Reading List 2006

I spent a portion of this morning preparing a list of books that I want to read in the coming year. Because I am a compulsive book-buyer, I already own a great number of those on the list, and my list, which is quite long, is divided into two sections - those books I already own, and those that I will locate from the library or purchase later in the year. I have not listed any novels - mostly because I never have difficulty finding a novel to read, maybe because I am resolved to read less brain candy type novels, and more challenging works.

Because I am not very good at reading non-fiction, I have read portions of a great number of the books on the list. My goal is to finish reading these books. I am determined to teach myself to read more broadly, and to retain information that I read in a more useful manner.

I have also determined to keep track of what I read this year. The title, author, and whether or not the book is fiction or non-fiction will be recorded. I used to track my reading all the time, but have fallen out of the habit in the last several years. Because I have resolved to read more challenging books, and to read broadly over the next year, I am once again going to attempt to track my reading.

So, without further ado, I present the list I prepared this morning - a list which is already missing certain titles (The Alchemist - thanks for the reccomendation Sheri!) - a list that will be updated throughout the year, but is a good beginning. If anyone has suggestions for additions, leave me a comment and let me know!

Reading List 2006

Books I Already Own
The Vision and the Vow (Pete Greig)
Waking the Dead (John Eldredge)
Captivating (John and Stasi Eldredge)
The Quest for the Radical Middle (Bill Jackson)
Surprised by the Voice of God (Jack Deere)
Making Real What I Already Believe (John Fischer)
Soul Survivor (Mike Pilavachi)
A Generous Orthodoxy (Brian McLaren)
A New Kind of Christian (Brian McLaren)
Fearless Faith (John Fischer)
The Father Heart of God (Floyd McClung, Jr.)
Rumors of Another World (Philip Yancey)
Great Souls: Six Who Changed the Century (David Aikman)
A Delicate Fade (Ben Devries)
Praise Habit: Finding God in Sunsets and Sushi (David Crowder)
Velvet Elvis (Rob Bell)
The Unquenchable Worshipper (Matt Redman)
The Great Evangelical Disaster (Francis A. Schaeffer)
The Screwtape Letters (C.S. Lewis)
Letters to Marc About Jesus (Henri Nouwen)
Good Ideas from Questionable Christians and Outright Pagans: An Introduction to Key Thinkers and Philosophies (Steve Wilkens)
Inside of Me (Shellie R. Warren)
Real Sex: The Naked Truth About Chastity (Lauren F. Winner)
Following Jesus Without Embarrassing God (Tony Campolo)
The Beginner’s Guide to Spiritual Gifts (Sam Storms)
The Confessions (Augustine)
Messy Spirituality (Mike Yaconelli)

Books to Buy/Get from the Library
Breakthrough: Discovering the Kingdom (Derek Morphew)
Following Jesus (Dave Roberts)
Wrestling with God (Rick Diamond)
Dangerous Wonder (Mike Yaconelli)
Speaking My Mind (Tony Campolo)
Adventures in Missing the Point (Tony Campolo/Brian McLaren)
The Story We Find Ourselves In (Brian McLaren)
The Last Word and the Word After That (Brian McLaren)
Provocative Faith (Matthew Paul Turner)
The Coffeehouse Gospel (Matthew Paul Turner)
Prophetic Untimeliness: A Challenge to the Idol of Relevance (Os Guiness)
The Soul Tells a Story: Engaging Creativity with Spirituality in the Writing Life (Vinita Hampton Wright)
Aimee Semple McPherson: Everbody’s Sister (Edith L. Blumhofer)
Through the Narrow Gate (Karen Armstrong)
All of the Women of the Bible (Edith Deen)
The Seven Storey Mountain (Thomas Merton)
Apostle Paul and Women in the Church (Don Williams)
Daughters of the Church (Ruth A. Tucker/ Walter Liefeld)
Women in Ministry: Four Views (Bonnidell and Robert Clouse)
Daughter of Destiny (Kathryn Kuhlman)

The Problem...

So, I took a quiz here called "What type of Christian are you?" These were the results:
Jerry Falwell Christian(a.k.a. "Historicist" or "Literalist")
You view the Bible as historically accurate and divinely inspired. You go to church every Sunday, with the Good Book in a Bible cover, and Wednesday night for Bible study. You've read at least one of the books in the apocalyptic "Left Behind" series, prefer your iced tea very sweet, and suspect Bill Clinton has murdered somebody somewhere in Arkansas. You're furious that people actually believe "The Da Vinci Code" and have bought a book debunking the novel. You wept uncontrollably all three times you went to see "The Passion of the Christ" and have ordered the DVD in bulk to give copies to friends. You may watch Eternal Word Television Network, and you adore Dr. Laura, Chuck Colson, James Dobson, and Rush Limbaugh. You enjoy some episodes of "Joan of Arcadia" but think it's not reverent enough--"Touched by an Angel" was better. If you're Catholic, you go to Latin Mass and weekly confession, though you don't have much to confess. You think homosexuals are sinful but try periodically to love them. You think the surrounding culture is so polluted that you shop at Christian bookstores, listen only to Christian radio and send your kids to Christian or parochial schools--or homeschool them. You give generously to your church and Christian charities. The Bible provides you not only a direct connection to God but a roadmap for how to lead your life.

Apparantly, believing that much of the Bible is literal automatically associates me with a number of stereotypes that make me either angry, or simply make me want to cry. This is the challenge my generation faces, and I think it is the reason we are so concerned with being "relevant." Honestly, I just get angry when I read something like this, especially on a website like "BeliefNet" that is supposed to be positively promoting a variety of religions. Anyway, I'd like to respond to this one!

