Have you ever gone on a God Hunt? A God Hunt begins when you teach yourself to look for God’s hand at work in the every day occurrences of your life. Here’s one of my personal God Hunt Sightings:
In Budapest, I began discussing with a friend what I’d been reading about the discoveries in brain science. We were attending a church and health track of a large Congress where an assortment of leaders from European organizations were gathering. Because she is a healthcare professional herself, she recommended several books she had found amazing on the same topic. I made a point of ordering her recommendations from Amazon.com.
One of the books that topped her list was How God Changes Your Brain: Breakthrough Findings from a Leading Neuroscientist. I am eager to plumb its contents. The back-cover copy quotes are enticing:
“Andrew Newberg and Mark Robert Waldman give us a magnificent, comprehensive explanation of how spiritual beliefs and experiences enhance changes in our brains and yield better health and well-being. This book brings science and religion closer together.”
Now what intrigues me about this book is the fact that neither of the co-authors claims to be a practicing Christian! They are purely looking at what the scientific data reveals about how the brain functions in areas regarding spiritual faith. The book, consequently, is not a tract, nor is it propaganda for developing a belief system—although both scientists show that studies strongly indicate that a belief in God is great for mental, physical, and spiritual health.
This Sunday, I am supposed to preach in church on practicing the God Hunt—a topic I have addressed over and over again for decades. But, I too (a seriously practitioner of Christianity and an avid follower of Jesus Christ) believe that we reach heights of well-being (even though we transit through wretched circumstances) when we practice the tenants of faith.
I’ve wanted to find the scientific rationale that proves what I suspect is true, and this book seems to be exactly what I need. Again, from back-cover copy—one blurb:
“Intense prayer and meditation lastingly change numerous structures and functions in the brain, altering your values and the way you perceive reality.”
AND—I have two days to read and underline the book. I should be able to find exactly what I need before this Sunday. The right book at the right time for the right topic.
I spy God!
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Award-winning author Karen Mains has long had an interest in spiritual formation and the obedient Christian walk. She has written about the God Hunt in her book by the same name, The God Hunt: The Delightful Chase and the Wonder of Being Found. A hardback copy can be ordered from Mainstay Ministries for $10.00 plus $4.95 shipping and handling. Contact Karen at info@mainstayministries.org and she will be happy to autograph a copy for you.
Karen continues to write content for her Christian blog, “Thoughts-by-Karen-Mains.” In so doing, she desires to touch the lives of Christian women and men and help them find ways to walk closer with the Lord Jesus Christ. In addition, through silent retreats, spiritual teaching, women’s retreats, Christian vacation opportunities, and other ministry activities, Karen helps each Christian woman and man receive vital spiritual food.
Through her Hungry Souls ministry, Karen serves as a spiritual coach to many Christian women and men, and teaches a mentor-writing class. And, through the Global Bag Project, she is working to develop a network of African women who sew exquisite cloth reusable shopping bags, Africa bags. This micro-finance women opportunity helps provide a much-needed sustainable income for struggling African families. For more information on this critically important project, please click here.
For decades, Karen and her husband, David, have served God through religious communications—radio, television, and print publication. They are the co-authors of the Kingdom Tales Trilogy: Tales of the Kingdom, Tales of the Resistance, and Tales of the Restoration. To find many valuable resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries main website, please click here.
Likewise, pastors will find special resources to help them prepare effective, life-transforming Sunday sermons by visiting David Mains’ website by clicking here.
