The book was published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., a Christian publisher and member of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA). At the bottom of the Copyright Page at the very beginning of the book, they write: Our mission is to publish and distribute inspirational products offering exceptional value and biblical encouragement to the masses.

I eagerly took this book home because I knew only that Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a protestant theologian and pastor who was involved in the German Resistance in Nazi Germany in the 1930s and 40s, which tried and failed twice to assassinate Hitler, and was eventually imprisoned and executed by the Nazi regime, but I knew very little else about him or the details of what happened. I was also interested to hear his story from a Christian perspective.

This will not be an exhaustive review or summary, just a sharing of some impressions and thoughts.

The book was well-written and easy to understand. It dealt with deep theological and philosophical concepts but made them accessible to anyone. It also provided good historical information and context.

Early in his career, before the Nazis seized power, Bonhoeffer recognized and lamented what was happening to the Christian churches in Germany. He felt the Word of God applied to every aspect of life, but the church was becoming irrelevant to German society because its leaders and members were not speaking out when they saw things happening that were contrary to the Word. And because they chose to play it safe, to not risk unwanted attention or persecution, the church had been relegated to the sidelines – an afterthought behind political and secular ideas and philosophies.

Most of the churches eventually submitted to the control of the Nazi Regime and became the Reich Church. Bonhoeffer and others resisted this and formed what they called the Confessing Church, which refused to swear allegiance oaths to Adolph Hitler. The reason for this was simple – as Christians, their allegiance could only ever be to Almighty God and to His Son Jesus Christ.

One of Bonhoeffer's later ideas, born from his personal experience and what he personally witnessed in his own time, is that one can be _religious _without being Christian. This is what happened how Christianity in Nazi Germany was twisted and corrupted into something that was not Christian at all.

As evidenced in how he lived his life, especially under the harsh conditions of imprisonment, Bonhoeffer tried to be a disciple of Jesus Christ not just in word and deed, but on a deeply personal level – in very soul.

I would like to read and learn more about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, but after reading this short volume I feel he is a kindred spirit. I can relate to him on many levels. A deep thinker, concerned about his understanding of and relationship to God as well as his his fellow man. Deeply troubled by the injustice and inhumanity running rampant in the world. And feeling the need to do something about it.

A well-traveled man, he had the opportunity to flee his country to safety. He had friends in England and America. But his conscience would not allow him to stay away from home while his people were suffering. He had hope that the Nazi regime would eventually be overthrown, and how could he be a credible leader in helping to rebuild his country if he had not suffered with them – if he did not personally experience what they experienced during those dark times?

The name of the book is an apt one. Dietrich Bonhoeffer demonstrated radical integrity during a time when many of his countrymen compromised theirs hoping to save themselves or their loved ones from persecution and harm. But one wonders what might have happened had more been willing to resist, regardless of the consequences.

Bonhoeffer understood that the way of the Christian was never guaranteed to be an easy one. Jesus Christ said his kingdom is not of this world. Anyone who chooses to consistently stand up in defense of His Word can expect to face opposition in some way or another, maybe even to the point of losing their lives. Christianity was never meant to be comfortable.

Reading this book has forced me to confront my own hesitation to share what I believe and speak out when I see things happening in my community, my country, and the world that are contrary to the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. I hesitate because I'm afraid of what might happen to me or my loved ones. But I shouldn't be afraid. Jesus has overcome the world.

One day in prison, Dietrich Bonhoeffer sat in his cell and composed the following poem entitled “Stations on the Road to Freedom”.

Discipline

If you set out to seek freedom, then learn above all discipline of soul and senses, so that your passions and your limbs might not lead you confusedly hither and yon. Chaste be your spirit and body, subject to your own will, and obedient to seek out the goal that they have been given. No one discovers the secret of freedom but through self-control.

Action

Dare to do what is just, not what fancy may call for; Lose no time with what may be, but boldly grasp what is real. The world of thought is escape; freedom comes only through action. Step out beyond anxious waiting and into the storm of events, carried only by God's command and by your own faith; then will freedom exultantly cry out to welcome your spirit.

