Over this summer, I’ve been blessed to meet and fellowship with Chip Furr. Chip is a pretty energetic guy, and as I’m finding out, he lives his life in such a way that there’s nothing between him and life except this thin place where God exists, manifests Himself, and [frequently] shocks all senses of things logical and normal. And my life this life that he lives, Chip’s book Thin Places, describes and leads the reader towards a startling end question: “are you all-in when it comes to your relationships with God, or content sitting on the sidelines?”
Thin Places is a collection of 17 stories, formatted and spoken more like journal entries, which describe some of these collisions between Chip and God – either directly or indirectly – and how they have compelled him to reflect on the actuality of the presence of God in our everyday lives. As a reader, you are taken through these entries and left to ponder this account of these God-happenings, while also being asked to consider your own run-ins with thin places between yourself and God.
One of the more positive notes about Thin Places is the set of questions (just three) which appear at the end of each entry. It almost creates a devotional-like approach to the book which allows you to take time and process not only the content of the entry, but your own response to God and life at these moments.
Though, there’s not a need to reflect. The format of the entries, and brevity of Thin Places (156pgs) allows you to read as fast or as slow as you’d like. I was able to finish the entire book in about 6hrs – but have it already scheduled to be read again, and take some different approaches towards some of those entries which struck my heart a bit hard.
On the negative side, some readers might find the swapping between journal/entries and teaching paragraphs a bit jarring. Much of Chip’s career as a pastor-teacher shines through, and while its helpful to get those teaching moments, some might feel that these might have been better left towards another edition of Thin Places, or even an end-chapter lesson for each entry.
Overall, I have to give a hearty recommendation to Thin Places. It is probably not a book for everyone – but it is the kind of book that almost anyone can get something from. In some respects, it reminds me of a few books which claim spirituality, but it offers that grounding in Christ without option that so many of those books often bring. About the only thing missing from Thin Places is a version for mobile devices/Kindles. I’m sure that will come in time given how much God’s already moved this project forward.
For more information about the author, and to purchase Thin Places, visit Chip Furr’s website.
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MMM Top 10 Posts of 2010
Wednesday, December 29th, 2010#10: Agapage – Internal Church/Org Paging
Proving that there’s still room in mobile for past solutions, Agapage’s church/org paging product showed some of the more innovative tools to come into the mobile space for local church communities this year.
#9: How I’m Using My iPad
It took MMM a while to jump on the iPad bandwagon, but when we did, the response here and on Twitter took off.
#8: Book Review – Thin Places by Chip Furr
A brother who has become a consistant supporter of MMM, his book review here has been a common visit not only for its content, but for its impact.
#7: More Accountability Software
An area that’s getting more and more attention as people are going mobile. How do we take steps to be accountable in such a personal domain?
#6: What is Mobile Ministry?
This year, putting forth a definition of mobile ministry. Next year, well, you’ll have to walk with us and others to see what happens there.
#5: Mike Milton’s Lessons from the 2010 Lausanne Conference
One of the largest gatherings of believers from all over the world in the last three decades. Lausanne presented an opportunity to see and learn from the world’s Christian faith community.
#4: The Evangelical Exegetical Commentary As a Sign of Publishing’s Future
We talk a lot about trends here, and this post highlighting the Evangelical Exegetical Commentary seemed to strike a nerve with many of you. Lots more changes like this to occur in this space.
#3: The Future of Bible Software
Similar to the previous item, talking about something that’s been near and dear to digital faith causes some ripples. This post has constantly ranked high in terms of views since it was published.
#2: Compairson Thoughts on iPad and Bible Study Apps
Showing some of the attention that the iPad has garnered, this post not only strokes the aspect of what applications to use but also how we go about studying.
#1: Bibles for Mobile Devices
The best (hey, we’re biased) listing of free, paid, and open source Bible software for mobile devices. This list has seen several updates this year and points to one very obvious entry point for digitial faith initiatives.
That’s our top 10, what about you? What posts or topics from MMM in 2010 have most impacted you? Speak up in the comments or on Twitter (@mobileminmag).
Tags: 2010, accountability, Agapage, apps, bible software, bibles, Chip Furr, iPad, Lausanne Global Congress, mike milton, mobile accountability software, paging, SMS, The Future of Bibles Report, the future of publishing, Thin Places, top 10, Twitter
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