#AmWriting || CHRISTIAN || Author of the Saurian Rangers. Good quotes about reading, writing, and just a little bit of humor. #HealthyFaithChat
Joined January 2009
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Book Overview
Commandments & Virtues combines elements of classical moral storytelling, with a strong emphasis in theology, both in understanding the importance of the Ten Commandments in history, and how they relate to us today. The focus in this short family book is on why we still follow them today, and who we follow them for. As always, our answer is Jesus. He affirmed the importance and relevance of the Decalogue to us during His earthly ministry. It is out of obedience unto, and love for Jesus that we are called to obey all that He proclaimed.
As I am utterly terrible at creating short and entertaining summaries, I had Grok read through the story and give a summary statement of what it thought of this book.
“The book blends gentle moral storytelling with deep theology, emphasizing that the Commandments reveal sin in the heart (not just actions) and point to dependence on Christ for transformation. The tone is warm, hopeful, and pastoral—never preachy in a harsh way. Mrs. Sally emerges as a wise, relatable mentor figure (passionate about Scripture, history, and kids' hearts). The children's struggles feel authentic (poverty/envy, reputation damage, impulsivity, fear of rejection, exhaustion from service), and resolutions emphasize humility, gratitude, and Christ-focus over legalism.”
A9 I have not tried to run away from God, only tried to shut Him out. Thankfully, He is patient, merciful, and full of grace. He was always there when I came to my senses. #HealthyFaithChat
#healthyfaithchat Q9: Jonah boarded a ship to Tarshish, which as you can see on the attached map, was in the opposite direction from Nineveh and, based upon the Genesis 11 table of nations, was the farthest point west of the then-known world.
Basically, he wanted to run to the “ends of the earth”.
Have you ever tried to metaphorically flee to the "ends of the earth" from what God was calling you to do?
If so, how did that work out for you?
James Fowler retweeted
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A8. Spiritual indifference quickly becomes spiritual apathy, at which point all the guardrails come down.
#healthyfaithchat Q8: Tim Keller in his book “The Prodigal Prophet: Jonah and the Mystery of God’s Mercy” wrote the following:
“Jonah’s deep sleep is not the sleep of a peaceful conscience, but the sleep of an anesthetized conscience. He has completely checked out. When you run from God, your heart becomes numb. You stop feeling the danger you are in, and worse, you stop feeling the danger you are putting others in."
Do you agree? Do you think spiritual indifference can put ourselves and others in danger?
A8 Yes, but in Jonah's case, I think he meant it literally. He slept the deep sleep of death. It's why his prayer to God begins with his groanings from the depths of Sheol, after describing how Leviathan dragged him to the depths of the sea. #HealthyFaithChat
#healthyfaithchat Q8: Tim Keller in his book “The Prodigal Prophet: Jonah and the Mystery of God’s Mercy” wrote the following:
“Jonah’s deep sleep is not the sleep of a peaceful conscience, but the sleep of an anesthetized conscience. He has completely checked out. When you run from God, your heart becomes numb. You stop feeling the danger you are in, and worse, you stop feeling the danger you are putting others in."
Do you agree? Do you think spiritual indifference can put ourselves and others in danger?
#HealthyFaithChat
A7 The ancient semitic peoples believe that Levaithan dwelled in the seas. It was the personification of watery chaos. The significance in what God does in the OT and the NT with the sea, is a demonstration that He has power, even power to command one of the two realms of chaos; the other being the wilderness. No god in the ANE had such power.
Q7: the sea plays a significant role in the Bible.
What did the sea represent to an ancient near east person?
What is it significant that Yahweh in the OT and Jesus in the gospels had the power to calm the sea?
#HealthyFaithChat
A6 Yes. We might assume the worst, but God is our strength and our refuge. If there is a great storm before us, then we know it's time to surrender all to God. Let Him steer the ship. #HealthyFaithChat
#healthyfaithchat Q6: "Then the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship was in danger of breaking apart" Jonah 1:4
God sent a storm to bring Jonah to his senses.
Do you think God today will sometimes send storms into people’s lives to snap them out of their apathy and/or as a response to their rebellion?
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A5 In a lot of ways, I believe it's a lack of clarity of purpose. Far too many "teachers" and "leaders" overemphasize human traditions and public spirituality, over genuine transformation. Often, it's hinged on the idea that by doing the first, the second will come naturally.
#healthyfaithchat Q5: “The sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his own god” Jonah 1:5
Those on the boat with Jonah cried out to their false gods while Jonah did not. They had zeal (admittedly driven in this case by fear) for their false gods while Jonah had none.
