David here. I hope you have been enjoying reading Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz over the last couple of months. I don't think there has been one chapter that has not spoken to me or to a place that I have been in my spiritual life, and this chapter is no different. In Chapter 15, Miller confronts his introverted, self centered nature and moves in with a few fellow Christians who are members at his church. The struggles he faced as being an alone introvert moving into a house with five or six others were very difficult for him. He brought up many interesting topics during this chapter. Let's see what you think.
(1) Miller begins the chapter with this quote, "I thought the backbone of faith was time alone with God..." How do you view your faith - more of a public thing or a private thing? What seems to nurture your spiritual life better - being in a group, or being alone?
(2) Miller discusses how that when he initially moved into the house with 5 other guys, he was exhausted. Not from the move, but being in the presence of others all the time. A true introvert at heart. Are you an introvert or extravert? How does this factor into your faith walk?
(3) "Living in community made me realize one of my faults: I was addicted to myself. All I thought about was myself. The only thing I really cared about was myself." Have you ever been confronted with one of your own faults? How did it make you feel?
(4) On a trip to a homeless shelter, Miller got in a conversation with the gentleman who ran the shelter, Bill. Bill made this observation to Miller, "If we are not willing to wake up in the morning and die to ourselves, perhaps we should ask ourselves whether or not we are really following Jesus." What do you think about this powerful quote?
This chapter brings me back to the story from Acts 2 about the early church. May you use these words as a devotion for today, starting with verse 43:
"Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved."
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Week 14: Alone - Fifty-three Years in Space
Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone ...". Genesis 2:18
This week's chapter moves us into a discussion of loneliness. I find myself agreeing with Tony the Beat Poet that the words alone, lonely, and loneliness are three of the most powerful words in the English language. They describe a very personal experience. They also describe a situation many of us perceive as crisis - hence movies like Castaway and I Am Legend.
Miller says that he used to think love was the opposite of loneliness. Now, he says, "I think being in love is an opposite of loneliness, but not the opposite" (I added italics). What would you identify as other opposites of loneliness?
Is there a danger in identifying being in love as the opposite of loneliness? If so, what is it?
Miller describes some of the unhealthiness he saw in his life from living too long on his own. What are some unhealthy characteristics you have experienced from loneliness?
Is there a time when we need to be alone? Is there such a thing as "healthy loneliness"?
Is there someone in your life who you call upon when you find yourself feeling alone? What does that person or people provide that helps you overcome any unhealthy characteristics of loneliness?
The cartoon of Don Astronaut is based on a story from Miller's friend Stacy. The purpose of the story is to describe "... how he imagines hell, a place where a person is completely alone, without others and without God." There are some who think of hell as a fiery pit, others who describe it as a dark loneliness. What do you think about this?
I just wrote a post for CBF's blog this week where I quoted Matthew 18:15-16. In these verses, Jesus gives us guidance on how to handle disagreement among believers. My comment on the passage was that Jesus' prescription for dealing with conflict was to meet with the person face-to-face. It occurs to me that conflict with another person is often, for me, when I experience loneliness. For me, it is a challenge that Jesus lays before me to step out of the loneliness conflict brings and go and sit down with the person I am in conflict with. Just a random thought that you are welcome to respond to.
This week's chapter moves us into a discussion of loneliness. I find myself agreeing with Tony the Beat Poet that the words alone, lonely, and loneliness are three of the most powerful words in the English language. They describe a very personal experience. They also describe a situation many of us perceive as crisis - hence movies like Castaway and I Am Legend.
Miller says that he used to think love was the opposite of loneliness. Now, he says, "I think being in love is an opposite of loneliness, but not the opposite" (I added italics). What would you identify as other opposites of loneliness?
Is there a danger in identifying being in love as the opposite of loneliness? If so, what is it?
Miller describes some of the unhealthiness he saw in his life from living too long on his own. What are some unhealthy characteristics you have experienced from loneliness?
Is there a time when we need to be alone? Is there such a thing as "healthy loneliness"?
