"A Resilient Life" -- This is the third work by Gordon MacDonald that I regularly encourage disciples of Christ to work with as they secure partners for the journey. Said in another way, as Christ-followers build a collection of mentors from a distance, Gordon MacDonald's works are valuable team members. Mentors from a distance are writers and Christ-followers, some of whose thoughts have been set down by others, who provide mentoring for today's disciples. I consider it foolish to walk the Way alone, acting as if we were the first generation of those who seek God through the Christ. A mentor provides direction and encouragement in the same way a partner provides personal knowledge that you are not alone.

Christ-followers can move ahead in spite of obstacles, hurdles, personal failures, failures of others, and in spite of themselves.

This is the theme of "A Resilient Life." Moving forward? "Well," you might ask, "How does that work?" MacDonald would say, "Thanks for asking, read my book."

Running throughout the book, in fact the book is filled with running images, is one man's presence. He is an old track coach from MacDonald's youth. "What does a track coach know about life?" you ask. I would reply, "Thanks for asking. Check out MacDonald's book." I believe it is MacDonald's best work to date. The author joins theory and practice into living as a believer in the 21st century. This book should be relatively easy to purchase as it was published in 2004 by Nelson Books.

ReStoring Your Spiritual Passion -- Looking for authentic passion? Gordon MacDonald's book by this title is for God's involved people who tend to live out of their own strength. Like a good track coach pointing out the flaws in a race strategy MacDonald articulates seven ways that Christ-followers lose; and he does so with word pictures from history in addition to Biblical examples. Yet, this is not a negative text of artificially articulated opponents. He strongly sets outs strategies for recovery and success. If you pick up "ReStoring Your Spiritual Passion," you ought to be aware of at least one assumption made by MacDonald.

He assumes you have made a decision to be a Christ-follower and you are actively serving Christ. He writes to point out obstacles and poor spiritual practices that can devastate you; but more importantly he writes to recommend strategies for recovery after you have been tried, tested and found wanting. "ReStoring Your Spiritual Passion," encourages believers and leaders to live with passion.

This book is also personal. MacDonald does not shy from writing with personal testimony opening his heart. He often slips into writing in first person. Throughout the book there are testimonies from leading Christian figures confessing spiritual struggle. Yet, these words of confession are not discouraging. You may find a Partner for the Journey in the mind of Gordon MacDonald.

This is a continued string of blogs for Christ-followers and interested inquirers looking for spiritual connection. See other articles in this string titled, "Partners for the Journey." The recommended strategies for acquiring a copy applies to this volume as well. Thanks for reading.

"Ordering Your Private World," is a fine resource. I regularly recommend a variety of Gordon MacDonalds works for Christ-followers seeking answers for a chaotic life. Among MacDonalds works, "Ordering Your Private World," is solid. Consider it as a partner for the journey.

Since its initial publication in 1984 the pace of life has not slowed. Since that time disciples have not become automatically aware of spiritual truth or the Holy Spirit's guidance. Individual churches, their leaders and disciples have not instantaneously evolved to new and insightful levels of spiritual consciousness. Truthfully, sadly, and the evidence bears this out, internal chaos continues to claim those who are busily rushing about.

Heres the routine: One good project, even one holy project follows another, like box cars in a five mile train, on a downhill
grade, with failing brakes, including a miss-switched track, rails from which the spikes have flown and an engineer asleep on a wide open throttle. MacDonald helps us see that living out the commitment of a Christ-follower involves a plea for mercy with a commitment to be in God's presence. If you sense that life is headed toward derailment, like a train carrying toxic waste, you do could worse than to make MacDonalds clear writing a part of your life.

Please note: This is a continued string that began in an earlier post. Scroll to the earlier dates if you want to see the first notes in "Partners for the Journey." Some of the books recommended for reading, in this string of articles, may require a careful search into the used book sections of a brick/mortar store or an online ordering service.

Here begins a line, in a gambit of references, for reading Gordon MacDonald's writings -- Restored and wounded, like each of us, prolific author Gordon MacDonald provides "grace like rain," as the contemporary chorus of worship proclaims. His thoughts bring fresh restoration to parched pilgrims of Christ. Longing for someone to quench a thirst? If you're searching for an oasis MacDonald's materials can help you find moments at the side of Him Who is the Water of Life. Additionally, alongside the books to be noted in this string, a number of fine articles appear in the journal "Leadership." A Google search should satisfy your need to read more of his material, though some of the articles may only be available through a subscription to Leadership -- check this out particularly if you have a leadership ministry. As an added note: you may have to purchase some of the books Ill mention through a used book seller. If you are new to Gordon MacDonald's thoughts try, "Ordering Your Private World."

This category/folder reflects the broad range of partners that I've discovered for life's journey as a Christ-follower. Some of these partners lived in earlier generations. Some of these authors are contemporaries. Feel free to comment. However, our New Hope site receives the work of spammers as well, so if I do not immediately return your note I apologize. First up in this list of recommended resources are the works of a person, among many, that I've learned to identify as a "mentor at a distance." I've never met Gordon MacDonald. However, his carefully crafted and sometimes brutally honest works continue to help guard and keep my life. This original post appeared at the end of May, 2008.

Does the recent collapse of a major metropolitan bridge mean that God is angry with Minnesota or the people who use the bridge?

Or, would it be more truthful to ask (and thus to think) if the collapse of a bridge means that human engineering has its limits?

I stand on the side of the latter question. My experience has been that some of God's people are quick to judgment and hasty in providing analysis of current events. Their expressions can best be summarized in a statement that sounds like or starts with, "Well, we know God caused this, or permitted this because ..." Frankly, this is usually lousy theology.

Your thoughts?