Wednesday, November 3, 2010

The Reading That Consumes Me

I'm behind.  I have all sorts of good stuff to share with you, but a couple really good books are sucking my time (along with a husband, 4 kids, a dog etc etc etc)


So, lets start backwards and begin with the books I'm reading simultaneously.


The Bait of Satan by John Bevere.  I'm moving through it at a snails pace because I really, really want it to settle deep into my soul and stick there.  The "bait" it's referring to is offense.  Turns out, being offended happens waaaay more often than I realized, and sticks around waaaay longer than I thought it did.  Not for me, of course.  *cough*    


Let me share a little gem that I read this morning.  He says, "hurt people become more and more self-seeking and self-contained.  In this climate the love of God waxes cold."  And then he gives a very cool analogy, which I'd like to put into my own words and thus butcher for you.


Here goes:  The Sea of Galilee has water flowing into it, and then flowing out of it.  It has all sorts of plants and fish living the dream.  The water of the Sea of Galilee flows into the Jordan River which feeds into the Dead Sea.  The Dead Sea takes in the water, but GET THIS, it does not give it out.  There are no living plants or fish.  The living water from the Sea of Galilee become dead when mixed with the stagnant waters of the Dead Sea.


He goes on to say, "an offended Christian is one who takes in life but because of fear (of being hurt again) cannot release life.  As a result, even the life that does come in becomes stagnant within the wall or prison of offense."


Being offended happens all the time really.  Why just this morning, I logged on to facebook only to find that someone referred to anyone who voted a particular way in the election (which would be me) as judgmental and a bigot.    My already elevated blood pressure skyrocketed.  How dare they, I thought to myself as I deleted their newsfeed from my reader.  


Soap Box Minute:  Why is it that my opinion that is contrary to theirs is considered "judgmental" yet they can call me a bigot and it is not judgmental?  Really?   Is my vote being judgmental?  Ab-so-lute-ly!  Is theirs?  Um, yeah.  Same thing.  AND, if they call me intolerant ONE MORE TIME, I may scream....because they have no idea how tolerant I am being.  


Stepping down now...anyways, see...totally offended.  Fortunately, the offense came from someone distant, so it doesn't hurt deeply.  The ranting releases it.  But when the offense comes from someone close...that's where it bites.  And festers if not dealt with.


Good book.  Go read it.  Unless you're the type who's never offended.  In which case, you need to find a book on denial.  ;)  Feisty today, no?  It's the season, I can't help myself, I'm a political junkie...


The other book is Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey.  It's all-consuming right now.  I never thought I'd say it, but I. Love. it.  God is bringing some much needed peace and direction through this books plan, and through other resources we never even imagined.  It's humbling, and hard, and wonderful all at the same time.  I can't stop talking about budgeting and such.  I'm quite annoying.


So there you have it.  Have you read either?  


Next time, I promise cute pictures and no ranting.  Or less ranting at least.  

15 comments:

  1. Joyce Meyer, an evangelist, also writes and talks about not being easily offended. I have tried to take this to heart and have found I am much happier. When someone hurts my feelings, I talk with God about it and decide to forget it and act as if it never happened. Instead of feeling sad for a few days, I only feel sad for a few minutes.

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  2. Let me just say I LOVE DaveE Ramsey, and budgets, and discount grocery shopping, etc.. If you lived close I would take you out to lunch, purchased with a coupon and talk budgeting all day long.

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  3. Sounds like a super good and helpful book! Thanx for recommending it.
    Funny thing...on my blog reader list, your title came up right under my latest title which is about Not reading! So it looked like I was contradicting you but I am not! Totally 2 different subjects...so don't get offended ok? hahaha!

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  4. you are hysterical! good stuff, girly. I got to buy baby girl shoes for a gift today. ahhhh..... fun.

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  5. I have numerous books taking up my time right now, too.
    I haven't read The Total Money Makeover but hubs and I did Financial Peace University a while back and it was very good for us!

    blessings!
    Mindy

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  6. I am having a hard time with reading right now. I usually have a book in my hands but the last few months it has been hard for me to really get into a book. I haven't read either of those so thanks for recommending them!

    I totally know what you mean about getting bashed on FB! I made a comment about hoping there would be big parties Tuesday night and was told I was a traitor to my country!! Yes - I was offended!

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  7. The Bait of Satan... Unbelievable book! I read it a few years ago, and it really shook up the way I looked at things! (I even "take the bait" for other people!)
    Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

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  8. We love the Total Money Makeover! Dave Ramsey's podcasts are what encouraged us on our 2 1/2 year journey to pay back all of our consumer debt, hooray!!! We finished this month. Yesterday, actually. =) I have not read The Bait of Satan...but it seems like I must. Yesterday, actually. ;o)

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  9. I just finished Crazy Love by Francis Chan and am in awe. What an awesome book. Next on my list, now is the Bait. Thanks!

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  10. I haven't read the book--probably because I'm so unoffendable...or not, just sarcastic today! Thanks for recommending it! I love that it delves into good sound theology for handling offenses and seeing them for what they really are and who they are from...not fluff, two steps programs with deep breathing involved.
    Politics just frustrate me in general. We seem to only be able to vote for the lesser of two evils instead of a good, strong, trustworthy, on-the-right-path leader. This is where I'm truly thankful for a sovereign God that takes my frustrations and reminds me He's in control and all the glory will be His in the end!
    Glad to have you back...soap box, books, and all! :)

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  11. What a great entry and the book, "The Bait of Satan" sounds great! I bet you would love "Everyone's Normal Until You Get to Know Them" by John Ortburg (I think that's right). A great book!

    Blessings to you!

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  12. we led our small group with the bait video's several years ago. Very challenging! One thing I have learned to do with offense is let it sting..cry about it...and then run to tell my daddy and let him remind me how much he loves me. God has been teaching me much about using offense to get closer to him.
    Right now we are doing Bevere's videos..Driven by eternity. Awesome Awesome!!

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  13. I think I may need to read both of these.

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