Bøger af Michael B. Burnard

One of the main obstacles of authentic Christianity is the delusion that spiritual growth equals transformation. We become, and then make, disciples who still conform to the patterns of this world without being transformed by the renewal of our minds (Romans 12:2). As Christians we need to be transformed with an ever-increasing capacity to develop a Christ consciousness, not just a Christ theology. We need to be discontent to live a life of spiritual smallness, satisfied to fill our "small containers" week after week without any desire to increase our capacity. This book was birthed in a market square in Tyre, 82 kilometres south of Beirut, Lebanon. It was the Day of Ashura, an annual event where Shia Muslims march through the streets of Beirut's southern suburbs commemorating the killing of Imam Hussein, a grandson of the prophet Muhammad in 680 AD. Although shoppers were doing business as usual there was a sense that security was on high alert. As Westerners we sensed the tension all the more. But it was not the presence of danger that gripped my heart, it was the absence of peace. My thoughts were still captured by the meetings we had the previous day with several Christian leaders from different regions in Syria. They were not refugees. For seven years they have faithfully ministered to the people of their regions through deep despair, severe suffering and extreme sacrifice. Though there were no words left to describe the destruction that millions endured, and are still living with, the message we heard was one of hope, not despair. Without exception the one message they all shared was simply: "THIS IS GOD'S TIME FOR SYRIA!" My faith was challenged. Like the apostles I wanted to cry out "Lord, increase my faith!" (Luke 17:5-6). I realised that the greatest - or one of the greatest - needs of our time is an increase in spiritual CAPACITY. The season we live in demands capacity building and capacity development like never before. NOT an increase in Biblical knowledge. NOT an increase in spiritual leadership. But lives of expanded capabilities to receive, absorb and contain as much of Christ as possible. And what we are able to absorb will eventually determine our output - that which we are able to give out or produce. The larger our capacity to be intimate with Christ, the more we will have the ability to reflect Christ and influence society. This is what this book is all about - a bigger-bottle-belief system to address the opportunities in a season of harvest