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Reading “Credulous”

Every now and then, Sofa is lucky enough to get a moment to read a book. The interestingly titled “Credulous” is the last that landed in my direction… and it’s an interesting one to define and describe, without referring to the subtitle itself: “A journey through life, faith, and the church bulletin.”

Well let’s ignore the church bulletin bit, but concentrate on the word “journey”, because that’s what this is. In a warm chatty style, Andrea L. Lingle talks all things life, and in amongst life starts to unpick and deconstruct her faith.

I am tired of being a person of the cross. I am tired of blood and violence. I am tired of wearing a symbol of torture around my neck and claiming that God loves me and I love God. I want to be a person of something else.

Whilst very chatty, this is book that highlights some of those parts of the bible that may feel a little tired. Such as detail about mustard seeds.

I’ll struggle to look at mustard seeds in the same way after this book. I will definitely struggle to see how much the church can be like the kingdom of God without being ridiculously flown out.

Throughout the book, Andrea L. Lingle journeys through her reasons to leave the church, such as grief, cynicism, and disillusionment.

Yet somehow though this journey, she seems to find more of a God waiting to offer Grace, and journey through life with her.

Everyone always told me that prayer was talking to God. What if prayer is being with God?

Credulous is found on Amazon UK and Amazon US. (Affiliate links)

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Why The Hell Are People Suddenly Googling “Prayer”?

Its reasons like this that I kinda want to have a cider or something with Russell Brand. This is the longer version of whats on Twitter…

What do you think of this? Is it just because its Russell Brand, or is this actually a more approachable video on prayer then I’ve seen for a while?

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This Week In The Internet – The Good Omens Edition

Turns out I’ve not been great at writing a weekly post recently. I guess May was one of those months. But I guess that means there’s a bumper amount of stuff to share…

What I’ve Been Mostly Watching…

Good Omens! A Good fun watch with plenty of heart. Don’t take it to seriously, and… well… There’s plenty to be said about the last episode, but that would be one giant spoiler. If you have Amazon Prime, check it out!

Quote that’s messed with me this week.

In a gentle way, you can shake the world.

Mahatma Gandhi

Bits and Pieces I’ve read…

What I’ve listened to…

Remember Stephen Baldwin? The Baldwin that isn’t Alex or William. I’ve come across him guesting on The Social Media Church podcast. Where, according to the blurb: “Being in this world, but not of it – this is what well known Hollywood actor Stephen Baldwin is driven towards. Listen to Nils Smith and Nick Runyon as they talk with Stephen about how he presses forward in his 10-year ministry, charity and other Christ-centered initiatives with boldness.” Give it a listen.

And finally… The Silly Tweet of The Week

What have I missed?

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Pray For Trump (At The Cost of $45)

Well. American preacher Lance Wallnau is selling a coin which (and I’m trying to be nice), is there to remind people to pray for Donald Trump. The coin, by the way, costs $45 each.

Appearing on on Jim Bakker‘s show in America, Lance Wallnau explained as follows…

This coin is our point of contact. When I asked the Lord, “Why the coin?” The Lord said, “Because when you take the coin, it’s a point of contact. So your faith is being released with a million other believers to pray [for] protection and peace and wisdom and counsel over the president of the United States and over his family. That’s our point of contact every day when you see it.

Patheos

Right Wing Watch have posted this online…

Read more over at Patheos, but I have one question.

Why does this idea have to involve spending out $45 for a gold coin? Is there nothing else that could be used to remind people to pray for Donald Trump?

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The Church Sofa Bubble and Squeak

The Sofa’s weekly round up of stuff and – sometimes nonsense found online this week…

Stop Trying to Heal Me.

The BBC have had a look at what its like when people try and pray for you… no actually its a lot more complicated and serious then that…

From time to time, without warning or encouragement, I get approached in the street by Christians who tell me they want to pray for me to get my sight back. Since I became blind as a teenager this has been a regular yet annoying by-product of being an independent disabled person who can walk about on the street.

The last time this happened was on the London underground. The train was packed full of people all studiously ignoring each other when a man put his hand on my shoulder and asked if he could pray for my sight to be restored. But more about that later.

BBC

Written by a Non-Christian, but still a very sympathetic message. Read the BBC website for more.

A Hero to Christian Misfits

There have been many words written about Rachel Held Evans, The Atlantic have taken a great look at why she was a hero to Christian Misfits around the world.

What I’ve been watching this week

I could watch this again and again…

What I’ve been listening to…

The Mid-Faith Crisis guys talk about work, “…and its importance in our lives. How can we be a blessing in the workplace? What can it show us about our own stories? What’s the problem with the phrase ‘work-life balance’? And why does Nick think that it’s OK to record a podcast while eating a fish finger sandwich?“

Check out The Mid Faith Crisis to give it a listen.

Please chuck the links of anything you feel should be shared below! In the mean time, I’m going back to watching that goal…

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The Church Sofa Question of The Week

Do you need answers?

Here’s the thing.

Picture you’ve just arrived at Housegroup, and someone there refers to you briefly by your sons name / daughters name / some name that isn’t actually your name. The person in question moves on quickly, and you don’t a chance to comment…

Then… During the Bible Study you are again referred to by the same name / the name that really isn’t you.

At what point is it socially acceptable to correct that person?

During the prayers? Possibly a prayer for forgiveness? If not, when?