I have been reading a good number of books recently. I enjoy pushing my thinking beyond the paradigms and opinions I currently hold. This has certainly been the case recently.
One of the books I have been working my way through is one in which I was sent and asked to write a review for. The book is Frank Viola's most recent, "From Eternity To Here" (David C. Cook, 2009). The tag line of the book's title is, "Rediscovering The Ageless Purpose of God." The statement holds true.
After reading the book I have a far greater appreciation for Jesus and the love He has for us, His Church. What is presented is a God that is passionately and madly in love with His bride, the Church. What I appreciate most is how Viola draws out the scriptural analogy of the Church being the bride of Christ.
I yet to meet a groom, who was not absolutely smitten and passionately in love with his bride. In like manner, that is how Christ see us! The irony is, we all too often fail to see ourselves in the same manner.
Viola says it well when he writes, "In the eyes of your beloved Lord, you are the most captivating thing that exists in His universe. How then, can you think of yourself as being unworthy in the presence of so great a truth?" I don't know about you, but that truth stirs my heart.
This same truth is found in the words of Ephesians 5:25-27. "...Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless."
It is only through accepting Christ's love, and His view of us, that we are able to serve Him from anything other than guilt or duty. It is when we accept His passionate love for us that we are able to reciprocate it through they way we live. Viola offers a great reminder when he writes, "We are His bride, not His slave or His maid"
It is my desire to love and live for my Lord not out of guilt or duty, but out of an intense love for Him. Why? Because that is how He loves me!
If you desire a new appreciation for the love relationship Christ has with you, read this book. It will open your eyes to how much He does indeed love us, and how the whole of Scripture is nothing short of a love story. A love story between Christ and His bride.
Today (June 9th), the following blogs are discussing Frank Viola's new bestselling book, "From Eternity to Here" (David C. Cook, 2009). The book just hit the May CBA Bestseller List. Some are posting Q & A with Frank; others are posting full reviews of the book.
Leaving Salem, Blog of Ronnie McBrayer
David Brodsky's Blog- "Flip the tape Deck"
Live and Move: Thoughts on Authentic Christianity
Searching for the Whole-Hearted Life
Go to Amazon now and you can get the book at a 33% discount.
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2 comments:
"In the eyes of your beloved Lord, you are the most captivating thing that exists in His universe. How then, can you think of yourself as being unworthy in the presence of so great a truth?"
That's so powerful. It's selfish of us to condemn God when we feel like we are treated unfairly. It's important to remember that God sees the big picture, and in that picture, we "are the most captivating thing that exists in His universe." It's flattering and humbling at the same time.
www.leadercast.com
"In the eyes of your beloved Lord, you are the most captivating thing that exists in His universe. How then, can you think of yourself as being unworthy in the presence of so great a truth?"
That's so powerful. It's selfish of us to condemn God when we feel like we are treated unfairly. It's important to remember that God sees the big picture, and in that picture, we "are the most captivating thing that exists in His universe." It's flattering and humbling at the same time.
www.leadercast.com
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