Friday, July 6, 2012

Book Review: Mondays with My Old Pastor by Jose Luis Navajo





The author, Mr. Navajo, didn’t feel well. He couldn’t come out from under this ‘cloud.’ He visited his physician. The doctor listened and diagnosed the patient as being burnt out. His recovery came as a result of a series of meetings with his old pastor. The elderly man takes Mr. Navajo through some stories, each having a point on which to reflect.

This advice the elderly gentleman passes onto Mr. Navajo breaks into the conditions that seem to have contributed to his downheartedness. Simple stories from ancient times cause the young pastor to view his position in a different light.

I learned from this book. My Navajo and his mentor taught me principles of the Christian walk that apply to believers who strive to grow in the Lord as well as to those in the pastorate.

Some of the principles Mr. Navajo learned were:

           
           *Don’t work for the church of God; serve the God of the church.

           *Watch over and preserve the health of your family.

            *Spend quality time with the Bible. Any other book informs; the Bible                                  transforms.            

            *Be willing to forgive. It is impossible to move forward under the weight of                         resentment.


            Mr. Navajo made a total of thirteen visits to his old pastor’s home. Each time, he came away refreshed. One message that stands out is expressed by both the author and his wife:

“When the slope seems too steep and the weight too much, we will remember everything is by grace, which will sustain us forever.”

FTC Compliance:

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Booksneeze.com. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I expressed are my own. I disclose this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html


Thursday, July 5, 2012


Consider: Mercy, Grace, and Justice (RJD# 14)

I have been absent from the blogosphere because my computer crashed. I am now the owner of a laptop.This has put me on a learning curve. I am still learning the intricacies of  Word 2010. Please bear with me while I learn.



Several years ago, I embarked on a study of the New Testament; actually I completed a study of the Gospels. The title of each entry began with the word, “consider.” This is a raw effort to share my thoughts with you.

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March 3, 2004



Passage: Luke 1:57-80



God has several attributes; among them are justice, mercy, and grace. Justice happens when one gets what he or she deserves. Grace is getting what that person does NOT deserve. Mercy is when one does NOT get what he or she deserves.

            When we are involved in disputes, we, in our humanity, want justice-what the other fellow deserves. At the same time, we want mercy- what we do not deserve –for ourselves.

            God is a just being; He’s also a merciful being. We all deserve death, which would be justice. But God has given us Jesus because of His love for us. We don’t deserve to be with God in heaven; we deserve to be separated fro Him in Hades Jesus’ dying for our sins was ultimately an act of mercy.

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The above is the entry as I wrote it in 2004, if I may add the following, here is the rest of the story.

All the many things God gives us and does for us fall under His grace. I’m not sure who said it but I am reminded of the phrase, “It’s all grace.”   

Linkingup with:beneaththesurface-dawn-

God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...