books...

I've read a lot of books, and a lot of other small readings in course packets or chapters out of books. I'm a slow reader, that needs time and no distractions to really read. So some of these books I may have skimmed through, and others really read. But I will share them with you and make a few recommendations. I read a few more than what is on this list, but since we are only doing 12, I thought I'd put the ones I liked best.

1. East of Eden - I started reading this around Christmas time last year, and worked my way through slowly through it during the spring.  A MUST read classic by John Steinbeck.
















2. Love Wins by Rob Bell & Erasing Hell by Francis Chan- I'm putting these two together, because they are both about heaven and hell, and one in response to the other. I honestly didn't really think either book was that great, but I thought they would be good to read since there was so much commotion (especially from Love Wins). There were a few good points that I liked, particularly made about heaven in Love Wins, but over all there were a bunch of posed questions that, weren't really answered or I thought dealt with in the best way. I think if reading both of these books together it could leave many readers confused for various reasons, one being that they both seem to use scripture as their backing for their points, and their points are both very opposite. They were also written in such a way that made it sound as if these ideas had never been thought of or these questions asked before. The doctrine of heaven and hell have been thought about for hundreds of years before these books were written, and I think looking at past writings might provide more fruitful study if you are interested in talking about heaven and hell. These two pop-Christians culture books by two famous pop Christians culture authors, I think are worth reading if you want to talk about them. But I heard a lot of conversation condemning both without people even having actually read the books. It's definitely good to ask hard questions, and definitely good to talk about them, but we have to do it in community, looking at context with other historically respected authors and most importantly with Christ and the Word of God at the center.

 3. Abandoned To God by David McCasland- A Biography on Oswald Chambers. AMAZING! He was an incredible man (and his wife Biddy too!) Great examples of what it means to trust God. My Utmost for His Highest is also something I've read involving Chambers, as it is a compilation of his teachings and sermons. 

4. The Damnation of Theron Ware by Harold Frederic- a very bizarre but interesting book about a young methodist pastor who becomes obsessed with temptations in the world. 

5. Who is this Man? by John Ortberg - a more historical look at Jesus Christ, and his impact in the world not just in the Christian, salvation sort of sense but even just in how society changed with his coming. 

6. Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster- great great book on spiritual disciplines.

7. Humility-true greatness by C.J. Mahaney

8. In the Name of Jesus by Henri Nouwen - A superb little read on reflections of what it means to be a true Christian leader

9. Discipleship- by Dietrich Bonhoeffer - I read a section out of this book, on the church and for a big paper I wrote in my Christian Theology class. It was so good. I have read life together, but this was also really excellent writing on what the call of discipleship really is.


10. The Heavenly Man - the story of Brother Yun, a major underground church leader in China. I'm still reading this one, but it is an incredible story of how God reveals himself in miraculous ways, and how the obedience of this one man to preach the Gospel brought thousands and thousands of people to the love of Jesus.
 

11. A little exercis for young theologians by Helmut Thielicke- a pretty dense little read, warning of the pitfalls studying theology can bring and thoughts on how to avoid them.



12. After the End of Art by Arthur C. Danto - Very complicated and hard to understand art theory book speaking about modern and postmodern/contemporary theories.

 

a look back on 2012...

2012.
What a year.
"It's like being on a roller coaster, but in the dark."
A friend quoted this to me during the fire this summer, and it seems that it could ring true for the year as well. Not always in a negative sense, but just in the idea that it has been full of up's, down's, twist's and turn's. Many times with no idea of what is next. It can't definitely be terrifying, or make my stomach drop, but under neath it all, underneath the roller coaster is a firm set of tracks that knows where it's going. It brings us safely to the finishing point. Underneath every up and down has been the solid Rock, the ever faithful and guiding Shepherd.

I might not go into an in depth description of the year, but I do want to share some of the tunes, images, books and various other aspects of life that have accompanied me through the year.

Karl Barth on faith...

"Faith is acknowledgment of our limit and acknowledgment of the mystery of God's Word, acknowledgment of the fact that our hearing is bound to God Himself, who now leads us through form to content and now from content back to form and either way to Himself, not giving Himself in either case into our hands but keeping us in His hands."

joy to the world! the KING has come!

Light of lights! All gloom dispelling,

Thou didst come to make thy dwelling

Here within our world of sight.

Lord, in pity and in power,

Thou didst in our darkest hour

Rend the clouds and show thy light.

Praise to thee in earth and heaven

Now and evermore be given,

Christ, who art our sun and shield.

Lord, for us thy life thou gavest,

Those who trust in thee

Thou savest,

All thy mercy stand revealed.

St. Thomas Aquinas

...Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord,
That hath made heaven and earth of nought,
And with his blood mankind has bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel...

a little behind...

