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"Redeeming Love Is G-Rated"
A Review of Redeeming Love, a Novel by Francine Rivers
By Dr. Bob Stouffer, Superintendent, Des Moines Christian School
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Ah, the joys of owning a Kindle e-reader! During Christmas break, I was simultaneously reading 16 books!
- The Bible (of course)
- The Way into the Holiest, a commentary on the book of Hebrews, by F.B. Meyer
- Stewards in the Kingdom, by R. Scott Rodin
- Renovation of the Church, by Kent Carlson and Mike Leuken
- Christian Classics, by Charles Spurgeon
- Edge of Eternity, a novel by Randy Alcorn
- Elijah and the Secret of His Power, by F.B. Meyer
- Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers
- Of Thee I Zing, by Laura Ingraham and Raymond Arroyo
- The Gift of Rest, by Senator Joe Lieberman and David Klinghoffer
- The Holiness of God, by R.C. Sproul
- Leadership and Self-Deception, by The Arbinger Institute
- King's Cross, a commentary on Mark, by Timothy Keller
- The Good and Beautiful God, by James Bryan Smith
- Holy Ambition, by Chip Ingram
- Confronting Conditions That Undermine Learning, by Alexander Platt and others
I don't say that to brag; in fact, I should be ashamed to admit that I was attempting to spin all of those plates at one time! And reading is my addiction, which often prevents me from investing more of my time and energy in my family. Fortunately, my reading (mostly) did not detract from those relationships during a very restful vacation.
I finished reading 4 of the afore-mentioned books during break, and I will have much to say about all of these tomes, especially the Bible, in upcoming blog entries. (In fact, I am excited to announce that DMC Technology Manager Brent Clark is currently developing a blog site at which you can interact with me in 2012, so "The Doctor Is In!" will no longer be just one-way communication, if you like!)
My first "book report" is on Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers. No one can take my man card away from me for reading this novel! I am not prone to reading all that much fiction, but Cheryl told me this was her favorite book ever, so we took on the joyous task of my reading the novel to Cheryl. (We passed the entire time of driving to and from Davenport for our family Christmas celebration by reading nearly 30% of the book!)
Redeeming Love is a book for men and women alike! Francine Rivers masterfully crafted every single sentence of this novel. I loved the storyline! Who could not?! The plotline is a re-telling of the biblical book of Hosea, and Rivers weaved wonderful truth of God into the plot, which I loved all-the-more with the setting of the Old West, my favorite period of American history. Our Pastor preached through Hosea, and I learned so much about the faithfulness and hesed (lovingkindness) of the Lord through this book of the Bible. What man (Hosea, the Prophet) would marry a prostitute (Gomer) and then bring her back to himself after she was repeatedly unfaithful to him? Amazing love!
In Redeeming Love, Michael Hosea was as faithful to Sarah (also known as Angel, Tirzah, and Amanda) in spite of the emotional and physical baggage from her childhood, the infamy of her livelihood as a prostitute, and incredibly challenging spiritual struggles in their marriage relationship. I certainly will not give away the plot, in case you have never read the novel, and I heartily recommend the book to you. You will be mesmerized by the twists and turns of plot. The character development is outstanding. As with Hosea in the Bible, you will be greatly encouraged by a story of God's incredible love for each one of us.
I was recently speaking with someone about the novel. This parent had read the book but would not allow her teenaged-daughter to read Redeeming Love, because of the themes of prostitution and human sexuality. I unconditionally respect that choice. I certainly would not allow a pre-adolescent to read the book, since there is an intense sensuality at times, but I would not hesitate to read this book with an emotionally mature adolescent or young adult, because the topics of sexuality are permeating our culture, and we need to help our children understand intimacy from God's perspective. God created sexuality, and, when within biblical boundaries, physical and emotional intimacy are beautiful aspects of God's creation.
