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What do you read or what have you read?
Other than Bible study, what types of books or articles have you read lately and why?
They can be Christian based, general educational, historical, entertainment, or. . . well, you get the idea.
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Joey |
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January 11, 2008 at 3:03pm |
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Reading: newspaper, poetry, Novel Voices, Bible, Devotional
To Read: Approximately 100 books now
what about you, buster brown? |
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Cheryl |
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January 11, 2008 at 3:04pm |
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| I read something about a southern girl, oh yeah: Grits and Gravy. good southern christian love story. Also reading The Power of a Praying Wife and The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie O'Martain~excellent reads! As of Monday when college starts again I will be reading about the History of the United States!!! Sounds exciting huh???!!! LOL |
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Cheryl |
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January 11, 2008 at 3:05pm |
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Bible....oops
(thanks Joey for the reminder) |
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STUSHI |
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January 11, 2008 at 3:10pm |
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| I don't read that much apart from the Holy Word but I used to love Shakespeare!! can you believe it??? I now just read the Word and listen to the Spirit! Joey I am glad you are with us, Love you all, Stu. |
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Gene |
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January 11, 2008 at 3:17pm |
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My turn. I'm currently reading a book called "Spirit on Fire: The Life and Vision of Teilhard De Chardin." He was a Jesuit Priest that was involved in geology, paleontology and who wrote such works and essays as The Divine Milieu and The Hymn of Earth. He was in the trenches of WWI as a stretcher bearer and in China during the early parts of WWII.
I'm also reading for fun the Harry Potter Series. I'm on book three.
We are reading through "Companions in Christ" a study series in my small group at church. It's analyzes what it is we do as Christians in five basic areas - Christian walk, study, prayer, service and outreach.
And, just for something else to do I'm just starting a book that I think is called "The Forgotten Genocide." It's about the Russian decimation of the German people in occupied lands after WWII. |
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Gene |
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January 11, 2008 at 3:20pm |
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Good stuff, Joey.
Cheryl. I've heard a number of women at church say wonderful things about "The Power of a Praying Wife."
I believe Thou speaketh the truth, kind Stuart! Shakespeare has a way with words. |
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| Umm, let's see. I'm reading A Generous Orthodoxy by McClaren. He's a good author, I like it so far. The Genesis Record by Dr. Henry Morris (though now my buddy Jason's gone and made me feel like a flat-earther). Reading Treasure of the Incas by Henty to my kids. Safely Home by Randy Alcorn, b/c my wife made me. Our small group is getting started on Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pastor Pete Scazzero. And for my devotions right now I'm going through Wiersbe's Be Basic (Genesis). There are a couple of other books around here that I pick up from time to time as well, but I don't see them and can't remember what they are. How's that? |
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Gene |
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January 11, 2008 at 5:28pm |
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Whew! Mike, that's a heady list! I've seen the first one but haven't read it. It's on my to-read list.
And I've got a feeling that Jason would make each of us look like we're flat-earthers or flat-liners. |
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| lol..heady? I was thinking the same thing about you, Mr Teilhard De Chardin reader. :-) |
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Gene |
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January 11, 2008 at 6:08pm |
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Marcella, you are soooo funny! (balloon lady reads gene's blogs. . . )
Those sound like great books. Anything special in either of them? |
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Gene |
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January 11, 2008 at 6:16pm |
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| Teilhard is the book for our book club. Yes, it's a bit heady (but way cool!). It's also a short read - and it has pictures! Right up my alley! |
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| lol.... I love you, Gene! |
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Gene |
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January 11, 2008 at 6:43pm |
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| Marcella, are you in health care? That book sounds like something that our church president might have read. He manages a skilled care facility. I'll have to ask him. |
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Gene |
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January 11, 2008 at 6:59pm |
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So just keep the trash picked up and you'll be a lot healthier, right! :)
Seriously, I'll have to ask him about the book. It sounds really interesting. |
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Gene: Marcella, are you in health care?
