Primal...

If you have heard about Mark Batterson, I am guessing it is either because you attend his church or because you have read In A Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. I happen to fall into the later category with aspirations of visiting NCC and Ebenezer's one day.

Currently, I'm reading through his newest epic--Primal. I'm only about 3/4ths of the way in, yet I feel the need to stop and process the many thoughts that have been underlined.

However, there is one thought that continues to be at the forefront of my mind. "The truth is that most of us are already educated way beyond the level of our obedience."

Educated beyond my obedience? Am I? Does my obedience need to catch up with my knowledge? What's the point of knowledge without obedience? Is there one?

In Acts 4, John and Peter stood before the Jewish leadership to give an account for telling everyone about Jesus. Verse 13 says "When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and knew that they had been with Jesus"

I'll be considered "uneducated" if that means people know I've been with Jesus.

Mark also says this, "As I tried to absorb the significance of where I was (ancient catacomb), I couldn't help but wonder if our generation has conveniently forgotten how inconvenient it can be to follow in the footsteps of Christ. I couldn't help but wonder if we have diluted the truths of Christianity and settled for superficialities. I couldn't help but wonder if we have accepted a form of Christianity that is more educated but less powerful, more civilized but less compassionate, more acceptable but less authentic..."

Primal--makes you question your motives. Do you want truth or to be superficial? Do you want education or the power of Jesus? Civilized or compassionate? acceptable or authentic?

Current Prayer...

For grace that is greater than my heartbreak--I love you.
For encouragement through Your people--I thank you.
For always knowing and being near me--I praise you.

Overlooked

Go here. Help malaria, sex trafficking victims, those in poverty. Provide clean water and opportunity...

Book Junkie...

I love books.
I have piles of books, some I have read, so I have yet to read.
It's fantastic.
I was alerted of this website where you can purchase books and donate to global literacy. Woo-hoo! If you're buying someone books for Christmas, check out Better World Books.
ASAP!

Guilty...

Ok. I admit it. I like presents. I like giving them and I like receiving them. I do not like it so much because its "stuff" but because it means that someone had thought about me, remembered me, and cares about me. If you are familiar at all with the "love languages" I believe the language of "gifts" is running a close second next to my main language of "words" and such.

This joy of giving and receiving clashes largely with my loathe of the craziness that Christmas has become. I often feel guilty for wanting presents at this time of year. I want to fully support Advent Conspiracy and other such options. Spend less! Worship more!

How do I reconcile these two polar opposites in my life? Especially when I want to give presents as well. The only idea that has come to mind is to ask for/give from organizations that benefit others. i.e. Tom Shoes and Land of Thousand Hills coffee. Or, if I lived in Grand Rapids, MI...I'd give to people from MadCap Coffee because I know the beans there are brought from farmers them selves.

These are the only organizations/companies I'm currently aware of that give to others as well. Do you know of more??