I said a while ago that I was going to post about a number of different experiences that I could say might sum up my experience this summer...so far that hasn't happened, so I think i might just do it with photographs with maybe a few teeny captions. Here it goes.

                                                                       WEDDINGS

There were many many many weddings this summer. Unfortunately I was only able to attend two, but never the less many friends said their "I do's" this summer. Congratulations my friends!

BABIES

There was also many a new born this spring and this summer... here's a few pics of the new babe's 

FIRE

As many of you know, this summer had a quite traumatic aspect to it, as we watched our city light up and our neighbourhood burn. By the grace of God, our house is standing, but we are still dealing with the emotional and physical reminders of what happened with the Waldo Canyon Fire.

N. IRELAND & CZECH

OREGON

summer reflections...

*This is just a little intro post to several more following in the next couple of weeks.*

I believe one of the most important things a human being can do, is to write down and process one's experiences. Journals are great for that...and I suppose blogs are too...they are just not as private. Writing, recording, thinking over, chewing on what has happened, asking questions to yourself and maybe even trying to answer them, are all a part of this process. Why is it so important to look back? Well I think it is beneficial in more than one way...

1.It allows you to relive what has happened. In a world that never sleeps, we move from one experience to the next and rarely take the time to savor every bit (good and bad) of what we have just been apart of.

2. It allows you to learn. I remember in high school people always asked "whats the point of studying history?" Well one it's interesting, but more importantly you can see what works, what doesn't work, what has been good and what has been bad, and you learn from it.

3. As a Christian it is important for me to remember how God has worked. Often times when I am in the present it can be hard to see how God might be working...especially in hard situations. But when I have space and time away from the present and it turns into the past it is often much easier to see how God actually was present and faithful in and through it all.

So... I am planning on a sharing and processing what I've learned this past summer... I hope to learn something out of it, and hope you enjoy reading and who knows maybe learn something too...

thoughts for this morning...

Psalm 126

A song of ascents.

 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those who dreamed.

Our mouths were filled with laughter, 
    our tongues with songs of joy. 
Then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”
 The Lord has done great things for us,
    and we are filled with joy.

 Restore our fortunes, Lord,
    like streams in the Negev. 
 Those who sow with tears 
    will reap with songs of joy.  Those who go out weeping, 
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them.

This morning I woke up early. Every morning since I have been back in Colorado I go to my window and look across the road to see the plot of charred land that used to be our dear neighbors home. Each morning I'm surprised again at the amount of destruction that surrounds me.

I then turn to remember those around me, and the suffering and difficulties they endure each day. The fight to just make it by each day… not knowing how they will pay the bills... big relational issues... cancer, depression… loneliness… family that is hurting… 

Sometimes… a lot of times... it feels so overwhelming. 

I was talking with two dear friends yesterday (they are both very intelligent Theology students I went to school with) We were talking about suffering, and one of my friends said something I really appreciated. She said no matter how many times I talk about suffering, and think I have it semi figured out or maybe come to some sort of theological idea about it…each time I end up asking some of the same questions. 

I love how humble she is in this. No matter how many times she or someone she knows goes through a new season of suffering, she doesn't pretend she knows everything or has all the answers (despite her incredible faith and love for God) she feels the hurt and doesn't shy from it. She takes the opportunity to ask questions, while at the same time having an expectant heart to see the will and glory of God. Sometimes we might never be given a complete answer for suffering. Other times it's very clear what God might be trying to show us, or to see how he works through it. 

I am thankful for God's word and how it is living and active, and has something new to say to us in each season, and each time we read it. This morning I read Psalms 126, and to me it was such an encouragement, and such a picture of the hope we have in Christ. Present suffering will turn to joy. I don't know how, but God does. He is faithful and his word is true. 

food for thought...

"The true character of the loveliness that speaks for God is always unnoticed by the one possessing that quality. Conscious influence is prideful and unchristian. If I wonder if I am being of any use to God, I instantly lose the beauty and the freshness of the touch of the Lord. “He who believes in Me . . . out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). And if I examine the outflow, I lose the touch of the Lord.

Who are the people who have influenced us most? Certainly not the ones who thought they did, but those who did not have even the slightest idea that they were influencing us. In the Christian life, godly influence is never conscious of itself. If we are conscious of our influence, it ceases to have the genuine loveliness which is characteristic of the touch of Jesus. We always know when Jesus is at work because He produces in the commonplace something that is inspiring." -Oswald Chambers

Holly and Jeremy's wedding week...

Well I'm back in Spokane from across the pond, straight into a time spent with dear friends, rich conversation, hilarious memories and the celebration of Holly and Jeremy's marriage. There are few words that will do justice to describe Holly and Jeremy (both as individuals and as a couple) and their  deep and humble impact they have left (and continue to leave) in my life and in so many others.  So excited for all the festivities to come!