NEWS A Lovely Mosaic
I have been reading a book by Erwin Raphael McManus titled, 'The Barbarian Way.' Erwin is the founder of Mosaic and the author of several books, including one of my favorites, 'Soul Cravings.'
Erwin's 'The Barbarian Way' is filled with material that resonates strongly with my heart. I want to highlight a few passages below that I found to be filled with much light. Here's a gem that begins on page 5 (please note I added bold for emphasis):
"The invitation of Jesus is a revolutionary call to fight for the heart of humanity. We are called to an unconventional war using only the weapons of faith, hope and love… Strangely enough, though, some who come to Jesus Christ seem to immediately and fully embrace this barbarian way. They live their lives with every step moving forward and with every fiber of their being fighting for the heart of their King. Jesus Christ has become the all-consuming passion of their lives. They are not about religion or position. They have little patience for institutions or bureaucracies. Their lack of respect for tradition or ritual makes them seem uncivilized to those who love religion. When asked if they are Christians, their answer might surprisingly be no, they are passionate followers of Jesus Christ. They see Christianity as a world religion, in many ways no different from any other religious system. Whether Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, or Christianity, they're not about religion; they're about advancing the revolution Jesus started two thousand years ago."
That may be the best description of my heart I have ever come across. I am sure it resonates strongly with other Spirit-filled hearts. But there is more to this wonderful description of the heart of God. Erwin goes on to say on page 13-14:
"If I know nothing else about you, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, I know this without question: there is within you a raw and untamed faith waiting to be unleashed. When we come to the living God, He consumes who we are and gives us life that is fueled by His presence. You have been recreated to live in a raw and primal spirituality. Jesus came to ignite a fire within you that would consume you and ignite you. Jesus the King came to fight for your heart. If He has won your heart, then to follow your heart will always lead you to follow the heart of God. He will always lead you to advance forward behind enemy lines to win the hearts of those who do not yet know Him or love Him."
Consumed by the heart of God! Could there be anything greater than this in the universe? But there is a very big and pressing problem, and Erwin identifies it on page 17. He says, rightfully so:
"Jesus is being lost in a religion bearing His name. People are being lost because they cannot reconcile Jesus' association with Christianity. Christianity has become docile, domesticated, civilized. We have forgotten that there is a kingdom of darkness stealing the hopes and dreams and souls of a humanity without God."
Jesus - lost in a religion bearing His name. Could there be anything more heartbreaking than this?
I look forward to finishing Erwin's book and hope to be blogging more on it in the days ahead.
May the eyes of your heart be opened to see Christ and all in all.
Agape,
Steve
Erwin's 'The Barbarian Way' is filled with material that resonates strongly with my heart. I want to highlight a few passages below that I found to be filled with much light. Here's a gem that begins on page 5 (please note I added bold for emphasis):
"The invitation of Jesus is a revolutionary call to fight for the heart of humanity. We are called to an unconventional war using only the weapons of faith, hope and love… Strangely enough, though, some who come to Jesus Christ seem to immediately and fully embrace this barbarian way. They live their lives with every step moving forward and with every fiber of their being fighting for the heart of their King. Jesus Christ has become the all-consuming passion of their lives. They are not about religion or position. They have little patience for institutions or bureaucracies. Their lack of respect for tradition or ritual makes them seem uncivilized to those who love religion. When asked if they are Christians, their answer might surprisingly be no, they are passionate followers of Jesus Christ. They see Christianity as a world religion, in many ways no different from any other religious system. Whether Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, or Christianity, they're not about religion; they're about advancing the revolution Jesus started two thousand years ago."
That may be the best description of my heart I have ever come across. I am sure it resonates strongly with other Spirit-filled hearts. But there is more to this wonderful description of the heart of God. Erwin goes on to say on page 13-14:
"If I know nothing else about you, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, I know this without question: there is within you a raw and untamed faith waiting to be unleashed. When we come to the living God, He consumes who we are and gives us life that is fueled by His presence. You have been recreated to live in a raw and primal spirituality. Jesus came to ignite a fire within you that would consume you and ignite you. Jesus the King came to fight for your heart. If He has won your heart, then to follow your heart will always lead you to follow the heart of God. He will always lead you to advance forward behind enemy lines to win the hearts of those who do not yet know Him or love Him."
Consumed by the heart of God! Could there be anything greater than this in the universe? But there is a very big and pressing problem, and Erwin identifies it on page 17. He says, rightfully so:
"Jesus is being lost in a religion bearing His name. People are being lost because they cannot reconcile Jesus' association with Christianity. Christianity has become docile, domesticated, civilized. We have forgotten that there is a kingdom of darkness stealing the hopes and dreams and souls of a humanity without God."
Jesus - lost in a religion bearing His name. Could there be anything more heartbreaking than this?
I look forward to finishing Erwin's book and hope to be blogging more on it in the days ahead.
May the eyes of your heart be opened to see Christ and all in all.
Agape,
Steve
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