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Bravehearted Gospel
By randy | October 1, 2008
Well I have done it again! My book reading stack continues to grow and yet I just had to investigate a new book I learned about from Pure Life Ministries September newsletter - “Breavehearted Gospel” by Eric Ludy.
I picked it up the same day after visiting his blog at Bravehearted Gospel. Eric is offering the church of today a reality check. If you have been wondering some of the same things as I about where is the power of God in our churches today, then you will want to check him out.
Approximately 11 months ago I started this web site and blog. I stated that it would be hard to blog consistently because of the rigors of developing and doing ministry full time. The Bravehearted Gospel is the first book I have blogged about. I read about 2 books a month so it is not for lack of having books. The real issue is time to blog and why blog about books that do not seriously connect with your heart?
The Bravehearted Gospel is ripping my heart and begs of my time to share what is happening. So if you have been wondering when things would flow here they are beginning because the Holy Spirit is really speaking to my heart and soul?
Some questions arise out of the first half of the book. I will place the most ripping questions that have been raised by the Holy Spirit in my reading of the Bravehearted Gospel.
- Why does the church of my lifetime seem so blah? this means about the last 5 decades as I am 52. What a contrast to be feeling the same things as Eric Ludy as he is around 34.
- Where are the men who will stand for the one true truth? Are you out there….. for we (the now church) have not been hearing from you?
- God what is it in my life and our churches that separates us from you?
- How much of this world have I allowed to creep into my life separating me from Almighty God?
- How much has your church aligned with the world versus attacking a fallen world to win it for Christ.
- Do I really know what it is to live in a faith relationship with God? Faith is an action word not just a feeling with words not sticking on the wall.
Eric speaks in his book about the words that today’s church have attributed to Christianity which has created a world view of God as soft, tender, loving and full of grace. These words are not incorrect discriptions of God but need to be balanced with the brave side of God as righteous, just, Rock of our Salvation, protector and deliverer.
I have higlighted the 2 different groups of words. I ask you to use scripture to see them as biblical - read Gal. 5: 22-28 on the fruits of the Spirit, don’t they sound like nice things to have in your life, Eric Ludy call them the feminine language of God and Job 29 to place a more masculine context about them.
Now which word picture do you get from these scriptures?
Well I must turn it in tonight but I am trying to finish the book this week. If the Holy Spirit gives urgency for you to look up the scriptures and write back then I would love to hear from you. I am reserving my overall rating of this book until I am completely finished with it. Join me in the pursuit of a bravehearted gospel as we move into some of the most tumulteous times in our lifetime. One of the good things about history is when you can learn from the past and you can adjust your future. Will the church of today learn from a historical reflection will it continue to lose the balance of the femnine and masculine Gospel?
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October 12th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Hey brother,
I think you and I read the same email from Pure Live ministries. You are so right about the book, I’m just floored. I was saved in 2000, so I have not seen the church for the decades that you have. But I want the church that he talks about.
Keep fighting the good fight.
Alan
October 13th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Alan,
Stay true to the Canonization that Eric talks about and become brave as you share your heart in Sunday School or small groups. Always share your faith as scripture and the word is what calls to others hearts. I always try to give a scriptural challenge. If people can not stay in the conversation with scripture they are dull to the word and all the work on our part is futile since they are always hearing but never understand!
Randy