Ortberg begins by answering questions I think that you and I both wrestle with… For instance, I often have a hard time discerning what a more healthy, alive, godly me looks like….. And I’m in the picklesque-headspace again. Don’t get me wrong…I want to be holy. But not with the cringe-side-effect-benefits!! Not a cultural-cool-obsession, nor a swing out to pietistic-aloofness….I so don’t want to be “holier than thou.”

Ortberg says this, “As God helps you grow, you will change, but you will always be you. An acorn can grow into an oak tree, but it cannot become a rose bush. It can be a healthy oak or it can be a stunted oak – but it won’t be a shrub. You will always be you – a growing, healthy you or a languishing you – but God didn’t create you to be anybody else.”

He goes on to say, “When you flourish, you become more you. You become more that person God had in mind when thought you up. You don’t just become holier. You become you-ier. You will change: God wants you to become a “new creation.” But “new” doesn’t have to mean completely different; instead it’s like an old piece of furniture that gets restored to its intended beauty.”

Now that’s a picture of a more alive, healthy, godly me that I am so up for!! What do you think a more alive, healthy and godly (stick your name in the gap here) looks like?

Oh, and stay tuned or read it for yourself! I am sure this book is going to provoke much more blog fodder and good stuff in me. True is, I’d settle for the latter every time.

ps. and,….the goal in this entry, was NOT a dull book review… just a taster, a little-bookish-sample….?!….so let me know… did it work?!

Nobody would argue Easter Sunday is a day of celebration. We celebrate that Jesus conquered death so we can have life. It doesn’t get any better than Easter Sunday. Day three.

But we don’t hear a lot about day one and two? After the crucifixion on day one and leading into day two it almost seems as if nothing is happening. It’s a period of questioning, doubting, wondering, and definitely waiting. It’s a season of helplessness and hopelessness.

And honestly, this is where some of you are right now. You’re in a season where you’ve begun to wonder if God is asleep at the wheel or simply powerless to do anything about your problems.

Is it possible, though, that this season is actually a time of preparation? Is it possible God’s getting ready to do his best work in you?

Because that’s exactly what was happening during this time between the crucifixion and the resurrection. While it appeared that nothing was happening we know, in fact, that God was engineering a resurrection. You may currently be in the midst of a horrible, out-of-control situation. You feel as if God is not there, that there’s nothing that can be done.

But here is the message of the gospel for you while you’re stuck in your seemingly helpless, hopeless, season of waiting: God does his best work in hopeless situations. This I know this Easter with all my heart!

We worship a God who specializes in resurrections. He specializes in hopeless situations. He conquered death—the ultimate hopeless situation—so you and I can have life.

Beautiful and true:- It’s Friday, but Sunday is coming.

My favourite parts of the book were Day 30 “Living Up to Your Potential” and Day 36 “Fighting the Battle.” They were real encouragements to me. Another aspect of the book is that not only does it talk about what a godly man looks like, but also what it takes to become that man. Hopefully, you find this devotional as thought provoking and inspiring as I did, despite the across-the-pond translations needed at times! Great for all men!

I contend that it’s often the hardest thing to  turn intention into action! Yetwithal making it happen is vital! My original thought is this:- Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace!

1. Be patient; Passionately pray and responsibly serve. v.1b

2. Be bold; Let your fears feed your faith! v. 2-3

3. Be dependent. v. 4

4. Be prepared. v. 5-8a

5. Be expectant. v. 8b

“I would rather walk in the dark with God than go alone in the light. I would rather walk with Him by faith than walk alone by sight.” Mary Gardner Brainard

As Goethe said, Love does not dominate: it cultivates!

It is the broken alabaster box that offers significant fragrance and costly worship.
It is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns to greater purpose than ever before…..

God uses broken, vulnerable, fragile, open lives – it’s always His way; though this process is not ever comfortable, it is always productive.

Experience proves it because God’s word explains it!