Christian Readers discussion
Discipleship
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Current Christian book you are reading and what you feel about it
Leaving for vacation and will take The Rage Against God: How Atheism Led Me to Faith. I really enjoy Christopher Hitchens and so his brother ought to be a treat. Finished with Escondido Theology. Very interesting read. I definitely want to read some more of John Frame. I especially like the way he makes the most difficult arguments simple and easier to understand.
Currently reading Intercessory Prayer: How God Can Use Your Prayers to Move Heaven & Earth by Dutch Sheets. It's really good - is really helping me to understand more about many different aspects of prayer. I'd recommend it to everyone. Prayer is one of the most important opportunities we have to make a difference - let's not waste it!
I just started reading "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. I've heard great things about it, and I'm only in the first chapter, but I'm not particularly liking it so far. Chan is very preachy and it doesn't seem all that genuine. It's making it kind of difficult to even want to keep reading. Anyone else had this problem? Any advice how to get past it and just enjoy the wisdom?
Currently reading
&
Has any one read these?
Julie wrote: "Currently reading & [bookcover:Boundaries: When to Say Yes How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life]Has any one read these?"
I have read Boundaries and it is a very good book. Some of the stuff is a little duh, but for me, there were quite a few things in there that I didn't really realize were examples of having bad boundaries. It definitely helped me start learning how to say No to people and take some control.
I recently finished Heavenly Man by Brother Yun--it's really good and for as thick as it is--not a slow read. I would highly recommend it to every Christian! I just started There is No Me Without You. It is about a woman in Ethiopia that has taken in AIDS orphans and really forsaken her comfortable lifestyle. I'm only a chapter in.
@Haley:I am in the beginning chapters of the book and yes, I agree some of it was "duh" but a lot of resonates with me in a situation I just recently got out of. Great insight.
Have you been able to keep those boundaries in place now?
Haley wrote: "I just started reading "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. I've heard great things about it, and I'm only in the first chapter, but I'm not particularly liking it so far. Chan is very preachy and it does..."I have read books like that. Very irritating. Have you ever read
Philip Yancey? He is my favorite Christian author.
Kim wrote: "I recently finished Heavenly Man by Brother Yun--it's really good and for as thick as it is--not a slow read. I would highly recommend it to every Christian! I just started There is No Me Without..."
Sounds like a couple of good ones Kim!
Diane wrote: "Boundaries looked like something I might like so I got it on kindle. Will add a review later."Let me know what you think, Diane! :)
Julie wrote: "@Haley:I am in the beginning chapters of the book and yes, I agree some of it was "duh" but a lot of resonates with me in a situation I just recently got out of. Great insight.
Have you been abl..."
It definitely helped. I think one of the biggest areas it helped me was work and with my family. I am a workaholic type and it made me realize I don't have to take every open shift and I'm only responsible for what I can do, I don't have to stretch myself any further than I want to. And I was always doing things to try to please my parents and the book kind of helped me get out of that. I still care what they think, but I also now realize that it's my life and I get to choose what I do with it (it also doesn't help that I'm just graduating college, so I'm in that kind of awkward stage of life, haha!).
Nicole wrote: "Haley wrote: "I just started reading "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. I've heard great things about it, and I'm only in the first chapter, but I'm not particularly liking it so far. Chan is very preac..."I have not! I'll have to give him a try. I've heard the name and I know a few people who have read some of his stuff, but I personally haven't. Thanks!
Haley wrote: "Julie wrote: "@Haley:I am in the beginning chapters of the book and yes, I agree some of it was "duh" but a lot of resonates with me in a situation I just recently got out of. Great insight.
..."
@Haley
Boundaries really resonated with me in the same way. More so now with relationships and how boundaries are developed. I admire your strength regarding your parents. :) Congratulations on graduating college!
Christianity the first 3000 years love it
Christopher wrote: "Christianity the first 3000 years love it"Would you recommend this book to someone new in their faith or someone who is better developed in their spiritual walk?
Such a great series. This the last book in Karen Kingbury's Redemption series. The last book and this one are tear jerkers! So worth readin though, if you haven't!
Christopher wrote: "Christianity the first 3000 years love it"Well I am new in faith, but I love History. I think this is a good History book.
