"Invitations of Jesus" (Trevor Hudson)

TITLE: Invitations of Jesus
AUTHOR: Trevor Hudson
PUBLISHER: Nashville, TN: Upper Room Books, 2014, (96 pages).

This little devotional is written by a Methodist minister based in South Africa. He begins with a reflection on a wedding invitation that he had overlooked. It was something very special for the couple, but he had embarrassingly forgotten all about it in the midst of his work and busyness. Once over, "our loss is forever" so says Trevor Hudson. As he looks at the relationship between Christ and us, so many of our relationship with God is on the basis of our own needs instead of on the basis of faith and love. For Hudson, it is important not to be straitjacketed in a BSH relationship that believes in Jesus, Saved from sins, and straight to heaven after death. Christianity is not about a project to escape hell and enter heaven. It is a response to the invitation of Jesus to open and receive Jesus' gift; to explore and to know God; and to respond to God affirmatively. The key is to learn to be fully alive to God, and in turn be fully alive to one another, and to the world that God so loved and gave his only Son.

The six weeks of "invitations" is a journey from spiritual wakefulness to hopefulness in God. Week One sets the tone of the trip. It encourages readers to open the invitation and to respond with eager hearts. Week Two looks at "transforming intimacy" where Hudson reminds us about the importance of passion for God. Love is not a burden. It is a passion. When we look at our faith from the lens of passion, obeying the commandments of God will be most natural and beautiful. He connects this intimacy of God and relates it also to intimacy with people. True spiritual intimacy is never isolated from intimacy with people. Week Three talks about "transforming discipleship," Hudson poses a challenge to us:

"What is your life's greatest opportunity?"

He urges readers to consider growing in God as that opportunity.  We learn to be accepted by God. We learn to accept ourselves. We learn to connect our individual small stories with the Big Story of God.

Week Four moves to "transforming solitude" which is an invitation to dwell in the gospels, to walk with Jesus in solitude. Underneath Jesus' busy agenda, he frequently takes time to be alone, to pray, and to spend time with God. We learn about rest, refreshment, and renewal. The intriguing thing about solitude is that true solitude is never lonely. It is an awareness that God is right there with us.

Week Five reminds us that the Christian life is never inward looking. It has a "transforming mission" focus. As our relationship with God deepens, we feel a greater urge to share of this intimacy with others. Those who have personally tasted the sweetness of the fruit of spiriual life, will be most happy to share the experience. Without any such experience in the first place, how then can one share about anything? Transforming mission is also about sharing, especially in the suffering of people in the community.

Week Six is an invitation to a "transforming mystery." Sometimes, we in the modern scientific and technological world can arrogantly think we can solve all things. Even our saying of certain things that are impossible comes across more as lip service. The key is not in terms of our knowing or unknowing. It is in God revealing Truth to us, according to his own time and purpose. Just like we do not know when we will die, our losses can be a mystery in itself.

So What?

Do not be deceived by the brevity or the simplicity of this devotional. There are many stories and illustrations to drive home the message of Jesus inviting us to walk with him more closely and more intimately. Far too many Christian books and resources have tried to give us tools to get things done or to make things happen. As a result, many people become more activists instead of reflective respondents. We become more fixated on the visible stuff of life and ignore the invisible things. We fall into the habit of trying to do things in our own strength instead of depending on God's strength. This book of invitation is open-ended enough for us to be creative in our practice of it. It is closed-ended enough to limit our scope to six weeks of transformative exercises. Do these with much prayer. Be patient. Be open. Be intentional. Most importantly, learn to remember that Jesus has already given us an invite. We need to RSVP our response.

Rating:4.5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me courtesy of Upper Room Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"Silence and Other Surprising Invitations of Advent"

TITLE: Silence and Other Surprising Invitations of Advent
AUTHOR: Enuma Okoro
PUBLISHER: Nashville, TN: Upper Room Books, 2012, (128 pages).

The Advent comes from the Latin word 'Adventus,' which means 'coming,' or 'arriving.' It is a month-long expectation of the remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ, the new born King. For many Christians, it is also the mark of a new liturgical year. Thus, technically, we can call the first Sunday of December as the New Year's Day for Christians.

