Good, but a surprisingly small percentage of this was actually talking about reading, as most of us think of reading (i.e. books as opposed to technicGood, but a surprisingly small percentage of this was actually talking about reading, as most of us think of reading (i.e. books as opposed to technical manuals, legislation, etc.). A better title might have been 'Conversation for the Common Good' because books were a small means to an end to start conversations, and while I don't at ALL disagree with him that that would be the goal, I think anyone who picked up this book is likely already on board, so spending 100+ pages convincing of the WHY seemed excessive. I was expecting more specifics, so once he got around to those, they were very good. I numbered 17 or so great ways to integrate reading into church/cultures/communities, but all contained in chapter nine, the last chapter.
I can't wait to read Rod Dreher's upcoming Benedict Option, as I have a feeling it will explore the themes touched on in this book.
His explanation of Lectio Divina was simple and clear, and he points to Eugene Peterson's Eat this Book as another (which I can concur is excellent).
I did have some minor theological/literary quibbles with him throughout. (1. Women in the pulpit. While I disagree with his conclusion, it was his poor ARGUMENT that I found lacking. I've heard dear ones who I disagree with make convincing arguments for why Paul didn't mean what he said in Corinthians, but Smith's logic was flawed and poor here. 2. That we could/should participate in a church without sharing major convictions. Minor convictions I would agree with, but the examples he gave would be more along the lines of Tier 2 level for me (see Al Mohler's Doctrinal Triage model), and would likely be prudent reason for parting doctrinal, though not Christian, fellowship. 3. He states that fiction "excels in depicting particularities" and not abstractions and I will disagree with him there. It excels at telling stories of particular places and people IN ORDER to generalize about the human condition.)
I haven't read his Slow Church but I have a strong feeling that might have been a fuller version of this. Skip this one and only read chapter nine and you'll get what I suspect most picking up this book hoped to gather - the HOW more than the why. Still. If you're interested in your church beginning a reading program of sorts, but the leadership isn't keen, I suspect this would be a good way to convince them of the merits....more
Whoever says social media can't be used for good? I was reminded of this short volume yesterday when a friend referenced it on Instagram. I had purchaWhoever says social media can't be used for good? I was reminded of this short volume yesterday when a friend referenced it on Instagram. I had purchased it ages ago for my Kindle, but hadn't gotten around to it yet. I've read other (wonderful) books on praying the Bible, but picked this one up, read it within a couple hours, revamped my prayer journal, and just bought four copies of it to give to other friends whose names sprung to mind. So simple as to really be able to make a real impact on my prayer life immediately.
Not too bad for a short little book on prayer. I sense God is doing a work in my life, and in the church, reminding us how better to pray. I have a feeling this will be invaluable in my life going forward. I'm a devotee of Donald Whitney and once again, he proves he has the clarity and gifts to write and teach in ways that are practical and rule-changing....more
I find myself constantly jotting "Know Be Do" next to passages in the Scriptures now because I see the concept everywhere.
This is a great Bible studyI find myself constantly jotting "Know Be Do" next to passages in the Scriptures now because I see the concept everywhere.
This is a great Bible study tool. Once you start looking for the Know, the Be, and the Do in each passage, it helps the focus become clear. This fingerprint is all over. From the beginner, to the seasoned theologian, I could see how this method will produce so much fruit because it already has in my life....more
How Dante Can Save Your Life was utterly engrossing. It mixes literature, history, familial life, theology, and philosophy both poetically and practicHow Dante Can Save Your Life was utterly engrossing. It mixes literature, history, familial life, theology, and philosophy both poetically and practically.
While not a perfect book by any means (I disagree with Mr. Dreher on many of his Catholic-leaning views of purgatory, for example), I flew through this in a few days, and already anticipate rereading and revisiting this many times. I have a host of friends I am planning on sending a copy to....more
Whenever I read any book by Lewis I always ask myself why I read anything else until I've read everything he has ever written. He puts everything in sWhenever I read any book by Lewis I always ask myself why I read anything else until I've read everything he has ever written. He puts everything in such a way that is so complex yet so simple. Only a true genius can write something that you feel exactly the same way yourself, but could never have the eloquence to state it like Lewis can.
Highly recommend The Four Loves to anyone who has ever loved anything. I live with a beautiful example of these loves in my own home in my husband, and I kept looking up from my reading the whole time and asking him questions about affection, friendship, Eros, and charity.
This would be wonderful for any young teenagers who are just coming into dating or adulthood and wonderful for a discussion group of all ages. There's so much to think about and talk through about how these loves look practically in daily life....more
SO convicting! If the church truly looked like this, the world would have no choice but to look and see what this was all about.
My pastor said a few wSO convicting! If the church truly looked like this, the world would have no choice but to look and see what this was all about.
My pastor said a few weeks ago in Sunday service that we come together not as a judge on "The Voice," deciding whether to turn around because we like the music or the person beside us or the sermon. For some reason that has stuck so closely with me for weeks now and has freed me tremendously. I think somewhere along the way I exchanged discernment (a good and necessary thing) for judgment, constantly trying to discern if this music or if this method was following after God as closely as it ought to be. He reminded me that that's not my job. I'm not the head of the church and so while I don't accept just anything, the Holy Spirit is my filter.
Life Together cemented so many of those things about my role in the body. I might need to reread this each time I've become part of a new fellowship. Because this book is so practically helpful, it would look different in every community. Because of my husband's job in the Navy, we move around a good bit and it was so fun to look at Life Together through the lens of every church we've been a part of and see the strengths of each congregation.
This would also be an excellent read for any head of a body - whether that's a small family unit of marriage and family, a pastor, a Sunday school teacher, the head of a ministry team.
One of the richest books I've read in a long time. I will certainly return to this again and again....more
I really enjoyed this book. It was a immensely fun read.
It was significantly light on theology, to be sure (there was at least one chapter I borderlinI really enjoyed this book. It was a immensely fun read.
It was significantly light on theology, to be sure (there was at least one chapter I borderline disagreed with, and a couple that made me slightly question), but his examples challenged me, and I have a feeling I will be thinking about his whimsy for quite some time.
I'd be interested to hear my father's thoughts on this. One of the formative concepts of my life is his life message: Do. Be. Know. (Great explanation of the concept here: http://knowbedo.wordpress.com/2010/05...) We don't have to "do" anything for God, or even "be" who God wants us to be, so long as we KNOW Him. The doing and the being will flow out of knowing His true character.
This book was kind of a back-way into that message that Love actually does....more
Fantastic, practical book on experiencing and overcoming depression. I know the author, and she has truly overcome depression and is thriving. Many boFantastic, practical book on experiencing and overcoming depression. I know the author, and she has truly overcome depression and is thriving. Many books on the topic are overly complecated, and hard to wade through when struggling with depression and anxiety. But Ms. Thompson offers hope and practical ways to overcome....more
Loading...
