searching the sunsets

What Do You Think?

I'm currently working on a case study for one of my classes. It involves forgiveness. One of the "highly suggested books" to read is called Unpacking Forgiveness by Chris Brauns.  It's an interesting book. The basic premise is that we are not called to forgive a person until they repent and ask for it. He states that is called Biblical forgiveness. He believes that forgiveness and reconciliation can never be separated and can only be given to a person who wants to be forgiven. He believes that Christians should always be ready to forgive.

He defines forgiveness as a commitment by the offended to pardon graciously the repentant from moral liability and to be reconciled to that person, although not all consequences are necessarily eliminated. (pp. 72)

His three basic ideas about forgiveness when dealing with an unrepentant offender are:

1. Resolve not to take revenge
2. Proactively show love
3. Don't forgive the unrepentant,  but leave room for the wrath of God.

Of course, his third principle is the most controversial. He  quotes Romans 12: 17-21, especially verse 19 as his proof text. THose verses say,

¹⁷Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. ¹⁸If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"^[d]says the Lord. ²⁰On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."^{[e] 21}Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (emphasis his)

So,  I know this is kind of unfair since you haven't read the book (or maybe some of you have) but I'm curious what are you thoughts about his definition and his principles of dealing with the unrepentant person? Please don't assume that I agree or disagree with the guy. I had to read the book and apply it the case study. I'm chewing on that paper now. I'll look forward to your thoughts.

The book can be found at Amazon here.

How Emotionally Connected Are You?

I’m reading a great book right now called “Hold Me Tight” by Dr. Sue Johnson. In it, she gives this quiz. She calls it the A.R.E. quiz. I’m curious what your answers are. How many are true and how many are false. There are no right or wrong answers.

Please answer these questions from your perspective; there are no right or wrong answers.

1.    I can get my partner’s attention easily. T F

2.    My partner is easy to connect with emotionally. T F

3.    My partner shows me that I come first to him/her T F

4.    I am not feeling lonely or shut out in this relationship T F

5.    I can share my deepest feelings with my partner. He/she will listen. T F

6.    If I need connection and comfort, he/she will be there for me. T F

7.    My partner responds to signals that I need him/her to come close T F

8.    I find I can lean on my partner when I am anxious or unsure T F

9.    Even when we fight or disagree, I know that I am important to my partner and we will find a way to come together

10.    If I need reassurance about how important I am to my partner I can get it. T F

11.    I feel very comfortable being close to, trusting my partner T F

12.    I can confide in my partner about almost anything T F

13.    I know that my partner cares about my joys, hurts, and fears T F

14.    I feel safe enough to take emotional risks with my partner   T F

Here We Go

This summer has been incredibly busy and good. So much has happened that I haven't been able to put on this blog. Things seem to be coming together for the school year and beyond. I cannot believe I will be done with school next May. :) Tonight begins another phase of the process. I have my first meetings for my practicum (think internship light).
In the meantime I'm looking forward to sharing some of the stuff I'm learning from Daniel Goleman's book Emotional Intelligence. I've been reading it slowly but surely since Christmas. It's that good. I may even read it a second time.

N.T. Wright on a Christian Ethic of Blogging

My friend and fellow PSU fan shared this great quote with me from Tom Wright. There is a lot of people spreading hate in the name of Jesus and ministry in the blog world. Here's the quote:

Test this out.  Go to the blogsites, if you dare.  It really is high time we developed a Christian ethic of blogging.  Bad temper is bad temper even in the apparent privacy of your own hard drive, and harsh and unjust words, when released into the wild, rampage around and do real damage.  And as for the practice of saying mean and untrue thing while hiding behind a pseudonym - well if I get a letter like that it goes straight in the bin.  But the cyberspace equivalents of road rage don’t happen by accident.  People who type, vicious, angry, slanderous and inaccurate accusations do so because they feel their worldview to be under attack.  Yes, I have a pastoral concern for such people.  (And, for that matter, a pastoral concern for anyone who spends more than a few minutes a day taking part in blogsite discussions, especially when they all use code names:  was it for this that the creator God made human beings?)  But sometimes worldviews have to be shaken.  They may become idolatrous and self-serving.  And I fear that that has happened, and continues to happen, even in well-regulated, shiny Christian contexts - including, of course, my own.  John Piper** writes, he tells us, as a pastor. So do I.

Too true.