Marcella:Gene, No! We are in trash care lol. We own a sanitation co.
Gene: So just keep the trash picked up and you'll be a lot healthier, right! :)
This, folks, is why I keep coming back for more MyChurch!! LOL |
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So glad you asked, Gene. I am singing the praises of an awesome book I think every married couple, and every person getting married should read. It is called "Love and Respect" by Emerson Eggerichs, and some wonderful lovely lady on here sent me it...was used of God to get it into my hands. It basically is the principle based around the Scripture about "Husbands love your wives, wives respect your husbands...". The gist of it is that there is a cycle: when husbands are not given unconditional respect (yes, UNCONDITIONAL) then the husbands end up being unloving,and when husbands act unloving, wives react with disrespect. So I must choose to unconditionally respect my husband, and then eventually he will love me the way I desire. It is sooooooooooooo amazing! Such a simple concept, but it has the power to transform my marriage! and my life! Oh, and I just finished a little fictional Christian romance novel called "Special delivery". It was just an escape, really. |
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| Hey Lara, we read that one in our small group, I second the recommendation! When I first picked it up I thought it was pop psych or trite spirituality. Come on man, nobody can write an entire book based on one short passage of scripture!! Well, the Eggman did it! Ok, so there is a lot of repitition, but it's ok. There's enough compelling material in there to make it a very worthwhile read. And really, the last section on the "Rewarded Cycle" was what I was hoping the entire book was gonna be like. Great recommendation Lara! |
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Norm |
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January 11, 2008 at 8:42pm |
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Actually my wife would say someone could (write an entire book based on one short passage of scripture), but then she's read "Madman" and then borrowed it to someone else before I could get to it. I've been depressed because I haven't been able to focus on reading nearly as much as I have in the past. I've been way too busy. And so instead I'll get stuck right in the middle of books and then get buried in another book. Books, I finished in the last month or am in the middle of at present A Time To Murder - Lawrence Block Your Money Map - Howard Dayton Reasonable Faith - William Lane Craig A Case For Faith - Lee Strobel The Bourne Identity - Robert Ludlum Scooter - Mick Foley Transfer Of Power - Vince Flynn |
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Norm |
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January 11, 2008 at 8:51pm |
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By the way, given the definition threads lately I thought this was going to be a blog on whether it was pronounced "red" or "reed". You say tomato, I say tomato. What's the problem? By the way if you read that and actually changed the way "tomato" sounded you should go back and re-read it. That's not what was written. :) |
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| Hey all. I am currently reading Cure for a Common Life - Max Lucado; When Heaven Invades Earth - Bill Johnson; Letters to a Son Concerning Leadership - Graeme Lauridsen; Dreaming with God - Bill Johnson; and some book about demons! By Kenneth Hagin.... and of course THE Book which I read with my husband in the morning. And with my kids I am really enjoying Hinds Feet on High Places - the children's addition. They love it. |
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OK I'm suddenly thinking I'm kind of 1 dimensional for the last 6 months. Most of my reading is either the Bible or about the Bible. then there's news. many BLOGS here have had very helpful. Amazingly Al'Jazeera does a great job of covering up coming elections. now investigating Congressional races and Senatorial races is a little overwhelming. I recently read a book by Bob Yandian entitled you have a ministry. it's a short but potent read.
'cause in reality we do all have a ministry.
Blessings,
Dave |
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| Oh yeah not long ago I read a bunch of testimnail BLOGS by a guy named Gene. |
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Joey |
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January 11, 2008 at 10:17pm |
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| I love to read blogs. I watch the board for blogs and have favorites that I go back to just because... |
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Gene |
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January 12, 2008 at 9:23am |
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Thanks, folks. You're all great!
