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Title: Practicing the Presence of People: How We Learn to Love by Mike Mason ISBN: 1-57856-265-1 Publisher: Waterbrook Press Pub. Date: 01 October, 1999 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $11.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (4 reviews)
Rating: 1
Summary: Maybe it's well meant, but it's also ludicrous!!
Comment: Mike Mason begins his book by stating: "One day in contemplation there came to me the phrase 'the practice of the presence of people.' And with it came this thought - why not take all that I've learned about knowing God through contemplative prayer and apply it to knowing people." Not a bad beginning, but it gravitates toward the bizarre.
His previous book, "The Mystery of Marriage" was a wonderful treatise on marriage, and as he says, he once wanted to become a monk, but he fell in love, and the insights he brought to that topic are far superior than this foray.
He says that this book is a series of reflections, 5 categories compared to the fingers on a hand - 1. People; 2. Self; 3. Presence; 4. Practice; and 5. Friendship. He says that being united to people means overcoming all our fears and judgments so that no sin or imperfection stains our fellowship. Not a bad theory, but it is flawed. We are sin-stained people who need the grace of God, Mike.
He goes on to say that "people reflect the presence of God in the world," based on an experience he had with a woman in whom he saw the "glory of the Lord" on her face. Now maybe that's true, and I don't discount anyone's experience, but to go and come to some other conclusions which are tantamount to heresy is questionable. For instance:
"God's prayer life consists of practicing our presence."
"We gain access to earth by believing in people." He seems to believe that all people are good, in the face of the fact that Jesus has stated that only God is good, and the prophets have stated that the heart is deceitful. He continues in later chapters to say that the practice of the presence of people is the answer to all our problems. (Really, Mike?) Maybe we should inform the President and Sadam Hussein. This is serious stuff, here, apparently.
He interjects quotes from Nelson Mandela, Agnes Sanford, Thomas Merton, Paul Tillich, and Will Rogers, in what is a home-spun theology not based so much on biblical truth, but Brother Lawrence, and at one point, he believes that if Brother Lawrence was alive, he would be writing Mike Mason's book. And what about these gems"
"Intimacy is 'in-to-me-see'".
"Let God be God and He'll let you be you."
He goes on in a number of ways and takes Scripture out of text, in particular James 3:17, in the wisdom passage, and he arrives at the conclusion that "get enough relief happening in your life, and you will fill up with the love of God." Then he goes on to say that "Friendship is the proof of the gospel's pudding." This is heretical, especially in light of 1 Corinthians 15:1-8. He also proclaims that "Hence, in John's gospel, the great commission to the church is not to go the ends of the earth and make disciplies, but to become the house of God by being friends with one another." This is incredibly lunacy.
Then the icing on the cake is as follows:
"Friendship is the message Jesus wanted to preach. Jesus Himself did not accomplish what He did alone. He chose to work with friends. What did Jesus' friends do for Him? I believe they helped Him (as heretical as this may sound) to be more human. After all, humanity was something Jesus learned about as He went along..."
I can't review this anymore, because it is ludicrous!! Maybe Mike has meant well, but he should stick with marriage books, or sink his teeth in the Bible, or get mentored by someone with a grasp of the truth. "Oh, God, may you open the eyes of your child, Mike, and grant he be filled with true wisdom. Amen."
Please...if you get this book, read with the wisdom of above and discernment, and especially compare what you read with the Truth.
This is not a recommended book, and I'm pulling it from our church library.
Rating: 5
Summary: Captures the Heart
Comment: Every word in this wonderful book rings true. As the song says, "What the world needs now is love, true love; that's the only thing there's just to little of...". This is a book that puts shoe leather to that pretty saying. Want to really understand people? Want to build stronger relationships? Then this is the book for you. The bonus is that Mike Mason is an accomplished writer who chisels every sentence. I have purchased three copies and given them to each of my college-age children. Now I need to get another for myself!
Rating: 5
Summary: Learning to love the way God intended us to love.....
Comment: This book does more than challenge us to love the way God intended us to love; it shows us the way. It's easy to love from a distance, in "Practicing the Presence of People", Mike Mason shows us how to love close up. Maybe I needed that lesson; my copy is worn and tattered. Buy this book...no, buy two and give one to a friend!
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Title: The Mystery of Marriage : Meditations on the Miracle by Mike Mason ISBN: 1576737799 Publisher: Multnomah Pub. Date: 23 August, 2001 List Price(USD): $10.99 |
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Title: Champagne for the Soul: Celebrating God's Gift of Joy by Mike Mason ISBN: 1578566924 Publisher: Waterbrook Press Pub. Date: 20 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $14.99 |
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Title: The Mystery of Children: What Our Kids Teach Us About Childlike Faith by Mike Mason ISBN: 1578564220 Publisher: Waterbrook Press Pub. Date: 17 July, 2001 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: The Gospel According to Job by Mike Mason ISBN: 158134449X Publisher: Crossway Books Pub. Date: 01 November, 2002 List Price(USD): $17.99 |
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Title: Little Lamb, Who Made Thee?: A Book About Children and Parents by Walter Wangerin ISBN: 0061042277 Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco Pub. Date: 01 April, 1996 List Price(USD): $12.99 |
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