That's why I believe Redeeming Love is not R-rated or X-rated. Redeeming Love is G-rated - GOD-rated! (Okay, perhaps for younger students, the book is PG or PG-13.) See for yourself. Read the book. Better yet, husbands or wives, take the initiative of reading the book aloud to your spouse, so you can spend time together in a high-quality novel which will help you to better understand God's design for love, marriage, and intimacy.
"Lectio Divina"
By Dr. Bob Stouffer, Superintendent, Des Moines Christian School
Thursday, December 22, 2011
I am reading a wonderful book in my church life group - The Good and Beautiful God: Falling in Love with the God Jesus Knows, by James Bryan Smith. Each chapter of the book explores an attribute of God. At the end of each chapter, James Bryan Smith takes the reader through "soul training," or a spiritual exercise.
One of those soul trainings is called Lectio Divina. This is my first exposure to this discipline, but I love it already. During Christmas break, could you keep yourself spiritually sharp by engaging in Lectio Divina? Here's how it goes:
1. SELECT A PASSAGE FROM THE BIBLE.
Luke 2:8-14
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" (English Standard Version)
2. SPEND A MINUTE OR TWO PREPARING TO MEET GOD THROUGH THE PASSAGE.
3. FIRST READING. Read the passage through - one time - slowly.
4. SECOND READING. Read the text slowly once again, pausing between phrases.
Pause longer between phrases than you did during the first reading.
5. THIRD READING. Re-read the passage up to the word or phrase that impacted you in
some way.
6. PONDER. Reflect upon the phrase that moved you. Begin to wonder, what might God
want to say to me specifically?
". . .and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear."
7. PRAY. Pray to God, "What is the word you have for me in this passage, God?"
At this time, God had withheld His glory for 400 years - between the time of Malachi the Prophet and the birth of Jesus. How ironic that a baby born in a manger would give reason for the glory of God to shine around the shepherds to whom the angel had announced the Christ child's birth! Shepherds, not earthly royals, were an audience to the newborn King! And the shepherds were afraid! Understandable! The glory of the Lord shone around them! Who could stand in the presence of the glory of God?! Who could survive when he showed His full glory? Human beings were not allowed to look directly into the face of God. They were also in fear because of this amazing announcement. The long-awaited Messiah had been born! And angels were worshipping before them! Talk about a surreal moment for these lowly servants of God!
8. REST. Be still and silent for a while. Enjoy being in the presence of God.
9. RESPOND. Ask God, "What am I being called to do as a result of the word I have been given?
During this Christmas season, I, too should fall to my knees and gratefully remember the sacrifice which Jesus made to leave heaven and be born a baby, so I might know salvation through Him. I must worship HIM, not gifts nor family nor my job nor me. Worship Christ, the newborn King!
Be blessed by your study, meditation upon, memorization of, and impact of God's Word over Christmas break!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
"The Daniel Fast"
By Dr. Bob Stouffer, Superintendent, Des Moines Christian
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
8But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food,
or with the wine that he drank. . . .
15At the end of ten days it was seen that
they were better in appearance
and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king's food."
(Daniel 1:8, 15 - English Standard Version)
Today, I broke my 40-day Daniel Fast.
"Huh?" you ask.
That's right. I broke a 40-day fast which consisted only of fruits, vegetables, nuts, water, and limited dairy - with zero breads, pastas, meats, or desserts. The fast lasted from November 10th through December 19, 2011.
Do the math. The 40 days included Thanksgiving. I ate no turkey or pumpkin pie with whipped cream. I drank no egg nog. It was tough, actually. I was hungry all 40 days.
And that was the point. I needed to be hungry, because I had a strong desire to think about God every time I had pangs of hunger. My wife Cheryl had completed this fast a few years ago when we were going through a rough spot of parenting. She told me the fast really enhanced her relationship with God. She asked me to do the fast with her in November, and I was more than willing to fast, because I, too, am experiencing some real challenges in my life right now. I needed to come to the end of myself and seek the Lord.
