What is Christian Fellowship?
Image courtesy of SpirosK
I find myself coming back to the idea of Christian fellowship again and again. Some people may think of me as that crazy uncle who rants about how things should be. I have to admit that it feels like I go to extremes on this sometimes. I have come to understand that I can be counted on to find what’s wrong with a situation. And I know that I can be the downer in the room when I start working through all the flaws in an idea. But as a friend of mine observed, I can also keep pressing people from becoming complacent because I can see there’s so much more ahead.
And that is where I find myself on the topic of fellowship. I know that so many times we are making mud pies and call it fellowship when God desires to give us a weekend at the beach, to borrow an analogy from C.S. Lewis. I think some of it stems from the frantic pace of our lives that we’ve forgotten how to slow down and enjoy relationships. We get so busy with activities, even activities with people, but we miss the bigger picture. Read more
Mystically Wired by Ken Wilson
My struggle with this book began with the title. However, as Wilson points out, mystic simply means mystery. The author’s prolific use of science to support his ideas caused conflict for me. At times it felt more like a science lesson than a book on prayer, but Wilson points out that prayer is both spiritual and physiological. This idea had not occurred to me. Early on, Wilson discusses how rationalism and science have impaired us spiritually. I began to examine my faith to see what was cultural and what was biblical.
Several of the prayer methods mentioned I have often viewed as bordering on ritual. Upon re-examination, if implemented in the proper spirit, they can be beneficial. I still do not agree completely with Wilson, but I would recommend this book if you want to be stretched in your understanding and application of prayer.
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.”
Sovereignty of God
I awoke Sunday morning thinking about the elections in Iraq. I had seen reports that the polls had opened before I went to sleep Saturday night. I remembered thinking, “I should pray that the elections go well and are safe.”
However, as happens with me many times, I forgot. So after I got up Sunday and remembered the elections, I felt bad because I had forgotten to pray. I almost began to think that if something went wrong it was my fault because I had not prayed.
Then the Lord reminded me that in the grand scheme of things, He does not need me. He chooses to use me and wants to but is not required. His sovereignty trumps our human frailties. His will shall occur regardless of our actions.
That is humbling. It puts you in your place. On the other side, however it is awe-inspiring. God could just wave his hand and accomplish His will, yet he chooses to use these flawed vessels to bring Him glory and to shape those flawed vessels into pure and clean vessels.
