Pure Christianity

Revolution

George Barna describes a revolution like this; repudiating tepid systems and practices of the Christian faith and introducing a wholesale shift in how faith is understood, integrated, and influencing the world. (From the front flap of the book cover.)

His book Revolution describes people that have left the institutional church and are celebrating their faith in new and more creative ways. He takes great pains to create a new term for those people who have left the institutional church, revolutionaries. However it just does not work. I also have doubts about his numbers. If I remember correctly he says that there are something like 20 million so called revolutionaries in the U.S.A.

I know some of these people, and they just do not fit the neat seven point list Barna creates for them. (His book is actually jam packed with lists.) Personally I think it is great that people are abandoning man made institutions and realizing that Jesus brought about the end of our need for religion altogether.

I certainly do not fit his list, and I have given up on religion. I also do not appreciate the aggressive language he uses. Nothing but war this, soldier that, and on and on about fighting.

There are places in the book where you see that George Barna was actually touched by these people who are learning that God does not reside in buildings made by man. Instead he lives in us.

However his vision of the future seems to me to just be more of the same. Institutions, leaders who tell us what God says instead of us listening for ourselves, denominations arising to cater to this group of people, and on and on. I hope the future is that we finally put the last nail in the coffin of religion, and get on with living.

 

          Johnny Brooks

Missionary to Nakuru, Kenya. Co-founder of A Future and a Hope, a home for girls.

Sex God

Warning! Rob Bell's book Sex God is a relationship book! Just thought I would warn all you guys out there, the title is a bit misleading.

He does write about sex, but from a more philosophical or theoretical viewpoint. So in case you are a teenager overloaded on hormones you had better look elsewhere for descriptions of sex.

Now just because it is a relationship book does not make it all that bad, it at least has a lot of references to the Bible in it. I love the Bible and talking, reading, and writing about it is just great for me. I know, I know, I am a geek. (Knowing that I am a geek says a lot about you guys reading this blog. Ha. Just a joke.) I like it much better than the Five Love Language book my wife made me read.

I would think that if you have issues with sex and/or relationships, then Sex God is a good book to read. Not sure if it will solve your problem or not, but it might put you on the right track.

I personally have no problem with sex or my relationships. I have one wife, named Kate Brooks, and she is the only woman I have ever been with. It is our plan to keep it that way. She completely satisfies me and I cannot imagine betraying her trust.

I like Rob Bell. He seems like a cool guy, though I have never met him in person. You should buy the book just for the chapter titles which include, "God Wears Lipstick."

Thanks Susan for loaning us Sex God.

 

         Johnny Brooks

Missionary to Nakuru, Kenya. Co-founder of A Future and a Hope, a home for girls.

The End of Religion

Bruxy Cavey presents a convincing argument against religion in his book, The End of Religion. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and recommend it to everyone.

In the first chapter he starts off by focusing on Jesus' miracle of turning water into wine. To avoid repeating the whole chapter let me get straight to where Bruxy Cavey takes us. He talks about Jesus' use of the ceremonial jugs. Jesus purposefully desecrated a religious symbol. Awesome.

He talks about the scandal of Jesus coming and putting an end to religion. I have long thought that one of the purposes, and a major purpose, of the incarnation was to get rid of religion. We no longer need it, so why hold on to it.

I have to admit that I was disappointed that he still advocates Sunday meetings, pastors, and other stuff we do now as good things. It was like he is saying no need for us to be religious, but it is still o.k. I think not. I think if Jesus went to all the effort to get rid of religion, well then we should also.

A good book.

I find these types of books so inspiring. If I try to do what I am doing now and practice religion at the same time, well I would be burned out in no time. It is so freeing to be able to follow Jesus without the trappings of religious obligation.

 

       Johnny Brooks

Missionary to Nakuru, Kenya. Co-founder of A Future and a Hope, a home for girls.

The Shack

William P. Young has written a spectacular parable. From the first page till the last page I was hooked. The book sat on my desk for a few weeks, while I finished up a couple of other tomes before it. Technically there were others that I was to read before getting to The Shack, but I could not resist.

