Anyone know what could be causing my muscle near my elbow (on the inside) to thump/twitch? It's been going on for a couple days and is rather perplexing and, try as I might, I can't seem to dig up an answer.
Deats and I are listening to Phylis Tickle via podcast. Deaty wasn't there. I was and I'm still enjoying it. She (Phylis), on top of educating me, inspires and encourages me to find my voice and identity as a woman-human in ministry. Good stuff, friends, good stuff!
In the past week and a half I've finished three books
God on Mute by Peter Greig
Out of the three, this is the only one I can recommend whole-heartedly. I read this one word-for-word. In other words, I drove miss daisy through the residential area. In this endorsement, I am not saying that I agree with every perspective and conclusion Pete shares with the reader. However, the honest discussion about the all-too-troubling reality of unanswered prayer is one that anyone who has endured the silence of God can draw comfort from. Personally, it has helped me heal a bit, even without answers.
One of the things that gives Pete a leg to stand on is his own story of confusion, helplessness, and frustration as life takes a cold turn for the worse. Perhaps the most ironic of things is that he is one of the "founders" of the 24/7 prayer movement that has spread across continent and sea.
Confessions of a Pastor by Craig Groeschel
I picked this one up on recommendation. I found it for $4 at Kregel in Grandville. I appreciate and support what he was seeking to do. He encouraged honesty and authenticity, two things I advocate strongly, myself. But there seemed to be an underlying judgmental tone that made it difficult for me to take his words seriously. I, too, am frustrated with masked leadership and Christianity, but I'm not sure if being judgmental, or shaming the reader into action at times, is the best way to motivate change.
I ended up beltline-ing through much of this book. Perhaps that's because much of my college education was built upon the idea of becoming holistically-healthy humans who help others become holistically-healthy humans, so much of the points he made were not all that revelatory to me. Yeeep, the BRM department should pay me for these shameless plugs. Seriously.
Jesus Mean and Wild by Mark Galli
A reaction against the idea that Jesus is solely warm and fuzzies, this book hops through the book of Mark, outlining some of Jesus' more rude and politically-incorrect moments. I agreed with a lot of the content, not so much some of the spirit (I perceive) it was written with. I would caution a potential reader to look at the context and make sure that the conclusions the author makes are in line with the context and spirit of the text (the voice of the author, the issues and events of the day).
I loved that this book shared the stories many of the saints of the faith (Loyola, Francis of Assisi, etc). Many of them have insane stories of radical turn arounds. From self-centered sinner to a man who surrenders his clothing and money to his earthy father in order to be adopted into the church family. Amazing stories. For the stories, the book was worth the read. It is also good for me to read things I disagree with because they help me to clarify and articulate what I do believe.
Because I finished three of the four books I was working through, I started Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright and am still working through Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig.
You'd think that with no job and very little gas money, I'd be posting on here a bit more regularly. Instead of posting here I've been job hunting and reading.
Reading: I'm currently in the middle of two books.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
and
God on Mute
When I read, even for pleasure, I find myself underlining, taking notes and stopping to process.
... and editing...
I found some errors in one of the books last night and, without thinking, started editing it. Yeeeep.
Job Hunting: I applied for six jobs yesterday and will apply for 4 more today.
I have a confession:
I am addicted to books.
I love books.
It's good for knowledge... bad (very bad) on finances.
When most of my classmates were buying cd's and dvds...
I was buying books.
I bought 3 books for 23.00. Actually, for just under $13.
The rest was shipping.
The first thing I budgeted in when I sat down to make my budget aside from rent & gas
was books.
It's pretty much... a sickness.
-Asher
