What are you reading right now?

[mandalee65]

look mandalee could you please explain why potter. i am a newbie, and i'm sure the evils of potter and t.k have been harped on here in the past. i'm not judging you, just wanting to understand the logic behind it. this may not be the place for that discussion though.

I just like a good book. I actually started reading them because I was hearing a lot of hype on Christian radio, and virtually every one of the kids in our youth group (none of whom actually enjoyed reading) were into the books. Purely out of curiosity, I started reading them. If they really were evil, then I wanted to know.

I've read all of the books, and while the witchcraft/magic element is undeniable, I came to the conclusion that - for myself, at least - the books do not pose a threat. I did not feel compelled to pick up a book on real magic spells, nor did I feel a need to attempt divination. DH & I both thoroughly enjoyed the books, and we agreed that we would let our kid(s) read them, but it would be with careful dialogue between us to make sure they were understanding.

This may surprise you, but my biggest beef with the books was not the witchcraft element at all - it was that Harry and his friends so often defy authority figures, when they should instead be trusting them.

So there you have it. I think it's one of those gray areas Paul mentioned - in a sense, this is my meat sacrificed to idols. I completely respect that there are people with differing opinions on the matter.

Edit to add: if the fight between good and evil was written so that you wanted the bad guy to win, I'd have nothing to do with the books. When an author makes you sympathize with evil, that's a dangerous thing. These books simply don't do that. Good is GOOD and bad is BAD.

[k-pappy]

I just finished reading May's issue of Scientific American.  There was a very good article in there on the vegetative state and how neurologists are starting to use fMRIs and other imaging techniques to help find out exactly what is going on in the brain and potentially be able to diagnose who will recover and who will fall into the permanent vegatative state.

Hopefully June's Issue is in the book stores now.

KP

[James Rondon]

A chapter away from finishing "Basic Christianity", by John Stott. Almost through listening to the audio book "Why I Am A Christian", also by John Stott.

Finished "Basic Christianity". Almost done with the audio book "Why I Am A Christian".

Getting ready to start "Fast Food Evangelism", by ATS.

[saved]

look mandalee could you please explain why potter. i am a newbie, and i'm sure the evils of potter and t.k have been harped on here in the past. i'm not judging you, just wanting to understand the logic behind it. this may not be the place for that discussion though.

I just like a good book. I actually started reading them because I was hearing a lot of hype on Christian radio, and virtually every one of the kids in our youth group (none of whom actually enjoyed reading) were into the books. Purely out of curiosity, I started reading them. If they really were evil, then I wanted to know.

I've read all of the books, and while the witchcraft/magic element is undeniable, I came to the conclusion that - for myself, at least - the books do not pose a threat. I did not feel compelled to pick up a book on real magic spells, nor did I feel a need to attempt divination. DH & I both thoroughly enjoyed the books, and we agreed that we would let our kid(s) read them, but it would be with careful dialogue between us to make sure they were understanding.

This may surprise you, but my biggest beef with the books was not the witchcraft element at all - it was that Harry and his friends so often defy authority figures, when they should instead be trusting them.

So there you have it. I think it's one of those gray areas Paul mentioned - in a sense, this is my meat sacrificed to idols. I completely respect that there are people with differing opinions on the matter.

Edit to add: if the fight between good and evil was written so that you wanted the bad guy to win, I'd have nothing to do with the books. When an author makes you sympathize with evil, that's a dangerous thing. These books simply don't do that. Good is GOOD and bad is BAD.

i guess i don't see it as a gray area. god goes so far as to point out that sorcery is of the great abominations. and that he warns us of its outcome just prior to the closing verse of revelation. and when at work it is usually those last directives given that my boss expects my compliancy from, hence the special emphasis of saving for last. i too read ungodly material for the sole purpose of teaching. i read the qur'an, book of mormon, the verdi scripts, etc... in potters case the good guys are abominations to god---they are white witches---evil is evil whether its intent is well meant or not.

[mandalee65]

Getting ready to start "Fast Food Evangelism", by ATS.

That sounds interesting. I may have to check that out.

[HRoberson]

Just finished "Everything Belongs" by Richard Rohr.

Pretty good book on the contemplative life. He pulls together, a lot like Merton does, the ideas that a contemplative life style results in some sort of awareness of people and things around us. If in contemplation we have realized our relationship with God, and His character, our life must issue not in withdrawal from society, but rather an engagement in order to participate in the reconciliation of Creation.

[normfromga]

I am beginning The Outline of History, by H. G. Wells.

[mandalee65]

Just finished the first three HP books. I'm working on the fourth.

[Petals]

Beyond the Lie by Alice Smith

It's a book about finding freedom from the past. 

From the back cover:  Do you feel trapped in shame, unforgiveness, or distrust?  Does it seem like you're wearing a sign that says "kick me?"  If so, Alice Smith understands.  Traumatic childhood events kept her a victim for many years.  Eventually her journey brought her to the feet of Jesus, where she experienced release.

Alice Smith says, "I am furious with the devil whispering his lies, waiting to rob every man and woman of the freedom they can have in Jesus Christ."  In these pages she will take you step-by-step from a victim mentality to victory in Jesus.  Her testimony is one of God's deliverance--and yours can be as well.

[mandalee65]

My husband says I'm a dork. I just finished the sixth HP book - that makes 6 books in about a week and a half.

Now what?

[kalen]

Lie in wait until July 21st....  ;-)

I'm reading Stephen King's Four Past Midnight right now.  That should keep my busy for a while.  It's twice the size of the last HP book, so mandalee you'd be able to read it in, what?  Twelve hours?

