I so enjoy Blogging...
My inspiration these days has lately been coming off of pages of an unsuspicious looking books... sentences and paragraphs jumping out and hitting me square in the forehead. Most of which have been written by crusty old men who have long since deteriorated. But they've hit me none the less... and i can't quite help but think that it is not on accident.
Take John Calvin for example. Long ago, ever since a friend of mine brought up the Great Debate between Catholics and Protestants, a curiosity about the religious forefathers has been a driving force in my life. Granted, I am a born again Christian. I love God and his people. But this structure... these strange rules and regulations of religion that have separated the Body of Christ through the generations and even has had 'christians' killing 'christians' is a painful thing to think about. I can hardly bear to think that an organization who truly has God and his Love at it's center would go to such lengths to promote their interpretation of the Bible. My conclusion? They are not what God intended for his people.
Apparently, John Calvin as well as the author of this book "Pursued by God, the amazing life and lasting influence of John Calvin" is convinced as well that a relationship with God does not result in the the extreme exaggeration of rituals on the Catholic side nor the rebellious violence resulting from the Reformation. He was raised Catholic and only questioned the extremes of it, not condemning it completely. I am on page 31 and so far I am very much enjoying this book. More to come!
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Another book to consider is St. Augustine of Hippo (the place, not the animal)
What a guy! What a writer and thinker! This guy seriously rocks my socks. He lived forever ago but I can totally relate to what he's saying. He writes of how God gently led his rebellious heart to be in step with His own. He was very much Catholic and so very close to God. Read it only if you have the guts because it is a very deep, deep read.
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Ah, lets see... oh yes! One more book....
"Dating with Pure Passion." Aha! A dating book. Here we go.. now you are all paying attention. I have been putting alot of thought into this dating thing and how it relates to me. I have observed that each person has their own 'style' of dating. I am starting to understand this delicate business of trying to find that person that you connect with and who you can entertain thoughts of marriage with. In my earlier years, I was disliked the thought of being connected with anybody for that length of time. But I'm starting to understand... I have no one in particular in my life at this time, but i've settled into a 'dating pattern' to be sure. The questions i ask myself about each person i consider. Then there is that curious thing known as, chemistry.
This book is a lantern for sure. It it telling me just what I knew deep inside... that to follow Christ first, is to hand over the reins of future marriage. Idolize God, not that person that might be the perfect one. I love what this author suggests, that God is not going to have your life all planned out like you are a robot... he will put people across your path for you to consider, good and bad choice people. He knows what choice you are going to make, but YOU are going to make it. So stick close to God... let him influence you to make wise decisions.
Thats all folks! Looking forward to painting tomorrow... check out my other Blog sometime: Artistically Equestrian
I shall have to get my hands on a copy of the firts book you mentioned. I am at that point in my life where all I want to read are books written by converts to Catholicism, or people who were born and/or raised Catholic but no longer call themselves that.
ReplyDeleteI am to that point as well where there are too many opposite extremes and too many interpretations of the Bible and what is presented now is not what was meant to be when Christ first started the Church...