Attention Seekers!

As a true believer, I am always looking for inspiration for meditation and ways to explain my faith, but it is rare that I find a book that satisfies my needs and that I want to recommend to others.  One of the Few by Jason B. Ladd is one of them.

Ladd’s book is an excellent aide to someone like himself, who was searching.  He came from no faith, suspicious of religion—if not downright disdainful.  Lucky for him, his wife is a good Christian woman.  She must have been inspired to ask the question that made the author stop in his tracks and think.  “What do you think happens when you die?”

Jason Ladd is blessed.  Not only was he blessed to have a beautiful, faithful follower of Christ as a wife, he personally was blessed to have intelligence and an open mind.  Ladd set out like he was on a reconnaissance mission to see (who/what/why) this Jesus Christ.  Was this guy, Jesus, friend or foe?  Was He for real?

One of the Few will encourage the seekers.  The author’s personal sharing and insights along his journey to knocking down all his objections to committing himself  is encouraging.  His approach will especially appeal to men and women who have been in the military.  Ladd was on a mission to search and tease out this presumed God, Jesus Christ.  He compares military training to becoming a good Christian.  If you desire to be the best then train to be the best Christian you can be.  Apathy can kill you physically and spiritually.  Jason Ladd shows you how to become “One of the Few.”

I’ll close with a few quotations that brought me to contemplation.

Parallel with Christianity  --  The Marine Corps has the power to transform.  Marines …rebuilding each person with a new identity as part of a team.

Everyone needs spiritual help now and then   --   I learned that when your life unravels, sometimes it’s best to freeze and let a veteran help correct your shortcomings.

Parallel with Christianity   --  One secret to staying on the right path is maintaining spiritual awareness.

Stay close to God  --   Do you have a worldview to filter out false teachings and poisonous thoughts?  You will want a tested worldview at-the-ready when life pops a canister of tragedy and throws it at your feet. 

Why we have free will   --   A world without free will is a world without responsibility—hardly an accurate depiction of our society where the rule of law demands consequences for human action.

Walk the walk not just talk   --  If what we do in life does not echo in eternity, then it doesn’t really matter what we do in life.

One of the Few by Jason B. Ladd

Although I received this book to write a review, I was not pressured to write a favorable review.  The book stands on its own and is informative and enjoyable.  I am delighted to recommend One of the Few.

Website:  http://www.jasonbladd.com/

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016X0HL84/

Barnes & Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-of-the-few-jason-b-ladd/1122933475?ean=9780996538404

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26253930-one-of-the-few

Author’s Personal Website: www.laddsinalaska.wordpress.com  

The Christian's Function

Today I felt like I live in a surreal world.  I'm out of it.  I don't understand what people are talking about and I don't want to know. In fact, I'm glad I'm not in it.  I don't feel superior, just different.

Two of my adult children ran in the Falmouth Road Race.  I stood next to a man who told me all about the real estate projects that were making him rich.  (Why should I be impressed?)  Also all the big boats--yachts he has owned.

After the race there were celebratory parties everywhere.  Why would athletes want to get drunk?  I couldn't relate.  Just standing out in the sun watching the runners go by melted me.  I couldn't wait to get a (1) drink of ice water (2) take a shower and (3) take a nap!  I can see that my son and daughter were hyper after the race and wanted to talk about the race but if I were them I'd do (1) (2) (3) and go to a party at night, after I was dry, clean, and rested.  Maybe then I'd have a drink in my hand.

Watching the social interaction at the parties was an education in the "hook up" generation.  I don't think any of these young adults are interested in marriage.  Any thoughts of having a children are banished.  I asked about a young man who used to run in these races and I was told that his wife had a baby and your life is changed, after that.  (Yes, but isn't that a good thing?) Obviously, not to them.  Having a family would crimp their traveling, and buying nice things.

Upon reflecting upon the events of the day, I felt like I "live in the flesh but not governed by the desires of the flesh. I pass my days upon this earth but I am a citizen of heaven.  I am obedient to the law but live on a level that transcends law.  I love everyone but most think me strange and don't understand.  "

The thoughts in the last paragraph are paraphrased from a letter to Diognetus.  He tells us that living in the world but not of the world is the Christian's lofty and divinely appointed function, from which he is not permitted to excuse himself."

Maybe that's it.  Maybe I'm just getting old.