@ Christopher:I may have to add it to my reading list. I'm a year in with my faith so I guess I'm "new" too.
Jocelyn wrote: "
Such a great series. This the last book in Karen Kingbury's Redemption series. The last book and this one are tear jerkers! So worth readin though, if you haven't!"Like I said Jocelyn, I read the first one in the series...and now after your comment, really want continue on. :)
I thought I would let everyone know of my newly released bible study Learning from the Master: Living a Surrendered Life. This study is a companion guide to Come to Me, my award-winning novel about the life of Christ through the eyes of His mother. I have written both books with those seeking to know more about Christ and those who are struggling in their faith in mind. I recently had a giveaway for Learning from the Master and soon I will have a giveaway for Come to Me. So, I thought I would let everyone know.
Haley wrote: "I just started reading "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. I've heard great things about it, and I'm only in the first chapter, but I'm not particularly liking it so far. Chan is very preachy and it does..."That was the first book I reviewed and I considered it life changing. You have a lot of company though. He got every rating on Amazon clear down to some antagonistic 1's. If you don't like the voice, you probably won't like the book. He does say some controversial things. Hope you can get through it just in case it will bless you in the long run.
Haley wrote: "I just started reading "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. I've heard great things about it, and I'm only in the first chapter, but I'm not particularly liking it so far. Chan is very preachy and it does..."Haley, I'm enjoying the study, but I am also doing the bible study with it. Yes, some of the things he says are kind of preachy, but keep reading. Some of his insights are very refreshing.
I'm currently making my way through
by Steven James. I absolutely love it. The writing is excellent, and he muses on some really thought provoking things. I am reading it slowly though, because it is just that sort of book. I need time to think and mull before moving to the next chapter. :)
While on vacation I read
by Peter Hitchings. Very enlightening and a different take on the disaster and chaos created by atheism. I rejoiced in his take on the transformative power of the gospel throughout the ages. Recommended to those who need reinforcement of faith from a social and presuppositional view.
Also read "A Description of Christ" by Richard Sibbes. The description is one of Christ being prophet, priest and king. It was not clear as to the royal application but the other two offices are well described. Lighter and common Puritan devotion but not equal to to his Bruised Reed.
Also while on vacation used the NIV Gospel of John
. The devotional notes amounted to nothing else but underlining of similar verses and topical separations. They were of no help and of little consequence. I had used the NIV in the past so it was familiar and always good the read the gospel as a letter/booklet. Profitable but not needed and not unique. Not necessarily recommended.
Finally, I read Book Two of the Border Series
. It was very different from the previous book. This is written as more of an epic as young Billy Crosses the Border with Mexico three times with specific goals at hand. It is a religious in a deep sense. He meets with those who offer perspectives on life from free will to Calvinist fatalism that gives the story depth and purpose. Not an easy read and classical in the modern sense but Cormick McCarthy is one of our better writers. Not necessary to read Book One but cannot read Book Three apart from One and Two. Highly recommended for those who like a more literary novel modeled after the Epics of Odysseus and Theseus. Other will find it tedious for the long discussions on religious nature.
Johnnie wrote: "While on vacation I read [bookcover:The Rage Against God: How Atheism Led Me to Faith] by Peter Hitchings. Very enlightening and a different take on the disaster and chaos created by atheism. I rej..."Sounds interesting!
Nicole wrote: "Johnnie wrote: "While on vacation I read [bookcover:The Rage Against God: How Atheism Led Me to Faith] by Peter Hitchings. Very enlightening and a different take on the disaster and chaos created b..."It is not an overt attempt to answer his brother (and others) but does take their three biggest complaints and puts them in a more social/historical perspective. He explains to some degree as to why Christopher and he did not "get along". I like Christopher (except the whole atheism rant) but I found Peter to be much more clear as to what evil might look like.
I'm currently reading for exams. SO boring and tiring. Can't wait to start reading other books.
Nicole wrote: "Jocelyn wrote: "I'm reading Karen Kingbury. Finished Shades of Blue and Between Sundays, now on to her Redemption series...
"I just read the first one in that series. I thou..."
Hey Nicole, can't wait for your review on that series. I want to read it as well.
