftings together for good. A lot is accomplished through local churches. I pray each one does its part in DOING.
In your service to the Lord, don't let anyone judge you based on what they are doing and you are not. But be certain that you are doing something that magnifies Him by exercising what He has invested in you.
Our "saying" and "learning" must be exercised through our "doing". And in this, He is pleased.
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