100 Bible Stories 100 Bible Songs: A Review

This book has been a huge hit around my house. My girls love it. It has provided a wonderful rhythm to the end of our day. My wife has been reading a story each night to the kids. Both mom and girls look forward to it as a way to transition to bedtime. 
Each story comes with the book and chapter of the Bible it is taken from for parents who might want to read the story strait from the text. As do all books written for children, this book has to wrestle with many of the Old Testament stories.
The CD will remind older users (such as myself) of the old Uncle Charlie LP’s. I’m pretty sure there wasn’t too many songs on there that I didn’t know. The CD is the exact kind of corny and cheesy that is necessary to draw in two and three year olds. That said, even my 6 year old enjoyed the book and I believe the CD.  There is a rousing version of “Father Abraham.” For those who are looking for a fun book that teaches the basic truths of Scripture this is a must have book. I highly recommend, as does my clan.

Stark Raving Obedience: Are You Crazy Enough?

Do you want a free book? Do you have a blog? Have you bought something from Amazon? If you answered yes to any of these questions email me. I have a friend who wrote a book on praying and I need people to review it. Short, easy read. FREE book. Should be a great conversation.

The Tour That Takes Me Nowhere (Don't Stop Believing by Mike Wittmer)

Today, there is a concerted effort across much of blogdom to highlight a book by a professor of mine. Mike Wittmer's second book is called Don't Stop Believing the subtitle is Why Living Like Jesus Isn't Enough.

Before I talk about the book, you can find Mike's blog here.

It was interesting when I told my friends that I was reading this book. Many assumed that he would take a few pot shots at my church. He does not. Many thought he might be overhanded, overstating his case a little too much. He didn't do that either. In fact, this book is a pretty balanced book.

The essential question that Wittmer asks is, "What is more important, what you believe or how you live?" Read the book and get his take on it. I think most people I know will enjoy this book. I'm not sure if I agreed with everything and no I won't get into that (I still have him for one more class).

The book is well documented and the research impeccible. In my opinion there seems to be a little too much attention focused on just a few members of the conversation and perhaps the focus could have been broader.

All in all, if people are truly interested in the conversation (and I'm not always sure that those who say that actually mean it) this is an excellent book to get one started. Wittmer's call to balance is necessary for everyone who will come down on differing sides of this discussion and many others.

The Noticer: Book Review

The Noticer by Andy Andrews is out tomorrow from Thomas Nelson. It has had a bit of hype around it. I’ve read it and I’m still not sure what I think of it. I am normally not a fan of “inspirational” books. I think this one will be valuable to people in different seasons of their life.
This book is about perspective. Jones, the main character, travels around meeting different people and helping them realize where they are at in life, they need the proper perspective. I liked the first story the best because he helped the secondary character realize his need to take responsibility for his own actions. 
Andrew’s contention is that you and I, indeed all of us are exactly where we are supposed to be and we need to “plant seeds” there and “grow” there.
This book is a story and as such it can be powerful. Still, as I read it, I couldn’t help but think that his main thought process was that we just need to change our perspective and all will be well. Equal parts true, equal parts bunk. Perspective is important and having the right one, even more so.
Jones, the main character is a fairly obvious modern day parable of Christ. If you’re looking for an easy read and something that will challenge you at some level, I recommend this book.

the Word of Promise: Next Generation New Testament Review

This collection is good but not great. The voices are easily recognizable to many pre-teens and my own munchkins listened to it with some enthusiasm. There is a few practical problems with the package, though. The entire thing being on MP3 is a bit of a pain as it requires being loaded into an mp3 player and then burned onto a CD if you want to play it in a car, at least my car which is only 2 years old. 
Other than that, this is a simple strait forward collection of the New Testament. It has the sound track and sound effects that you would expect from Thomas Nelson.

It will make a nice addition to road trips and comes with a 40-day listening program. It also has a “behind the scenes DVD” if you’re into those types of things.  This whole package is pretty much what I expected. If your kids don’t like reading, this provides another way to hear it. Bible students may also find this to be a valuable resource that will allow them to hear the entire narrative of the New Testament in totality. This is a product I’d recommend to anyone who wants another way to learn Scripture.

Bill Gates or Mother Teresa

I recently read this quote in a book I'm reading for my systematic Theology class. What would you answer?

"Who has done more to eradicate poverty and suffering in the world, Bill Gates or Mother Teresa?"

Yeah, I know it's provocative and our emotions are involved, but tell me what you think anyhow.