I recognize that reading books isn't as popular as it used to be. In this age of movies, computers, and Ipads actually feeling paper between your fingers is becoming a rare treat. While I like most of the new technologies, I have to to admit that there is something about being warm and snug, feet by the fireplace, coffee or hot chocolate on the stand and a good book in my hands. My love for reading may have, in part, to do with being a kid sitting at our picture window watching the snow fall on the lake, with my feet on the baseboard heater, and a good book in my hands...
Anyway, back to books. Sometimes people want to know what I think is enjoyable to read... the following is a list of a few of my favorite books, besides the Bible of course.
10. The Shack, the authors name escapes me but it is really wonderful novel about a persons coming to gripes with the sovereignty of God and the nature of the Holy Trinity... wait, that makes it sound so boring. It is not boring! It isn't an easy read, however. It will make you think.
9. The Hobbit, and the Lord of the Rings trilogy, while this isn't one book, it is one story told over four books. It is the story of an amazing epic adventure full of "Christ like character". It is also much more enjoyable than the movies.
8. Harry Potter series, this is also a very enjoyable story told over several books. It is full of magic, good guys and bad guys. The first four books are really excellent with younger children, but he later books are a bit more mature and dark. I know many children who told me they hate reading, but Harry Potter changed that for them... they are avid readers now.
7. The River Why? by James David Duncan is a short novel about a young mans coming to grip with the big questions about the meaning of life, fly fishing, the universe and everything. Very funny, but also very moving.
6. The Brothers K, also by Duncan is just an amazing story of a family in the 60's struggling with issues of faith, baseball, and life in general. Duncan is a very powerful writer who cuts through a lot of peoples messy lives to reveal how God is at work in the mess.
5. Peace Like A River, by Leif Enger is a powerful story of faith told from the perspective of a young boy. It isn't a very long book, but Enger is one of the finest "word smiths" I have ever read. His prose flows so smoothly that the book moves very fast. Our own Shirley Schwinghammer grew up with Enger up in Minnesota.
4. The Frontiersman by Alan Eckert is the historical account of the life of Simon Kenton, a contemporary of Daniel Boone. Eckert is extremely historical but very entertaining, as well.
3. Hearts in Atlantis is my favorite Stephen King book... did I just say that? Yes I did. King is an amazingly gifted writer and Hearts is an almost epic story told over three separate "novellas" in one book. The stories are connected but you don't know how until the end of the last one. Yes, it does have some of Kings trademark weirdness, but that is part of the fun.
2. Glad River, by Will D. Campbell is an amazing story about a young man who wrestles with what it means to be faithful to God amongst many who claim to be faithful, but are not.
1. Silence by Shusoku Endo is a powerful story set in 1600's Japan. A Jesuit priest sneaks into Japan during the shogun age to find and rescue his mentor. Being a Christian is illegal and the main character must learn about his own character and what Jesus is really like in the midst of horrible persecution. This is not an easy book to read because Endo, who is a Catholic from Japan, challenges much of our western ways of viewing the Gospel.
Well there are a few of my favorite books. Asking me which is my favorite book is almost like asking me which is the favorite of my three children... they are all my favorites!
Peace, Joy, and Good Reading!
Pastor Bill
Monday, February 14, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Does the World hate God because of my religion?
Rom 2:24
As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." (NIV)
Recently I was looking through a book I hadn't read for many years... It is titled, How To Be A Christian Without Being Religious, by Fritz Ridenour. It is a wonderful book if you are interested. It was originally written for teens as an examination of the book of Romans. Very readable and very understandable. Anyway.... In the book Ridenour raises the question, (as does the Apostle Paul) whether "religion" gets in the way. He answers (as does the Apostle Paul) that of course "religion" gets in the way. Huh??? Did you just say what I thought you said, Pastor Bill? That doesn't sound very pastory. Well, alright, I will give you that. At first, it doesn't sound like what a pastor should or would say... but hear me out.
