SCL

“Out of the Silent Planet” by C.S. Lewis

I had read Mere Christianity and pictured C.S. as a slightly crusty but incredibly intelligent, thoughtful brit from the 40′s. Then I read his fiction. Yeah, I had read some of the Narnia books following all of the hype of the movie, but this book was way different than the narnias. It’s about a traveler who gets swept up into a journey to another planet called Malacandra (“Mars”) upon which he discovers that the planet is teeming with peaceful civilizations of different races of aliens.

The way the main character interacts with the beings on that planet reminds me of what international ministry looks like sometimes. Approaching people from a completely different lifestyle, learning their unique and equally viable cultural values, and finding common ground. It’s all there. The book is actually part one of the “Space Trilogy” also called “Ransom Trilogy”. If you’ve read Narnia, but not the above, you should check it out. Now I need to read the other 2/3 of the trilogy.

I just began reading ‘The Fifth Mountain’ by Paulo Coelho – my book club’s selection for this month. I have never read this author before, but had trouble choosing which of his books to buy at athe store. They all looked so good.
So far, I’m on page 28 (I really just started) and I feel like I’ve found a new author to love. The writing is great, the plot draws you in right away, and it gets the brain juices going. I’m so excited.
Pleas pick me. The only thing better than a good book is a free good book. Thanks!

Crazy Love by Francis Chan. This book made me want to sell my 1997 Chevy Tahoe and give all thirteen dollars to a poor person. Also, it made me love the Chinese for more than Chicken Fried Rice… and that’s a really, really big deal.

One of the last great books that I have read was Watership Down by Richard Adams. Its a 500 page novel about talking rabbits. “It’s as much about freedom, ethics, and human nature as it is about a bunch of bunnies looking for a warm hidey-hole and some mates.”

The first hundred pages or so drag on, but after that you just cant put it down. I definitely recommend it to anyone at any time. No joke. Rabbits are the bomb shizznit.

I just finished “Night” by Elie Wiesel last night. It is a short, non-fiction account of a Jewish boy’s time in Hitler’s death camps. This book is so raw and intense…I was thankful that it was short. I’ve read other Holocaust accounts, but this was somehow different. It spoke in such an ageless way about the evil one human can do to another. This one will be burned in my (faulty) memory forever. We should never forget that this can and is happening today, around the world. Easy to ignore from my Starbucks-sipping, Dunkin’Donut eatin, air-conditioned country.

The Prodigal God by Tim Keller.

This book is for everyone. It rocks the person who does all the right stuff and the person who doesn't & ultimately puts the focus on the only who matters – Jesus!

melissa c.

The last great book I read was Humility by C.J. Mahaney. My grandfather bought this book for me and my wife for Christmas. My grandfather is a retired pastor, retired christian university campus pastor, father to three sons who are pastors, grandfather of 17 grandchildren whom all have come to know Christ, great grandfather, and traveled the country speaking at churches and universities. He bought this book for all of his grandchildren because he and my grandmother read this together at the age of 78 and were so greatly impacted by it. My grandfather has done so much during his long life, has so much to be proud of, and can look back on his legacy and the genterations of family that are going to continue on after him. But this book talks about “true greatness” being humility. And he wanted to share that with all his grandchildren. He wanted to instill in us a persepctive of what true greatness is – humilty found in the person of Jesus Christ. And this book points to those aspects and reminds us that God looks to the humble. And more than anything else, he want his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to know what true greatness is.

“Wide Awake” by Erwin McManus because it’s not rote nor is it fluff, but full of inspiration and a charge to walk out God’s best for your life.

Here’s a quote I love from it, “As talented as you and I may be, you cannot walk the road God has prepared for you without Him. To follow Him is to live in His strength.”

Besides the Bible…

Grace Based Parenting by Dr. Tim Kimmel

The most important think I will ever do is raise my kids…and this book is IDEAL and ESSENTIAL for all parents!!

God bless-
Amanda

“Fields of Gold” by Andy Stanley. In these financially uneasy times, it is a great challenge to become a person known for their generosity. The challenge is to overcome fear of giving and give as the Lord leads and commands. I am not there yet but desire to become a more generous person in my time, talents, and treasure!

“East of Eden” by John Steinbeck.

Why? My new understanding of the word “Timshel.” Plus, my wife told me it would be good for me and she was right.

-Chris

I’m a little late on the bandwagon, but I just finished up “The Shack” WM.P. Young and I was amazed. It gave me this incredible desire to be with Jesus more and more and a longing see Him face to face. I hope one day I can write and inspire people like that.

Best book I read lately was “Roaring Lambs” by Robert Briner. The concept of a “roaring lamb” is a person who is on fire for Christ and represents Christ in our culture where Christian values are otherwise absent. This book has motivated me to start reading the local paper and write editorials defending Biblical values. I recommend the book to anyone, especially young adults who are deciding what to do with their life.

