My friend, Ellis Potter, former Buddhist monk and L’Abri Worker, now pastor in Basel, Switzerland, has published a book of short statements worth discussing. “Some people,” Ellis notes, “use the thoughts as mealtime devotionals, which can start good conversations.” Or they can be included in your weekday routine of quiet meditation. Each is no more than 100 words. And Ellis has written one for every weekday in a calendar year. Thus, Christian Thoughts for Weekdays.
Our Brother’s Keeper. Many Christians have been stressed under the weight of being their brother’s keeper. God did not tell Cain he was his brother’s keeper. Cain knew that only God can keep us, so he was cynically asking “Am I God to my brother?” Everyone makes their own responses and lives with the consequences. Our responsibility is to love our brother and pray God to keep them. We must care for each other, support and pray for each other, but not keep each other. We are not our brother’s keeper …. it is hard enough to be their brother. [p. 164]
Some of Ellis’s “Thoughts” are provocative, and all are meant to cause us to think and reflect. And to challenge us to think deeply about things we tend to take for granted.
Ascension Day. On Ascension Day we remember that Jesus was taken up and a cloud hid Him. This cloud was not water vapor but the Shekinah Glory of God. Jesus went into dimensions of reality which we cannot see but He did not go far away. He had said two things that fit together: “I am going away” and “I am always with you.” Heaven is the supernatural dimensions of reality, which are in the same place as the natural dimensions like height is in the same place as length and width. Jesus is ascended and right here with us. May God use the presence of Jesus to comfort and challenge us. Amen. [p. 224]
Some entries may introduce new ideas and interpretations. Some may pose disagreement. For example, “Believe and be Baptized,” does that for me. My brother Ellis and I happen to hold very different understandings of the biblical doctrine of baptism. The difference matters. And some may remind you of truths and insights you have long known and believed and need to think about some more.
The Least Faith. People become Christians because of many reasons, emotions and circumstances. One reason for believing Christianity is that it takes less faith to believe in it than to believe in anything else. Faith is needed but faith like a mustard seed, not faith like a coconut. Our faith can be small but living and growing and bearing fruit because Christianity gives clear answers to more questions than other faith systems. It takes more faith to believe that people are good or evolution or communism or rationalism or materialism or astrology. Choose the rational faith. Choose Christianity. [p.199.]
It is good to be made to think. And to think again. This book does that, and that is more than enough to recommend it to you. Think. Think again. And think deeply.
And so may the God of Truth be honored by his people.
Book Recommended: Christian Thoughts for Weekdays by Ellis Potter (Destinee Media; 2025) 317 pages.
As always, we recommend you order this book from Hearts and Minds Books.
Photo credit: the author with his iPhone.
