[ life a.d. ]

   So I love reading. SO much. And since being home, my biggest comfort has been having the time to reeeeaad. I'm now realizing how much I'd missed it.

   Ted Dekker is by far one of the most brilliant writers [in my opinion] and is definitely my favorite. I'm currently in the world of "The Circle" series -- which is phenomenal. The way he's able to spin these mind blowing, outofthisworld stories is just beyond me. Sometimes I'm convinced he's mental, just because of the things he comes up with. But in a good way, of course. haha.

   Right. So. Basically it took me a little while to figure out that the story is a parallel of the Bible. Creation, the fall, Jesus dying, etc.

   There's one part in there that really got me thinking. After the character representing Jesus dies, and His followers in the desert have been running away from enemies for so long, some begin to have issues with their lifestyle, basically questioning whether living that way was what Jesus really wanted for them, and started bringing up other ideas.

   It reminded me of how the churches reacted, and why Paul wrote letters to them, giving them clear/firm correction and instruction. They began to split and come up with different ideas, essentially going their own ways. Or twist things Jesus said or did.

   I've often wondered what it was like for the disciples after He left. After spending 24.7 with Him, having His immediate guidance [although sometimes it was pretty vague to them] -- then having to figure how the whole Holy Spirit thing worked and communicate with God in that way. I just wonder how big of an adjustment that would have been; how much they struggled. I can't imagine.

   I think it's easier for us to communicate through the Holy Spirit now because that's all we've known. I mean, not that it's easy. It CAN be, if you practice and recognize His voice clearly. But even then, the voice of the enemy, of others, and even our own tends to get in the way.

   Food for thought.