(The Promised Land played by Allison Overton)
In the early 1970’s, the author (Papaw) and his wife (Mammy) went through a crisis of faith that they could not ignore. They were working every moment of available time in their local church while raising three sons. They were experiencing what is called burnout! Yet as they understood their faith, burnout should not be a part of their Christian life. Something was obviously wrong!
Papaw said, “I just don’t have any joy in my life anymore! I am constantly tired, can’t work any harder and don’t have time to seek help!” Mammy responded, “Are you sure you are drawing upon the strength of our Lord instead of trying to do everything yourself? Are you spending time with the Lord and seeking direction from His word?”
This really irritated Papaw because he did not see how he could possibly find time to start reading the Bible and spend time seeking God’s direction. He was too busy in ministry at the Church and everyone was encouraging him to keep up the good work. Surely God was pleased that he gave of himself so unselfishly by training other workers, teaching, taking boys on campouts, sponsoring sports activities like canoeing, archery, track, basketball, etc. This was all good clean application of what Papaw understood Christianity should be about.
In desperation, Papaw and Mammy decided to discontinue their “church jobs” and honestly and objectively seek what true Christianity was really about. During the next year, they spent their available time reading and studying the Bible and other Christian books. They also learned to truly pray and worship. This, they discovered is how to experience true Christianity. The reader of this book must do the same to experience Christianity rather than collect knowledge about Christianity.
Mammy and Papaw dubbed this time as their spiritual sabbatical. They continued to attend Church services and participate in fellowships but resisted taking any responsibilities. Approximately a year later, Papaw was asked if he would take charge of the Church training time. This was traditionally an hour each Sunday just prior to the evening worship time. After discussing the matter with Mammy, Papaw contacted the Church office and agreed to assume the responsibility if he could teach what he had learned the past year rather than a canned program handed down by the Church. Since no one else would take the job, the Church agreed to try Papaw’s proposal.
This book on Christian basics is based upon personal experiences of many years of teaching a course about the Basics of Christianity which grew out of their sabbatical. Papaw has attempted to make the instructions easily understood for new Christians and for those seasoned Christians, like himself, who want to truly experience their Christianity. The PowerPoint slides that Papaw uses in the course are all included in this book. A CD in the back of the book also includes the slides and the reader is welcome to use the slides to promote basic Christianity.
Christianity can only be experienced through trusting faith! One must believe that God exists and will reward those that search for Him. The Bible is the source of information about God and Christianity. God’s Spirit inspired the writers of the Bible and will assist the Christian in its study and understanding.
