I know that every time I bow my head to talk to God he hears an idiot praying. But this little book gave me a moment's pause in a check-out line recently.
I guess I'm not sure what to think about this edition of The Complete Idiot's Guide or what should be said to the person who considers purchasing it.
It's easy for me to say, as an idiot who grew up in the church and took praying for granted as something that just comes naturally, that this book isn't necessary. Didn't Jesus already teach us how to pray? (See Matthew 6)
But if you've never read Matthew 6 then how would you know what Jesus said? In that case, I suppose I should thank The Lord for The Complete Idiot's Guide to Prayer for showing us proper Deity dialogue.
It may not be my beloved NIV, but who am I to question the legitimacy of a $3.00 paperback if it helps someone pray a prayer for the very first time.
What's funny to me is this book was placed along side other 'impulsive purchase items' in the check-out line - which makes me wonder if this book has a chapter on how to pray impulsively.
If so, maybe I should have bought a copy for myself.
6 comments:
Please pick me up a copy of "Complete Idiots Guide to Preaching," next time you're in there!
Praying impulsively...
i like that...
might be fodder for future thought
Wade, I am 'so hurt'.;) No web link friend of mine is an idiot, especially not you. I stand up for my internet buddies. Only the persons that get deleted in comment moderation, or are put on the block senders list on Outlook Express are candidates for the title of idiot.:)
Russ
And to think some people take catechism classes. All one has to do is buy the latest impulse mag from the check out line up and heaven awaits. I sense you wanted to judge but held back, allowing the possibility that this book might help some people pray for the first time. You would have been right to judge. You can't treat something so personal and important like it's a perfume to be sold in a fold out magazine. This is the kind of thing that cheapens the idea of religion for people and leads them away from the church. High time the Church, if it wants to remain important in today's world, took people seriously and didn't treat them like idiots. Not that the church wrote that book.
HaHaHa... That's just great. Maybe a The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Into Heaven.
Hey Trey,
I'll keep an eye for that one. I'm sure it would include helpful suggestions such as throwing out an "Amen?" sporactically just to see if anybody's listening . . . not that you would have that problem, I'm sure!
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Hey MMissionary,
Praying impulsively - not bad reputation to have with God, is it?
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Hey Russ,
Thanks, man! Although you can't feel it right now - I'm giving you one of those hugs where guys pat each other real hard on each other's back - which, when you think about it, is a pretty funny thing that guys do.
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Hey Lawn,
Several great points! There many churces out there that are hoping to become more appealing to the secular world by trying to appear more trendy/hip. It works in some cases but waters down spirituality in most. I think this Complete Idiot's Guide accomplishes the latter.
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Hey Josh,
Ha! Do you think the . . . Getting Into Heaven edition would include sections covering indulgences?
Thanks all for stopping by,
W
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