In the book of Romans Paul makes a distinction between observing the Jewish laws and codes and being faithful to God. Paul builds a case for the idea that the only righteousness that matters to God is perfect righteousness. Since we people are not perfect we have no righteousness that counts. Everything we do is tainted with sin, pride, selfishness, whatever you want to call it. Since Adam and Eve, we humans have a problem we cannot cure on our own... we are separated from God. The only righteousness that can cure this separation is a righteousness that never fails or falters. God's remedy for our lack was to become one of us, die in our place, rise from the dead, thus being both our brother and savior. In doing so He gives to us His righteousness. When God the Father looks at us He doesn't see our sin... He sees the righteousness of Jesus, given to us. Pretty slick deal on God's part.
Then what Paul goes on to explore is this idea that when we go back to reducing faith to observing a list of do's and don'ts we deny the cross of Jesus and that is what the world hates. They hate a deck of cards that is stacked against them. By this unfair system, they can never win. We have said God wants righteousness... that part is right... we have claimed His righteousness as our own to start this journey and then have reverted back to thinking we can make it the rest of the way on our own...
One person has defined it like this... "Religion is human attempts to reach God, to appease God. Christianity, properly understood is God's attempt to reach humanity. Which He has done through Jesus Christ." The world hates God because of our "religion". What the world needs to see is God's grace in and through us, not by our being good boys and girls. Rather, by us admitting our failings and claiming the only righteousness that matters... Jesus's . When we do that the world is convinced of the reality of what God has done. Like the pilgrim who journeyed all the way from Germany to Rome in the Middle Ages. He went because he was interested in becoming a Christian, but wasn't sure of it truth. On his arrival in Rome he got an audience with the Pope. Afterward, when asked why he became a believer in Jesus he responded, "If God is capable of saving someone like the Pope... I am sure He can save me!"
In and Through God's Grace,
Pastor Bill
As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." (NIV)
Recently I was looking through a book I hadn't read for many years... It is titled, How To Be A Christian Without Being Religious, by Fritz Ridenour. It is a wonderful book if you are interested. It was originally written for teens as an examination of the book of Romans. Very readable and very understandable. Anyway.... In the book Ridenour raises the question, (as does the Apostle Paul) whether "religion" gets in the way. He answers (as does the Apostle Paul) that of course "religion" gets in the way. Huh??? Did you just say what I thought you said, Pastor Bill? That doesn't sound very pastory. Well, alright, I will give you that. At first, it doesn't sound like what a pastor should or would say... but hear me out.
In the book of Romans Paul makes a distinction between observing the Jewish laws and codes and being faithful to God. Paul builds a case for the idea that the only righteousness that matters to God is perfect righteousness. Since we people are not perfect we have no righteousness that counts. Everything we do is tainted with sin, pride, selfishness, whatever you want to call it. Since Adam and Eve, we humans have a problem we cannot cure on our own... we are separated from God. The only righteousness that can cure this separation is a righteousness that never fails or falters. God's remedy for our lack was to become one of us, die in our place, rise from the dead, thus being both our brother and savior. In doing so He gives to us His righteousness. When God the Father looks at us He doesn't see our sin... He sees the righteousness of Jesus, given to us. Pretty slick deal on God's part.
Then what Paul goes on to explore is this idea that when we go back to reducing faith to observing a list of do's and don'ts we deny the cross of Jesus and that is what the world hates. They hate a deck of cards that is stacked against them. By this unfair system, they can never win. We have said God wants righteousness... that part is right... we have claimed His righteousness as our own to start this journey and then have reverted back to thinking we can make it the rest of the way on our own...
One person has defined it like this... "Religion is human attempts to reach God, to appease God. Christianity, properly understood is God's attempt to reach humanity. Which He has done through Jesus Christ." The world hates God because of our "religion". What the world needs to see is God's grace in and through us, not by our being good boys and girls. Rather, by us admitting our failings and claiming the only righteousness that matters... Jesus's . When we do that the world is convinced of the reality of what God has done. Like the pilgrim who journeyed all the way from Germany to Rome in the Middle Ages. He went because he was interested in becoming a Christian, but wasn't sure of it truth. On his arrival in Rome he got an audience with the Pope. Afterward, when asked why he became a believer in Jesus he responded, "If God is capable of saving someone like the Pope... I am sure He can save me!"
In and Through God's Grace,
Pastor Bill
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