The Rabbit and the Elephant

Comment by Cindy Skillman on July 17, 2009 at 12:50am

I'm excited about the information I'm getting from this book. At last someone has seen my need and put things in kindergarten-talk. Here's an excerpt from what I read today:

We've found that if we fully participate in what is going on, the things that come to mind spontaneously are most likely from the Holy Spirit. For example, if someone is praising God through prayer, you might find that a verse of Scripture or a song comes to mind. Chances are, that thought was the Holy Spirit, and it's something you should share with the group. You are always seeking to follow the thread that the Holy Spirit is weaving.

Thank you!! That may be the most helpful advice I've received since starting this journey. I realize that this is probably "for Dummies" type stuff, but there's a reason that series of books is so popular. Books that assume a certain level of knowledge are everywhere, and everywhere inaccessible to those who don't have the prerequisite foundation. Thank you, Tony and Felicity Dale, for writing this book. I believe it is going to be a tremendous help to the micro-church community.

Comment by Cindy Skillman on July 17, 2009 at 1:03am

Oops! I forgot to include George Barna, who is also a co-author.

Comment by Cindy Skillman on July 17, 2009 at 1:08am

Chapter one is short, and basically introduction. While interesting and fun to read, and a good foundation for the book as well as sharing a bit of the authors' story, it doesn't put forth anything most of us haven't already learned and agreed to, so I'm going to start the discussion on chapter two. I'll post this tomorrow, as it's getting late. Or, maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised to see that someone else has started the discussion for me. :)

You should feel welcome to start discussions on any of the chapters if you'd like to (even if I've said I'm planning on skipping them). Though I've started the group, I don't consider it "mine," and you won't be stepping on my toes at all.

So, I'm looking forward to some fruitful discussions and can't wait to hear from you.

Comment by Cindy Skillman on July 17, 2009 at 11:58am

Hi, Pen

Like I said, I'm pretty excited about this new book. I don't remember what I paid, but it's at Amazon and not that pricey. Probably at the authors' website, too.

Comment by Ryan Huling on July 23, 2009 at 6:25pm

I'm also about halfway thru the book. pretty good read. I enjoyed the Dale's story of church experience and how they got started with simple church. I havent' picked it up in awhile. Need to pick it back up and finish it.

Comment by Cindy Skillman on July 24, 2009 at 11:28am

Most of the practical stuff is in the second half of the book, Ryan. I think this is going to be a significant help to our group. :)

Comment by Ryan Huling on August 1, 2009 at 3:58pm

Where is everybody? Personally I'm having a hard time getting back to the book. I got the Shack and just finished that. Great book I must say. not sure about some of the theology. I may just misunderstand some parts, but overall a good read. Also have been reading Jake Story . I like this even better than the shack, as it deals with what I'm going thru right now. Leaving IC and the baggage that goes with it. It's basically about knowing Christ and living out that relationship with HIm apart from religious obligation. The Shack too I would sum up in that basic way. Have you read either of those books Cindy? I sure have lots and lots of books I want to read. I'm about done with Jake , maybe I'll get back to the Rabbit.

Comment by Cindy Skillman on August 2, 2009 at 12:37am

Hi, Ryan

Hopefully everybody is so busy with real-time fellowship they haven't got time for getting online that much. :)

Yes, I've read the Shack, and the Jake Story--isn't that the one where he keeps meeting a guy named John and wonders if he's meeting the original apostle John from the first century? Yes, we could certainly talk about those. I thought the Shack very good. It was written by a universalist, obviously, though it stops just barely short of teaching that doctrine. Still, a book with, I thought, a lot of good points. As for the Jake Story (if it's the one I'm thinking of), it had some good stuff in it as well. I'm not sure we can go quite that far into non-action and expect anything to happen. I kind of think the early church knew when they were going to head over to Chloe's house and maybe even who was bringing the potato salad. Anyway, let me know if I'm right about that one--which one it is. I have a copy around here somewhere, but it might take a while to find it. ;)

Anyway, I'll enjoy reading your comments when you've had a chance to get back to this, and on anything else as well, of course.

Comment by Ryan Huling on August 2, 2009 at 11:21am

you'r right about the book. thats the one. We don't necessarily need to discuss those books. I was just going on about the books I've been reading at the moment. The universalist thing scares me a bit. That's the same thing I thought when I read the shack. He stopped just short of it. But he didn't clarify it. I need to be careful about what I'm reading a bit. Sometimes I think I'm close to going off the deep end theologically. whatever that means. I used to be a fairly staunch conservative, fundamentalist Baptist type. I am glad to meet so many on here that seem to have a good solid Biblical grasp on things. I got a bit scared away from simplechurch.com due to some , what I consider wayyy out there theologies.

Comment by Ryan Huling on August 2, 2009 at 1:42pm

Great! the group is growning. Hi Gordon, Hi Corinne

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