[mandalee65]

Lie in wait until July 21st....  ;-)

I'm reading Stephen King's Four Past Midnight right now.  That should keep my busy for a while.  It's twice the size of the last HP book, so mandalee you'd be able to read it in, what?  Twelve hours?

LOL - maybe, if I had no interruptions!

[OkiMar]

I'm about a 1/4 of the way through Les Miserables right now.

[James Rondon]

Just started "Thirteen Witnesses from Hell", written by "a servant".

[HRoberson]

Thomas Merton, "Mystics and Zen Masters."

Excellent - much better writing than some of his other books.

[saved]

america's god and country (encyclepedia of quotations) by william j. federer

[James Rondon]

Right now?... "Jesus of Nazareth" by Joseph Ratzinger.

[spurly]

Paul the Apostle of the Heart Set Free, F.F. Bruce

[ann]

a very relaxed novel.  About the lives of three fictional daughters starting out in married life in a Yorkshire Village. Just something to pass the time of day on.  Must think about something more serious after I come back from France.

[HRoberson]

Finished Mystics and Zen Masters. Pretty good book really, seeking a wider dialogue between East and West (read: Zen and other Eastern spiritualities, and Western Christianity). Pokes pretty hard at just following the rules and challenging Christians to wake up and take life seriously. Also draws some comparisons between Christian spirituality and Eastern religions (Tao, Confucianism, Zen).

Am about halfway through The Gift of Being Yourself, and have just started Prayer by Karl Barth.

[ann]

actually that novel was a little bit on the rubbish side so it went back to the library and got two others out.  One called cover the butter up.  About 13 year olds in England during 1975.  Growing up. 

[Weeble]

I just finished "It Came From Within" by Andy Stanley. Great book, but I love Andy.

[kalen]

Finished Mystics and Zen Masters. Pretty good book really, seeking a wider dialogue between East and West (read: Zen and other Eastern spiritualities, and Western Christianity). Pokes pretty hard at just following the rules and challenging Christians to wake up and take life seriously. Also draws some comparisons between Christian spirituality and Eastern religions (Tao, Confucianism, Zen).

Ooooooooooooooo... that sounds interesting!  I'll have to see if I can find that one around here.

I'm currently reading Peyton Place to see what all the hubub would have been in the '50s and/or '60s.

[HRoberson]

Have finished The Gift of Being Yourself. It's a pretty good book combining spirituality and a bit of psychology. Essentially the message is "quit living a lie, let God tell you who you are, and then move in that direction."

It's the spiritual direction category I suspect. The author does mention a "Christian enneagram," which some folks may not appreciate, and the book closes looking at Jesus knowing Himself, but there's not really enough energy in that last chapter.

But if the ending of the book lacks a bit, the first several chapters are pretty good.

[mandalee65]

Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich

[James A. Wyly]

Earlier this summer I read Jean Edward Smith's "FDR" which I bought on the basis of the good reviews I read of it.  Wonderful book, especially if you are a fan of FDR, as  I am.

I picked up and read Nicolas Sparks' "Three Weeks With My Brother" which is a good, well-written book--largely a memoir of his childhood.   I liked it so much, I picked up a couple of his novels.  Oh my.  They are not my taste.

Right now I am almost finished with Shelby Foote's "Civil War", Volume I.  I bought all three volumes on the recommendation of a friend.  Very well done book, but perhaps a little overdetailed and it abounds with what Barbara Tuchman called the "Napoleon thought" passages: "As he watched the coast of Africa recede on the horizon, Napoleon thought to himself......"  You wonder how the author---or whether the author---had access to the private thoughts and reactions about which he writes.  But with that criticism, I recommend the set.

Jim W.

[Lee Freeman]

Currently reading N. T. Wright's magnum opus The Resurrection of the Son of God. This will probably prove to be the standard textbook defense of the resurrection.

Pax.

[Less-of-Me]

Different Seasons by Stephen King (four novellas, one of which is "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption", made for a great film in the '90s, starring Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins).

[marc]

A mixed pair:  "The Crux of the Matter" by Childers, Foster & Reese (I think) and "The View from Saturday" by E.L. Konigsburg

Also, various contemporary reactions to John Brown's raid.  I'm looking for a reaction by Archibald Campbell, if such a thing exists.

[spurly]

Galatians.  It is probably my second favorite of Paul's epistles.  Romans tops the list.

[soterion]

I just finished reading Night by Elie Wiesel. 

I now have a renewed hatred of Nazism and the Holocaust.

[HRoberson]

Bought Ann Lamott's Traveling Mercies today.

So far, it's simply excellent.

(some adult content and some language, but you'll get over it)

[ConnieLard]

"Dialogues with Silence," by Thomas Merton
    (I attended a contemplative retreat last weekend based on the writings of Thomas Merton.  Picked this up at the Abbey of Gethsemane, which I visited while there.  It's simply a book of his prayers and drawings.  I'm a big Merton fan, so I'm really lovin' it.)

"Open Mind, Open Heart," by Thomas Keating
     (Discusses "centering prayer."  Very good treatment of the subject, imo.)

[Bon Voyage]

I am reading "Brother Odd" by Dean Koontz, how's that for a spiritual book, and I just finished two graphic novels I picked up at the library:

JLA:  Justice for All
and Identity Crisis

[gman]

I'm reading Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov.  In it's own way, it's quite a spiritual journey.