Suffering

Wondrous transformation! Your strong and active hands are tied now. Powerless, alone, you see the end of your action. Still, you take a deep breath and lay your struggle for justice, quietly and in faith, into a mightier hand. Just for one blissful moment, you tasted the sweetness of freedom, then you handed it over to God, that he might make it whole.

Death

Come now, highest moment on the road to freedom eternal. Death, put down the ponderous chains and demolish the walls of our mortal bodies, the walls of our blinded souls, that we might finally see what mortals have kept us from seeing. Freedom, how long we have sought you through discipline, action, and suffering. Dying, now we behold your face in the countenance of God.

(From Radical Integrity, p. 189-190, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc. Used by permission.)

Discuss...

#100DaysToOffload (No. 126) #faith #politics #Christianity #books

Of all movies on my Amazon Prime watch list, I picked The Hiding Place. It's based on the true story of Corrie ten Boom, who with her sister and father ran a safe house and helped smuggle Jews fleeing the Nazi-occupied Netherlands during World War II. They were arrested and imprisoned, Corrie's father dying in a matter of days and she and her sister being sent to concentration camps.

It's a difficult, moving film to watch, and it wrecked me, but in the best way. It brought tears, but also clarity and peace.

In my last post, I shared frustration about the latest drama on Twitch and was seriously considering quitting as a streamer and viewer. But a line from The Hiding Place hit me hard. I actually had to pause the movie after hearing it and weep for a few minutes as it sunk in.

There's a scene where a couple members of the underground are talking to Corrie and her sister Betsy, asking them if they really do want to use their home as a safe house for Jews. Betsy says:

Truthfully, I’d rather do anything else. I’d like to close the door and never open it again until this whole hideous thing is over. But that’s me. My Lord Jesus tells me to open the door to whatever comes, to give His love in whatever way I can. And I will listen to His voice, not mine.

This is exactly how I feel about what I do on Twitch. My voice is telling me to quit. God's voice is telling me to give His love in whatever way I can. And I cannot deny that Twitch has been a way for me to do just that.

Several people have told me that tuning into my stream has helped them out of a dark place or made them feel good or brightened their day. And I have to believe that alone is worth all the trouble and drama that comes with Twitch. So I'll keep trying.

Another aspect of the film that moved me was Betsy's unwavering faith in Jesus Christ despite the horrific conditions of Ravensbrück concentration camp, where she eventually died. Their beds are infested with fleas and lice and Corrie says she doesn't think she can give thanks for the pests. But it's soon revealed that the fleas and lice are what keep the Nazis from going any further into their barracks than the doorway, giving them some privacy and freedom at least in that space. So they were thankful for the fleas.

There's another line from the film and something Corrie ten Boom often said when telling her story.

No pit is so deep that He is not deeper still; with Jesus even in our darkest moments, the best remains and the very best is yet to be.

And that's from a lady who survived a concentration camp. I aspire to have even a fraction of the faith in Jesus Christ that she and her family did. And it makes my problems seem so manageable by comparison.

I believe the very best is yet to be for me and for you – for all of us.

And now I need to add the book The Hiding Place to my reading list.

Discuss...

#100DaysToOffload (No. 114) #faith #gratitude #life #movies #books #Twitch #Christianity

Pluto TV is a free online video streaming service that works like traditional over-the-air TV in that it has channels and each channel is just a continuous broadcast of content with commercial breaks. You just “tune in” to a Pluto TV channel and watch whatever is on at the time.

When my favorite Star Trek series (TNG, DS9, and VOY) disappeared from Amazon Prime and Hulu, my brother told me there was a Star Trek channel on Pluto TV. I started checking out their other channels and bookmarking a few.

Then I found their Dog the Bounty Hunter channel. I remembered watching and enjoying that show back in the day. So I watched a few episodes and I was hooked (again). It's entertaining. But I also find it uplifting.

Duane “Dog” Chapman and his family are larger-than-life people. And, for the most part, I think what you see on their show is what they're like in real life. They're flawed, rough around the edges, and sometimes over the top. And I can't help but love them because, while I certainly have not had many of the life experiences they have had, I can relate to them on a human level. At the end of the day, they're just trying to make their way in the world like the rest of us and do something good despite their shortcomings.