This is one thing our book club does is not just read but offer suggestions. We had one we were reading called Cultural Amnesia. It got a lot of hype but it's the author's view on why he likes certain people/ Only a few of the sections are even wholly about that person. We stopped after about 4 sections. |
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Deb |
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January 12, 2008 at 9:37am |
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| Let me see if I can remember everything I am reading right now...I am reading Max Lucado's devotional bible, using the two year reading plan in the front of it. Just started into the second year. I am also reading He Chose the Nails, by Max Lucado. I am also reading For Women Only, by Shaunti Feldhahn, Hope, Pure and simple by Max Lucado, Living above the Level of Mediocrity by Charles Swindoll, and my current fiction reading is The Replacement, by Susan Wales, and Robin Shope. I love reading fiction, "inspirational" mystery type books. They have no bad language in them, which is something that is important to me. Plus I just love a good mystery. I also have several e-mail devotionals that I get, and also have three different daily devotional books that I am reading too. |
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Gene |
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January 12, 2008 at 9:54am |
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| Max has some really good stuff out there. Deb, with the greenhouse shut down I suppose you have a bit of time to read now, don't you? Wow! What a list. |
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Dana |
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January 12, 2008 at 5:53pm |
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At the moment I am reading "Sprugeon at his best" 2200 quotes of Charles Spurgeon. He inspires me and stirs questions in me...and causes me to think deeply. I'm a deep thinker anyway. It is so good that I have been reading it a a few days and am only on page 75. I've been taking a lot of notes in my journal. My son says I just need to copy and paste it because I'm making notes on the whole book. LOL!
I read a lot of books. Mostly spiritual books that interest me. I want to learn something when I read. I don't read non educational books. Sometimes I think I'm too serious.
"It is the very joy of this earthly life to think that it will come to an end." Charles Spurgeon |
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What have I read recently beside listening the Bible in my Ipod? Well, I started reading the book "Deception" from a Christian author and I read the news online everyday, especially The Drudge Report www.drudgereport.com ;-) |
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Cheryl |
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January 12, 2008 at 6:32pm |
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| Their is this guy that wares a red sweater and never moves, he writes these uh...yeah blogs and I read them. Also a friend came over last night (yes~Gene and probably Mike, I have a friend! LOL) and we got to talking about the town of Ardmore in Oklahoma. I gave her a copy of my dad's book and then I reread my copy last night while I stayed up all night!!! His book is INCONCEIVABLE DANGER (sorry, not yelling, the book is all caps!) by Dale Ford. I feel safe enough on this site to say he was a undercover narcotics detective. He tells about how my mom's prayers saved his life many times. Great read and not because I am related!!! LOL |
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Brent |
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January 12, 2008 at 9:13pm |
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| I am reading "When Heaven Weeps" by Ted Decker.
I am enjoying the Family Life Portrait series that starts with the Puritans and follows a family line through many significant events of American History.
I have also recently read "Waking the Dead" by the author of "Wild at Heart" |
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Gene |
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January 13, 2008 at 1:34pm |
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Dana, Mike and I were laughing about "heady reading." I think you win. The journal is a great idea. Do you mark in the margins too or just the journal? What about graphic books?
Lourdes, you are reading electronically mostly? Anything analog? lol
Cheryl, Isn't Ardmore also the town with the last great western lynching? I seem to recall a story about that and can't remember which Oklahoma town it was. I'll have to see if I can find your dad's book.