Like Daniel. You know the story. The Babylonians had conquered Israel and taken the best and brightest of the Jewish youth: Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were among those young men. The "brainwashing" into the new culture included filling these boys with rich foods and wine. But Daniel would not defile the One True God of Israel, so he asked for a special dispensation to eat only fruits and vegetables. Such was a risk for his "keeper," but God worked in the Babylonian's heart, and he relented. After 10 days, Daniel and his friends were in better appearance than the men who were eating the king's rich foods and drinking the king's wine.
What was my experience like? As I said, I was really hungry. Every time I was hungry, I sought the Lord. I prayed a lot. I called on the Holy Spirit to give me discernment and self-control during these 40 days. I did not want to break the fast before the prescribed date. Monday, December 19th was the last day of my fast, and I made it!
How do I feel now? GREAT! I'm eager to eat some of my favorite foods, but I also know that I need to be responsible about easing back into foods like spaghetti, waffles, pancakes, sandwiches, or steak. And, actually, I have no appetite for those items yet. My body got so used to my new diet that my hunger for those foods has greatly dissipated.
AND I believe I will be able to maintain my self-control with sweets and other junk foods. It's amazing how much non-nutritious food I stuffed in my mouth when I had no self-control. I don't think I will be drinking pop anytime soon, if ever again. I used to be addicted to 32-ounce Diet Pepsi's from the nearest convenience store.
I lost 11 pounds during the fast, so my clothes fit better, and I feel much better about my weight. In fact, I would like to continue this downward weight trajectory by continuing to eat responsibly and exercising regularly. As I get older, keeping the weight off becomes more difficult, and I need to be a good steward of the body God has given me.
Most importantly, I have never experienced greater spiritual health. Did the challenges of my life go away? No. Not at all. If anything, they may have escalated. But God gave me the ability during these 40 days to draw my strength from Him in my weakness. I praise God for how He worked in my life during the fast. I pray that I can continue to draw closer to Him, even when I am not as hungry. I need to hunger and thirst for God. I need to hunger and thirst for His righteousness.
Would I recommend the 40-day Daniel Fast to you? That's a loaded question. Some of you would benefit greatly from such a fast. Some of you would put yourself at risk by pursuing such a course of action. I definitely recommend fasting as a spiritual exercise. When done with the right spirit, and in the right way, you can very much draw closer to God. A few years back, I did a 40-day fast of liquids only, getting absolutely nothing spiritually out of the fast. I had completed the fast with the wrong spirit. A few weeks after that experience, I did a three-day fast, and it was one of the most remarkable spiritual experiences of my life.
What a wonderful time for me to fast. God was preparing me spiritually as I enter into the Christmas celebration. In a few days, I am going to eat a ham sandwich and pumpkin pie. And I'm going to drink egg nog. But I will do so responsibly. I will remember this excellent experience with the fast. And I will remember the birth of Jesus with a whole new appreciation for the sacrifices He made on my behalf.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
"God Provides!"
By Dr. Bob Stouffer, Superintendent, Des Moines Christian
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights
with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
(James 1:17, English Standard Version)
Last week, I wore the black suit and pink tie I donned on my daughter Molly's wedding three years ago. I also pulled up knee-length black hose socks, and I laced up traditional black wingtip dress shoes. A cold day, I wrapped myself tightly in a warm navy blue felt overcoat. Why this description of my attire? Seems pretty boring. (I am not known as a flashy dresser.)
I am telling this tale as an example of God's provision. How so? God provides in often strange and mysterious ways. Four or five years ago, during the summer before a new school year, I looked in my clothes closet, noting that my collection of suits had dwindled to 4 suits. I needed to buy some new clothes.
I walked immediately to Cheryl and asked, "What's our bank account look like? We should invest in more clothes for me. My closet is bare." She responded, "Well, you'll have to wait, because the account balance isn't enough to support major purchases right now." Something to that effect. My wife is very articulate.
