I have reading a book right now that has really got me thinking. It’s called, “Confessions of a Pastor” by Craig Groeschel. The subtitle for this book is, “Adventures in dropping the pose and getting real with God.”
The premise of the book is this: “Why do we fake it so much? Why do we spend so much time trying to please everyone else and make so little effort trying to please God?” (Christianbook.com).
The God of the universe desperately wants to have a relationship with ME! And yet I focus so much time and energy on other people. Approval is like an addicting drug, and sometimes I seek to please man rather than God.
What I really love about this book is the honesty. Look at some of the chapter headings:
I can’t stand a lot of Christians.
I hate prayer meetings.
I feel completely inadequate.
That’s just a few. And this book is written by a well know and respected “successful” leader in the church! We are all fallen, and the spiritual life is not always easy. But God just wants us to be real with him.
The chapter on prayer hit me in particular. God already knows everything about me, so why do I keep so much from him? Why don’t I tell God how I truly feel sometimes? Why am I not more authentic? Why don’t I just communicate with God, whether it’s pleasant or not?
Following God is not always easy, but so often in the church we pretend that everything is all good. We pretend like we don’t’ struggle with sin. We pretend things are okay, but in reality we have a lot of doubts, fears, pains, and struggles.
I haven’t finished this book yet, but I highly recommend it. (And you don’t have to be a pastor to read this book either)!
tim
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October 2, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Shep
OMG! I recently added this to my wishlist on Amazon. Good to hear it is worth the read, sounds so good!
October 2, 2007 at 5:09 pm
enthroned98
It’s great! I really like it because a lot of books on the spiritual life are written from the standpoint of, “you stink…here’s how to fix it.” This book is honest–being a follower of Christ is not always fun or easy.
The chapter entitled, “I can’t stand a lot of Christians” reminded me a lot of some of our conversations on the subject.
I just hope when people talk to me that they realize what they see is what they get. I want to be real and authentic, but pride and insecurities often get in the way. It is definitely a good read.
I am going to hear him speak at the catalyst conference!
tim
October 2, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Mom
When people see me, they get what they see. Oh, so that’s why they’re laughing….
October 10, 2007 at 6:27 pm
Shep
Yes, I always practice out loud, the lesson last Sunday went awesomely, just only one person showed up. And before that it would have went fine but I was having to battle my mentor’s PP timing.
October 11, 2007 at 6:09 am
Tim's Mom
Shep, I have to ask…what the heck is PP timing? Or maybe I don’t want to know…
April 24, 2009 at 10:30 am
What If? « makarios
[...] and he spoke at one of the main session for the Exponential Conference this year. You can read my previous blog post about his book, Confessions of a Pastor if you would [...]