Just for clarification - I do go to church every (well almost) Sunday, and Bible study on Tuesdays. I don't however carry my bible in a cover specifically designed for that purpose. My Bible is held together with duct tape, because, while I have a nice new one, I like the old one with all my notes and underlining in it. I have never read any book in the "Left Behind" series - I don't really devote much time to considering how the world will end. I'm more interested in living right now than I am in speculating and worrying about the future. I have nothing particularly against Bill Clinton, although I am rather tired of the type of political scandal he seems to symbolize. I could care less what people think about the Da Vinci code (which I also haven't read) except that it annoys me slightly that people in our "enlightened, intelligent culture" don't seem to know the definition of "fiction". I did see the Passion of the Christ, and it did impact me, and I did cry. However, I saw it only once, I didn't weep uncontrollably, I have not purchased it for anyone, and I will probably never watch it again. Dr. Laura is amusing in very small doses, Charles Colson writes some intelligent and insightful commentary on the Christian worldview (although slightly too conservative for me), James Dobson mostly annoys me (a friend saw a bumper sticker in Colorado Springs that said "Focus on Your Own D**N Family! - I just about died laughing when he told me), and I'm not even sure who Rush Limbaugh is. I loved almost every episode of Joan of Arcadia (I mean, who wouldn't be fascinated by a God that appears in physical form - and He said some pretty important stuff to Joan), and while I occasionally watched Touched by an Angel, it was generally too sappy and full of happy endings for my tastes. I try to love homosexuals more than periodically - in fact, I wonder why their sexual orientation has anything to do with me loving them or not. Aren't we commanded to love everyone? Hello, literal Bible reading people! I think the surrounding culture has an awful lot of positive things to offer, as well as some very negative things, and while I do shop at Christian bookstores, my book and music and clothing and entertainment spending is by no means limited to "Christian" products. I'm really bad at remembering to tithe - although I'm trying to work on that. The Bible is the Word of God, but He speaks to me directly too. And yes, I was homeschooled for about seven years, and would possibly homeschool my own children someday, but it has a whole lot more to do with freedom of decision, and my gratefulness for the time my mom invested in us, than in a need to "protect" my kids from the "evil" culture!

Joy and Sorrow

I got another great bit from Henri Nouwen in my email again today... so, here it is!

Our Spiritual Parents
Joy and sorrow are never separated. When our hearts rejoice at a spectacular view, we may miss our friends who cannot see it, and when we are overwhelmed with grief, we may discover what true friendship is all about. Joy is hidden in sorrow and sorrow in joy. If we try to avoid sorrow at all costs, we may never taste joy, and if we are suspicious of ecstasy, agony can never reach us either. Joy and sorrow are the parents of our spiritual growth.

I am Lisa

A couple days ago, I put this sentence in the middle of a post here, “I'm learning that I am Lisa.” It seems kind of funny to be learning this now, 22 years after I started “being” Lisa. But I am. I have spent years with my identity defined by whose child I was, whose friend I was, what I did, what I read, what I was studying, and what people thought of me. I am learning that these things count a whole lot less than I thought that they did, and in light of that, I have a short list of intentions/resolutions/things to try for the new year. I’ll do other things, I just don’t like to plan too much ahead! If I don’t list it, I don’t have to feel guilty if it doesn’t quite get accomplished!

In 2006, I will wear my hair curly more often. I like it when it’s curly. Plus, wearing it curly forces me to spend time caring for myself – curly hair requires a wash, styling product – some work. I think I need to spend a bit more time taking care of myself – even little things like taking vitamins to stave off the illness that always results when I’m overtired and stressed.

In 2006, I will read more books that challenge me and less books that don’t. I will read about subjects like women in the church (thanks for the list Sheri), charismatic theology (if I can find some good ones…), spiritual autobiographies, the Moravian movement, and philosophy. But I will also treat myself to novels – because even the brain needs candy once in a while.

In 2006, I will be intentional about hanging out with people who challenge me – especially emotionally and spiritually. I already kind of do this (to the crew – you guys are awesome – let’s hang out lots more), but I want to do it even more intentionally and frequently.

In 2006, I will stand with open hands. My life is in the hands of God, and I want so desperately to leave it there – to break the habit of seizing control when things get painful, stressful, scary.

I have been learning this week what it means to be a child of my “Abba.” I’m only beginning to learn, but this is my biggest hope for the new year. I want to learn to rest in the arms of my “Abba.” I want to meet the God who is not authoritarian and harsh, but the one who loves me right where I am. I want to separate my relationship with my dad from my relationship with God, because my relationship with my dad is not all that healthy at the moment, and I want my relationship with God to be something that is growing and vibrant and healthy.

Jesus, teach me what it means to rest in your loving arms. To know your presence and your peace. I am Yours. And that amazes me. Thank you for showing up in my life. I stand in amazement of the things you are doing. It boggles my mind most days. Abba, I am yours.

Tea and Conversation

I sat/lay on a friend's living room floor most of last evening, drinking tea and sharing life. The boys had bailed on us for the evening (I mean, who sleeps before a road trip? You sleep when it's over, not before. LAME!) so it was just the two of us.

We had similar Christmases. Not particularly easy in any account. So we laid on the floor, drank tea, and shared. We dreamed about the next year, about travelling, about work, about where we see church and our group of friends going. We shared pain, and triumphs, and the little things that God is doing - or the BIG things (the ones that really hurt) that He is also doing.

And it was good. A much needed break from the intense family togetherness of the holidays. An escape from my house for the evening, and a chance to share hearts. Not to mention she makes some pretty good tea! (I think she's the only one I drink tea with - other than the occasional cup with my mom at home.)