I didn't argue. I didn't pout. But I did offer a simple prayer to God. I prayed, "Lord, I don't know how you'll do it, but would you please bring the resources to bear, so I can acquire more dress clothes. Amen." Simple as that. Nothing too eloquent. You would think God might not have even taken notice of a guy like me or a request like mine.
But you'd be wrong. THE VERY NEXT DAY, my former boss called me on the telephone. He had been retired for several years. He didn't see any need to keep all of his dress clothes in his closet, and he wondered if I would like to take them off his hands.
I loudly proclaimed, "Praise the Lord! Your call is an answer to prayer!" He might have been taken aback by my response, but I was absolutely thrilled about this answer from God!
What was the net result?
- A dozen suits
- Three pair of dress shoes
- Four belts of various colors.
- A half-dozen dress shirts
- A half-dozen business casual shirts
- A dozen ties
- 70 pairs of blue, brown, and black dress socks
If I had purchased all of these high-quality items new, I figured the total tab to be around $6,000. And the true joy was I needed to alter very few items, because the sizes of the clothes fit me beautifully. I absolutely love to tell that story. Most people are pretty amazed by the sequence and timing of those events.
What do you think? Coincidence? Accident? Perfect timing? Serendipity? Or God? Of course, you know my answer! Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-ding! GOD! God answered my prayer! Talk about increasing my faith!
So - when I was wearing my former boss' suit, dress shoes, socks, and overcoat last week - I reflected YET AGAIN on the faithfulness of God (and the generosity of my boss). God provided. God provided mightily on that day. I look back and think of His faithfulness.
But I also stand in the present to consider how he provides now. Air is in my lungs. I have life. I have all of the clothes I need. A roof is over my head. I have three vehicles for three of us who are constantly going in different directions. I do not lack for food. I have a great job. God provides.
And, because of the ways that God provided in the past and is providing in the present, I have faith about the future. If he cares about and provides for the sparrow and lilies of the field, He most assuredly cares about me and will provide for me. God will provide.
Ultimately, I do not provide for myself. I am not the source of every good gift. GOD is the provider of "every good gift and every perfect gift. . .from above." I can't count on myself. I CAN count on God - all of the time.
And, you know something else? This is a great month to write about gifts! God Himself gave the greatest Christmas present ever! He "provided" a solution to sin's separation between mankind and Him. He gave His only begotten Son! Jesus gave up the glories of heaven to be born a baby! Jesus lived a sinless life! Only Jesus could die on the cross as an atoning sacrifice for our sin and for the sin of all time! Jesus "provided" a free gift - a way for reconciliation with God. Jesus died! But Jesus conquered death! And Jesus ascended to heaven! Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to indwell all of us who name Him as Lord and Savior of our lives! AND HE WILL COME AGAIN! We who know salvation will be co-heirs with Christ!
Until He does return to establish His forever Kingdom, we must reflect upon God's faithfulness in the past, live and evangelize for Him in the present, and look forward with anticipation to his return in the future. God provided. God provides. God will provide. You can count on all of those truths. So enjoy the greatest present of the Christmas season - Jesus Christ, the Messiah!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
"Prepare Your Way!"
By Dr. Bob Stouffer, Superintendent, Des Moines Christian
Monday, December 19, 2011
"Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way,
the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight."
(Mark 1:2b-3, English Standard Version)
I absolutely love morning devotions at Des Moines Christian. I REALLY do. What a great way to start every day - getting our eyes in the Word of God and our hearts right at the beginning of a school day.
Recently, we separated into several small groups who are discussing spiritual matters. The men have come together for 13 weeks of morning devotions, and it's one of my favorite times of the year. There's something special about a bunch of guys digging deeply into the Word. We choose the Bible over study of Christian books. Previously, a study of Philippians lasted a year. Before that, we took two years to move through Galatians.
This year, we began our study of Mark. If it took us a year to study Paul's four-chapter letter to the Church at Phillipi, how long will it take to study the 16 chapters of Mark?! We may never finish! Jesus may come again before we complete our study! Come, Lord Jesus, come! Seriously, this is a tall task. But we love it!
