Random Reads: Becoming a Vessel God Can Use
I found this little gem in a second-hand store. I had scoured the whole store in search of some treasure and this was the only thing I found; Becoming a Vessel God Can Use by Donna Partow. Not what I was expecting to leave with when I entered the store.
That I bought it had to be God because I wasn't particularly interested in the book. But it was only a dollar so I reluctantly took it home. That was years ago and I can honestly say that I've come back to this book over and over again through the years. I'll just pick it up and thumb through it and end up landing on something that really speaks to me.
So why am I just now writing about it? Because I picked it up today and read this:
Ouch.
Now, to be fair, Donna isn't saying that God will have a quick response to everything we ask him. He has his own timing and some things won't be answered this side of heaven. Her point is that if you aren't hearing from God at all then something is off and it's with us, not Him.
I've been thinking/reading/learning a lot this past year or so what it means to be a Christian and, for me, it's about a relationship with Christ. I don't know of any relationships that can thrive if both parties don't communicate and listen to each other. There are so many things that can be done that end up becoming religious, but I'm convinced that spending time with God doesn't make the list. In fact, I think I will go ahead and say that without spending time with God, everything else we do in his name falls a bit flat.
But I digress. Becoming a Vessel God Can Use is a great personal study and I imagine it would be great for a group, too. Donna is so gentle and humble. She never misses a chance to talk about her failings difficulties and how God chooses to use her in the midst of them. Her writing is insightful and authentic, never cheesy or forced. At the same time, she doesn't water anything down, which is something I really appreciate. To learn more about this book, click on the link at the beginning of this post. You'll be taken to amazon.com. Once there, click on the image of the book and use the arrows to scroll and see the table of contents and a ton of devotions. You might find some unexpected treasures there yourself!
That I bought it had to be God because I wasn't particularly interested in the book. But it was only a dollar so I reluctantly took it home. That was years ago and I can honestly say that I've come back to this book over and over again through the years. I'll just pick it up and thumb through it and end up landing on something that really speaks to me.
So why am I just now writing about it? Because I picked it up today and read this:
Whatever the case, if you can't hear God speaking to you, you've got a problem at the very heart of your Christian life. If you can't hear God speaking, the problem isn't with God, the problem is with you.
Ouch.
Now, to be fair, Donna isn't saying that God will have a quick response to everything we ask him. He has his own timing and some things won't be answered this side of heaven. Her point is that if you aren't hearing from God at all then something is off and it's with us, not Him.
I've been thinking/reading/learning a lot this past year or so what it means to be a Christian and, for me, it's about a relationship with Christ. I don't know of any relationships that can thrive if both parties don't communicate and listen to each other. There are so many things that can be done that end up becoming religious, but I'm convinced that spending time with God doesn't make the list. In fact, I think I will go ahead and say that without spending time with God, everything else we do in his name falls a bit flat.
But I digress. Becoming a Vessel God Can Use is a great personal study and I imagine it would be great for a group, too. Donna is so gentle and humble. She never misses a chance to talk about her failings difficulties and how God chooses to use her in the midst of them. Her writing is insightful and authentic, never cheesy or forced. At the same time, she doesn't water anything down, which is something I really appreciate. To learn more about this book, click on the link at the beginning of this post. You'll be taken to amazon.com. Once there, click on the image of the book and use the arrows to scroll and see the table of contents and a ton of devotions. You might find some unexpected treasures there yourself!
hey there mama!!! ! ! !@#$%^&*(){}[]
ReplyDelete