“Nevertheless, to some men, I speak common things, to others things special. To some I show Myself sweetly in signs and figures, while to some I reveal mysteries in much light. The voice of books is one, but it informs not all alike. Inwardly, I am the teacher, the truth, the searcher of the heart, the discerner of thoughts, the promoter of actions, distributing to every man as I shall judge meet.”
From Of the Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis
For more about Thomas a Kempis
If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you probably realize that I am an avid reader. I read a lot, and I read eclectically — I read theology, biographies and memoirs, novels, and poetry. I’m interested in the brain, spiritual disciplines, autism, leadership, creativity, spiritual gifts and more. My children say they rarely see me without a book in my hand. I’m convinced that reading not only educates you, it makes you a better person, because you learn about the feelings and experiences of others.
Right now I’m working on a bulletin board at our church that will deal with lifelong learning, and books in particular. Martin Luther wrote over 600 books and here are some of the things he had to say about the subject:
“There never yet have been, nor are there now, too many good books.”
Martin Luther
“One Book is enough, but a thousand books is not too many.”
Martin Luther
“Every book is a great action, and every great action is a book.”
Martin Luther
So my message today is simple: MAKE MARTIN LUTHER PROUD! READ MORE BOOKS!
For some reviews of books you might enjoy, see these posts:
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen–Book Review
What the Bible Says About Purpose by David Ramos–Book Review
the thank-you project by Nancy Davis Kho–Book Review
Mi Casa Uptown: Learning to Love Again by Rich Pérez is a good read if you are thinking, or are in, a urban setting or if you are thinking about doing missions work in the city.
Rich Pérez is from New York City; Washington Heights to be exact. He left there to go to college and seminary and then returned to his neighborhood because he feels deeply about connecting with neighbors. In this book he explains how we’ve become disconnected to our neighbors and how, with God’s help, we can become connected again.
One point that Rich makes that hit with me was that to engage in any community, humility is needed:
“Humility is a posture that demands intentionality and sacrifice; it demands a compelling example. It’s sacrifice and not entitlement that inspires authentic relationship. In the end, thriving communities are not monolithic communities, where one group or culture runs the show. Instead, the kind of humility I’m referring to is revolutionary – quite literally helping to shift the way neighborhoods exist. Humility inspires people to live differently toward on another and, more important, honors the stories that have existed before your own by dignifying them rather disregarding them.”
Even though I enjoyed this book, I had a hard time relating to it. I come from a rural background and have never really engaged the Hispanic community. Even so, I found quite a few “take-aways” about how to live in community. I give this book a solid three stars.
I just finished reading the book “The Case for Christ” by Lee Strobel and I felt I should mention this book to others. I love reading articles and books that confirm the Bible in history, and Lee Strobel’s book fits that description perfectly.
A movie has been made from this book and I have to tell you that I haven’t seen the movie, yet. I’m more a book person and will read the book, if available, before I see the movie. I’m always asked how the movie compared to the book and usually I have to say that there is always more details in the book.
Now, this book is wonderful for anyone who is wanting to include historic facts to their evangelism. Lee Strobel, who was once an atheist, goes on a quest to prove Jesus didn’t exist. His wife came home one day and told him she was now a Christian and he had to prove how wrong she was. Lee, who is a well known investigative reporter, starts interviewing the experts from all over the country, bringing all the questions and doubts that he and others have raised. At the end of each chapter there is a list of questions for deliberation or for group study. Lee gives a full list of citations and a topical index at the end for further study.
The book is in three parts: Examining the Record, Analyzing Jesus and Researching the Resurrection. In each part is the transcripts of his conversations with each expert. It’s not what I would call an easy read. While you are reading you need to pay attention to what is being said. However, the book flows and pulls you into Lee’s quest up to the part where he makes his own decision to follow Christ.
For any skeptics that are reading this I would encourage you to pick up the book or, at least, see the movie. For the Christians reading this, I would encourage you to read the book so that you can add some of the references to expand your knowledge of Biblical history.
“Ancient Words” a song by Michael W. Smith kept playing in my head once I got about halfway through this book. Here are the lyrics and a link to hear the song.
“Ancient Words”
Holy words long preserved, For our walk in this world
They resound with God’s own heart, Oh, let the ancient words impartWords of Life, words of Hope, Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e’er we roam, Ancient words will guide us home[Chorus:]
Ancient words ever true
Changing me and changing you
We have come with open hearts
Oh, let the ancient words impartHoly words of our Faith, Handed down to this age
Came to us through sacrifice, Oh heed the faithful words of ChristHoly words long preserved, For our walk in this world
They resound with God’s own heart, Oh let the ancient words impart[Chorus:]
Ancient words ever true
Changing me and changing you
We have come with open hearts
Oh, let the ancient words impart
Here is a youtube video of the song. I apologize if there are ads; you can’t get away from them these days:
During this time of year we all need just a moment to breathe. I think this devotional book would be good for that reason. The full title is: A Moment To Breathe; 365 Devotions that Meet You In Your Everyday Mess. This book is from the (in)courage community.