It took over 2 hours of discussion to work through the first 8 verses of Mark 1. We're not in any hurry. We want to carefully study and apply the passages to our lives. And a recent set of discussions motivated the writing of this blog entry. I want to share a wonderful theme presented by our first facilitator, Bible Instructor Don Caves: PREPARE YOUR WAY!
Mark 1 opens with the focus on John the Baptist. John the Baptist had a special ministerial purpose when he walked the earth. He prepared the way for the Messiah, Jesus Christ, through a ministry of repentance.
We men in devotions discussed how we can remove obstructions to Jesus, getting distractions out of the way to prepare more room for Christ. We must clear a way for the Lord! Don cited Matthew Henry's observation that we must all cry out loud like a trumpet, for such is the need in this vast, howling wilderness of our world. We need to sense the immensity of God. We must be still and quiet and listen. How else will we hear from God, except when we are carefully listening?! We must lay aside our sin, which so easily entangles. We must allow God to move, live, and have His being in us. The Holy Spirit will direct us.
Can you think of a better time of year to prepare a place for Jesus? Merry Christmas, everyone! But today is the day that you must "prepare" for the celebration of Christ's birth. As the wonderful Christmas hymn, "Joy to the World!" rightly points out, "Let every heart prepare Him room!"
During this Christmas season, speak the Gospel to others. Tell them about the hope which lies within you.
Preparation starts with you. Prepare your way! And then prepare the way for others to know Jesus through expression of the Gospel in your words and through your life.
"Does God Care Who Wins and Loses Football Games?"
By Dr. Bob Stouffer, Superintendent, Des Moines Christian
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
In the December 10-11, 2011 weekend edition of the Wall Street Journal, reporter Patton Dodd wrote, "[Tim] Tebow says that football is just a game - and God doesn't care who wins or loses." On the basis of this quote, I have decided to write about Tim Tebow again. I make no apologies. This guy's life screams for Christians to start talking as prominently about our faith as Tim Tebow does!
I must admit that I have not yet read the entire WSJ article, but I have to make some quick commentary on this quote by Dodd. It looks as though this reporter is paraphrasing a statement by Tim Tebow. I have heard Tim Tebow say repeatedly that football is just a game, so such is an accurate paraphrase of the idea. To some, football is life-or-death. To Tim Tebow, football is a game which allows him to showcase the talents and abilities which have come from God.
Did Tim Tebow say that God "doesn't care who wins or loses" football games? He could have said just that. Or perhaps he meant or said that God cares about EVERYTHING in His creation, and all good gifts come from heaven above. To watch talented football players like Tebow IS a gift from above! God cares about all of us acknowledging Him as the gift and giving praise and honor and glory back TO HIM.
I believe I have heard Tim Tebow has stated that God doesn't care who wins or loses football games, and God is not granting favor to Tim Tebow at this time. Such being said, God certainly IS capable of blessing any person because of his faithfulness to Him, and as a way of shining a brilliant light on people who are so obedient. Tim Tebow is such a person. He deals beautifully with the media for one so young. He is genuinely humble. He deflects all praise first to Jesus, then to his teammates and coaches, and finally to the Broncos fans.
This is not about Tim Tebow. This is about Tim Tebow pointing people to God. Can there be any better witness from a man who will not bow to the criticism and skepticism of the culture?! I think not! We Christians need to keep cheering this guy on! And we need to be as bold in expressing our faith and belief in Jesus Christ!
To Jesus be all glory and honor and praise!
Amen!
"God's Warriors!"
By Dr. Bob Stouffer, Superintendent, Des Moines Christian
Monday, December 12, 2011
As long as everyone else is writing about Tim Tebow, I thought I'd get into the act. Even people who do not follow the National Football League know who Tim Tebow is. He is right now the NFL player most under the microscope. Tebow is the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos. He is 6-1 as a starter. "Experts" in the game say he runs funny and throws funny. He typically starts games with less-than-stellar statistics. But he has so many intangibles as a leader, and he's definitely a "finisher."