I wanted to learn more about Dog, so I read his books. It took me only a couple days to read them both. His first book, You Can Run but You Can't Hide, is important to read to understand his background and what he went through to become the Dog we all know today. Parents beware, it has profanity, crude language, and has pretty graphic depictions of sex, drug use, and violence. Parts of it were difficult for me to read, as I typically avoid that kind of content. But I don't regret reading it, as it gives important context for who Dog is and why he is the way he is. After reading it, you will realize what a miracle it is that he is even still alive. And you will appreciate even more how he has managed to turn things around and try to do something positive and meaningful with his life.

His second book, Where Mercy Is Shown, Mercy Is Given is definitely more family-friendly and, in my opinion, a better book than his first. He does cover some of the same ground covered in his first book, but goes deeper into sharing his feelings, thought processes, and outlook on life and what he does. He spends considerable time apologizing for and clarifying some past controversies. He shares some ideas for law enforcement and bail reforms. He speaks words of advice and encouragement to those struggling with addiction.

I like Dog. He can stand toe-to-toe with the meanest, toughest people on the planet, yet he is a God-fearing man, sensitive and caring enough that he can cry at the drop of a hat. He will hunt down his targets relentlessly and ruthlessly until he has them in handcuffs. But once caught, he will try his best to get through to them on some level, to show them some love and grace, to help them understand that they have it within them to turn their lives around. I believe he has a good heart. Though he is haunted by his past and struggles with human weaknesses like the rest of us, I believe he is genuine when he says he loves his family and wants to help and lift up other people.

I think he does come across as a little too full of himself sometimes, but I don't think that's intentional. The man is confident in himself and his ability to do anything he sets his mind to, but he's quick to acknowledge that he wouldn't have been able to do any of it without God's help.

Dog said his grandpa taught him that the difference between a wise man and a fool is that a wise man learns from the mistakes of others and a fool learns only from his own. I've sure made some big mistakes in my time. I'm glad Dog has been gracious enough to let us learn from his.

#100DaysToOffload (No. 11) #books #TV

I enjoy reading books. Real, physical books with paper pages that you keep on a shelf when you're not reading them.

Reading on a phone, tablet, or even a dedicated eBook reader just isn't the same.

You don't have to charge a real book. There's no risk of being distracted by notifications or being tempted to check your social media. You don't need an account or a subscription to access it, and there's no risk it might randomly disappear due to arbitrary licensing agreements or the whims of a big tech company. And those big tech companies can't track your reading habits so that they can try to extract even more money from you and try to sell you things, or let other companies pay them for that information so they can try to sell you things, too.

There's no substitute for holding a real book in your hands – feeling the weight of it, reading the dust jacket (if it has one), thumbing through the pages.

Real books have a smell. A magical combination of glue, paper, ink, and – if it's an older book – age. As soon as this distinctive aroma hits your nostrils, you can't help but get excited at the prospect of learning something new or being taken on a grand adventure.

Books are more than just words on a page. They are a catalyst for thought and imagination. And for me, they are best experienced and enjoyed in their physical form.

#100DaysToOffload (No. 7) #books #intentionism

Topics of Focus

#faith – thoughts related to my religion #tech – self explanatory

Other Topics

#100DaysToOffload #accessories #AI #automobiles #Bandcamp #books #business #cassette #charity #Christianity #Christmas #ChurchOfJesusChrist #climate #community #compactDisc #contention #COVID19 #decentralization #DigitalMinimalism #economy #electronicMusic #EveryDayCarry #eWaste #family #FOSS (free-as-in-freedom and open source software) #friends #gratitude #haiku #health #hobbies #HomeOffice #humor #intentionism #internet #laptop #LessConvenient #libraryMusic #life #Linux #loneliness #media #meditation #mentalHealth #misc #movies #music #news #nostalgia #physicalMedia #planning #poetry #politics #privacy #prophets #retro #smartphones #SocialMedia #synthwave #travel #TV #Twitch #unity (not the game engine) #Utah #vaporwave #writing