Als Blog Pastor Al | 26 Feb 2008 02:31 pm
Reading List
One of the things that I want to do in this blog is to share with you what I am reading. I want you to do the same for me. Reading has always been an important part of my life. I do not remember a time when I was not reading. Even when I was a young boy, while others were watching television; I was reading. Books have taken me places that I would not have otherwise been able to go. I have met some fascinating people through books and had some truly wonderful experiences. Books have been my teachers. They challenge me. They confront me. They comfort me. I am always trying to read at least three to four books at any given time and my goal is to read at least one a week. Ask Anne. She just asked me last night about the Amazon charges on the Visa bill. Pray for me, or for her if you are as avid in your reading as I am.
I just finished a fascinating New York Times bestseller by Lawrence Wright called The Looming Tower. It is an insightful analysis of the events that led up to 9/11. It is not encouraging. The book shows the truth of what power does among any people. So much of what happened on 9/11 was the direct result of the failure of communication between the CIA and the FBI. Both had pertinent information related to terrorist work in this country that they were not sharing with one another. They did not want the other to beat them to point. Well, we were beaten to the point by radical fundamentalist Islamic terrorists bent on Jihad. One of the results as you know was the formation of the Department of Homeland Security where so much of this very vital information is consolidated.
Another book that I just finished is by the wonderful Puritan writer, Thomas Watson, Teh Doctrine of Repentance. This 120 page masterpiece on repentance is filled with precious jewels. Here are few samples: “Repentance fits us for mercy . . . God will not save us without repentance, nor yet for it. Repentance is a qualification, not a cause . . . we please God by repentance but we do not satisfy Him by it . . . when a spring of repentance is open in the heart, a spring of mercy is open in heaven . . .sin is a poison. it is dangerous to let poison lie long in the body. Sin is a bruise. If a bruise be not soon cured, it gangrenes and kills . . . there are three days that may bring the time of repentance to expiration: the day of the gospel, the day of grace for the individual and the day of death . . .a moral man is only the old Adam dressed in fine clothes . . .As God has two places He dwells in, heaven and a humble heart, so the devil has two places that he dwells in, hell and a hard heart. it is not falling into water that drowns, but lying in it. It is not falling into sin that damns, but lying in it without repentance.”
I am also delighting in a brand new book by Graham Cole on the Holy Spirit, He Who Gives Life. This book is a wonderful systemization of the biblical teachings on the Holy Spirit. I do “theme” my reading so that for several months I am reading on one subject and for the next few weeks I will be reading on the Holy Spirit. I am also currently perusing again Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem, the best systematic theology that I know and I am revisiting the multi-volume Systematic Theology by Norman Geisler. One of the shapers of modern evangelicalism who was the first editor of “Christianity Today” was Carl F.H. Henry. He wrote a multi-volume systematic theology that I am reading through as well. Part of what I read today was really helpful to me in the ongoing attempts to fit together the work of science with the Word of God. Henry argues that all modern science properly understood is simply an attempt to explain through the analysis of observable phenomenon how a certain entity acts or behaves. Its function is descriptive and not definitive; its work is in the present upon “what is” with little ability to say to us what was or will be accept on the basis of the observations of how certain phenomenon behave. Science thus operates within the confines of time and space with little ability to assess what is outside these confines. This is the role of theology. This is where we find the focus of the Word of God which reveals to us the work of the One who is before and beyond time and space.
What are you reading? What is it teaching you?
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on 26 Feb 2008 at 6:00 pm 1.cindylou said …
I just finished The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyon. While I’ve known in my head that no one ever masters a life following Christ — this journey we are on will always have new challenges for us that meet us right where we are — seeing it so clearly chapter by chapter spoke to me. The picture of how easy it was for Pilgrim to get off the path was vividly portrayed. Also, I was very fascinated by Christiana always having an escort. I don’t know how to synthesize that bit of information at all but I’m enjoying trying to understand it.
on 26 Feb 2008 at 7:41 pm 2.Lorretta said …
I am reading “Jesus Mean and Wild” by Mark Galli. This has been one of the most insightful books I’ve ever read on the nature of Jesus and what it means to be a Christ follower. The name of the book plays on the traditional notion of “Jesus Meek and Mild” and one of the main points Mr Galli makes in the book is that the Jesus of Scripture and of History was anything but mild. Another interesting point he brings out is that we as christians have given ourselves over to the religion of “niceness”. There’s a lot there and it’s taking me a while to push through it (reading time is rather limited) but eventually, I’d like to do this as a group study. Guess you’ll have to read it first!
on 28 Feb 2008 at 2:31 pm 3.cwiggins said …
Wes is gonna pass out once he discovers that I actually participated in a forum discussion. This is definitely not my forte. Here goes my first forum post.