Brent, I've heard about "Waking the Dead." How was it? |
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Cheryl |
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January 13, 2008 at 2:00pm |
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| Gene, my brother in Christ, I haven't kept up with the last great western lynching;however they have a great ice cream shop there. Thats why I go~uh...for the culture and fat! LOL |
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Gene |
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January 13, 2008 at 2:57pm |
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| Cheryl, If they have a great Vanilla and cookie dough I'm there! |
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| I love to read! Besides the Bible, which I read every day because I write devotionals, I am currently reading Let Us Pray by Watchman Nee; Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts Study Guide by Jerry Bridges (for one of my small groups); Serving Like Christ ( a series another small group is doing); One Thing You Can't Do in Heaven by Mark Cahill; The SoulWinner by Charles Spurgeon; Exploring Worship by Bob Sorge. I like to read Frank Perretti for recreation, I also like James Patterson, although it's been years since I picked up one of his books. I also like to read true crime novels, I like that forensics and case cracking stuff! |
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Gene |
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January 15, 2008 at 12:41pm |
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| I've read the first three of Peretti's Gathering Darkness series. I keep thinking that they would make a great movie. So you must also be a CSI fan as well? |
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Cheryl |
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January 16, 2008 at 12:08pm |
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| I love Peretti. He is talented. I found the book 90 minutes in heaven, and have not put it down! It is a good read and I love the closeness I feel to the Lord through it. During his description of heaven I am just in awe and can't wait to get there. May the rapture come soon!!!! Love~ |
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I can't read..... I seem to be able to type, though....... |
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Gene |
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January 16, 2008 at 4:51pm |
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Cheryl,
One of the things that is so great about Peritti's books is that they are novels and they tell truths without being dry or expository. In much the way that parables are able to be grasped, a good novel will reveal a lot to the reader.
Jess, You are funny!
At least you can read the title to the blog - lol |
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Cheryl |
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January 16, 2008 at 8:06pm |
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| So true! Jesus taught and reached in parables; it is THE great teaching method due to the relation it touches in a person and we learn 90% more by teaching material or through a parable/story! |
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Maybe a bit late on this one but here's mine:
Just finished-- When Heaven Invades Earth by Bill Johnson, At Ease by Dwight Eisenhower, The Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter) by J.K. Rowling, and Listen to Me, Satan, by Carlos Annacondia (autobiography)
Currently reading--Prophetic Evangelism by Rich Harris, Healing Earthbound Eagles by Rodney Kingstone, The Fourth Millenium by Paul Meier, and Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
Next to read--Dangerous Nation by Robert Kagan, and The War in Europe by Dwight Eisenhower |
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Actually I like CSI, but I don't always get to watch the show (hubby normally has remote, heehee). I do like watching shows like The New Detectives, Cold Case Files, City Confidential, Forensic Files, etc.
The first Perretti book I ever read was "Monster" and then my co-worker recommended "This Present Darkness" and I was hooked. It was a great read and I neglected housework and family in order to finish the book the weekend I read it. I was sad when I finished it... |
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Thanks for asking Gene ... besides scriptures... in my present, am reading blogs here as of late mostly. Finished Gene's WONDERFUL testimony here... and have been looking for others.
Lara recommended I read about the life of Roland Buck.... a man who had encounters with Angels. Found a link... and the book 'Angels On Assignment'... which speaks of his encounters.
Besides reading what I am inspired to do research for.... recently was given the book 'Creating Moments of Joy for the person with Alzheimer's and Dementia', by the daughter of my friend who has Alzheimer's.... and was led to check out from the Library the book, 'Natural Remodeling for the No-So-Green House... bringing your home into Harmony with nature'. Lots of pics. Natural, simple, balanced, frugal living seems to be His revealed will for us.
The Spiritual books I read before falling asleep, as I like my focus to have been on HIM a while before falling asleep and the lighter/pic reading I read while I'm in the bathroom,  it amazes me I feel free enough here with you all to have said that. (I feel a sense of family here and Gene's blog is a space where one can be transparent, he having set the example! Hope no one is offended) |
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Gene |
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January 17, 2008 at 3:57pm |
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Cheryl,
You are so right. We are by nature story tellers and parables and messages in that manner.
Don, you're not too late.
Tell me more about "When Heaven Invades Earth." That sounds interesting.
Don't tell me about "The Deathly hallows." I'm still back a few. . .
When you get to it, tell me about "The War in Europe." I am trying to research a few issues relating to western German events and it may be useful - keep me posted.
