Author Archives: Seth

Elliot

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Some are like meteors flashing through the night sky. Others are like constant, distant stars shining night after night.

Jim Eliot’s older brother serving in Peru

We are thankful for all those faithful light bearers in our dark world.

“Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.” Philippians 2:14-18

2012 Winter Man-a-Thon

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Ten of us men traveled up north to camp out a few weeks ago. Our destination was Pillager, MN. Growing up, my dad, brothers and I built a small cabin in the woods to use as our retreat center on a piece of land owned by a friend. Over the years we hiked, canoed, climbed, explored and camped out in every season, in every type of weather, and all with the same results – we had a great time.

We hiked back into our campsite and got to work on the important stuff. We cut wood, built a fire, and started cooking (the first two were just to get to the third). We cooked potatoes, onions, carrots, celery, and chuck roast in tinfoil packets directly on the coals. The only problem we faced was accidentally getting coals in the packets, which makes for interesting biting.
After we ate we took a midnight hike and watched the stars from a ridge and then discussed God’s interest in our lives. Praying together before we went to bed we had to stop to let the wolf howling to calm down.

We then laid out the tarp, struggled into our sleeping bags (some more than others since it was there first time in a mummy bag), and went to “sleep.” Again, I think the howling of the wolves frightened the guys with the rabbit fur hat – and rightfully so.

 

Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson and the Opening of the American West by Stephen E. Ambrose

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Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson and the Opening of the American West
by Stephen E. Ambrose
Product Details
Paperback: 502 pages
Publisher: Touchstone
Date Published: 1996

Point: The life of Meriwether Lewis was filled with the most fascinating adventures, highest of achievements, and the most bitter of sorrow. A man in himself can never fully recover from his past, no matter how illustrious or infamous.
Path: Ambrose tracks the life of Meriwether Lewis from beginning to end, while focusing primarily on the incredible journey from Coast to Coast during the years of 1803-1806.
Sources: Ambrose thoroughly does his homework and acquaints the reader with the journals, letters, articles and accounts surrounding this amazing life.
Agreement: This was a fascinating book for two reasons. First, the endeavor was one of the most daunting and challenging ever faced. Second, the author was thorough and interesting. Some of the greatest tales ever told are not over exaggerations, but under exaggerations! What Lewis and Clark saw and experienced can never be fully imagined. It was also revealing in regard to what those from the Enlightenment would call the “noble savage.” Neither the “civilized explorers” nor “primitive Indians” acted in noble ways when faced with immoral opportunities.
Disagreement: Lewis’ final depression which brought upon his suicide was given many names, but it appears to me that he was haunted by his failures and turned to his own sources of comfort – alcohol, drugs, and finally death.
Personal App: This tale pushes me to reach for the unknown – wherever it may hide.
Favorite Quote: “Finally the party returned, with Cruzatte, who absolutely denied having shot the captain and swore he had never heard Lewis call to him.” (after Lewis was shot in the backside by one of his own men! No wonder he never admitted to it.)
Stars: 5 out of 5
It would be worth another read and I would recommend it.

Anger

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JAMES 1:19-20
KNOW THIS, MY BELOVED BROTHERS: LET EVERY PERSON BE QUICK TO HEAR, SLOW TO SPEAK, SLOW TO ANGER; FOR THE ANGER OF MAN DOES NOT PRODUCE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT GOD REQUIRES.

 Here are two resources available to you for better understanding and handling anger. I would recommend that you read through the overview sheet and a few of the books noted on the back. The principles found in the heart journal ought to be employed after any sin.
    Crystal compiled the overview sheet and has added some helpful books on the back. Much of the information was taken from those books.

Dedicated to our most faithful follower* of the blog

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We would like to dedicate this post to our most faithful follower* of the blog.
After years of only casually acknowledging this site, our dear friend Harry, became a follower.
We are proud of you Harry.

*Note: There may be some debate on this point – we have yet to see actually proof that our blog is set to his homepage.

**Update: We have confirmation that the blog is set to his homepage.

Great Book on Fear and Anxiety

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Running Scared: fear, worry, and the God of rest

Edward T. Welch

Product Details

  1. Paperback: 317 pages
  1. Publisher: New Growth Press
  1. Date of reading: February 22, 2012

Point: Welch takes an in-depth look at fear, worry, and anxiety in his book. God is bigger than our fears, and we can trust in Him.

Path: Welch has written this in the form of meditations. He recommends reading one chapter a day and talking with someone about the chapter before moving on to the next one.

Welch shows that all people fear. It is something that we do not have to learn. We fear and worry about things which we value and cherish. Through a discussion of manna in the Old Testament and many passages about fearing in the New Testament, Welch shows the root of fear and how that can be dealt with in our lives.

Agreement: I enjoyed many of the thoughtful chapters on fear itself. One of his main points is: “We are fearful when something we value is in jeopardy” (page 80). This is apparent in all of our lives.

Disagreement: I agree with the majority of what Welch says, but there are just a few times where the reader may become confused if they do not know from where Welch is coming. For example, Welch states on page 47, “After you listen to your own heart, listen to God.” If taken out of context at all, one might think that Welch is condoning listening to our own hearts before we listen to God. I believe he is actually pointing out that we check our hearts to see if we are living in fear, and then we need to listen to what God’s Word has to say about that fear.

Stars: 4.5 out of 5

It would be worth another read and I would recommend it.

From Synagogue To Church: Public Services and Offices in the Earliest Christian Communities by James Tunstead Burtchaell

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From Synagogue To Church: Public Services and Offices in the Earliest Christian Communities
by James Tunstead Burtchaell
Product Details
Hardcover: 357 pages
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date Published: 1992
Point: Because the Church was birthed in the context of the synagogue, the leadership structure and happenings of the synagogue were incorporated into the Church. Although there was a set structure, the charismatics lead while the officials presided.
Path:  The author begins with four chapters of historical interpretation. The ideas of leaders from the Reformation, the 19th century, the early 20th century, and the last 50 years are all evaluated. The last four chapters discuss the need for a new hypothesis, one which reads history forwards instead of backwards. The final chapter gives his conclusions on the matter: the early church looked like the synagogue, but the Spirit led men were the leaders, no necessarily the officers.
Sources: Helpful footnotes and sources. Excellent source of background material for the history of the debate back to the time of Wycliff.
Agreement: I appreciate his desire to see a continuity between the two organizations. Helpful material. Seemingly thorough.
Disagreement: He questions the authorship of James (but places the pastorals early). 
Stars: 4.5 out of 5
It would be worth another read and I would recommend it.