I find this blog very interesting on several levels. On many occasions in high school while my friends were out, I would stay locked in my room reading. This was a very strange occurrence back then and I assume this behavior would be almost belittled today. I remember reading Terry Brooks and his series the Sword of Shannara. I was so enamored with the lives that the characters lived in the books. Most of the settings in my earlier readings were fantasy mixed with medieval. I was so fascinated with the Knight in Shining Armor theme. I could even picture myself living in a castle with a moat and riding my horse around saving damsels in distress. LOL!!!! Then I remember reading the Lord of the Rings. WOW!! Being the nerd that I am, I actually read this series twice! After that I got a copy of The Chronicles of Narnia. This was an excellent series and ones I recommend to this day. From the time I was 15 till I was 25, I read on average 3-4 books a month(not counting school books). I had a period of inactivity for several years where I would read a book here and there. Then I met Lisa. My damsel in distress!!! LOL!! Actually I was in distress and she rescued me. Before I go any farther, let me elaborate on where my passion for epic novels blossomed. As a youngster I was so enthralled to characters in the Bible like Sampson. I would daydream of having super strength and battling the forces of evil for Jesus. I would picture myself bowing before my King and Him asking me to slay the evil dragon. I grew up alone (I had a sister, but she was a GIRL!!) and most of the time I had to entertain myself outside. I would carry a knife and stick and beat up on trees that I would pretend were Goliath. I had no fear because I was fighting for Christ. I lost that passion somewhere. Then I met Lisa who saw and understood my passions and recommended a Frank Peretti book. For those who are not familiar, that book was This Present Darkness. This opened my eyes to a whole new world outside the realm of fantasy. Now don’t misunderstand me. I don’t base my religion on these books. But after reading them, you can’t help but see that some of the content is extremely possible. These books rekindled that passion to arm myself and go fight for Christ. Since then I have read many Christian Fiction books. Including a book by Shaunti Feldhahn called The Veritas Conflict. In this book she delves into the life of a Christian girl trying to make it at Harvard. Be warned, this book does explore the realm of spiritual warfare. This is a must read for anyone who decides to go to college. If you read this Blog, please get this book!! I even read some books that Lisa would call “Girly” books. The author was Francine Rivers and the series is the Mark of the Lion. These were really good books and ones I highly recommend. There is one thing I have learned from my numerous battles in and out of the ring: KNOW YOUR ENEMY!!! Because of the latest Harry Potter fad, and trying to understand what all the hype was about, I picked up the latest copies and read the whole series. Surprisingly, these are really entertaining books. I know Wes, BLAH,BLAH,BLAH. I can hear you now. LOL!! Well anyway, as you can see, this blog brought back some very fond childhood memories. And this being my first BLOG ever, I don’t know when to quit.
So I will quit right here!!
on 28 Feb 2008 at 4:19 pm 4.niklever73 said …
I am reading “Do You Think I’m Beautiful: The Question Every Woman Asks.” by Angela Thomas. I have enjoyed it so far, and realize that God loves us, and made each of us, especially women with a desire to be loved and to love, as well as to feel beautiful. You can be the prettiest person on the outside, and be suffering within. So many women suffer from those types of issues.
on 28 Feb 2008 at 4:48 pm 5.Pastor Al said …
Hey Clint. I suppose that is you since most of you use these foreign names. Thanks for posting. A guy who reads, wow. The pundits say that reading is going the way of all flesh and that the day is coming when print media will be obsolete. Well, that is when I will stop reading. I don’t learn except by reading. I don’t know what kind of learner that makes me. But even reading something of a computer screen is useless to me. Speaking of which, can somebody tell me how to get that dog licking the screen on my desktop as my screensaver. You can help me Clint. That creature is kin to you!!
