Crabgrass and Oak Trees (Book Review)

The book Crabgrass and Oak Trees asks the question, "Is the Church more like Crabgrass, or an Oak Tree?" exploring  popular conceptions with biblical reality into what the Church really is. It encourages readers to stretch their imaginations and embrace biblical truths as the writers use real life anecdotes and scripture to draw a beautiful image of the church in the form of crabgrass.

I have to admit, when I first read the title I was quick to take the side of the oak tree. It's very image invokes ideas of strength and stature. I have long envisioned a church as being one that is proudly erected on a hilltop, towering above the town it inhabits, and a noted feature of its surrounding landscape. After just reading a few short pages I realized my folly and the writers struck a deep chord within me that has always longed for a far more deeper and profound experience of Church. One that speaks of community and a vision that far exceeds the walls of any one building.

The content of the book flows well and naturally evolves as the reader is taken deeper and deeper into what Church really means for the Christian. It is a refreshing source of encouragement and inspiration for those  who have struggled inwardly with the true definition of the Church. Quickly discarded is the image of the oak tree as the crabgrass is explained. Local churches, existing to glorify God and not themselves are to function as like a node (connection point) on a blade of crabgrass, interconnected with the rest of the body of Christ, receiving nourishment from other nodes and, in turn, nourishing other nodes, spurring on growth and vitality in a vast network of believers. Such a network, using the illustration of crabgrass, is known as a rhizome. Each blade, interconnected with every other blade, is wholly dependent on Christ. Together, embracing one another's diversity and growing spiritual roots that are deep, the church spreads itself in the form of love over expansive areas.

The writers describe the growth of the church this way:

When Crabgrass is introduced to an area where it has never been, it takes over. We should do the same. Not a hostile takeover, not by cramming our religion down someone's throat, but by simply being.  By allowing the nutrients of our King to flow through our body and infect the soil around us until it begins springing forth with life from within. Jesus said He reconciles to Himself all things, and as we are introduced to a new community, a new soil, He begins this process. Reconciling, bringing, drawing Himself to Himself.
                                                                            p. 132

The authors express the beauty of the rhizome as functioning this way: "It causes us to love Christ, because it allows us to see Christ."  When, as a body of Christ, we start stepping past our comfort zones, seeking God's glory for  God's glory alone and are inspired to be like the great men and women of scripture that God provides us as examples, we truly begin to manifest God's Kingdom here on earth.

This book would be a benefit and blessing for any member of the Body, whether leader or layman, to read.  You can check out the third chapter free here: http://rhizomepublishing.com/free-chapter/   Keep an eye out, for in the near future I will be having the opportunity to interview one of the authors! I look forward to sharing that interview with the rest of you! If you have any questions you think you'd like to ask the author, ask them in the comments section below. I'll choose the best ones to include in my interview!

The Sacred Hours of Morning

In bemusement I reflected this morning my differing perception of the wee hours of morning between the one I have now and those of my earlier days. I remember my college days. Many times I'd finally feel my pillow's soft textures and dreams beckon me at 5 am after a full night and early morning of festivities and then lazily sleep until mid morning, having had late afternoon and evening classes.

Now at 5 am if I am lucky enough to creep downstairs without waking my kids, with anticipation I sit down with my Bible for prayer, scripture reading and meditation. I love rising when it is still dark and then watching the sun paint the landscape in brilliant colors outside our windows. At a time years ago when I would be falling asleep, I am rising to worship and receive spiritual direction from my Lord. A definite difference! Perhaps I'm getting old, I'm not sure, but I prefer the latter much more over the former experience of morning's early hours.

Lately it seems like almost everything I've read has mentioned these delicate hours of dawn that can be such a refreshing source of spiritual renewal for those seeking God's presence and truths, so I figured I'd share a couple of them in this post.

In Thomas Merton's book, The Inner Experience, one of the tips he gives those who aspire to commune with God at a personal, spiritual level, is to seek him in the early hours of morning. Of these hours he  writes:

Dawn is by nature a peaceful mysterious, and contemplative time of day-a time when one naturally pauses and looks with awe at the eastern sky. It is a time of new life, new beginning, and therefore important to the spiritual life: for the spiritual life is nothing else but perpetual interior renewal.            p. 137

                                                  
In another book I am finishing up, Crabgrass and Oak Trees, author Jonathan Almanzar shares this:

There is something very mystical about early morning. The virtuous woman rises while it is still dark to bring food to her household; Joshua rose while it was still dark to see the face of Jehovah; Moses rose while the moonlight shone to find where His God was taking him, and even Jesus Christ, the Son of God, left while it was still dark to inquire from His Father....

...The times when I have risen before those in my household, the times I have slipped off in secret to spend time with The Father, were times my roots grew deep and truth took hold of my life. These were the times when things I had struggled with for years suddenly disappeared. Truths I longed to live suddenly became part of my life, without me really knowing how or why...Rising early gives me the opportunity to meditate....Our times of solitude and meditation are the times when our roots can plunge deep.
                                                                                 p. 67-69

I can relate to much of what Almanzar had to say. I know from my experience, when I rise in the early hours of the morning to seek God, I am always left with a deep peace that spreads itself like a cloak around my senses, bringing me a strong sense of internal awareness that has a lasting effect and gives birth to contemplative experiences throughout my day. It's a time my soul works through the tangled web my mind weaves around it, freeing itself from illusions, attachments and at times, by God's great grace, seeing the things in my life with an almost blinding brilliance of clarity. It certainly is a sacred time.


Have you experienced the sacred hours of morning? Or is there another time in your day that you choose to set aside to spend with God and grow spiritually? Please share your thoughts! :)

Crabgrass and Oak Trees: Read the 3rd Chapter for Free!

I was sent a book for the purpose of writing a review and I'd like to share its third chapter, which is free, with all of you. The title of the book is  Crabgrass & Oak Trees  by Jonathan Almanzar and Aaron Havens. I am not yet finished with it so I will hold most of my commentary and opinions  until I write my review.  I have to say though that I am already impressed and touched by the ideas the book presents. It makes one question, reflect and stretch one's views when meditating upon the meaning of "the Church". 

The back of the cover asks these questions: What would you draw if you were given a crayon and asked to draw a picture of the Church? What creative words would you use to describe the beauty of the Church?

At first when I read the title of the book I automatically felt attracted towards giving the image of the church over to that of the oak tree but for every page turned I see the inherent wisdom there is in the metaphor the authors use towards aligning their perspectives with that of the crabgrass.

Come and join me, even if it's for just a chapter...I'd love to hear your thoughts on Chapter 3 and I look forward to writing a review of this profound book that I feel has the capacity to effect the hearts and minds of many and bring glory to God as His Kingdom is advanced with unparalled zeal here on earth.

As I read it I will be sharing short excerpts that stand out to me and stay tuned...because I'm also going to have the chance to interview one of the authors!

Here's the link, hope you take advantage and enjoy! :) http://rhizomepublishing.com/free-chapter/