When you look around today, you see members of false faiths - like the Mormons, the Jehovah’s witnesses and others - zealously training and proselytizing (knock knock) while many in Christian churches seem indifferent and do not have the same zeal for the true God.
Why do you think that is?
A4 Jonah slept, because he thought he could escape the Lord. He was wrong. Jesus slept, because He is through whom the Father made the world. The world obeyed Him, and would not drown Him, but the disciples did not understand this. Their faith was still unripe. #HealthyFaithChat
Q4: the Bible tells us of another man who slept on a boat while a storm raged (Mark 4:35-41).
Contrast the reason why Jonah slept to why Jesus slept.
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A3 It's hard to properly articulate, but surrendering your depression unto God is like mental chains being removed from your mind. It takes patience, a willingness to humble one's heart, and faith that surrendering it all unto God will release you. That has been my experience.
#healthyfaithchat Q3: the church father Jerome commented on Jonah’s indifference (this is a paraphrase):
Jonah’s sleep was a physical manifestation of his profound emotional resignation and spiritual detachment. He had stolen himself away from God's presence and reached a state of dark indifference where he was entirely unconcerned with his own survival or the survival of the sailors around him.
This sounds like depression to me.
Later on in Jonah, he famously said "And now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live" Jonah 4:3
What is the Christian response to depression?
#HealthyFaithChat
A2 Yep! Especially, during times of great mental distress. These days, times of great mental distress feel more like untimely rain showers, than world-ending events. Then, there were times where I felt moved by compassion, but didn't act. I'd often argue my way out of it, committing the very act of disobedience that James warned against.
Q2: now that we've defined it, let me ask: have you ever gone through a season of "spiritual indifference"?
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A1 You experience a clear, conscious drawing by the Spirit, and deliberately turn away. In Jonah's case, he personally talked with God, yet dared to disobey Him. #HealthyFaithChat
Q1: Jonah’s indifference to what God commanded and to what was going on in the boat is remarkable. It has been a subject of discussion going as far back as Tertullian and other church fathers.
How would you define "spiritual indifference"?
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I'm James, from Nebraska. My family usually begins putting decorations up December 1st. #HealthyFaithChat
Welcome to tonight's #healthyfaithchat on Jonah 1:4-6!
As you join us, tell us where you're joining us from and, since I saw pictures of Christmas trees on X today, tell us when you break out your Christmas decorations.
Please remember to include the # in all your responses.
James Fowler retweeted
I correctly predicted this outcome starting almost two years ago. There were signs. I gave warnings. I was blocked and harassed by some of the biggest right wing influencers for daring to question them.
Their reign of stupidity is over. Credibility lost. This is my house now.
The reason we lost is because the optics and messaging within and outside the administration were handled incorrectly. Period. Game over.
But it’s not all doom and gloom! No, on the contrary, there is a very valuable silver lining. Now we learn from their mistakes, and work hard to never repeat them.
The elite right wing influencers directly gave the Democrats control of the House and Senate. On purpose. They’ve learned how to profit from your misery. Just like the mainstream legacy media. What once was the alternative media is now just another wing of the same bird.
Don’t forget to show your appreciation by ignoring them for the rest of time.
A10 It is best to obey God. Trust in His judgement and plan for us. The Scriptures routinely assure us that God will be with us the whole way. #HealthyFaithChat
Q10 - Final ? of tonight's #HealthyFaithChat - Looking at Jonah's decision to run rather than obey, what is one lesson we can apply to our own lives when God calls us to do something we would rather not do?
A9 I think the: "If I don't think about Him, He cannot see me!," or "If it's night, He won't notice or see me!" It's a flimsy excuse to ourselves that we think God doesn't see or know what we are thinking and doing. It's best to buck up and face the truth. #HealthyFaithChat
Q9. Jonah may have thought he could escape God's assignment by changing his location. What are some ways people today try to avoid God's direction or conviction? #HealthyFaithChat
A8 I think obedience comes naturally to the believer; through years of living into submission to God, sanctification by the Holy Spirit, and desire to be closer to God. #HealthyFaithChat
Q8. Jonah was a prophet, someone who knew God's Word and had a relationship with Him. Does knowing Scripture and having years of faith experience necessarily make us more obedient? Why or why not? #HealthyFaithChat
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A7 When we withhold the Gospel of Christ, we are withholding the Words of Life and Resurrection. God can certainly appoint many to the salvation of one, but that does not absolve us of our sin of disobedience. Penn Jellette once remarked, and I'm paraphrasing; "How much hate must you have in your heart, to know that Jesus died for our sins, and to not want to tell someone who doesn't believe and risk condemning them to Hell?"
Q7. Jonah's actions affected more than just himself. How can our personal decisions to disobey God affect the people around us? #HealthyFaithChat