Book Review: Jesus Manifesto by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola
Jesus Christ is not a cause to get behind or a rallying point for political parties. He is the creator of the universe. He is God in flesh. He allows us to stand before a holy God without fear of condemnation. Many have lost sight of this and have focused on lesser pursuits.
I found this book engaging. Intellectually I understand many of the topics but I do not put them into action. I try to imitate Jesus without allowing his power to work through me. Then I become frustrated when I fail to be more like Christ. The chapter on narcissism struck a chord as well. So often I treat Jesus like my own personal genie. I want him to make me happy and comfortable. But his desire is to display his glory through me and use me to bring others into the same fellowship. The chapter on community also resonated with me. I do not want to rely on others or need help. However, as the authors point out, the church is how Christ expresses himself. Submission to Christ includes giving up my desire to be self-sufficient. I would highly recommend this book but it will probably take several readings for all of it to sink in.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Natural Disasters and the Church
I was watching the news one morning this week and the anchor was giving a recap of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Ike when it came ashore this past weekend. Homes near the coast were washed away and the ones that remain are flooded and full of mud and debris. Read more
When the church body no longer looks like you.
It struck me yesterday while we were having our monthly all-staff luncheon at Fielder. Both the church I work at and the one where I am a member are both in urban areas and the ethnic makeup of the communities around these churches is changing.
I listened to the pastor at Fielder share his vision of bringing Fielder out of the past where everyone in the church was predominately Anglo to a multi-ethnic church. He made a statement that every church, in the same position, that has failed to adapt and reach out to the new community has died.
I am reminded of this every weekend when I go to work at Pizza Hut. My store is less than three miles from Travis Avenue where I attend church. There is a mixture of Anglos, African-Americans, and Hispanics. I also have coworkers from Mexico, Sudan, Algeria, and Croatia.
I can either attempt to try and stay in my safe little Anglo haven at work or home or I can realize that the world is moving to our doorstep. Many a believer in Christ does not need to make a missionary journey like Paul. They simply need to talk to their coworker, the clerk at Walgreen’s, or their next door neighbor. I feel like God is telling us, “How much easier do you want me to make it. I am dropping them at your doorstep. I just want you to be obedient and go share the Good News with them.”
