Adirondack with magine!
02.01.2010
  
Adirondack Header with magine
Michael Fox CPCC,
founder of magine!,
is a professional
coach and trainer,
author and creative artist, whose work has been featured throughout
the world.

Michael is a
Certified Practitioner
of the
Myers-Briggs
Type Indicator.

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Jesus' favorite book...     
What's your favorite book?

And, please, I give your conscience permission to name a volume other than scripture.

So...what's your favorite book? It's the paperback with the corners turned down and the covers curled up. It's among the first books you downloaded to your new ebook reader, though you already own several print editions. If it's been adapted for the screen, you also own the movie. All three versions. Including the black and white Dutch language version with Italian subtitles. None of which, you are quick to point out, are either faithful to or as good as the book.

Have you ever pondered your point of connection to this particular volume? Is it the author? A character? An incident? A subject or theme? (As an aside, did you know that every fiction book can be reduced to one of two themes: stranger comes to town or hero takes a journey. No kidding.) You'll likely discover, if you give careful thought, that your favorite book--at the point of connection--shares a deeply held value that resonates within you.

Jesus also had a favorite book.

It was a work of nonfiction, and you probably have a copy in your home. He quoted from the book more often than any other volume. At the outset of his public ministry, Jesus stood before a synagogue in Nazareth and unveiled his "mission statement," quoting the author of his favorite tome--the prophet Isaiah:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are downtrodden, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord...Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing" (Luke 4:18-21; Isaiah 61:1-11).

 

Jesus' life and ministry reflected the resonant core values he shared with the prophet Isaiah, values found at the very heart of his kingdom:*
  • the presence of God--often framed as spirit, or light;
  • deliverance, or salvation;
  • peace;
  • repentance--often framed as healing, joy, or the return from exile;
  • justice (Hebrew mishpat, meaning fairness to the poor and powerless, to the vulnerable) or righteousness (Hebrew tsedaqah, meaning restorative justice, justice that restores relationship to the community).
As was true of Jesus, the books we treasure are often reflections of the core values that form what is most true within us.


Read the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7, the founding document of the kingdom of heaven. How and where do Jesus' five core values show up in the sermon?

Randomly pick one parable or miracle from among the many of Jesus' ministry. Name those values among the five that are apparent in this one event.

If you are a follower, an apprentice, of Jesus, how do Jesus' values shape your own perception of his kingdom, the work of the church, your character as a believer, and your relationship with others?

Which of Jesus' five core kingdom values most resonate with you? How do they show up in your life? Where's the opportunity to deepen the learning and forward the action?

Again, what's your favorite book? What values within its pages consciously or subconsciously connect with your own deeply held values?

How might you more fully choose, with intention, to make decisions consistent with your core values and the values of the kingdom of heaven?


*Jesus five core values adopted from Glen H. Stassen's excellent work,

Living the Sermon on the Mount:

A Practical Hope for Grace and Deliverance


Michael Fox
m�agine!

530/613.2774
407 Myrtle Drive
Farmerville, LA, USA 71241
 
In addition to personal and professional coaching,
m�agine! specializes in spiritual transformation coaching,
employing its proprietary models
--Values, Vision, Voice
and Heart, Soul, Mind & Strength--

as well as
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator� curriculum
published by CPP, the People Development People.

Michael's books include
 
Complete in Christ,
Complete in Christ Spiritual Transformation Workbook,
and Biblio�files.

Coaching fees are based upon a sliding scale. Contact us for details.
For additional information, visit our website at maginethepossibilities.net.

Limited scholarships are available for spiritual transformation coaching.
On the flip side, if you are able, please inquire about opportunities
to fund scholarships for those who cannot afford coaching fees.

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