I am reading The Emperor's Edge
. It is fantasy fiction NOT in any religious sense. Entertaining and advantageous since it was free (that Scot heritage often prevails). First, the society is atheist having abolished all religions sense. The author is forced, since there is no Law of God (all law is religious law) to forge a society based on dictatorship (regal vs military) and then offer the humanitarian (enlightenment) democracy not from truth but from the hand of a benevolent despot. It is unrealistic as no despot has ever given up power to the masses without chaos and risk to his own position (French Revolution, Mao's Cultural Revolution).
Secondly, since she denuded all the religious feeling from men she has to replace it with mysticism and magic. I find it curious that every atheist always seek the "out" by stating that the mystical, mysterious, magical is possible but not likely (Dawkins). Convenient but not convincing.
Thirdly, the real evil is capitalist progressives. To solve that problem she allows for a special above the law assassin to run free of any law or command to just kill those who would operate outside of government, and this is the hero of the story. Not a Christian concept at all.
I've just loaded a ton of Christian indie fantasy novels on my Kindle, too many to link. Check out my review page as I run them down. One I liked especially was Running Black which is a gritty Christian cyberpunk thriller. A rare breed at that.Johnnie, the Emperor's Edge looks interesting, and I added it to my to-read list. Knox's Irregulars might be an interesting book to read after for you, because it's essentially a Christian Starship Troopers. The Reformed nature of it may be a tough sell for some.
Started "The Case for Christ" pretty good so far.
I am currently in the middle of The Anxious Christian, by Rhett Smith, non-fiction, and Forbidden by Tosca Lee and Ted Dekker, fiction. I am reading the first with a friend and doing it like a long distance Bible Study. The second is a just for fun read. It is considerably dark for Christian fiction, but I love that, because life can be dark, happy endings can be hard to come by, and all of us struggle with the darkness in ourselves and around us.
K wrote: "I am currently in the middle of The Anxious Christian, by Rhett Smith, non-fiction, and Forbidden by Tosca Lee and Ted Dekker, fiction. I am reading the first with a friend and doing it like a lon..."So true K!
Amanda wrote: "I have finished reading "The Problem of Pain" by C.S. Lewis. His overall judgment of pain that it is part of the human condition. Our mortal pains bring us closer to God and is a byproduct of our..."I have this on my TBR!
I also started God in the Dark: Suffering and Desire in the Spiritual Life. I am getting some powerful messages from this book. However, there are times when the author seems to get off topic, and the writing becomes a little dull. We will see where it goes.
Recently there was a Kindle freebie "Invisible: Ivy Malone series". I was pleasantly surprised! A great mystery with humor and faith.
I am reading a Visit from the Goon Squad
. While a good read, she can write and very good characters her lack of any Christian influence leaves the characters shallow and morally/ethically wanting. I wonder if it is because she has never had any significant Christian influence her and so it is unimportant and without bearing. Or if she just doesn't approve of Christianity and so gives it no time. Or she can't adequately describe a Christian so ignores them. Still I am intrigued by the book. It is a good (profane) read.
I am reading Love and Respect. It is pretty amazing. There are a few things in there that made me bristle when I read them, but they also made me want to dig deeper and understand them better. Overall, it has really helped me to understand my husband and his needs more and improve our marriage.
Finished God in the Dark: Suffering and Desire in the Spiritual Life by Susan Pitchford. I gave it 4 stars. It turned out to be very beneficial read, particularly with what I have been going through. I felt like the author provided excellent information on what it means to experience "the dark night of the soul". I would strongly recommend this book to those who are going through a difficult time...whether emotionally, physically, or spiritually.
I hope to start
. My wife recently read it and could not stop talking about it. What happens to a nation that forsakes the Lord God and His Law for another Messiah of his own choice and a law of one over the many.
Johnnie wrote: "I hope to start [bookcover:In the Garden of Beasts: Love Terror and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin]. My wife recently read it and could not stop talking about it. What happens to a nation ..."I have this one on my TBR.
I am currently reading Mere Christianity by C. S Lewis. It's ok but I find it hard to focus when reading it.
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Now I come to the review of Meredith Kline. he has been something of a mystery to me. Some extremely stimulation, some really confusing, and some to just to just disregard and disagree with. I am eager to see Frame's view on his grace/law dichotomy. Got to finish it before I leave on vacation!