Thirsting for God: Yet Another Book Rec!

I just began reading a book for class that I already know I will want to recommend! Thirsting for God: Spiritual Refreshment for the Sacred Journey, is written by best-selling author Gary Thomas.  Here are some excerpts from the first few chapters:

"True Christian spirituality is not a search to discover ourselves or to be enlightened or even to add a new dimension to our lives. No. Christian spirituality is a relationship with God. This search is initiated by God, empowered by God and made possible by God. He is our desire. Not power, not experience, not the supernatural...but God, revealed to us in Jesus Christ.

Therefore, Christian spirituality has more to do with what we receive than what we achieve. Our potential and activity depend entirely on Gods work in our lives. If we set out to be achievers rather than receivers, we have not begun to follow God. Achievers call attention to themselves, whereas receivers lead others to appreciate the Giver. If we insist on being achievers, seeking God so that others might admire our faith, our commitment, or our dedication, we become Gods competitors, trying to steal some of His glory." (pg. 16)

"One of the chief aims of Christian spirituality, second only to knowing God, is to enter other people's lives, pains, doubts, joys- to be other-centered...God must do a work in us before He can work through us...True fulfillment comes as we receive God's love and respond to it by loving others. This is the essence of Christian spirituality." (pg. 17-18) 

The book has short chapters (3-5 pages each), so it can be read in a devotional format, where you might read  a chapter each day and allow Thomas' thoughts and challenges to lead you into prayer.  Enjoy!

Christ Became a Humble Child

"He was a baby and a child, so that you may be a perfect human.

He was wrapped in swaddling clothes, so that you may be freed from the snares of death.

He was in a manger, so that you maybe in the altar.

He was on earth that you may be in the stars.

He had no other place in the inn, so that you may have many mansions in the heavens.

He, being rich, became poor for your sakes, that through his poverty you might be rich.  Therefore, his poverty is our inheritance, and the Lord's weakness is our virtue. He chose to lack for himself, that he may abound for all. The sobs of that appalling infancy cleanse me, those tears wash away my sins. Therefore, Lord Jesus, I owe more to your sufferings because I was redeemed than I do to works for which I was created...

You see that he is in swaddling clothes.

You do not see that he is in heaven.

You hear the cries of the infant, but you do not hear the lowing of an ox recognizing its Master, for the ox knows his Owner and the donkey his Master's crib."

Ambrose, Exposition of the Gospel of Luke 2.41-42

Morning Musings on the Eve of Christmas Eve

"For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich."
2 Corinthians 8:9


"Let us then rejoice in this grace, so that our glorying may bear witness to our good conscience by which we glory, not in ourselves but in the Lord. That is why Scripture says, 'He is my glory, the one who lifts up my head.' For what greater grace could God have made to dawn on us than to make his only Son become the Son of man, so that human beings might in their turn become children and heirs of God? Ask if this is merited; ask for its reason, for its justification, and whether you will find any other answer but sheer grace." Augustine. 


"Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth."
Charles Wesley, Hark the Herald Angels Sing 

Book Suggestions

Here it is, folks: my annual Christmas book recommendation list! If you're a book lover and want to read some good stuff about God, here are some titles you might want to check out. But don't take my word for it....

• Anything and everything by Tim Keller (an InterVarsity alum!) 
• Anything and everything by Francis Chan
• A Praying Life by Paul Miller  
• Subversive Spirituality (and other titles) by Eugene Peterson 
• Ancient Christian Devotionals and Living the Christian Year  (devotional books) 
• Memoirs and books by Donald Miller and Anne Lamott (if you're in the mood for something insightful, intuitive and a bit unorthodox) 

If you are looking for a suggestion for a particular topic, please let me know!

Merry Christmas!  

Advent: Resources and Poem

As a student, I always hated this time of year. My heart was pulled in too many directions. I needed to work hard at studying. I wanted to play hard at formals and Ugly Sweater Parties (except they didn't really exist when I was student). But most of all I wanted to be home with my family, preparing for Christmas. 

If your heart also feels divided at this time of year, please use some of the following resources to center your heart on Christ as we prepare to celebrate His birthday in just a few weeks. 

http://www.catholic.org/clife/advent/

http://www.crivoice.org/cyadvent.html

http://www.adventconspiracy.org/default.aspx?page=3684

I will leave you with a poem by Luci Shaw.

Salutation

Luke 1:39-45

Framed in light,

Mary sings through the doorway.

Elizabeth's six-month joy

jumps, a palpable greeting,

a hidden first encounter

between son and Son.

And my heart turns over

when I meet Jesus

in you.