Book Review: An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor from Canterbury Press

•October 19, 2013 • 1 Comment

An Altar in the World is a book that feeds the soul.  It is about being and living, noticing, experiencing and joining in.  It’s not a book about theory, it’s a book that encourages you to go on and do it. Its subtitle is, ‘Finding the Sacred Beneath our Feet’, and that is what we are encouraged to do.

Each chapter is entitled “The Practice of…”, taking us through Waking Up to God, Paying Attention, Wearing Skin, Walking on the Earth, Getting Lost, Encountering Others, Living with Purpose, Saying No, Carrying Water, Feeling Pain and Being Present to God – all things we easily lose sight of in getting on with living life…

The book concludes with a chapter on Pronouncing Blessings.  It reiterates the message that to have ‘An Altar in the world’ we need to notice things.  To pay attention as we go through life, and to be ready to receive as much as we give.  Taking the practice of blessing into my life seems a very positive and helpful thing to do – even especially a blessing to me – remembering that the holiness is already there before I notice it.

And so this book encourages to take notice; to be a part of; to see people, life and where God already is.

My one argument with the book is where Barbara Brown Taylor acknowledges that not everyone can walk, as in walking a labyrinth perhaps, but that watching others walking is as much a meditation (page 60).  I, personally would dispute this.   Perhaps this shows my hangups, but if something is meant to be walked or entered into in some other way I was not able to (eg sung), I would find it very hard to embody it by watching someone else doing what I couldn’t.

My favourite quote from the book, as I mentioned on Twitter at the time, is

There are times when dancing on tables grants more life than kneeling in prayer.  More to the point, there are times when dancing on tables is the most authentic reach… (page 47)

Now that is my kind of theology!

I enjoyed this book and found it helpful.  I was encouraged again to pay attention – carefully, to see what I might have forgotten, or never even noticed.

Posted in Book Review, Book Reviews, faith, God, Religion, theology
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Book Review: Does God LOL? from DLT Books

•October 18, 2013 • Leave a Comment

A book about God and laughter, what can possibly be not to like?

Does God LOL? is a collection of answers to this question from well-known comedians, compiled by Frankie Mulgrew.  It also has four cartoon answers, including one from the very funny Dave Walker.

Perhaps not surprisingly, as the answers all come from comedians, the conclusion to the question is a resounding yes.  But they all explore the question in different ways.  Each contributor reminds us of the humour of God as seen in the bible and the world.  I like that.  Sometimes we need reminding.  It’s too easy to think God is all stern and out of touch – and to take ourselves too seriously.

There are contributions from the comedians you would expect, and some who I was surprised to find there – which says more about me!  There is an introduction from Tom Wright, and the insightful reflections from the editor at intervals.  Each chapter is short, so it is an easy to read book.

This is a great book if you love comedy.  If you’re not convinced that Christians should be laughing – you soon will be.

And best of all – royalties from the book go to Mary’s Meals, to support their work.

Posted in Book Review, Book Reviews, church, faith, God, Religion, theology
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Showing How Much We Care

•October 17, 2013 • Leave a Comment

The Parable of the Unjust Judge

Have you ever wanted something?  Really, really wanted it?  Or something you need doing?  That you need someone else to help you?

If you have, did you mention it once and never again?  Or was it constantly in your thoughts and on your lips.

The importance of something to us is usually proportionate to the number of times we think or speak of it.  I know when I’ve set my heart on something I “may” mention it occassionally…

Luke 18:1-8 (CEV)

A Widow and a Judge

18 Jesus told his disciples a story about how they should keep on praying and never give up:

2 In a town there was once a judge who didn’t fear God or care about people. 3 In that same town there was a widow who kept going to the judge and saying, “Make sure that I get fair treatment in court.”

4 For a while the judge refused to do anything. Finally, he said to himself, “Even though I don’t fear God or care about people, 5 I will help this widow because she keeps on bothering me. If I don’t help her, she will wear me out.”

6 The Lord said:

Think about what that crooked judge said. 7 Won’t God protect his chosen ones who pray to him day and night? Won’t he be concerned for them? 8 He will surely hurry and help them. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find on this earth anyone with faith?

This is another strange story, that seems to go against everything we believe about God.  It seems to imply that to get God to do anything we need to nag him, and he only helps us because he is fed up of us bothering him and wants some peace.

But if we look at the beginning,  Jesus told this story to illustrate that we should keep on praying and never give up.  It’s not about God and his attitude – its about us and ours.

To return to the much wanted item, if we see it once, perhaps ask for it, but never think of it again, it is not really that important to it.  The whim has soon passed.  If it consumes our thoughts, or heaven forbid we might nag about receiving it, it is obviously important to us.

Likewise with prayer.  There are many things we could pray about, probably many things we do, but do we pray about them regularly and passionately?  Are these really things that bother us enough to keep on going?  Do we show God we mean business?  Not to appease him and make him act, but to show we really care.  In the picture, the woman is having to be pulled off the judge, such is her intent on making him hear.

So how is my praying?  Formal, staid, as if I don’t mind one way or the other?  Or passionate, heartfelt and ongoing?  Do I show God I mean business?  Lose myself in the depth of prayer?  Or show it was a passing whim that I hadn’t really thought through?

In not giving up, I learn about myself.  My true passions, and my staying power – my faithfulness.

It may not effect how God responds, but it will effect us and our relationship with him and the situation.

Lord,
may I be faithful in prayer,
conscientious,
passionate,
persistent.
May I be clear in what I want,
not to you,
but to me.

Lord,
as I pray,
change me,
show me what I can do
with you

Posted in bible, faith, God, Jesus, Lectionary, Religion, theology
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