Here in this book, the biblical characters of Zechariah and Elizabeth are revisited in the first two weeks. This is followed by Elizabeth, Mary, and John in Week 3, ending with a summary of community involvement in Week 4. 

What this book aims to accomplish is to help readers appreciate the way God has surprised the unexpected, silenced the faithless, and slowly but gradually turn despair to hope, barrenness to conception, doubt to trust, longing to belonging.  Arranged in daily readings, each day comprises a short title to hold one's thought, followed by a Bible passage. A short reflection is then read, followed by a call to prayer. At the end of each Advent week, there is a "Personal Reflection" to help readers pause and examine themselves about their own spiritual longings and positions. This seventh day contains more scripture passages and a "prayerful challenge" for readers to actively engage themselves with. There are also guides for small groups, as well as other Advent readings for congregational activities. 

Easy to use and pleasant to read, this book of Advent readings can be readily picked up and used by leaders in any Advent setting. This is a good book for the season.

Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me free by Upper Room Books and NetGalley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"The Struggles of Caregiving" (Nell E. Noonan)

TITLE: Struggles of Caregiving: 28 Days of Prayer
AUTHOR: Nell E. Noonan
PUBLISHER: Nashville, TN: Upper Room Books, 2012.

Caregiving is hard work physically. It is also exhausting mentally as well as emotionally.  Many caregivers are unpaid, under-appreciated, and untiring in their care and love. Thank God for them! Unfortunately, one of the biggest problems among caregiver is that while they excel in caring for others, they are poorly equipped or unable to care for themselves. Recognizing the enormous toll and extreme challenges on caregivers, Nell Noonan has compiled a four week journey on the struggles of caregiving, and how caregivers can learn to pace themselves well. As the main caregiver for her husband, Noonan has since begun a ministry of encouraging caregivers who are weary and heavy-laden. The key thesis in the book is to enable and empower caregivers to carve out time and space to nourish their spiritual selves. This is where true strength comes from. In fact, her impetus for this book appears to come out of her interaction with a motivation speaker who tries to help listeners delay memory loss. Caregiving is not just a physical and emotional challenge. It is deeply spiritual.

Week one recognizes the struggles and frustrations of caregiving and faith. Week two deals with the struggles with identity. Week three deals with guilt and week four tries to find some balance. In addition, the author acknowledges that for some caregivers, going to Church or other religious services may not be possible due to their caregiving responsibilities. She has helpfully included tips on "Sabbath time." Each day begins with a Bible passage. Noonan then invites readers to journey along as she shares the stories of her personal struggles as a caregiver. It closes with a prayer, and allows readers some space to write down specific prayer requests. Noonan shares a lot from her heart, often with reference to her caring for Bob, her ailing husband.

The book is truthful to one's inner needs. It recognizes the lowest points and reminds readers that there is a higher point over time. If you are planning to be a caregiver, you will appreciate the tips and wisdom in this book. If you are a caregiver, you will appreciate this book even more.

Ratings: 4 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me free by Upper Room Books and NetGalley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"That We May Perfectly Love Thee" (Robert Benson)

TITLE: That We May Perfectly Love Thee
AUTHOR: Robert Benson
PUBLISHER: Nashville, TN: Upper Room Books, 2011.

What a fitting book for Holy Week! Maundy Thursday typically marks the beginning of the Holy Triduum, the three days leading up to Easter Sunday. On the night before Jesus was betrayed, the Lord Jesus broke bread and drank wine with the disciples at the Upper Room. Benson uses the words from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer to title this book on Holy Communion.