The days are numbered so you can start anywhere; starts with Day 1 and goes through to Day 365. Each page is a page of encouragement for everyday living. The stories are true to life and show examples of how we, as women, can live our lives helping and encouraging others. Each start with a bible verse (indexed in the back of the book) and ends with a thought to take with you during the day or for meditation.
I think it would be a great addition to any woman’s library.
http://www.lifeway.com/Product/a-moment-to-breathe-P005796426
As I sit here in the wee hours of the morning, the sun just starting to rise above the tree line, I can’t help but to chuckle and stand in awestruck wonder. I know God has a sense of humor. He shows it to me all the time and right now is one of those moments.
I am not a morning person, far from it by any sense of the phrase and yet I sit here @ 5:45 am writing today’s next blog post in the Ecclesiastes study we have been going through. I have just gotten back from a trip to the E.R. with my 7 month pregnant daughter, Kimberly. (If you have been reading our blog, I talked about her a few posts ago) She has had very severe heartburn with this pregnancy, severe anemia, and started swelling recently so when she woke me up @ 3 in the morning in severe pain, I followed the doctors orders and took her in, worried that she might be developing pre-eclampsia because it runs in my family. As we were running out the door, something told me to grab a book off of my bookshelf and bring it with us.
You see, this was not just any book. It was my second copy of Erma Bombeck’s book Forever Erma. I have two copies of this book for a special reason. The first copy I have was given to me by my mother-in-law, Mary. (Who became my mom when I was 17, when my husband and I started dating a year after my own mother had passed away of cancer) When I went into preterm labor with our younger daughter Kirsten, she had brought the book with her to the hospital and read it to me from my bedside to help take the focus off of the pain and direct it in a positive way. I went into preterm labor a total of 9 times during my third trimester, and each time she would bring the book and read it. We would laugh, we would cry, and she would tell me stories of experiences she had with being a mother, just like the journal entries Erma Bombeck wrote down and recorded for the world to read in this book. Inside the back cover are written all the important phone numbers and notes Mom needed just in case, scribbled in her handwriting. I will never part with this book. It means the world to me, I cherish it. So when I came across a copy at Half Price Books one day for $2, I bought it, for such a time as this.
So, in keeping with tradition, I took it along with us to the hospital tonight and read it to my daughter, to help take her mind off of the pain she was experiencing and turn it into something positive. As I sped up to the emergency room, got her into the nurse’s hands, who just so happened to be outside the door bringing a wheelchair in, I quickly parked the car. As I got out, I paused for a moment and the tears started to flow. I stood there, in the silence of night, and prayed to God that my child and my unborn grandchild would be alright. I quickly wiped away my tears and headed in to join her. As we sat in the labor and delivery room, I read to her. We laughed, she shared her worry, we talked about motherhood, and when the nurse came in and heard me reading to her, she couldn’t help but smile. I was reading Erma’s journal entry from May 12, 1974 (which was written 1 month after I was born). It was titled When God Created Mothers. (If you haven’t read this book I highly recommend it) When Kimberly noticed the smile on the nurse’s face she immediately said, “It’s a tradition in our family.” and I explained why.
As we came home, and I helped get her settled, I told her I loved her, and off to bed she went. I felt the Holy Spirit nudging to me to just stay up and write my blog post now. Because I am not a morning person, I hesitated, but obediently came back to sit down at my computer. (along with a cup of coffee!) As I read the verse I had planned to do for today’s blog post, I started to cry and laugh all at the same time. Ecclesiastes 3:4 says this…
A time to cry and a time to laugh, a time to grieve and a time to dance.
Tonight, God showed me that this verse is certainly true. We can even go through it all in a short time frame, even in the span of a few hours, sitting in hospital room.
God loves you and so do I,
Leslie
photo courtesy of umcrp.org
Do you like this metaphor? I like the idea that the church is a book that will one day be completely translated into a new and better language (but then I love books and libraries). |
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The Hiding Place & Tramp for the Lord by Corrie Ten Boom
Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch Christian who along with her father and other family members, helped many Jews escape the Nazi Holocaust during World War II. She was imprisoned for her activities. Her first book, The Hiding Place, tells about this ordeal. Tramp For the Lord is the sequel.
The Duty of Delight: The Diaries of Dorothy Day
Dorothy Day was an American journalist, social activist, and devout Catholic convert. She tirelessly served the poor by creating a community dedicated to direct aid for the homeless.
Love Mercy by Lisa Samson and Ty Samson
This is the story of a family’s journey from living in a five-thousand square foot house in suburban Baltimore to caring about justice, mercy and the kingdom of God breaking into our suffering world. They eventually sold their home to purchase a run down Victorian which they call a “hospitality house,” open to those who need a place to heal, be safe, or just relax for a while. Lisa and daughter, Ty, eventually travel to Africa to chronicle the AIDS crisis.
The Diary of Elisabeth Koren (1853-1855)
This diary takes us on a journey across the Atlantic to the frontier of the Middle West with her young husband who served many Lutheran congregations. Travel is primitive; her husband is gone for weeks at a time, and Elisabeth lives with other families in a crowded Iowa log cabin until the first parsonage is finally built.
These women can be mentors for us in trying to be a “living sacrifice. Have you read any of these books? Will you? Do you have others to suggest? Let us know.
Lutheran Ladies Connection 