Radical, Final Chapter

You know how sometimes, you read something, it inspires you to really make changes and then you may start procrastinating about when you will actually begin with the changes.

I DON'T want that to happen after reading Radical!  I have to say this has been a real roller coaster read, but I have really loved it!  It has stepped on my toes, made me feel like a selfish self centered person, and just plain hurt my feelings.  But not without showing me the way to make things right.

I don't feel like I have to change the world, I just have to start with making changes with myself.

I am so taking the challenge.!

I can pray for the entire world.

I can read through the entire word.

I can sacrifice my money for a specific purpose.

I can spend time in another context.

I can commit my life to a multiplying community.

While I know that I can do all of those things, I also know that doing them will take discipline and me really committing to making it happen.

I'm not sure which will be the most challenging for me.  I think the first two will just be getting into a routine of doing them, the last three will be more challenging.  But I am definitely doing them.


I have really enjoyed being a part of Marla's read a long!!

Radical, Chapter 8

Living when dyeing is gain.


WOW!!!


I am so in awe at the amazing stories of the people who choose to be radical.  I mean amazed, I really don't know that I could do some of the things they do.  To say that this makes me feel inadequate, once again, is putting it mildly.


I truly want what they have, I do.  But I also think that there are a lot of things I can do in my own neighborhood to show God's love.  Is that wrong?  I don't think it is.


One of my favorite parts of this chapter was the story of the SS United States.  I think that is what has happened to all of us.  The church included.  We are not using ourselves to our full capacity.  We have become comfortable with just "being" a Christian and not living like Christians.


I know that the world doesn't revolve around me.  And I have lost people and seen others come to Christ because of it.  That is God!  God is truly sovereign, and while I know this, I have forgotten just how sovereign he really is.


Because it is so true that nothing happens that he does not know about.  He is truly in control.  


This book has so changed my way of thinking!  


I am beginning to look at this world through different eyes.  We have become complacent.


It's becoming easier and easier to just show up and not really do anything.  

Are we willing to obey the orders of Christ?  Are we willing to be like him?  Are we willing to risk our lives to go to great need and to great danger--whether it's in the inner cities around us, the difficult neighbor across the street, the disease ridden communities in Africa, or the hostile regions of the middle east?

Radical Pg.171

The key is realizing--and believing--that this world is not your home.  If you and I ever hope to free our lives from worldly desires, worldly thinking, worldly pleasures, worldly dreams, worldly ideas, worldly values, worldly ambitions, and worldly acclaim, then we must focus our lives on another world.

Radical Pg. 179

These were just some of my favorite parts.  Join us at Marla's for the Radical read a long!!!!!

Radical, Chapter 7

I promise, I do usually blog more than this, but things have been really busy.


Went away with my husband for our anniversary, 21 years, pictures to come.


I also want to say it is election day so vote!  I voted early to beat the lines.


Please don't say that your vote won't matter because it does.


Just saying.




Now, on to the Radical read along.  I liked the way this chapter pretty much spells it out for you.  I mean,
             There is no one righteous, not even one;
            There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.
            All have turned away,
            they have together become worthless;
            there is no one who does good,
            not even one.      Radical Pg 146

OK, I am unworthy, that much I know.  I am thankful that there is good news.  I can be saved by calling out to God.  Praise the Lord!!!!


So, now that we know we should go boldly and proclaim his word, will we?


Honestly, I don't feel capable in the least to do that.  Do I trust God enough that if I were presented with the opportunity to do that would I do it?  I want to think I would but I can't honestly answer that because I don't know.


I want to, but I know that's not enough.  I have really struggled with trying to focus on Heavenly things and not worldly things.  But let's face it, everyday is a challenge.


I try to make good choices, I guess I'll just keep on trying!


Join me at Marla's!

Radical, Chapter 6

Once again, I am joining Marla for the Radical read along.


One of my favorite parts of this chapter was on page 138.

'The way we use our money is a barometer of our present spiritual condition."

This speaks volumes to me.  Have you ever really thought about that?  WOW!!!

With that said, I have to admit that I am a total softy, I cry at sad commercials, if someone around me is upset or crying then I will probably cry too.  

