A commune with God first thing in the morning starts with my awareness of His presence, a possible conversation, prayer of praise and contrition, and a daily reading from Dr. Charles Stanley's In Touch series. April's devotional concentrates on trusting God and His will (the Way) for the future, and spreading His word, His love, by our words and deeds. It also addresses the balance between celebration and rest.
Scholarly explanation of rationality and how humans use it to achieve their goals whether noble or not. Reason, logic, and truth can expose hypocrisy and rally support for causes deemed worthwhile. So rationality is a valuable tool to evoke moral progress in a flawed world inhabited by flawed beings.
The bulk of this book is a mindful that lists scientific formulae, graphs, and statistic computations that require an attentive focus to grasp. Listening to the audiobook in the car proves to be disconcerting because safety while driving robs from that focus needed. A disappointment occurs when politics becomes opportunity to voice obvious prejudice in the name of rationality. Opinion is stated as fact with a hint of snobbery and elitism.
5 out of 5 stars *****
Billy Graham explains religious questions about the Holy Spirit, the Triune God, and the Spirit's purpose. Developing a relationship with the Holy Spirit is impossible without faith in God and His word, the Bible. Jesus Christ is the other component of that Trinity. Jesus tells the apostles that He leaves the Holy Spirit with them to guide, support, and encourage them in their mission to spread the Good News, the gospel, after He leaves but that He'll return one day. After Christ's second coming, mankind will be without the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit benefits those who accept Him and rejects those who refuse. Its fruit are the characteristics of God, never changing, and not subject to any laws or rules. They are Peace, Love, Joy, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control. Surrender to God's will and be graced with these qualities in a transformation that yields eternal life.
The Holy Spirit dwells in Christians to comfort as well. The imperfection of man is apparent in an honest relationship with God and this is not only humbling but dangerous if one gives up striving to live a life Jesus exemplifies. Man's failures are not damning; only quitting on the Holy Spirit is. Man's sins are forgiven by the sacrifice Christ makes on the cross.
The Spirit exhorts confession, repentance, and obedience out of love. This daily practice of prayer, Bible study, and obedience deepens the understanding of one's purpose, to love God with all one's heart and to love one's neighbor as oneself. Listen to His wisdom, feel His peace of mind, grow in love and do everything in it; notice constant joy regardless of any circumstance, demonstrate kindness, be of good humor and intention, be trustworthy and never lie, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger in gentleness, and surrender to the Holy Spirit personal desires for the righteous will of God.
