Grija de Frati

by Simon Schrock

Epoca moderna a adus in inimile oamenilor multa teama si incertitudine. Astazi am ajuns sa-i cunoastem foarte bine si sa-i indragim pe aceia care au pasit in spatiul cosmic, dar ramanem orbi fata de suspinurile celor ce calca alaturi de noi in praful pamantului. Revistele ne spun totul despre „personalitatile” lumii, despre regi si regine, despre actori si cantareti, despre sportivi si recordmeni, dar cine-i mai baga in seama pe aceia care n-au incaput inca sub lumina reflectoarelor? Societatea citadina ne-a adunat in complexe de apartamente betonate, in care ne ducem existenta ca in veritabile cazemate. Odinioara, cand traiam la sate sau la mahala, ii stiam pe toti cei de pe strada. Astazi nu ne mai cunoastem nici macar veciniii de palier. Am reusit paradoxul de a ne aduna pentru a ne instraina si mai mult unul de altul. Ne inghesuim in autobuz, in tramvaie, asteptand la cozi sau pe stadioane, dar traim singuratici, nebagati in seama de altii si neluandu-i in seama pe cei din jur. Ceea ce e si mai trist, am ajuns sa ne simtim singuri si in Biserici. Avem sali spatioase, coruri mari, orchestre numeroase, statii de amplificare, dar nu ne mai auzim gemand unul pe celalalt si nu ne mai cunoastem. Am ajuns sa confundam calitatea cu cantitatea si ne-am pierdut in eforturi dedicate lucrurilor exterioare. Suntem obositi, epuizati si totusi constienti ca n-am facut inca ceea ce trebuie. Ceva lipseste din viata noastra. Abundenta exterioara ne-a saracit launtric. Ne traim fiecare egoismul nostru ingust si nedand nimic altora ne saracim in mod tragic pe noi insine. Ce-i de facut? Eu cred ca ne mai putem intoarce din drum si ca suntem chemati spre o alta forma de viata in care sa ne simtim toti membrii unei familii armonioase si pline de iubire. A venit vremea sa ne intoarcem la un stil de viata simplu si practic... la bune relatii cu ceilalti... la omenie si la intr-ajutorare frateasca! Daniel Branzei

156 pages, Unknown Binding

First published October 28, 1986

About the author

Born in 1936 in Oakland, Maryland, to Amish parents, Simon became a Christian and a member of the Amish Mennonite Church. During his childhood years, he knew the serenity of life in rural Appalachia, attending a one room school and a country church.

After his marriage to Eva Lena Yoder, they moved to the Washington, D.C. area and felt the contrast of the smoky, noisy city. He began passing out Christian literature as he moved about the city. The death of his young wife and unborn daughter led him through some deep soul-searching, but ultimately deepened his commitment to Christ. Later he and Pauline [Polly] Yoder were married and have three children and five grandsons.

In 1968 Simon was introduced to a Christian bookrack ministry. He began dreaming of providing good literature for travelers passing through the Washington National Airport, and placed his first inspirational books in the airport during that year. Over the years this grew into a larger bookrack ministry expanding into more airports and other retail store across the nation. As this vision and ministry grew it formed a Board of Directors. Simon then became the President of Choice Books of Northern Virginia, which is one of seven Choice Books distributor partners of Choice Books LLC whose central office is located in Harrisonburg Virginia. Choice Books’ vision is to provide inspirational reading in the secular market place where people go shopping. The goal of Choice Books is reflected in its mission statement, “To share the “good news” of Jesus Christ in the general market place through inspiring and wholesome reading material”.

Out of Simon’s concern to provide wholesome inspirational reading material, he has written eight books and over a hundred articles published in various Christian publications. He lives on the cutting edge of his denomination and participates in evangelistic preaching, writing, and speaking engagements. It is from this perspective that Simon writes. He is a warmhearted Christian whose life exemplifies what it means to live in obedience to Christ. Simon believes that life at its best includes a commitment to the lordship of Jesus Christ. He has been pastor of Faith Christian Fellowship since 1977. He is presently battling cancer and is grateful for God’s sustaining grace and for each new day God gives him.

Reviews

[Zack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice book with a lot of interesting old-fashioned illustrations/examples. I really enjoyed the straightforward, simple (direct/blunt) approach to giving advice/exhortations. Rooted in Scripture, too. Nothing innovative, stylistically, but that's okay. There are a couple moments in the books that really stood out to me as particularly valuable and well said, but overall this is a pretty average or "just above-average" kind of book, thus 3/5. I would recommend it to others, however, if they happened to be looking for a solid little (but not too heavy, theologically or "therapeutic") book on how Christians ought to treat one another.

[Victoria (hotcocoaandbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very encouraging, giving great examples of why we must love people even when it is hard to. Simon Schrock gives advice on how to deal with various situations with complete scriptural backing. He tells us how to uplift others and how to deal with hard people.

I find this challenging (in a very good sense) and hope that living out "One Anothering" by putting it into practice will get only easier for me, because it is hard! I know it will be worth it though.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A verry inspired book! Simon Schrock made his creation a huge advice for me.I hope that every people who reads this book to be moved like I was!God bless the author of this blessed book!