on 28 Feb 2008 at 7:55 pm 6.Sarah said …
My first blog ever, too – but I also love reading and am excited about hearing what others have to say who love reading books which enrich our faith and knowledge! In the past I have usually read a couple of books at time to keep me thinking, but this last year I haven’t been able to keep the pace as I fall asleep when I sit down to read lately, but God has used that reality to keep me focused on a particular track that has helped many times keep my faith in trying times. I had read a book about George Muller three years ago before starting the Center (a ministry I’m involved with for those who don’t know). He is a man who in the 1800′s began orphanages that ended help caring for 1000′s of children, was also a pastor, started and ran a bible school, supported many missionaries – all at the same time. Then in later years actually traveled him doing overseas missions in his late 60′s to early 80′s (this I found out recently and was given hope that I might too one day, never be too old for a dream.). The point being that when I read this first book which was written in a novel format, I was greatly inspired by his faith and perservance. Then last Fall I was clearly led to reread that book I was taken to another level of understanding, and since have purchase three more. One is a youth easy read, one a book about his prayers written by someone else, and the other an autobiography.It has been amazing how God has frequently led me through this man’s testimony of faith and perservance in timely fashion of my own spiritual need. You see above all else this man primary purpose was to demonstrate the great things that can be done for God while totally relying only on God. In all his years of service he never told anyone of his financial or of daily resource needs. He did after he was married share some things with his wife and long time pastor friend, and key employees who knew the daily needs of operations, but they were not to share with others. What George (I know him well enough to call him that now!) wanted to do more than any else was to record to the world God’s faithfulness. This was down from the loaves of bread needed for the day to the money to purchase buildings. He emphasized the importance of prayer, prayer which first you must clear your heart of your desires to know His. Faith that is not seen in what is coming but what in what is needed for today will be provided. Even in his provision of his faith he emphasizes his need for God, because he know that he was incapable of having and growing this kind of faith. That God alone supports and increases our faith as we seek Him. Now I’m no George, just a George wantabe, but I believe as he believed that this a gift God desires for of us to seek and He will provide. I also have learned that there is joy in being poor and needy as it so much more clearly causes me to lean more on Him more then me. I highly recommend George Muller books to pump up your faith and endurance muscles. SarahPS I’m not sure where Wes was going with some of his myths, but one day soon when I have time (lol), I’m going to ask.
on 27 Apr 2008 at 3:44 pm 7.cindylou said …
Hey, Al, what was that book you mentioned this morning about parenting? The author’s name must not be spelled the way I heard it, because I can’t find it on Amazon. Thanks!
on 27 Apr 2008 at 10:38 pm 8.joelc said …
I recently have been reading Randy Alcorn’s book Heaven. I would encourage you to evaluate your idea of what Heaven and the New Earth will look like. While there is a great deal of discussion on getting to Heaven, there is so little discussion about Heaven. I grew up thinking of being in Heaven as boring, one long continuous hymn, floating on a cloud. While foreign to scripture, nothing different was taught by the church, so I accepted the culture’s version of Heaven. I must warn you though, this book is heavy on theology and is not a light read.
on 28 Apr 2008 at 7:39 am 9.David said …
Cindy, we believe the author is R.C. Spoul, if that helps!
on 28 Apr 2008 at 8:03 am 10.Lorretta said …
Hey Joel….thanks for the heads up on the Heaven book. I have been looking for a deeper read on something for a while now….however, RC Sproul is the latest author to catch my interests. I wonder how many folks would be interested in doing a book discussion or a book/bible study here at our house? We could support it weekly through the website and/or have monthly meetings with *GREAT* coffee.
on 29 Apr 2008 at 6:43 pm 11.cindylou said …
Wow — Sproul’s website — awesome food for the ravenous! Sounds like you’ve got a good idea cooking Lorretta.
on 01 May 2008 at 3:29 pm 12.John said …
@Al – A while back I posted an article about that pug licking the screen. Below is a link to a couple of the dogs that were turned into screen savers. Just grab me or whoever else and we’ll be glad help your screen be always “spit-and-span” clean.
http://www.linein.org/blog/2008/02/23/dog-screen-cleaner-screensavers-4-different-dogs-win-mac/
on 01 May 2008 at 3:42 pm 13.David said …
John… that is really funny!!!!
on 01 May 2008 at 9:06 pm 14.mark f said …
That website is a hoot! Especially the church bulletins!
on 02 May 2008 at 9:55 am 15.Pastor Al said …
Ok John. I tried to get the dog on my screen. What I now have on my screen is a little bitty dog just standing there licking nothing! He is just looking at me with his head turned to the side and he is so little on my screen that I have to put my glasses on to see him. So, I need your help to enlarge the dog, get his tail wagging and his tongue moving. This is a crisis so it needs immediate attention. What is flowers talking about with the church bulletins? I need to see that one too.
on 02 May 2008 at 3:44 pm 16.mark f said …
It gives instructions on the site about the dogs. The church bulletins are under CHRISTIAN on the right side of the screen.