Ch 2

It was exciting to hear of a church's leaders who were willing to study the bible day and night for days on end in Asia. It certainly is a contrast to our comfortable way of life here.

The approach of, "My life is not going right but God has a plan to fix my life." can fit nicely with a culture of self sufficiency, self esteem and self confidence. However it does not have to if it is made clear that faith in Jesus means faith in a complete Jesus Christ who is both Saviour and King - you can't take one part of him without the other. God will make big changes in your life for the better but he does this as your King and God's idea of improvements don't necessarily fit with Western materialist views on self improvement.

I liked the illustration of the Buddhist and Moslem discussing that different religions are all paths leading to God (although I find it very hard to believe a Moslem would be having this conversation - a Hindu or Bahai would be more likely) but Christianity is about God coming down the mountain to us in the person of Jesus.

Ch3

'The American dream is that we can do anything we set out minds to accomplish. However God delights in out inability. Its not our performance but the Holy Spirit's power. God's power is available to those who make much of God and his purposes. '

I think this is primarily about humility, trust and obediance. If this is taken out of context we stop acting and expect God to do everything. The Biblical idea fits better with William Carey's motto of 'Expect great things from God.Attempt great things from God.' He had to battle a board which told him that if God wanted the heathen converted, he would do it himself. Nehemiah is also a good example. He carried his sword and organised a systematic defence while praying fervently for God's protection.

Ch 4

The story of the church with the staggering lack of concern and even prejudice against people of other nations was rather concerning. Hopefully it is not typical of the USA, and certainly can't be when you look at the amount of mission activity which comes from that country.

He struck a very Presbyterian note when he said our purpose is to enjoy God in a relationship with him and to extend his glory to the ends of the world. The idea of multiplying his image (with having kids) and filling and subduing the world is an encouragement for big Christian families.

He also spelt out our focus nicely when he said that God loves me and saves me to show forth his glory to the nations.

We are called to make disciples of all nations. No one can say "I am not called" it was Jesus' Great Commission. The issue should be rephrased. We are all called to go to the nations and this should be our first preference. We are only absolved of this obligation if there is a good reason why we can't - and such reasons are frequently only for a season. As David Platt points out, every Christian's heart should be consumed with how we can make God's glory known to all the world.