That's why sometimes, I don't like to read the sad stuff.  I don't like to see the faces of the orphans or the children who are starving.  When I look at it, it's real.  And I have to admit that I don't think that I could make a difference.

This chapter kind of changed that for me.  I may not be able to change the world, but the God I serve can do anything.  He can move mountains, and if he can do that, then if enough people try to do something in his name, there will be a change.

I do feel compelled to do something for the needy.  It may be something as small as cleaning out my closet and giving it to our church for the free yard sale.  

I know that really isn't much, but it's something.  

I loved the story of the lady who decided to sell all she had to get out of debt, so that she could give more.

Did you get that, so she could GIVE more.  

Things this chapter taught me.

1)  I need to be more of a giver

2)  What I do will matter.

3)  My actions speak way louder than my words.

4)  If we would just love God first, then love others like he does, we could change the world.

Making an Impact, Radical Chapter 5

Chapter 5 has so much stuff in it, I don't know where to start.


I loved how Bullen had such faith that he boldly stated that he would impact the world.


Two things there, 1st his boldness, he flat out believes he is going to make an impact, and secondly, it was his faith that gave him his confidence.  


God is as real to Bullen as David was.  Of course I know that God is real but to him he was REAL!


Do you have that kind of faith, and boldness?  I like to think that I do, but I don't know if I could make an impact on anything or anyone, but I do know that some people who have made an impact on me probably don't think they are making one either.




Are we receivers or reproducers?  I think today, we are programmed to be receivers but we are suppose to be reproducers.  As humans, it is all about us.  


I don't necessarily mean everyone when I say that, but most people go to church on Sunday, listen intently, then don't even discuss what the sermon was about with anyone.  How often do you talk about what was the topic at church?  


This is definitely something to think on.


Pg. 106     All of a sudden, holiness is defined by what we do.


Ummmm, yeah.


There was so much in this chapter I know I don't even come close to hitting the highlights.  


In response to Marla, I would say that I think the biggest struggle for me in bringing God the glory is that I simply don't feel like I am capable, I have never read the bible all the way through, but I am trying to do that now.  I have so many questions myself I don't know that I could answer any ones questions.


I am trying to be more of a reproducer than a receiver, I am trying to learn more about the bible, I have committed myself to studying his word, and trying to let my kids see what God can do if they open up to him.  I learned a while ago that you can't put God in a box, he is so much more and wants so much for us if we just open up to him.  I think one of the ways we keep ourselves in a spiritual box of sorts is by only seeing part of the picture.  Judgement and consequences are not something we like to talk about but they are all part of God's word.


I think while I have been reading Radical, it has shown me that we should take responsibility for our faith.  If we are going to say we are Christians, we have a purpose, and it is spreading the word.  Making disciples, bringing Glory to God.  Imagine how different things could be if we all were as bold and faithful as Bullen.


I have people all around me who have inspired me and I am sure they don't even realize it.  They are people who are dealing with sickness but have an unshakable faith that is inspirational.  They are people who are struggling with the economy but remain truly grateful for what they have.  These are the people who I look at and know that they love God!


I am linking up at Marla's.

Radical, Chapter 4

The Great Why of God

I don't really know where to start.  This chapter was hard for me, harder than the first ones.  Not because I don't believe what any of it says, I do, it is all straight from the bible.  I guess I am surprised I haven't heard it like this before.  But I think I haven't, because I didn't really want to hear it.  

I like my life, I am pretty happy.

A decent house, a decent car, pretty good kids, and a good man.

I don't really want to change anything right now.  Isn't that terrible?  I am so comfortable that I don't want God to make any changes in my life.  

Ouch!!!!  

That makes me feel like a really bad person, but I am being honest.

I think we (meaning me) don't talk about the awesomeness of God anymore.  He is loving, and forgiving, but he is awesome.  He is all powerful.  He is God.

I was just talking to someone about how wonderful it is that people are "called" to missionary work.  

Ummm, yeah.

