Target Focus

On Haloween night, sometime around midnight, my roommate released her self-published biography of Martin Luther, titled Martin Luther, Reformation Rebel. It's a short story aimed at a younger audience but a good read for all ages. For those who are familiar with Reformation Period history it's rather like a walk down memory lane, as she mentions many key leaders on both sides of the Reformation at the time. It's intelligently written and displays a clear understanding of Martin Luther's personal perceptions about his work. It's a narrative told from Luther's perspective, so it naturally bears a bit of bias on the side of the Reformers, but an excellent, interactive way to learn or revisit that period of history.

The part that stood out to me the most was (go figure) a short anecdote about Luther's dog. Martin Luther remarked upon his hound's complete focus on a piece of meat his master held out for him. The dog's entire attention was wrapped around that piece of meat, his head following its every movement. This is the kind of single-mindedness that I observe in Prada when I put the harness on her, or when I hold a tennis ball or oven mit out for her to play with. Today I took her to a choir festival up in Birmingham, but opted to leave her in the audience when I went on stage with the UAH choir. My directors husband held her leash while I headed out to the warm-up room and Prada gave me this look that clearly said "why is my world walking away from me?"

This is how I picture the ideal relationship between a Christian and Jesus Christ should look. That's what prompted Martin Luther to make the remark about his dog's focus. Paraphrasing, "why can't a believer be as focused on God as this dog is on a piece of meat?"

If you're interested in purchasing the book there are two different options. You can download an ebook or purchase the hardcopy from http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/martin-luther-reformation-rebel/5933950.

"Before the Reformation, the Christian church was almost entirely Roman Catholic--- outwardly united, but inwardly corrupt and troubled. Then one man decided to do something about it, and Christianity was never the same. This is his story. Read it. Decide for yourself what you are willing to risk to change the world."