I have been remiss in my blog postings since the first of the year. In fact, I believe my only post was on New Year’s Day where I wished everyone a very happy New Year. Not much of a post, but I sincerely meant it. My year so far has resembled those car commercials that advertise their vehicles will go 0 to 60 in 6 seconds or less. I definitely have hit the ground running after a wonderful Christmas with my family. So I am truly scratching my head as I look at my calendar and see that it is already January 28th and where in the world did this month go? And yet, even in this midst of all the hecticness (is that a word?) the year, so far, has been good and filled with lots of experiences some great…some good….some not so good. And maybe that is the problem. It has been filled with too much. The good news, for me at least, is that next month is not filled with as many events or activities. But…you didn’t hear me say that out loud!
So, now for something completely different:
I would like to take a moment to recommend a great book and I haven’t even finished it yet. It is titled: “Chasing Francis.” It is about a Pastor who one Sunday morning kinda loses it in the pulpit. Not a place you want to let your inner nut show. The rest of the book tells about his pilgrimage to the Assisi region of Italy and all he discovered about himself as he learned about the life of Francis of Assisi. It is a novel, but one with a very powerful message we would all do well to learn in our own lives about how to follow the real teachings of Jesus Christ.
The journey made by the protagonist, is one we can all relate to. We all have had our times of doubt, our lives filled with more questions than answers. Some of us have even had that dark night of the soul. Others have allowed our inner nut to show a little too much! So, we get disillusioned and feel as if we belong more to the frozen chosen than having a vital, vibrant encouraging faith. Here is the thing to remember if you feel you are there now…most of us have been where you are and it does get better if and in this case if really is a mighty big word…if we choose to let God thaw our frozen hearts and allow God to show us how much God loves us and how we can share that same love with everyone in our lives. Sharing is a great concept and it can lead to some wonderful relationships and experiences.
Now, just to be clear, love in a Biblical sense is an action word not a feeling word. It means in order to love, really and truly love, we have to get out into the world and when we see a need and we have the resources to meet that need….we meet that need. We don’t say isn’t that awful. Or what a shame, someone should do something about that. YOU are that someone and helping others is the fastest way I know to thaw a frozen heart and have a vital, vibrant, encouraging faith. Because faith, being in relationship to God is not about each one of us individually but about us collectively, we are called to live in community. “I Am a Rock” is not the Christian’s theme song. So…read “Chasing Francis.” You will be glad you did.
Peace,
Beth
If you are interested in reading the book you can get it on Amazon (where else) here:
Beth's Blog 