Chapter 8

This was by far the best chapter of the book so far. This is one of those chapters that you save and read throughout your life.

It was very difficult because the questions that were talked about are nuts. One of the statements I highlighted was on page 112: "Whenever our highest agenda is to make our lives work, then no matter what we do, we are fire-lighters." This whole concept of not lighting a fire is puzzling. Basically he says that we need to depend on the light God gives us rather then try to create our own and if there is no light then we need to move into the darkness. The problem in my mind with all of this is that you are creating a light for yourself when you say that you will only depend on Gods light. To me its circular thinking. If I were to say to you, the only plan I have is "to not have a plan" well that is a plan in and of itself. Those are things that confuse me from time to time.

I also loved where it said "But the outcome of the story does not determine whether my friend acted like a man." To many times we make decisions based on what the outcome will be. Its so hard though.

Page 113 "the spirit more often whispers encouragement("You can do it. I am with you") rather than directions ("Now go tell her this"). I don't really agree with Crabb on this statement. When I read the old testament I see God giving plenty of specific directions and Jesus even gave plenty of specific directions. "Go to the lake catch a fish pull the coins out and pay the man" He didn't say, "your a good guy figure out a way to get the money." Yeah that sentence sort of tripped me out.

Chapter 7 "He was there and he was silent"

I really didn't get much out of this chapter. I'm a pretty vocal guy when it comes to talking. I don't mind sharing my struggles with people that I trust. At times I've been known for talking too much and being too soft. I would say that I have issues moving into chaos with my actions as opposed to speaking into chaos. Honestly though I'm 24 and I'm growing. I don't know what it means to be a real man but I hope that I am getting there.

This chapter was blah. Moving on.

Shane

In response to your earlier question "I have heard of this argument, at the core of the universe is there chaos or order? I would like to look into the argument deeper. Steve, any recommendations on books to read?"

I don't know of any good books. One thought that crosses through my mind is that even if you were able to see the core of the universe would your mind be able to fathom whether it was chaos or order? Wouldn't it be so complex that it would seem to be chaotic? If an ant saw a human, would it be able to determine that the human was chaotic or orderly? Just an idea.

Chapter 6: "A Call to Remember"

This chapter started off slow, but I was digging on it by the end. Before I get to the quotes I am going to try and describe what Crabb was saying...

As men we are not necessarily called to lead, or to be powerful. We are in fact called to remember. You see when Adam was being silent as Eve was being tempted by the snake, he wasn't actually being silent. He was taking action, the action was to refusing to remember. If we are going to sin (insert your favorite sin... lusting, greed, whatever) then we are not at that moment close to God. In fact we are not remembering what God has done for us and we are not remembering how powerful God is. What we are doing at that moment is refusing to remember what God is and what he is all about.

Ok, not sure if that made sense. Here are some quote to clarify...

Page 79:
"Genesis 1:27 tells us explicitly that God created man and woman "in this own image,... male and female he created them." In this passage, the word male is translated from the Hebrew word Zakar, which means "the remembering one." What a curious word to describe a man. One might have expected a word meaning "the strong one," "the one who leads," or "the powerful one." But instead man is described as the one who remembers."

Page 84:
"Sinful choices require that God be forgotten. In this sense, forgetting is about more than just misplacing car keys. It is an active and willful choice -a refusal to remember."

Chapter 5: "From Chaos to Chaos"

Chapter 5 was ok, it basically described the differences in creation beliefs. I found one thing that stood out for me on page 76:

"The book of Genesis tells a very different creation story. Yes, the story end badly. But it begins beautifully. That is our Hope. Beauty exists. There is meaning and order."

I have heard of this argument, at the core of the universe is there chaos or order? I would like to look into the argument deeper. Steve, any recommendations on books to read?

Chapter 6 "A Call To Remember"

Wow, what a breath taking chapter.

The guy who I'm doing this blog with is a person that I love to remember our experiences with. All I have to say is "Step Up" or "Save It" and a slew of memories and stories arise. I think thats why I love to say those things so much.

Now, the question becomes, how do I remember when its been a long day and I'm close to forgetting? I'm not sure that is something I'm still working on.

I need to remember, that the Man. Jesus. He came for me. 2 thousand years ago, he didn't let the religious freaks get in the way of his devotion toward his father. I am in his blood line now. The same power that raised him from the dead is alive in me. I need to remember that. Perhaps if I remembered that more often I wouldn't stay so silent.

A call to remember is even more vital today. The time is coming to fight the bigger battles and quit giving people water to drink on the sidelines. The History of mankind will positively demonstrate that no group has risen of his or her idea of God. Tozer said that. A call to remember the greatness of our God.

As I write this blog entry images come to my mind of places I am being silent. I need to remember. :)

Chapter 5 From Chaos to Chaos

It was a pretty interesting chapter. What really interested me was the difference between the Babylonian and Greek Gods. Man some of that imagery was just amazing. Having a kid who ends up killing his dad adn then has his own kids who he eats alive? then the wife gives him a rock in place of his son to eat and then his son grows up to destroy him? sounds pretty mean and terrifying.

I still conclude that I am an angry man.

Today has been a lot of questions regarding darkness in my life. I feel that darkness is hovering all around me and I must be a child of the light. I need to live above reproach.

Chapter 4

Here are some of the quotes I liked from this chapter:

Page 63:
"... we will suggest that men are called to move wisely into the darkest regions of their worlds; they are to speak powerful words into the confusion of life with the same energy that flowed out of Christ when he spoke into darkness (Colossians 1:16, 29)."

Page 64:
"In the darkness of confusion, you cannot see but you can hear; at least you can hear the voice of God."

Page 66:
"Masculinity begins to grow when a man asks questions for which he knows there are no answers"

Page 66:
"Recipe theologians tell us how to make life work by simplifying things and relieving confusion. Transcendent theologians know there is a darkness of confusion that can only be entered by knowing Christ, by abiding in him, by trusting him to supply supernatural power to hover over whatever darkness we face, and then by moving into that darkness with words that bring life."

There was a time when I was in high school when my sister was having a hard time with life in general and I remember people telling me that she needed her big brother. I would always say, she hates me or she doesn't want to listen to me. Looking back on the situation I was just afraid of dealing with the situation and afraid of entering the darkness. I wish I could go back and help her out. My prayer to Jesus is that I don't fall into that habit again.

Chapter 3

This is so, so important. I need to print this out and have it with me during crunch time...

Page 55:
"I suggest that a man is most manly when he admits "I don't know what to do in this situation, but I know it's important that I get involved and do something. I will therefore envision what God may want to see happen in this person's life or in this circumstance, and I will move toward that vision with whatever wisdom and power God supplies me." A manly man moves even when there are no recipes. "

Crab talks about 2 different theological statements...
1. Transcendent Theology (The center of transcendent theology is God, his character and purpose)
2. Recipe Theology (The center of recipe theology is man, his needs and well-being)

I am really sad to say this, but I live most of my life with the "Recipe" theology. I really need to pray about this big time. I need God's grace...

Chapter 4 "Entering Darkness"

Page 61 "Men are called to move into darkness, to keep moving ahead with purpose and strength even when they caonnot clearly see the path before them."

This is a lot harder then this sentence draws out. :) It's hard to move into darkness when you are paralyzed by fear.

Page 66 "Masculinity begins to grow when a man asks questions for which he knows there are no answers."

I don't understand this. Here is a question that has no answer, does it make me more manlier? If I punched the wall 15 times, with my bear fist, would my fist bleed first or would the wall crack? What if I got angry and started beating my head against the wall? Do people at bars think they're tough?