Currently Reading North Country Cache: Adventures on a National Scenic Trail By Joan H. Young see related

Reviewed by: Fred

Started reading my friend Joan's book "North Country Cache".  I am enjoying it immensely.  Hanging out at Ludington State Park was a good place to inspire reading such a book last weekend.

Joan is an excellent writer.  Being acquainted with some of the people and dogs she talks about might give me an enthusiastic edge, but actually, it's just good storytelling.  It mixes up humor, worship, beauty, fascination, wonder, etc.

Hope you get to meet her some day...  most of my friends have met Omer, an interesting fellow to say the least, but Joan is worth meeting too!

I just finished the chapter on the North Dakota leg in 100+ degree heat... ouch... I'll quit complaining about my 90 degree bedroom!

Visit Joan's Xanga or Visit her Website where you can buy the book, or if you'd prefer buy it throught the amazon link above.

TTFN

Currently Reading Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World By Henri J. M. Nouwen see related

Reviewed by:  Fred

Well, it's a busy summer so my review will be short.  Suffice it to say that God touched me through the tender words of His servant Henri.  They are full of blessing and beauty which are much needed in a world that isn't always nice. 

In fact that's one of the first subjects Henri brings up as he tries to explain the spiritual life to his friend Fred.  The world around us tells us repeatedly that we must earn our love, but God always calls us His beloved children:

"These negative voices are so loud and so persistent that it is easy to believe them. That’s the great trap. It is the trap of self-rejection. Over the years, I have come to realize that the greatest trap in our life is not success, popularity, or power, but self-rejection.

"Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the “Beloved.”

I used to think that was a bunch of psychobable.  I don't any more.  Self-rejection in the face of a God who went to extravagant lengths to show us just how much He treasures us can turn ugly.  It takes us consistently and predictably where we do not want to be.

It is life changing to realize we're beloved, chosen, blessed, broken and given by God's loving hands.  Henri crystalized this for me better than anyone else has to date.  I thank God for him.

Currently Playing Love, God, Murder By Johnny Cash see related

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Reviewed by: Fred

I am 8 years old and it is Sunday.  My parents are having church.  It consists of sitting around home listening to Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, etc. on our console stereo.  But Johnny is my favorite.  I love his soothing bass voice and stories of love and despair.  I always feel bad for the poor guys he's singing about.  His songs about God make me happy.

Now I am 16.  I have come to know this God of Johnny's.  I still like his music.  The Christian music scene explodes and there are many great singers, but nobody like Johnny.

I am almost 30.  My favorite punk band "One Bad Pig" remakes Johnny's "Man in Black" song.  He actually sings with the band on the record.  It is a hoot and I am reminded of the good, loving heart of Johnny and his love for God.

I'm 39 now.  I have two daughters who for a summer download all the Johnny Cash they can find from the internet.  I have childhood flashbacks.  Good warm feelings of my mom and dad loving each other and being at home and listening to good music.

Now it is two days after my 40th birthday.  My son blesses me with a three CD collection of Johnny's best.  I start listening and reading the liner notes.  Wow.  I forgot. 

I thank God for Johnny Cash:  The man who tried to carry a little darkness off on his back.  The man who loved God deeply enough to identify with the downtrodden and the criminal.  The man who gave eight year old little boys a big enough glimpse of love and hope in the midst of despair to get them through their roughest years still believing.

Thank you God for Johnny.

Currently Reading
What God Wishes Christians Knew About Christianity
by Dr. Bill Gillham

Reviewed by: Fred

"If it's the truth that sets us free, then error can certainly bind us." 

That's the way one writer describes the reason for this book.  The truth about who we are in Christ and the power he exerts to live victoriously through us are critical, life-changing concepts.  In fact, God has used this book in my life so much that I find it difficult not to speak to people about it.  Through a careful examination of God's word, this book has changed the way I see God, myself and others.

On the back flap it asks these questions:

• Am I still trying to measure up to God's law, or am I resting in His grace?
• Am I trying to overcome temptation and sin on my own, or am I letting Jesus do it through me?
• Do I consider myself literally righteous in Christ, or am I just a forgiven sinner who is waiting to become righteous in heaven?

Dr. Bill walks through scripture and points out the liberating truths related to each.  I know they made me rethink my relationship with Jesus and truly understand critical aspects of it for the very first time.  I can honestly say that I am closer to Jesus because of this teaching and that I am actually beginning to understand the "unforced rhythms of grace" that we are called to walk in.

If you can get past the presumptuous title to give this a read, you will be blessed by it's dynamic chapters.  If you do, and it does, let me know.  Blessings!

Currently Watching Big Fish By Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup see related

Reviewed by: Fred

Was just thinking about the movie Big Fish (which I saw last week with my sweetiepie) and I got an idea.  Some are familiar with the fact that ancient Christians used the fish as a covert symbol of identity.  It was an acrostic, ICHTHUS was greek for fish, each letter in the word stood for another word.  It came out somthing like "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior".

But after seeing the movie I started thinking of other layers in the symbol.  Jesus fed the masses fish (and bread).  He told fishermen to follow Him and he would make them fishers of men.  He fried up a catch of fish for his disciples after his resurection.  He also humorously overloaded thier boat with fish catches on two occasions.  Jesus liked the symbol of catching fish.

But after the movie I thought of another obvious symbolic layer that I've overlooked until just now.  When we are "caught" by the love of God, we all become fish out of water.  Like the main character in the movie, who was a fish out of water we long for something more.  We thirst for something this world cannot supply. 

Until the day we die, if we abide in Jesus we have all the water we need.  He wets our bodies down, like you see when a whale is beached and people are lovingly trying to help them by keeping them wet.  Of course there is much deeper satisfaction in being in Christ here and now than there is in being a beached whale, but I hope you catch the essence of what I'm saying. 

We don't belong here.  We were made to swim the rivers and lakes of glory.  We were built for glory, we were made to last.  The instant we find our identity in Christ, we become too big for this world.  We gasp for water and Jesus quenches our thirst and feeds us too, teaching us to be totally dependant on him.  (Remember, independance is NOT a thing that pleases God--he is the vine, we are the branches, apart from Him we whither and starve and can do nothing!)

Think of the U2 song, "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For".  Yes God is good to us now, but try to imagine the joy of actually being in our element!!  To be in the environment we were re-created for in Christ...  well... that would be Heaven wouldn't it?

Maybe there is something to be said for the almost universal love of humans for the sound of the ocean or big lakes.  Why does it draw us so?  Maybe it becons to our most basic needs though we usually don't think of it or understand it.  Maybe it calls to us... "come rest in my deep waters, refresh your thirsty soul, be what you truly are, what you were always meant to be".

By the way, the movie was wonderful.  I am a hopeless romantic sap and ate up every second of it.  It is certainly not explicit Christian eternal hope that the movie is trying to communicate, but as with so many things, it does so anyway if you just look hard enough.

I love Tim Burton and his storytelling style.  I pray for him.  I don't know where he's at with God, but I dream of spending time with him in the big water in the sky, where there will be no more gasping and choking and we can speak freely and openly about all things good.