Living Like Jesus

Dear Friends:

I bought myself a Christmas gift. I know that's not the best thing to do in today's economy but I couldn't resist. I deliberately stay away from Barnes and Nobles because I am such an avid reader I always end up finding at least one book I either need or desperately want to read and can not finish in just one sitting.

The book I bought today is written by Ed Dobson and it is called "The Year of Living Like Jesus--My Journey of Discovering What Jesus Would Really Do". It is written like a diary or a journal and promises to chronicle Dobson's daily experiences as he "transitions from someone who follows Jesus to someone who lives like Jesus."

Wow. Isn't that the transition we'd all love to make. I know I would.

Dobson does not take this adventure lightly. While writing this book he not only tried to handle life circumstances in ways that Jesus would, he actually adopted a lifestyle that included observing traditional Jewish holy days, not shaving and personally engaging himself in not only researching, but also exploring and practicing, Judeo-Christian practices.

In prayerful response to his own degenerative illness, Dobson also put a great deal of energy into studying and emulating Jesus's response to suffering and healing.

The book has already received rave reviews from well respected pastors and rabbi's. It first caught my attention b/c I was familiar with Ed Dobson's work as an editor for Christianity Today and I knew of him through my work at the Cornerstone Music Festival. He is a member of Jesus People USA and has been a pastor of Calvery Church in Grand Rapids Michegan.

I haven't started reading it yet but I must say its overall theme and unique approach perked my curiosity. I'll write a review on this blog once I've read it. If I can go without too many distractions I can generally zip through an interesting book in a very short time.

In the meantime I encourage each of you to engage in some reading of your own and to find new ways to experience spiritual growth. Imagine what the world would be like if we all spent more time transitioning ourselves from following Jesus to living like Jesus. Wow . . .

Blessings,
Cindi (aka Poetic Justice)