I’m becoming a big fan of the ESSAY article in Time magazine (shhhh! don’t tell). I hadn’t heard about this story until I read this article (I don’t get out much), but Deb said she recognized it from somewhere. Anyway, I’ve also heard a lot about The Purpose Driven Life, but am curious what others have heard. I’ve heard it criticized as “McChristianity” or “Christianity Lite,” but I haven’t read it and don’t know much about the author (or the critics).
Anywho—as the article says—Happy Easter everyone!
Thursday | March 24, 2005 at 10:23 pm
From the first sentence (not as a cliche’, but literally) to the last sentence (same), this is probably the most nourishing reading I’ve done all week. It seems God was able to use a need for cigarettes, and The Purpose Driven Life — which doesn’t mean they are parallel entities, but it fascinates me.
I think this was the grace of God, and one woman’s honesty about her own life was what allowed that grace to take effect.
And even in a man as far gone as this one was, somebody had planted a seed, who knows how long ago, which grew in this event.
This world will not get those lost lives back, and the loss is great and real; but this story is not done, not even if journalism never touches it again.
I can grumble about “Driven” later. Apparently God doesn’t wait on my approval to use a resource.
Thank you for posting this. Happy Easter!
Saturday | March 26, 2005 at 12:36 pm
I had read brief articles about this incident, but this was the most in depth. An inspirational Easter story.
Monday | March 28, 2005 at 11:44 am
Like Rose Anne I had not read a complete piece on this incident. Great article - I especially like the song reference. I checked the Cohen Website for the complete lyrics. And I still like it: smile!
About the book. . . good ideas though written in the lastest church growth language. That is useful for some and may be great for catching some’s attention who would blow off “church talk”. Helpful in that the Christian life’s purposes are defined as a balance of five areas: Worship, Discipleship, Fellowship, Ministry, and Mission. These words as used in the book are not necessarily defined as you might thing. I recommend reading 40 Days of Purpose.
I will be interested to see if Warren “uses” this incident in his work, writing, preaching, and publicity for 40 Days.
Sunday | April 3, 2005 at 2:01 pm
Hi Mat and Deb! Hope you’re both well, and enjoying the spring. It’s sprung here!
The article you refer to was written by Andrew Sullivan, an English journalist who writes an interesting weekly column for ‘The Sunday Times’. His website, http://www.andrewsullivan.com, is full of good stuff, which is mostly taken from his paid for articles in the paper. He is a thought-provoking writer, who has written particularly well about the Terri Schiavo case…
Hope to see you soon.
Stephen and Meg
Sunday | April 3, 2005 at 2:02 pm
Hi Mat and Deb! Hope you’re both well, and enjoying the spring. It’s sprung here!
The article you refer to was written by Andrew Sullivan, an English journalist who writes an interesting weekly column for ‘The Sunday Times’. His website, http://www.andrewsullivan.com, is full of good stuff, which is mostly taken from his paid for articles in the paper. He is a thought-provoking writer, who has written particularly well about the Terri Schiavo case…
Hope to see you soon.
Stephen and Meg