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Living The Solution – Online Newsletter |
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September 4, 2008 ISSUE |
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Opening Thoughts:
September is a very busy time for me.
Do you find when you are dealing with multiple projects
and advancing deadlines that you get stressed out or overwhelmed?
I admit that I sometimes still do. However, the faith that
we should live by encourages us to live each day fully,
regardless of what is going on.
The entry for September 3 in Max Lucado’s Grace
for the Moment book of inspirational daily thoughts speaks about
being busy. He makes the point that it is not a sin. Jesus was busy. Paul was
busy. Peter was busy. But being busy in pursuit of things that leave us empty
or hollow is not what God intends for us.
Life happens. Challenges, busy schedules, unexpected events and unforeseen circumstances
are all part of that. Keep seeing the “big” picture. God is in all
things and in your life if you let Him.
Peace and joy,
Tom Gilbert
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IN THIS ISSUE
Feature Article: The Shack Book Review
In The Spotlight: 2008 Voter Issues Guide
Daily Thoughts: Live Free by God’s Spirit
Prayer & Sharing Requests
Quotable: Circle of Compassion |
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| FEATURED
ARTICLE |
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The Shack — Book Review
Author — William P.
Young
Published by windblown Media
Review by Tom
Gilbert — © September 2008
 The
Shack is a bestselling
novel, but the author, William P. Young,
wrote it specifically for his family and
children. His original intention wasn’t
to write a work for publication, but spurred
on by his friends and family he did write
a powerful story about grief, redemption
and an intriguing look at God, the Trinity.
And he did it with an imaginative approach.
A friend recommended this book to me and he didn’t tell me much about it.
Rather, he coyly told me it had an interesting look at how to view God the Father,
Son and Holy Spirit and their important relationship with each other. And ultimately
that is what Young does for us with this story. He shows us a God in three persons
that is outside the box many Christians try to place God in. He gives us a look
at a totally loving God in three persons and the love is best demonstrated by
how they relate to each other in a constant circle, or dance, of unconditional
love and support.
Some of the reviews I’ve read for this book express concern about the book
not being theologically correct or Biblically sound. Personally, I think they
are missing the point. The book is meant to give you a fresh look into a loving
God and our relationship with the admittedly difficult concept of the Trinity.
The view does not contradict what Christianity is, even if it does at times take
organized religion to task. Frankly, we sometimes need to criticize religion
when it misses the point of Jesus’ real message of loving all people. Everyone
is a child of God, even when they don’t know it.
Read the full review here.
More articles here.
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| IN THE SPOTLIGHT |
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2008 Voter Issues Guide
Sojourners encourages you
to consider your values when you vote in this year's
presidential election. There are many important issues
including poverty, the environment, the economy and a
comprehensive foreign policy.
The campaign is shifting into high gear with the Democratic and Republican conventions.
Now is an idea time to download your free 2008 Voter Issues Guide.
Details
Here
Be sure to visit our
Spotlight Specials page for other special resources and causes.
Our Living the Solution online store
has resources to help you grow spiritually. It’s
secure and extensive with many great gift ideas!
Visit our
online store
There is something for everyone. When you shop with us,
you support our ministry – thank you!
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DAILY THOUGHTS & REFLECTIONS |
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Live Free by God’s Spirit
My counsel is this: Live freely, animated
and motivated by God's Spirit. Then you won't feed the compulsions of
selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is
at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with
selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot
live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel
on any given day. Why don't you choose to be led by the Spirit and so
escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence? (Galatians
5:16-18 — The Message)
As strange as this may sound the “free
spirit” within us longs to live animated and motivated
by God’s Spirit; that is how and for what it was
created. This sounds like giving up freedom, to yield
our will to God. But that is the self-interest Paul speaks
of, living for self. The spirit inside knows that it will
only truly be free when we are living for God and allowing
God to live through us. The way of self-interest is the
way of the law because living by the law leaves us in
control; we are deciding what to do and when to do it.
However when we are living by the Spirit, being guided
by the Spirit, God’s Spirit, we are not in control.
God is in control, revealing to us what to do and say
and when to do and say it.
Paul is encouraging us to choose to live by the Spirit, to yield our hearts and
wills to God. This is not a one time thing or event. This is a daily process.
We must each day decide who we will live for, God or ourselves. Each day we must
decide whether or not to connect our hearts and wills with His, to yield our
hearts and lives to Him or to live for ourselves. So what will you choose—to
live by self-interest or to love freely by the Spirit?
Live intentionally, purposely, free and with passion,
Pete Reinbold
Get daily inspiration with a Scripture verse and commentary
at
Daily Thought
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PRAYER REQUESTS & RESULTS |
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Prayer works. It really does.Submit your prayer
requests and we will pray for them.
Of course, we keep your information confidential.
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My thoughts are shared regularly on the pages of
our web site, especially on
the Journal pages.
We welcome and appreciate your feedback. If you would
like to submit an article please see our writer's
guidelines.
It is our hope that the content of Living The Solution will
stimulate you to deepen your faith. That is certainly a result for us in both
our writing and reading. If you would like to see articles on a particular topic
or you have comments please let us know.
Send an email
Quotable: Circle of Compassion
"Until he extends his circle of compassion
to include all living things, man will not himself find peace.”
— Albert Schweitzer
Copyright 2008 Living the Solution, all rights reserved.
Tom Gilbert
Editor/Web-servant
Living The Solution
www.livingthesolution.com
P O Box 25584
Albuquerque, NM 87125-5584
Toll free 1-800-399-2564 (US only) or 505-247-3232
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