Allow the text message exchange between me, a lover of the Chicago Bears since 1963, and another rabid Bears fan tell the story of Teboe's heroics of yesterday - Sunday, December 11, 2011 - during the Bears-Broncos game. The electronic dialogue picked up after Bears' kicker Robby Gold booted a franchise record 57-yard field goal to put Chicago up 10-0 in the 4th quarter. Let's call the recipient of my text-messages "Mike," because Mike IS his name.
Bob:
YES! Nice Gold field goal! Nice [Devin] Hester punt return leading to the excellent [Marion] Barber touchdown run. I'm feeling better now, Mike.
[Tebow began to move the Broncos, and they scored a touchdown on a Tebow pass, narrowing the margin to 10-7.]
Bob:
Great. Tebow wants to make a game of it again. Come on, Bears!!!
Mike:
Right!! We have to hold them.
[The Broncos attempted an onside kick, and the Bears recovered.]
Bob:
Good recovery, Roach!
Mike:
I was nervous.
Bob:
I can imagine.
It's hard to have an offense-less team. Chicago will need to win through defense and special teams from here on-out.
Mike:
You said you were pulling for Tebow!
Bob:
I am! I want him to do well, but I want the Bears to win the game.
Mike:
I like him, too. But not right now.
Bob:
Well said!
The Bears' special teams have been superb today.
Come on, Bears!
[A Bears defensive player missed a tackle.]
Bob:
Tackle somebody!
Keep 'em in-bounds!
Mike:
Not good!
Bob:
They still have a long way to kick a field goal!
Dang.
Poor coverage.
Great rush [by Barber]!
Mike:
Right.
Bob:
Don't let him [Tebow] run left!!!!
They can't make this [field goal]!
Mike:
Block it!
[The Broncos' field goal kicker made a 59-yard field goal, tying the game 10-10.]
Mike:
Nooooooooo!
Bob:
Unbelievable.
C'mon, Bears!
He could have made it from 70!
Mike:
I don't know if I can keep watching.
Bob:
And you thought you were nervous BEFORE!
Mike:
Tebow is going to kill us.
Bob:
[Caleb] Hanie [the Bears' quarterback] looks okay so far.
GREAT play by Hanie and Barber [on an acrobatic pass and catch for a first down].
Good decision by Hanie [to throw the ball out-of-bounds, not risking an interception].
Will this game ever end?
[Tebow was moving the Broncos down the field again.]
Mike:
[Screaming, crying emoticon!]
No, no, no, no!
Bob:
I can't believe it! C'mon, defense!
We need more pressure on Tebow! Come on, [Bears Defensive Tackle Julius] Peppers!
Good pressure!
Why so much cushion [by the Bears' defensive back on the Broncos' receiver]?!
Good play.
Unbelievable.
Tebow makes everyone better.
So many intangibles with this guy.
Great defense [by the Bears]!
Can he [Tebow] do it?
Mike:
Stop it! [Block the attempt at the game-winning field goal.]
Ah, crap!
Ah, crap!
[He did it. The Broncos won the game in overtime on a field goal, 13-10.]
Bob:
Amazing. I'm sad for the Bears but happy for Tebow.
Thanks for allowing me to channel my energies through text-messages! See you tomorrow, Mike!
[Sideline reporter Tony Siragusa grabbed Tim Tebow immediately after the game. Siragusa asked how he could start out so slowly and pull off these fourth quarter comebacks. Tebow said, "First of all, I need to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," and then he thanked all of his teammates, the coaches, and the fans for believing in the Broncos. Tebow handled himself with so much poise, as he always does with the media, whether they like or dislike him.]
Bob:
Great interview with Siragusa. How can you dislike Tim Tebow?!
Mike:
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