Is there someone in your life who you call upon when you find yourself feeling alone? What does that person or people provide that helps you overcome any unhealthy characteristics of loneliness?
The cartoon of Don Astronaut is based on a story from Miller's friend Stacy. The purpose of the story is to describe "... how he imagines hell, a place where a person is completely alone, without others and without God." There are some who think of hell as a fiery pit, others who describe it as a dark loneliness. What do you think about this?
I just wrote a post for CBF's blog this week where I quoted Matthew 18:15-16. In these verses, Jesus gives us guidance on how to handle disagreement among believers. My comment on the passage was that Jesus' prescription for dealing with conflict was to meet with the person face-to-face. It occurs to me that conflict with another person is often, for me, when I experience loneliness. For me, it is a challenge that Jesus lays before me to step out of the loneliness conflict brings and go and sit down with the person I am in conflict with. Just a random thought that you are welcome to respond to.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Chapter 13: Romance - Meeting Girls is Easy
Hey everyone. Sorry we missed the post last week. It was a very busy and emotional week in our church family. We won't try to jump ahead, but just stick with our weekly post.
Miller in Chapter 13 touches on a very thought provoking topic - LOVE - what is it? Is it real? How do we get it? Miller has some very interesting opinions about the subject, based on his personal experience and through his readings. Let's look at a few and allow it to be our jumping off point for discussion.
1. In a discussion with one of Miller's female friends, one he actually had a crush on, he made the comment that he didn't believe in "true love". What do you think - does "true love" exist?
2. One of the fears that Miller talked about with love is that he felt once one person got to know him really well - at a deep level - then she wouldn't like him. Have you ever had that kind of fear with someone or about something?
3. Miller saw marriage as a "loss of freedom". What is your view of marriage? Does it match up with Miller's, or is it different?
4. One of Miller's friends, Paul said, "I mean that to be in a relationship with God is to be loved purely and furiously. And a person who thinks himself unlovable cannot be in a relationship with God because he can't accept who God is; a Being that is love. We learn that we are lovable or adorable from other people. That is why God tells us so many times to love each other." What do you think about Paul's quote?
5. In a play that Miller wrote, he put this line, "God risked Himself on me. I will risk myself on you. And together, we will learn to love, and perhaps then, and only then, understand this gravity that drew Him, unto us." How does this imagery of God's love for us and our love for someone else reflect in your life?
As a follow up reading for this chapter, I want to encourage you to turn to the Song of Songs in the Old Testament. This imagery of God's love for us and our love for another is captured so passionately in this Old Testament writing.
Miller in Chapter 13 touches on a very thought provoking topic - LOVE - what is it? Is it real? How do we get it? Miller has some very interesting opinions about the subject, based on his personal experience and through his readings. Let's look at a few and allow it to be our jumping off point for discussion.
1. In a discussion with one of Miller's female friends, one he actually had a crush on, he made the comment that he didn't believe in "true love". What do you think - does "true love" exist?
2. One of the fears that Miller talked about with love is that he felt once one person got to know him really well - at a deep level - then she wouldn't like him. Have you ever had that kind of fear with someone or about something?
3. Miller saw marriage as a "loss of freedom". What is your view of marriage? Does it match up with Miller's, or is it different?
4. One of Miller's friends, Paul said, "I mean that to be in a relationship with God is to be loved purely and furiously. And a person who thinks himself unlovable cannot be in a relationship with God because he can't accept who God is; a Being that is love. We learn that we are lovable or adorable from other people. That is why God tells us so many times to love each other." What do you think about Paul's quote?
5. In a play that Miller wrote, he put this line, "God risked Himself on me. I will risk myself on you. And together, we will learn to love, and perhaps then, and only then, understand this gravity that drew Him, unto us." How does this imagery of God's love for us and our love for someone else reflect in your life?
As a follow up reading for this chapter, I want to encourage you to turn to the Song of Songs in the Old Testament. This imagery of God's love for us and our love for another is captured so passionately in this Old Testament writing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)