Review: In Plain Sight; Seeing God's Signature Throughout Creation by Charles R. Gordon

The myriad of devotional instruction books out there start running together after a while.  This one is different for two reasons.  First is that it comes from the perspective of a scientist and not a spiritual director or theologian.  Second is due to the fact that I can review the author and not just the work. Charley is the neurosurgeon that did a delicate back surgery on my wife last September.  He is the first surgeon that prayed with us and he exhibits Christ with integrity.

Charley Gordon, MD provides visual explosion of God's creation.  Pictures and a daily/weekly Bible reading lead the reader through the process of seeing the seen and the un-seeable.  For example, a photo of  a finger print that is paired with a photo of zebra stripes  followed by a short and sincere commentary on God's unity in diversity. With this is an invitation to set a tone for seeing our lives more clearly throughout the day.  This is more than a book full of pretty pictures or scientific oddities.  The woods are full of those.  "Plain Sight"  moves the reader to a deeper walk with God in Christ. I like the book.  It is good for the observant Christian and the seeker alike,  anyone looking for a smart, honest and spiritual way to find faith into the invisible part of creation.

The book is available through his ministry at http://www.designedonpurpose.com/ or from Amazon.  The website also offers other articles of interest, Dr. Gordon's online journal and a newsletter.  Buy two copies.  This is one to share with someone who is seeking more of the spiritual life.   

The Good and Beautiful God by James Bryan Smith (Intervarsity Press, 2009)

Yet another book study handed down by the hierarchy.....  This raises my suspicion of hidden agenda etc.  I bought the book anyway to see what everyone was up to.  The first thing I noticed was that it is from the Renovare folks, led by Richard J. Foster.  His is one of my "mentors".    Foster's book, Celebration of Discipline, was a gift to this 'Protestant' and gave new life to spiritual praxis to many-it sits on my essentials shelf.  "Good" is a part of Renovare's "Apprentice Series" and comes with an online leader guide, retreat outlines and individual instructions  too.

The goal of the book is for each participant to fall in love "with the God that Jesus Knows."  Scripture is the lens that brings six attributes of God into focus.  Each lesson has a rhythm of an opening story from the author, a False narrative of an attribute, The Jesus narrative of the same, an invitation to transformation, "Soul Training"-specific actions to practice the lesson and participating in community. The topics of God's goodness, trustworthiness, generosity, love, holiness, self-sacrificing and transformation are brought into a modern/post-modern context without being disconnected from the Holy Bible.  The focus is on connection, correction and transformation

 I read the book during my personal time for a month and was richly blessed.  In our congregation we have a weekly group, organized by the leader guide, and also members reading through individually.  This is a group book in its design and intent.  But, the rhythm is bearing fruit in those who are either too bashful or too busy to take part in a group.  It is a wonderful guide for anyone's study.  By using it in personal time, the pressure to complete the lessons and training in a week is taken away.  I would like to see a Sunday School class or other group study it over several months or a year rather than the 12 week  or retreat setting

The "Soul Training", which sounds better than a "discipline",  is hard hitting, pointed and practical.  Smith avoids the usual spiritual formation jargon and breathes a fresh sense of God's spirit into these practices!  The first "discipline" to get some sleep!  Who knew that a nap could be a spiritual thing.  Others include making time for silence, making praise a habit, praying the scripture as a personal word, and more.

In my world, our congregations are organized into districts and our entire district is invited to take part in this study.  Our county has 6 congregations of our denomination and we have arranged the lessons so they can be shared, mixed and mingled by all.  We have congregations of different races and neighborhoods that have not met each other.  The study gave us an opportunity to unify around Spirit led Christian praxis. I have made some changes in my life and made some friends through the book. The rest of the Apprentice series deserves a look too.  My experience is very positive from both a personal and pastoral perspective.  Good book.

Addendum:  Our congregation completed the 12 weeks course as the group described above.  We started with 14 in the group plus three studying personally.  We ended with nine and the three.  All of the feedback was positive and we have scanned Smith's follow up study, "The Good and Beautiful Life".  We will read it in the fall.  The good news is that the group will continue beyond this book as a Bible Study.  I wished for more mixing from the other local churches but it was a good start.  Our final group was a communion service and each participant shared the biggest single impact that the book made.  Each one had a practice to add to their daily devotional life....or something to take away.  Smith planted some seeds for the future in our church.  PASTORS-Look at this seriously for your congregations.  It will not draw a big crowd but it will deepen the ones that come and develop Spirit led leaders.

Review: Paths to Prayer by Patricia D. Brown (C.2003 Jossey Bass)

I bought this book a couple of years ago at a training thing and it lingered on my "to read" shelf.  I finally read it in a hospital room when there was time on my hands.  Christian Education is trying to catch up by teaching learning styles.  Christian Leadership is trying to catch up by teaching leadership styles and Patricia Brown is pitching in by applying this type of thinking to the teaching of prayer.  Most of the text is devoted to the usual; lectio divina, journaling, icons etc.  Her take on these is fresh but predictable.  On the first glance they are just the usual things with the usual jargon.  This is why it sat on my shelf for so long.  It is now on my essential shelf with Augustine and Wesley.

The jewel of "Paths"  is her simple and usable prayer style assessment.  She gives 40 question survey, at the beginning, that breaks your preferences down into four styles-Searching, Experiential, Relational and Innovative. I scored pretty close across the styles but scored highest in Innovative.  The traditional methods/technique are then categorized into these styles.  Rather than serving one prayer "dish" to everyone, she lays out a buffet by type and allows the reader to choose.  I find the book very usable and helpful in both learning and teaching the inner journey's arts.

Two things are said in the book but should be stated very strongly.  First, this is a great book for a small group but not so good for a solitary beginner.  Any disciple, whether teacher or learner, can benefit.  It is more of a technical how-to than a process of growing into prayer but that is ok, especially with the dynamic of a covenant group.  The book is what it is meant to be.  This leads to the second important point-"Paths" gives the reader a starting point in discovering or deepening Christian prayer in the life of a Christian disciple.  This is a crucial element in living.  However, simply knowing your style is not the end goal but a thoughtful place to take stock and ask yourself where you are in Christ and where are you going.

For those who are not Christian, the book still has value.  Though we may not agree on the Christ we can agree on the connection that comes through prayer.  Prayer is something we can agree on, in other words.  The book gives a Christian perspective on spiritual practice and it meets my needs as such.  Perhaps this book also brings a touch-point for those within the diversity of the Christian faith as well as those who do not embrace it at all.  May it bring a dialog on the life in Christ to us all.