Bren, It's so good for you to say such nice things. And don't be worried about saying where you are when you're reading. I'd venture to say that there is a LOT of reading in people's homes in that small one-seater library. :) |
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| Did I forget to mention I read in the tub too *wink* |
 love that one seater! |
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Dana |
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January 18, 2008 at 6:32pm |
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Gene, I mark in the margins of the book. I write what stands out at the top and draw symbols all over the page....in addition to writing it in the journal.
I keep saying I'm going to get the graphic novels from Ted Dekker's "Black", "Red" and "White".
This week, in addition to Spurgeon, I'm reading "Dialogue with God" Opening the door to two-way prayer by Mark and Patti Virkler. |
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Dana |
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January 18, 2008 at 6:35pm |
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| Gene, When Heaven Invades Earth is a good book. EXCELLENT. It was some of my reading material in School Of Ministry. ***Class of 2005!*** |
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| Not too much of a reader, other than the Bible, but I have read a couple of good books, Watchers by Dean Koontz and a book called Walking Taylor Home by Brian Schrauger. It was a true story about a father's fight with God as his son fought with cancer. |
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Kathy |
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January 18, 2008 at 7:07pm |
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Wow! I'm impressed at how many books some people can read at one time! I am such a linear thinker, I generally concentrate on one exclusively, except of course for devotionals, etc. that can be read in bites. I'm currently obsessing over my New Year's resolutions, so I'm spending all my reading time in 1 Chronicles, but Sunday I will begin Bruce Shelley's Church History in Plain Language with a small discipleship group, and I received 4 books for Christmas, which I hope to start soon (when work calms down a little):
David Blight's A Slave No More: Two Men Who Escaped to Freedom
Dagny Barrios' Complete Book of Women's Running
The Devotional Writings of Oswald Chambers (includes My Utmost for His Highest and Daily Thoughts for His Disciples)
The Walker Art Center's Frida Kahlo
Speaking of Peretti, years ago I read This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness and loved them both. How long ago did they come out? Were they his first books? |
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Brent |
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January 18, 2008 at 10:33pm |
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Gene, you asked me back a ways if I liked the book, "Waking The Dead" I truly enjoyed it. He talks about living wholeheartedly and passionately the way God designed us. I wouldn't say I agreed with all of what he talks about just like other books I suppose, but I do believe he has a good backdrop to his story and the way he talks about the condition we can get in by not following Christ wholeheartedly. There are many more things he has to say and I have not done it justice, but the short answer to your questions is, Yes, I did enjoy it. |
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Gene |
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January 20, 2008 at 12:02pm |
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Dana,
I too mark in my books. It helps me remember what I was just reading and acts as a book mark for finding things again. If anyone else reads it, I hope it doesn't bother them too much.
Bren,
No comment..........
Matthew,
Those true stories of strength and courage - Like Walking Taylor Home - are sometimes filled with scriptural truth. God isn't just in the church. he's "out there" among the people. That finds its way into all sorts of books and stories.
Kathy.
You are so non-linear! I've read your blogs. I heard about the book "A Slave No More" on NPR. It's supposedly well written, detailed and quite moving as well. How did you like it? I can't recall if those were Perretti's first books (Darkness series) but the time when I was reading them was about 15-20 years ago. Anyone know the dates? I loaned out the books so I can't check the dates.
Brent,
I'm going to have to get a copy of "Waking the Dead" and read it. This past weekend I was at the church council retreat and we read excerpts from a great book called "Blue Like Jazz." It really shows how Christianity is being viewed outside the church and what has been done to make it real. |
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Kathy |
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January 20, 2008 at 12:50pm |
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| There was a review of Blue Like Jazz in my paper yesterday I think. I thought it sounded like a very interesting read. It was apparently published 5 years ago, but just recently all of a sudden became a best seller. I put it on my "one of these days" list! |
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Glen you asked: "I can't recall if those were Perretti's first books (Darkness series) but the time when I was reading them was about 15-20 years ago. Anyone know the dates?"