I felt a little kick in the gut reading that part.  I guess I don't really want to go anywhere else, I am pretty comfortable right where I am.  Maybe I am afraid.  Afraid of change.

So, where does it all leave me?  

Trying to put it all back together again, I know it isn't about me.  But, up to now I thought I was doing OK, now, I'm not so sure.  I know there is sooo much more that I should be doing, so much more that I could be giving.  

I think we tend to think that one person really can't change anything.  That one person can't change the world.

One of my favorite parts of the chapter was on page 83.

I invite you to consider with me what it would mean for all of us--pastors and church members, businessmen and businesswomen, lawyers and doctors, consultants and construction workers, teachers and students, on the go professionals and stay at home moms-- to spend all of our lives for the sake of all of God's glory in all of the world.

What a challenge!






See what others are saying here!

Radical, Chapter 3

The importance of relying on God's Power.


I have to say that Chapter 3 was easier for me, after Chapter 2, I have been reading my bible a lot to try to work through some of the questions that were bothering me.  John 14 was a huge help for me.


But Chapter three, well, it just kind of solidified what I had been reading in the book of John.  We need God, he doesn't need us.  He wants us because he loves us, in spite of ourselves.  But we are the needy ones.


I love that David Platt tells us to get back to basics really and depend on God for our needs, when I say this I am really thinking of church.  My own in fact has struggled with low numbers in Sunday school and youth, while we have tried many ways to reach out to the community, maybe we need to be seeking the holy spirit to help us with it.  We also need to remember God is present in the small churches just like the big ones.


God promises us so many good things, if only we ask.

I tell you the truth, whoever believes in me will do the same things that I do.  Those who believe will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.  And if you ask for anything in my name, I will do it for you so that the Father's glory will be shown through the Son.

John 14:12,13

This pretty much sums it up for me.

Don't forget to read what everyone else says HERE.

Radical, Chapter 2

Too Hungry for Words


This chapter left me with a lot of questions.


Am I as thirsty for the word as I need to be?  As I should be?


Is God's grace enough? Is that all I have to do is believe it, and not act on it?  If I don't act will he say he doesn't know me?  


Is it that, "We are not ready to give him what he asks for because our hearts are set against him.  God's revelation in the Gospel not only reveals who he is, but it also reveals who we are."
Ch. 2 Pg 30


Have we forgotten that we didn't choose him, he chose us.  We need him, yet we only want him on our own terms.


Is it OK to only talk of God's love, and not even discuss judgement?  If all we have to do is believe, then will everyone who says it get to heaven?  Are there no consequences to sin?


Maybe that is the difference between believing and surrendering.  


This was one of my favorite parts, we do not have to earn our way to Jesus through Radical obedience, but we don't we are all given the gift of grace freely through faith.  We could never be good enough for God.  Why do you think that is my favorite, because I doubt myself?


With the gift of grace comes a new heart.


See what everyone else says HERE!

Radical, Chapter 1

Wow, I really don't know where to start.  I feel like there was so much information in just the one chapter that I could be sitting here for days.


I love the way he breaks it down into two questions.


Do you believe Jesus?




Will you obey Jesus?




I read a question by someone (I think it was Billy Graham), who asked, Do we make  being a Christian look too easy?


I think we have become so caught up in ourselves and in worldly things that we have forgotten what we are here for.  Sometime, we should take what Jesus says at face value.  There will be things we are asked to do as Christians that may not be easy for us, but that's why the bible constantly tells us he will never leave you or forsake you.


If we believe him when he says he loves us and will never leave us, why is it so hard to do what he wants us to do.


I do not think that God wants me to hate my parents and only love him, I think he is telling me that he should come first in my life, always.  


Have we turned away from Jesus?  I would say Yes, definitely.  Just take a look at your television screens, look around at what has become accepted as "normal".  Unfortunately, the more you try to obey Jesus, then the more you are singled out, and you in turn become the odd one.


We need to remember that sometimes not making a choice, is making a choice.


I definitely feel like I should be doing more, but then I don't really know what I should be doing?  Maybe that's why it feels like I'm not doing enough, I haven't found exactly what I should be doing yet.  


Oh well, join the Radical read along here!