Over the years, I’ve come to realize that it’s one thing to read a book about ‘Christianity’ or some aspect of the faith and then another to actually live it out.
In fact, it is because of this that I must confess my own love/hate relationship with Christian books in general.
I love (some of) them because they can express the encouragement of a fellow believer in Christ or work to challenge or enlighten an area of my understanding.
And the hate?
Well, because like I said, it’s an altogether different matter to put into practice the things written.
Watchman Nee was bright enough to realize that although he believed in everything he wrote in The Spiritual Man, he also knew that once those same truths were read and assimilated into the memory, that they would actually only be understood on the surface level of the mind, thus resulting in a false sense of understanding and wisdom.
He actually regretted writing that book.
Furthermore as a Christian ‘writer’ (or blogger) myself, I know all too well how easy it is to write about something wonderfully profound while having very little experience of the actual matter myself.
But this is not always the case, and it is not the case with the book that I present to you today:
Christ in Y’all: Following Jesus into Community
Rather than simply expounding upon the truths found in scripture concerning Christian community or the Church, Neil Carter followed his Lord and his heart , choosing instead to live those truths out in the wonderful and yet tumultuous trenches of close knit church life.
GIVING HONOR WHERE HONOR IS DUE
It is with nearly ten years of life as a brother in Church Life under his belt that Neil Carter offers his thoughts, reflections and insights to anyone seeking something more of Jesus Christ.
And how can I speak so assuredly of brother Neils credentials?
I’ve been here in Lithia Springs with him for almost five of those ten years.
I know this brother.
While there are many folks out there who might be very correct and very ‘right’ in their words regarding ‘how to live the Christian life’ (or even how it can’t be done), there truly aren’t that many who have the kind of experience that this brother has acquired living in church life simply as a brother.
And it’s not so much that he has simply ’stuck it out’ in this particular way of life. It’s how he has done so considering all of the circumstances involved in doing life the way that we do it.
More importantly, to me, is that while Neil Carter writesfrom a place of experience in Church Life, I believe that he lives from an experience which runs even deeper than that.
Neil is a smart guy, but he’s not only a good scholar and writer, he’s a good person.
How can I tell?
The way that he interacts with his family is probably the first giveaway.
Guess what?
He’s the husband of one wife.
He’s not a violent man.
He doesn’t drink.
He is leading his children into the ways of the Lord.
His children are well mannered.
He is patient and thoughtful.
He is discerning.
He cares.
Neil Carter has sought to walk in the light which he has received, and that, brothers and sisters, means a lot to me.
I listen to people like that, and If the Lord happens to be speaking to you about delving deeper into what it means to be the church or even what it means to be a Christian, I suggest that you give this book a once over.
But I get to walk over to his house and talk shop.
(You can stop blushing now, Neil.)
So….
I really haven’t actually reviewed the book for you have I?
Hmmm. I guess not.
But you know what? There can sometimes be a great gulf between a mans message and the man himself.
Today I have presented the man, and I encourage you to read his message.
In this case, they are one and the same.
After all, isn’t that what it’s all about….?
…presenting The Man?
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