This week, we are giving away THREE COPIES of The Catalyst Leader by my friend, Brad Lomenick. Brad is the leader and director of Catalyst– conferences which lead, equip, and inspire leaders from around the globe.
I recently had the chance to ask Brad a few questions about his new book, The Catalyst Leader:
Growing up with a Jewish grandmother taught me a lot about my heritage. (I can make a mean Matzo ball soup!) But one thing she forgot to mention was the concept of Midrash—a type of Biblical exegesis that encourages us to get our fingers, elbows, and shoulders dirty as we dig deep into Scripture.
Midrash plunges head first into passages, where readers are encouraged to wrestle, argue, debate, and reflect over the unfamiliar verses of the Bible. [Tweet this] Midrash is the belief that God created a one-sided conversation through his Word, and it’s our duty to hash it out and keep the conversation moving.
By wrestling over passages we discuss hard-to-answer questions like Why did Lot’s wife turn around? Or What was going through Isaac’s mind when Abraham tied him to the altar?
As I begin a Midrash of a specific passage, I often find myself looking into the people, places, and details that are commonly glanced over on the surface. So often, my findings unleash facets of each tale that draw me deeper into God’s greater Story. [Tweet this]
Here are some helpful tips when it comes to Midrash: Continue Reading…
Awhile back, I found myself living life in overdrive-the kind of busy where the car flies down the highway thirty miles above the speed limit, completely out of control. Maxed out, I burned the candle on both ends as well as in the middle. My relationships suffered, especially my intimacy with God.
Sick of consuming prepackaged food, I carved some time out of an already stuffed schedule to buy fresh provisions. I scouted out the shortest checkout line at the store and rushed my grocery cart to the car. While transferring the groceries to the car, a crystal-clear thought overwhelmed my mind:
I miss you.
God had spoken. No question. No doubt. A sudden sense of remorse flooded through me. How could I have gotten so busy as to ignore the One who desires a relationship with me above all else?
My eyes welled up and my soul softened as I finished putting away the groceries. I prayed a quiet but heartfelt, I’m sorry, and I miss you too.
Those of you reading along in The Organic God Summer Book Club and Bible Study probably already know this experience was one of the most tender interactions with God I have ever had. I was deeply moved, not because God’s words made me feel shame or guilt, but because they were bathed in his kindness.
In a story tucked in 2 Samuel 9, King David extends the kindness of God to another. David’s determined to show kindness in honor of his friend Jonathan. After taking over the throne, the last thing Jonathan’s family would expect from the new king is kindness.
But still David searches for a remaining relative, and Mephibosheth–a man crippled in both feet-is recognized as the last living son of Jonathan. David invites him to the royal palace. Mephibosheth awaits an execution being the grandson of the previous king.
Instead, David offers Mephibosheth property, wealth, honor and respect. Where cruelty is expected, compassion is extended. David goes above and beyond to extend God’s hesed or lovingkindness to Mephibosheth.
Just as God bathes us in his kindness, we are encouraged to spread that kindness to others. God doesn’t just want us to know that he is kind but to experience his kindness and then reflect it to others.
How has God revealed his kindness to you this week?
Close your eyes for a moment and think about some of the people in your life. With whom is God asking you to share his kindness?
**Photo courtesy of here
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Margaret Feinberg is a popular Bible teacher and speaker at churches and leading conferences such as Catalyst, Thrive and Extraordinary Women. Her books and Bible studies have sold over 600,000 copies and received critical acclaim and extensive national media coverage. Click the image to learn more.
