Follow Me {book review}

FOLLOW ME: A call to die. A call to live.
By David Platt

 

Platt again makes a challenge to nominal Christian living (check out his book Radical). The whole of Christianity is not “asking Jesus into your heart”—but rather in following Christ. Believing the gospel is not the end, or merely the means to an end, or just an escape from hell. Believing the gospel is a start to a brand new life, one in which Jesus calls to fearful and stubborn hearts: “Follow me.” Not always a fan of modern Christian living books, David Platt has not failed to challenge my thinking yet.

Mainstream American Christianity must wake up and realize what is at stake. A lot of false conversions, because we’re soft on sin. A lot of wasted opportunities, because we’re too busy pursuing the “American dream.” A lack of life abundantly, because we’re too busy even with good things to truly fellowship with Jesus. A lot of baby Christians, because we’re too busy or fearful or selfish to invest in others in discipleship. Platt calls us to see the mission: Jesus transforms us, and even as He works in us, we invest in others. This cycle must be repeated until the trumpet calls!

{Written for inclusion in Tyndale's Summer Reading program!}

Two Wonders of the Cross

 

 

 

"Upon that cross of Jesus my eyes at times can see

The very dying form of One who suffered there for me;

And from my smitten heart with tears

Two wonders I confess

The wonders of

His glorious love,

and my unworthiness."

 

--Elizabeth Clephane--

(from the CD By Faith)

Hardships

On one hand, I hesitate to say I've been shattered by hardships. The hardships I've known are certainly not the worst life can hold.

But yes, I've known hardships.

I've seen plans and ideals and dreams shatter.

I've despised them.

But I'm learning not to--for whose daughter would I be if I did not experience such things? {See Hebrews 12:7-11}

As the Gospel Primer says later, "on the other side of each layer of dying lie experiences of a life with God that are far richer, far higher, and far more intimate than anything I would have otherwise known" (page 42).

Amen and amen to that. I would indeed rather have Jesus!

May I encourage you today to keep on?

For the moment all discipline

seems painful rather than pleasant,

but later it yields the peaceful fruit

of righteousness to those who have

been trained by it.

 

{Hebrews 12:11}

:My Treasure:

 

The cross of Christ, my treasure,
the blood of Christ, my plea,

His sacrifice for sinners, my hope eternally.

My life is hid in Jesus, my Lord, my God, my King!

The cross of Christ, my treasure;
the blood of Christ, my plea.

 

~Cheryl Reid~

from We Are Your Church

::The Invested Life:: {book review}

{by Joel C. Rosenburg and T.E. Koshy}

This book begins with an overview of discipleship, emphasizing that the Great Commission is not just preaching the Gospel to unbelievers but to make disciples. They include one chapter on being disciple (how can one know how to disciple unless following the example of one who invested in his own life?), but the rest of the book is about being a discipler. Who needs to be disciple? How does one go about discipling, anyway? What is the end objective?

In between the how-to chapters are personal testimonies, beginning with the American couple who discipled a young man named Bakht Singh, who eventually became known as India's greatest evangelist. Singh in turn discipled Koshy, who discipled Rosenburg, who is discipling others. The author's wives also share their testimonies. The discipling spiral shown in these testimonies is an inspiring addition to the book as a whole as well as providing good information

Rosenburg--and Koshy and their wives--make many good observations and share helpful advice. I love a statement by Lynn Rosenburg about how her mentors showed her to love God more than loving ministry and service. The advice that stood out to me involved showing hospitality and involving the family in ministry.

Did I agree with everything? No. For one thing, I would have appreciated a greater Gospel presence, especially at the beginning. Too many people think they're saved and want to do ministry, when they're not truly trusting Christ for salvation and serving Him in love through His power.

Overall, worth the read? Definitely.

{written for an entry in the Tyndale Summer Reading program}

Still LoLo {book review}

Lauren Scruggs endured a gruesome accident that involved a private 2-seat airplane propeller. Today she lives with a prosthethic eye and left arm. While not hard-core Gospel driven, the Scruggs family do a great job of giving all praise to our sovereign, good, and gracious God.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0088NXOAY/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1372556064

*Cons

• her world of fashion and independence are a world removed from mine, from my convictions and standards
• a lot of talk about dating and guys...although she point-blank says at the end that she does not find her identity in them anymore, but rather place her hope in Christ alone

*Pros

• seeing not just a life, but a family tested and come out at the other end praising God and trusting Him as their source of strength, hope, and grace
• Lauren's story of her second time in New York was a tale of rebellion and sin leading to more sin. She went, knowing perfectly well God was saying no, because she wanted to. She compromised in many areas that summer, but I appreciated her testimony of renewal, God's grace, and God's constant watch over and protection of His children, even when they are running away from Him

While I would have appreciated a clear presentation of the Gospel, I was otherwise pleasantly surprised by the story. Afterall, what connection would I find with a fashion journalist who lost her eye and arm?

But I had forgotten that God's grace is greater and more amazing than the specific circumstances and details!

::Written for the purpose of fulfilling requirements for the summer reading program through Tyndale!::

Intentionality

“When I wish to be selfish and serve no one, I must die.”

 

Story of my life.

I’m a phlegmatic—who tend to be nice but also lean way too often toward selfishness.

I’m a planner—not that every single day is planned out minutely, but when I do, that time is mine.

I’m also human—I have long days, bad days, and come home tired and just want to be by myself. Sometimes I’m sick. Sometimes I’m just in a bad mood.

But in each of those areas and situations, I must die. Life is not about Laura. Life is about Jesus Christ. I do not portray the glory of Christ when I wear a scowl or ignore the clean dishes in the dishwasher or don’t stop to ask family members about their day or a million other things that I do.

It is often easy to overlook and ignore the character flaws that occur in everyday mundane activities and situations. Responses and reactions happen quickly. It’s takes too much energy to deal with it. But I must die. Jesus will never look at me and say “congratulations for following your schedule!” but I do desire Him to say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

The question is…how much do I desire it? Enough to give the energy and attention to die to sin and self?