I first heard of Chris Hodges from an article he wrote for Relevant Magazine. He had me at the title with, “Are You Loving God out of Obligation.”
Take a look at an excerpt from this article:
“Some people are trying to be good people by doing godly things—reading their Bible, praying and serving those in need. But they’re doing it out of a sense of religious duty and obligation, not because they’re in love with God and want to know Him and offer up their lives to Him. Then they wonder why their spiritual lives are so dry. Aren’t they doing everything a good Christian should do? Well, then, why isn’t God coming through with His end of the deal—answering their prayers and giving them the abundant life of peace and joy that Jesus said He brought to us? “
I looked into Chris Hodges a bit and realized he had written the book, [amazon_link id=”B0088NXOIG” target=”_blank” ]Fresh Air: Trading Stale Spiritual Obligation for a Life-Altering, Energizing, Experience-It-Everyday Relationship with God[/amazon_link]. I contacted the publisher and requested a review copy.
I was not disappointed.
The premise of the book is taking many of the disciplines and activities of the Christian life and breathing “Fresh Air.” Into them. We want to participate in the disciplines of life for the right reasons, breathing fresh air into traditional practices of the faith
Hodges stresses the activities most sincere Christians do are not the problem. The problem lies often with the motivation.
He deals with Bible reading, prayer, giving, and more. Perhaps my favorite was his dealings with the issue of Sabbath or Rest.
Take a look at his four principles to bring a freshness (or maybe a beginning if we are failing) to our times of rest.
1. Practice stopping at regular intervals – even if you don’t feel tired or think you need the rest.
2. Remove external distractions or interruptions – real rest time requires times of silence.
3. Deliberate plan or embracing your community of family and friends.
4. Learn the art of celebration.
“The reality is that rest is essential. God knew this when He made us and demonstrated its value to us so we would grasp its importance.”
[amazon_image id=”B0088NXOIG” link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Fresh Air: Trading Stale Spiritual Obligation for a Life-Altering, Energizing, Experience-It-Everyday Relationship with God[/amazon_image]
Does this whet your appetite for more. Well good news!!
Tyndale House Publishers has graciously provided me with two copies which I will giveaway to the readers of NoSuperHeroes.
All you need to do is Tweet about this page of follow NoSuperHeroes on Twitter or Facebook. Bonus entries go to new subscribers for the email updates.
Good luck and hope this breathes Fresh Air into your walk with the Lord.
Some of the above links are affiliate links.