I love free stuff, don’t you? Especially free stuff that feeds your spirit! And so I’m doubly excited that I get to announce the winner of a free book! And not just a free book, but a fabulous free book—The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns.
Today, I’m giving away one copy… My co-facilitator/friend, Jason Stasyszen, is giving away a copy at his site, Connecting to Impact… And one of our book discussion buddies, Duane Scott, is giving away a copy at his site, Scribing the Journey.
How fun is this?!
And my winner is:
Karin Fendick (aka @HisFireFly)
Karin, let me be the first to congratulate you! Make sure you email me your address at smsalter78@yahoo.com (or DM it to me) and I will get that in the mail to you immediately! Don’t forget that we begin the discussion of Chapter 1 next Wednesday! And I can’t wait!
Just by way of housekeeping, for those of you that aren’t very familiar with what’s going on here, each Wednesday, Jason and I will be posting discussions on The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns. We welcome you to join us whether you’ve read the chapter that’s being discussed or not. We know that you have valuable input either way! Our comment sections are open and we would love to hear what you have to say! But for those folks that have read the chapter and wish to discuss it further, Jason & I will take turns putting up a widget so that folks can post their responses blog-carnival-style. Please, join us and bring your friends. Everyone is welcome!
Now, let me give you a nugget to think about this week while you’re getting ready for Chapter 1.
In blocked, white print above the title of our book, there is a question. And it’s a question that I think we’ve all asked at one time or another:
WHAT DOES GOD EXPECT OF US?
“What is God asking for, really, from you and me? Much more than church attendance. More than prayer, too. More than belief, and even more than self-denial. God asks us for everything.” (p. 1)
“…we are carriers of the gospel—the good news that was meant to change the world. Belief is not enough. Worship is not enough. Personal morality is not enough. And Christian community is not enough. God has always demanded more. When we committed ourselves to following Christ, we also committed to living our lives in such a way that a watching world would catch a glimpse of God’s character—His love, justice, and mercy—through our words, actions, and behavior.” (p. 3)
The last two books that we’ve discussed have looked at the inside. Our “Spirit Man.” Well, now, it’s time for that Spirit Man to grow up, take some responsibility, and head out into the world.
As I was reading this book, I heard a pastor friend speak in the most boring of settings—a meeting. But what he said was so appropriate to what we’re reading here that I wrote it in the margins of my book.
“Accept the change God wants to make and choose each day to be relevant.” – Rev. Paul Brafford
Let me throw a few questions out there that I’m asking myself as I dive into this book.
What does God expect from me? Will that require me to make changes in my life? Am I willing to make those changes? What are the consequences if I don’t?
About Sarah Salter
Not sure why, but reading your post brought to mind a Bob Dylan song: “Times they are a changin'”:
Come gather ’round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You’ll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin’
Then you better start swimmin’
Or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’.
What can I say…
God is calling us to change….Swim or drown…
Dusty, you always bring such interesting and insightful stuff to the table. It’s one reason I’m glad you stick around with us crazy folks. And YES, I totally agree that God is calling us to change…..Swim or drown…
Every time I see the title of the book I start singing, “there’s a hole in my Gospel, dear Liza, dear Liza. There’s a hole in my Gospel, dear Liza, a hole.” It drives me crazy so I thought I would share and see if anyone else would like to share my affliction.
Now onto the serious. Your questions killed me this morning. Knowing He expects everything and being honest to say I like being comfortable, I have to say as the great intercessor, Rees Howells did “I’m willing to be made willing.” The one that struck most of all was the question about consequences. People will die and go to hell, I thought. People won’t know the life and truth that I know and enjoy. Lord, help that stay at the forefront of my heart and mind as it is Yours.
Thanks Sarah.
Thanks a lot, Jason. Now I’m going to have that song stuck in my head every time I look at my book… I love that quote from Rees Howells. Never heard it before, but I like it. I can identify with it in a lot of areas of my life. And I HAD to ask the consequences question because it’s one I’ve faced myself over and over and over again. It’s sparked at least two blog posts that I can think of off the top of my head. At the end of every day, I’m faced with the question of whether or not I have accepted the responsibility that Christ has given me and if I haven’t, whether I’m prepared to accept the consequences of that carelessness or failure.
I have a feeling this is going to be a wild ride!
Karin, with this crowd, how could it be anything but a wild ride?! I’m glad you’re coming along…