I listen to The God Journey podcast, and those guys had hyped the book up quite a bit. I prepared myself to be disappointed, but pleasantly was not. (Like the time I believed the hype about the new Star Wars movies.)

I do not want to give the story away, so I will not discuss the book at length. I do encourage you to pick up a copy today and read it. If you have experienced tragedy and loss in your life, then this book is definitely a must read for you.

After reading The Shack I felt somehow closer to God. Like maybe I knew him a little bit more, and his love for me was affirmed.

The Shack is a book that I will read again and again.

   Johnny Brooks

Missionary to Nakuru, Kenya. Co-founder of A Future and a Hope, a home for girls.

108 Ways to Transform a T-Shirt

For my birthday, Johnny ordered 2 books for me from Amazon.com. The one I am reviewing is called 108 Ways to Transform a T-Shirt.

This book is just that. It has easy to follow instructions that take you through step-by-step from t-shirt to whatever. Projects range from various t-shirt styles to purses, and even a wedding gown!

All of my kids are enjoying this book as well. We've made all KINDS of styles of shirts as well as skirts, dolls, bags, and even fake flowers! They've been cutting up everything!

What I really like about the book is that you don't have to know how to sew to do the projects. Most of the projects are fairly simple.

Below, Makena (age 7) made a doll from the t-shirt scraps! She practiced her 'whip stitch' all around the edges of the doll. She stuffed it herself and even made the doll a shirt and skirt from the book!

 

 

 

  ~ Kate Brooks

Missionary to Nakuru, Kenya and Co-founder of A Future and a Hope.

Kate's perspective on '5 Love Lang.'

First of all, let me say that I love people. There is a song by Billy Blackwood that says, "Everybody wants to be wanted. Everybody needs to be needed. One thing's for certain wherever you go, everyone loves to be loved."

I'll be honest, in my character is a desire to please people. It may be a weakness, and it may be a strength, but one thing's for sure, I was born that way. Now for those of you who know me well, you know I don't allow people's opinions to affect me very much; however, what I am talking about here is the desire to see someone feel very happy. Life should be fun! And I try to make sure of it! If you've gotta work, you might as well whistle while you do it!

Now Johnny, on the other hand, loves people as well, but not in the same manner. In fact, he doesn't care much to be around them unless he has to. He avoids birthday parties, group games, and so called 'fun stuff.' He doesn't even take sugar in his tea! He does, however, want people to have dignity and to know the love God has for them; which is why he is able to do the work he does! But that doesn't mean he'll sugar coat things (like I would).

I think this is why Johnny and I have such different views of Gary Chapman's book, The Five Love Languages. I read the book with the intention of learning how to better express my love to not only Johnny but to those around me, and Johnny read just because I asked him to, and therefore, he read it to be critical of it.

On to my opinion of the book--  I don't believe Gary Chapman was putting love 'in a box' as Johnny claimed, but instead, he was liberating it for those who only see love as 'acts of service' or 'gift giving.' He helps people see that love is expressed differently by different folks and therefore, we often 'miss it' since we have put 'love' in a box.

For example, imagine the wife whose 'love language' is quality time. She may think to herself that her workaholic husband doesn't love her because he doesn't spend any quality time with her.When she reads Gary's book, she may realize her husband's love language is 'acts of service' and Wallah! She's liberated. She realizes he actually loves her tons! Now she is equipped with the knowledge of how to better express her love to him and to understand him a bit better, and thus, the relationship takes a giant leap forward.

Now the beginning of the book was actually quite boring. I couldn't relate because I've never felt 'out of love' with Johnny. Also, I never did the dating scene, and Johnny's and my courtship was quite different than most, so the euphoric phase of most relationships wasn't something I could relate to. Also, Johnny and I actually communicate with one another really well. We don't stop discussing an issue until it is resolved completely and both of us have grown and changed for each other over the years. I have no question that Johnny loves me completely.

Also, I found the book to be quite repetitive. I don't believe Gary had enough content for an entire book, but I still found it very useful.

 

~ Kate Brooks

Missionary to Nakuru, Kenya and Co-founder of A Future and a Hope.