The best book i’ve read lately is “Sitting at the feet of Rabbi Jesus”.

Why is it great?
-It’s great because it deals with Jesus’ Jewish context, in which he lived in. I find it amusing that most people don’t give any second thought to this. In more ways than none, some of the teaching we have are somewhat distorted without knowing the cultural context of Jesus’ words. This book is great in conveying this, and what’s more it is readable as well.

Moses by Chuck Swindoll. It just shattered some graven images that I had in my head…like Charleton Heston (sp). It rocked!!

Eyes Wide Open by Jud Wilhite. This book helped me to see more clearly how God views me and how that should not only affect how I see myself, but how I should interact with the world around me.

I just read “East of Eden” by John Steinbeck.

It’s about as epic as you’re going to get and it’s roughly the same size as a family bible.

The story about the lady winning the free stunt plane flight could be the funniest short story of all time. If you’ve read it, you’ll have to agree.

“Porn Again Christian” by Mark Driscoll. This is the first time I’ve encountered a Godly man talking freely, and bluntly about taboo topics such as Porn and Masturbation. These are all but off limits in most churches, but Mark attacked them head on and decided not care. He spoke with boldness and cast the light of scripture on a very dark subject. I think it should be required for all me to read. This signaled the final step in my getting free from Porn and my life has not been the same since.

I don’t know if this Book counts…the Book of Esther in the Bible…God is not mentioned one time in this book..but you KNOW he is in total control….I love the mystery and intrigue..it’s quite a read for only having 10 chapters..

“To Own a Dragon” by Donald Miller is arguably Donald’s best book yet and one of the best paperbound experiences I’ve had in quite some time.
I am neither a man, nor am I fatherless. (That is, by the way the specific audience to whom the book is intended) However, this book smacked me with the love of God like no book ever has. I was wrecked after this read and I propose that being occasionally wrecked is just what God wants.
Seriously, can writing get any better than this dragon business. I submit that it cannot.

Still currently busy reading it
15 WAYS TO A MORE EFFECTIVE PRAYER LIFE.SELWYN HUGHES. I really struggle with prayer my mind kinda zips zaps to different points, so I tend to worship instead and then pray in between, but this book has 15 practical chapters that are hectically deep. and since reading it on Thursday past, i have been praying every day and seeing the peace, and just how God changes situations…basically covers praying in the secret, keeping a daily appointment, finding a special place to play, using a notebook…All things we know but yet the chapters are so deep and I’ve just been growing in prayer and everyone else is requesting to read the book now. So may plan a prayer workshop… (no. 2 – the shack…only cause it was so where i was at.just learnt to let me relax in God and rely on him more)

“Life of Pi” by Yann Martel is what I am reading now and I am REALLY enjoying it. It is a fresh perspective on religion and life. Its nice to read an interesting novel that doesn’t always promote Christianity in a “I’ve got everything under control” type of way, but a “What the crap?! I am trapped in a boat with a tiger in the middle of the ocean!” kinda flavor.

Not sure if I could do with any more books right about now – totally swamped in them as I sit typing. We are remodelling the office and I have a heap of books piled up on both sides with just enough room to see the monitor and keyboard on the desk here.

But I’m totally interested in the vacuum cleaners when you do them~!! LOL.

“Dream Chasers” By Becky Melby.

The book is a Christian Romance novel, and the first one I have ever read, and I dug it. What makes the book so glorious is after I climbed a water tower in New Jersey with a friend on a summer Mission trip, and got arrested, my story got picked up by a Christian Romance Author.

Her main character climbs a water tower and she saw the pictures I posted on webshots from the climbing adventure and after emailing me several months ago she used my water tower experience in her latest book that just got published.

My mom, her friends, and girls from church eat this stuff up that I am in the acknowledgments of a Christian Romance novel. What a strange blessing. I can now pull out the trump card of relationship conversations for being the main character of a Christian Romance novel. Haha the cover even has the couple embracing outside in front of a water tower. Awesome! Well, sort of.

I think I have missed the deadline but this book was sooo great that I hope others will read it..

it’s called “The Jesus of Suburbia” By Mike Erre

It asks the question, “Have we tamed the Son of God to fit into our lifestyle?”

The author uses stories and experiences from his personal life to illustrate how was have dumbed down and made God normal..

this book changed the way I view Jesus… rather than trying to make him fit into my box of what i thought God should be I have to learn and let God be God…

A book that was entertaining and insightful.. amazing!!

I actually think you’d really like it Jon… read it…

The Gospel and Personal Evangelism by Mark Dever along with Puritan Evangelism because it made evangelism biblical, which in turn made it stupid easy.