Many different names have been used to describe this event. Some call it the Eucharist, others call it the Lord's Supper, or Holy Communion. Benson helps us understand that back in the early century, this is actually the 'Holy potluck.' Seven chapters frame the whole book. Beginning with a prelude to the Holy Meal in the first three chapters, Benson leads readers through an actual ritual in an Anglican Church in Nashville. It is about practicing a sabbatical mood of unhurried and intentional preparation to enter into the feast. It is about the reverent and quiet mood of the congregation that contrasts a busyness in the outside world with a serenity inside the sanctuary. It is about contrasting the ways of the world of consumerism, with the ways of Christ, to set apart all things that we may love God. In other words, the book is not just about Holy Communion. It is about preparing our hearts for Holy Communion, as the subtitle says. The motive reverberates throughout the book: "That we may perfectly love thee." From prayers of the priests to the prayers of the people; from the breaking of the bread and wine to the distribution of the elements; from the call to observe the silence, to a call to celebrate Christ, this book is spot on when it comes to understanding the Holy Communion for what it means to prepare our hearts. It is not just a meal. It is a celebration of a relationship. It is showing gratitude for God forgiving us. It is a time to confess our sins and recognize our sinfulness. It is both personal and corporate; remembrance and hope; fellowshiping and worshiping. The book also ends with a helpful small group guide to facilitate greater discussion among believers.

As I read the book, I feel myself invited into the actual ritual of Holy Communion, and to be reminded of the words that I have uttered each Communion time. Along the way, Benson shows the human side of us through the side activities happening during the Holy Feast. A friend tapping on the shoulder, or people exchanging friendly smiles, or some recollections of past activities in the church. It is a reminder that many things are happening inside us even during the Holy Communion. Perhaps, the ritual itself is not a boring and monotonous set of activities after all. The intentional and repetitive manner of pointing our attention to Christ is a way of settling our unsettled minds and hearts. We need order in an otherwise disorderly world. We need to learn to rest. We need to observe moments of silence. Tradition is necessary in a world of untraditional thinking. Thankfully, Benson continues this tradition with a very thoughtful book. It reminds me that there are things we do in church that we may not understand when we are younger. Over time, we will appreciate it greatly.

Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me free by Upper Room Books and NetGalley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"Pray for Me" (Kenneth H Carter Jr)

TITLE: Pray for Me: The Power in Praying for Others
AUTHOR: Kenneth H. Carter, Jr.
PUBLISHER: Nashville, TN: Upper Room Books, 2012, (112 pages).

This week is Holy Week. It is a week of watching and praying.  Reading (and praying) through this book reminds me of the importance of intercession in Bible times, as well as in our current era. The author is an ordained minister who has grappled with the topic of intercession in many different ways. Beginning with people who comes to him requesting for prayer, Carter aims to use this book to help readers be more prepared and more intentional about how to intercede for others. Using the bucket image, the intercessor is essentially a person with an empty bucket who by interceding, allows others to fill that bucket with prayer requests and burdens, and reflecting on Philippians 2:5-8 on how Christ emptied Himself for the sake of others.

Carter makes some biblical references to the place of intercession in the life of the Christian. He uses the Old Testament examples of how Moses interceded for Israel; how Elijah pleads for God to intervene, and how the psalmists seek God in prayer. He reflects upon Jesus' teaching on prayer, and about the things that seem impossible to men are possible with God. In prayer, one gets familiarized with the rhythms of action/prayer, engagement/withdrawal, ministry/retreat, and service/solitude. Through the Pauline epistles, one learns to pray as a child of God. In Hebrews, James, and Revelation, one learns about Jesus being the bridge between man and God, the need for confession, intercession and healing, and worship.

Intercession is a way for us to develop greater compassion for our fellow neighbour and friend. It is a way to develop and build community. It ushers one into the mysteries of life and in God. It reminds us again that even though we may not pray as well, the Holy Spirit is especially gracious in this area in helping us.

Closing Thoughts

I find this book highly practical and useful for basic teaching about prayer and intercession. It does not weigh the layperson down with heavy theological jargon. Neither are there difficult concepts to grasp. Instead, what we have is a book that can be used as a convenient guide to intercession and prayer. It is best used together with the Bible. It is hoped that this book will do three things. Firsly, for readers to allow the Bible to raise curiosity in us. Secondly, may this book raise exciting opportunities for various applications for us. Thirdly, for the Holy Spirit to raise up more prayer warriors in us. Perhaps, as we pray for others more and more, we sense more of the Holy Spirit praying more and more for us.

Rating: 4 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me free by Upper Room Books and NetGalley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise implied.