 

 

PS

Churkindoose is a part chicken, turkey, duck, and goose from a story written in 1946, but honestly, I had to look it up on Google. I don't remember it from my childhood-- sorry, Mom.

The Five Love Languages

James posted this past Sunday how he and his wife started reading The Five Love Languages by Gary  Chapman. I just finished it today and thought I would jot a few ideas down.

First thing I have to say is that I read this book strictly because my wife would not let me not read it. I have a good size stack of books on my desk, actually they are sitting on my printer, that I need to read. All of them are books I have chosen to read, The Five Love Languages is not a book that I would have chosen on my own to read.

I have no problem with my marriage. I have always felt loved by my wife and have always loved her. We are like everyone else and have spats from time to time, but we do not let the "sun set" on our anger. So hurts, anger, and disappointment tend to be dealt with quickly.

I am not sure which love language is mine. There are five; words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, physical touch.

I picked receiving gifts because let's face it getting stuff is cool. Obviously one can look at our four children and say that physical touch is important to either myself or Kate, but still getting presents can't be beat.

I did not like this book, but my wife liked it so I cannot say too many negative things here about it. I will say one thing that should be safe for me; there is a very girly looking picture on the front cover so reading it out in public was a bit embarrassing.

Gary Chapman, let me say thanks for trying to reduce something as complex and wonderful as the love I have for my wife into a five point list. Now incase there is any issue between us I can just pull out the receiving gifts card and demand more loot.

 

Johnny Brooks

Missionary to Nakuru, Kenya. Co-founder of A Future and a Hope, a home for girls.

THE LOVE LANGUAGE CLUB

Well, it's finally begun.  Yes, the book that's sat on our shelf for over a year now is finally getting it's pages read.  Johnny has been saying how his wife has been compelling him to read this book.  Johnny, I just want you to know, man, we are going through this together now.

Yes, the book is known as "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman.  The truth is that it's high time my wife and I started making some investments into our marriage.  One way we are doing that is to finally start reading this book together on as much of a daily basis as we can.

How about you guys out there reading with the rest of us?  Is it time to work on your marriages too?  Are you a five star member of the "Five Love Languages" club?  Why not join today?

James and Heather Matthews

The Good Heart

The Good Heart by His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a record or transcript from the 1994 John Main Seminar. The John Main Seminar is held each year by Christians who use meditation in the spiritual practices.

I ordered The Good Heart because I thought it would be interesting to see what a Buddhist leader had to say about the teachings of Jesus, and for the most part it was enlightening.

What I really appreciated is that the Dalai Lama did not try to demonstrate how similar Christianity and Buddhism where, though there are similarities. He did not shy from speaking of the differences. I was also amazed and delighted at how quickly he was able to grasp what Jesus was saying. When he was discussing the Beatitudes I thought he expressed the meaning well. I wish Christians could do it as easily, but I think our religion and nationalities tend to get in the way.

Though I have not viewed them apparently there are some videos available of the seminar, probably a better choice then the book. I have never been in the presence of the Dalai Lama, but apparently that was a big part of the success of the seminar. Presence just does not emanate well from a book.

I can say without a doubt that I cannot be Buddhist. The lack of any kind of relationship with our Creator puts me off. I cannot imagine going through life without knowing my God loved me and wants me to be part of his family. This should not bother a Buddhist as they would say I am not psychologically suited for Buddhism.

 

Johnny Brooks

Missionary to Nakuru, Kenya. Co-founder of A Future and a Hope, a home for girls.

Dangerous Faith

Just finished reading Dangerous Faith by Joel Vestal. This was my first introduction to Joel Vestal and his organization ServLif, and he seems like a good guy.

His book is o.k. He shares some stories from the mission field throughout, but I felt he could have preached less and shared more stories. He seems to be trying to encourage more missions work and that is good because we need help.

The one thing I kept thinking of while reading his book was that if I was to be an evangelical I would want to be like Joel Vestal. He actually tries to meet people's physical needs while preaching to them, what a thought.

 

Johnny Brooks

Missionary to Nakuru, Kenya. Co-founder of A Future and a Hope, a home for girls.