A quote from: http://www.frankperetti.com/ is the best answer I can offer for now. I too loaned out my originals. Frank is answering questions from readers:
"The Lord God provides the inspiration for my novels; I write from whatever God has placed upon my heart at that particular time.I've never read the Narnia books, I've always enjoyed Michael Crichton’s work, I don't know the first thing about Paradise Lost, I can't think of a topic for a book that has not yet been addressed.
As for what inspired This Present Darkness, you'll be interested to know that that is the all-time and forever Number One Question I have ever been asked.I have been asked that question millions and zillions and trillions of times since 1986, to the point that my brain shorts out whenever I hear that question and I simply cannot deal with it anymore.Please everyone, for now, forever, do not ask me that question."
Glen that was about the time frame I read it myself....
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Brent |
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January 20, 2008 at 6:56pm |
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Gene, I have heard quotes from Blue Like Jazz.that are interesting to hear in regards to post-modern thinking. It is good to know our culture. I don't know enough to comment on the book as I have only heard quotes. As far as Peretti goes, I read both of those darkness books and loved the imagery. I couldn't put those books down and read them in a day or two. I did not enjoy the following books. He can draw you into his work and feel like you are right there. It is dissappointing to hear is reaction to the book that has touched a lot of lives. I am sure he gets tired of answering those questions, but the readers don't know that. Have a a great week!! |
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I mean Gene not glen  |
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Gene |
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January 20, 2008 at 8:08pm |
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Bren,
It's OK. . there there. . . lol
Brent, Kathy,
The Author of Blue Like Jazz is Don Miller. A quote from what we read ( pp 216-216):
"The problem with Christian community was that we had ethics, we used rules and laws and principles to judge each other against. There was love in Christian community, but it was conditional love. Sure we called it unconditional, but it wasn't. There were bad people in the world and good people in the world. We were raised to believe this. If people were bad, we treated then as though they were evil or charity: If they were bad and rich, they were evil. If they were bad and poor, they were charity. Christianity was always right; we were always looking down on everybody else. And I hated this. I hated it with a passion. Everything in my soul told me it was wrong....... I wanted tolerance.... Hatred seemed, to me, the product of ignorance. I was tired of biblical ethic being used as a tool with which to judge people rather than heal them. I was tired of Christina leaders using biblical principles to protect their power, to draw a line in the sand separating the good army from the bad one. . . . "
I think I hear this being echoed all other the land - including a number of places here on MyChurch. |
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Kathy |
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January 20, 2008 at 8:29pm |
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| hmmm - sounds like my blogs . . . :) |
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Gene |
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January 21, 2008 at 9:29am |
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Kathy, you are so right!
PT, That book was written about a decade ago; but, the subject still seems to be relevant. The fact that such a comment is even applicable speaks to the whole changing of our church culture.
There is another I can suggest. I have not read it yet but plan to get a copy. It is, Does the Future Have A Church? I have a pastor friend who highly recommends it. |
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Kathy |
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January 21, 2008 at 9:30am |
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| lol Pastor Tim! Sounds like it was written just for you! (Look back at your title!) Actually it sounds very interesting! |
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MartyD |
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January 23, 2008 at 11:39am |
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Reading: The Living Church(John Stott), Going the Distance(Peter Brain), Job(unkown author but God-breathed nonetherless) To Read: too many on my bookshelf to name |
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Gene |
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January 23, 2008 at 4:02pm |
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Cheryl, you are such a silly!
Marty,
I've read that book - it was a couple of years ago but I seem to recall that it had a lot of good information in it and did a pretty good job of addressing the current way world society looks at the church as how we need to be able to relate. |
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Dana |
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February 03, 2008 at 2:29pm |
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Daddy Gene, I got Tedd Dekker's graphic novels (all three). A must have for any Tedd Dekker and or SciFi fan.
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