Monday, November 22, 2010

RECOMMENDATION: Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy

Hey, I hope you'll think about reading the recent biography by Eric Metaxas called Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy

The biography reads more like a novel at times. Yeah, it's a thorough and scholarly work, but Metaxas (also the author of Amazing Grace about William Wilberforce) tells the story of Dietrich's life in a personal and passionate way.  Dietrich has blazed a trail for those of us today who see dark cultural storm clouds looming and growing black overhead.  Dietrich's life not only teaches but shows us that God is real, that we who are His children have no need for any fear, even should we be imprisoned or killed, and that instead we should shine like stars in the night, diligent to help the Church and do each day's simple task with a spirit of gratitude, though faced with terrorists above and below.

POEM: Dietrich Bonhoeffer: A Firework

Resolutely you rose into the evening air
Through the deepening darkness
You shouted louder and louder

Don't hide a candle in days of hardness
A rocket must go up and always higher
Come! Rise with me to my Father's house!

For where I'm going you can come later
The truth will make a path always
The truth is Alive--He's the Word, the Shepherd.

Suddenly the screaming rocket lights:
Death is dancing with Dietrich Bonhoeffer--

A brightness shines over a thousand hills,

Sparks rain down for a century after

Yet there is also a sudden silence.




Oh, light my fuse too, fiery Word
That I may fly to heaven like that one did.