Choices

Just some thoughts after preaching a 17 year old's Funeral.

David Gregory Books

David Gregory is a master at writing modern day parables. Here are the 3 books of his I have read:

Dinner With a Perfect Stranger
A Day With a Perfect Stranger
The Next Level - A Parable of Finding Your Place in Life.

Dinner with a Perfect Stranger is centered around a conversation Jesus has with a successful female lawyer named Nicky. Through the conversation, Jesus deals with different faiths, salvation, why does evil happen and other topics of interest. This book would be a great non-threatening evangelistic tool to give to someone who is searching.

A Day with a Perfect Stranger picks up 10 years later when Nicky's daughter is leaving to go to Art School. It focuses more on a disbelief in God, but again deals with the "why does God allow evil" question. It is not a apologetic in nature as the first book, but is very good none the less.

Both of these books have been made into DVD's. We have shown them both to the Church on Sunday evenings and they have been very very well received.

The Next Level book is the written more for a believer than was the other two. It focuses on trying to please God, serving Him out of love rather than out of duty or even selfishness. I will reread this book again to grasp some of the nuances I might have missed. It did not catch my heart as much as his previous 2 books did.

How Starbucks Saved My Life

I have a terrible habit to which I must confess. Whenever I fly, I have a habit of going to the Airport Book store and buying a book I would probably never buy anywhere else and paying a price that is twice what I could get the book for at Amazon. There ... I feel much better.

Such is the story of how I purchased this book. I was on the way to Albuquerque New Mexico when I picked up this book. For those who know me, I am a sucker for anything Starbucks and this book looked interesting.

How Starbucks Saved My Life by Michael Gates Gill is a book written about Mr. Gill's life experience. He has a seemingly lucrative and successful 30 year career as an Advertising Agent but is shown the door when "downsizing" takes place. He starts his own Agency, but the clients begin to dry up. Coupled with some bad personal decisions, he finds himself loosing most all that he has grown accustomed to in his life.

Family and fortune gone, he finds himself in his favorite Starbucks when he is "jokingly" offered a job. He accepts, stunning both him and the young lady who offered the job. Thus begins his journey into a culture that he was totally oblivious to for so many years.

Here is this WASP man now working for and with a black female manager at a store staff by minorities. And the transformation begins. What is amazing is that they learn from each other. They all struggle with misconceptions, prejudices, and preconceived ideas they have had about each other's culture. It is an interesting journey with Starbucks as a background.

As a bonus, one learns a tremendous amount about company policies of Starbucks, how they take care of their employees, and the inner workings of a store. Also, you learn much about different types of coffee and what goes well with them. After reading this book, I asked for a "Coffee Passport" at my local Starbucks and they gave me one!

This book is well written and shows how people from different ages, backgrounds and cultures can work through to help each other clearing up misconceptions.

I would encourage anyone - especially Starbucks aficionados - to read this book. I really enjoyed it!

A Quest for Answers: The DaVinci Code

In just a few days the movie, "The DaVinci Code" will be drawing millions to the movie theater. This movie, based on the same titled book, is a fictional best seller that weaves an incredible story of deceit, murder and intrigue about a secret society that has been given the task of keeping secret, shocking and priceless relic.

Many people have wondered, "It the DaVinci Code Real?; Is it Historically Accurate?" The answer is yes - and no. Yes, there are historical people and groups that actually lived mentioned in this book - just as there was actually a New York City and Empire State Building in the movie King Kong. But much of what is presented as fact is simply historically inaccurate. Be that as it may, the DaVinci Code is a great book - but it is a book of fiction.

Josh McDowell in the book, "A Quest for Answers: The DaVinci Code" tells a story of three college students who begin to read the book, "The DaVinci Code" and begin to research some of the historical claims of the book. McDowell writes this book in novel format, but it is heavily footnoted for those who would like to further study the claims the book makes.

If you would like to view an Adobe PDF File of the first chapter, you can click here. If you would like to order a copy of the book, you can click here.

Here is another link to more information about a Believers Response to the "DaVinci Code."

Blue Like Jazz

It has been a while since I have "blogged" on what I was reading. Not that I wasn't reading - just too busy to sit down and write about it. I thought it was time to change that - so here we go.

While writing my Doctoral Dissertation a couple of years ago - I discovered there were people that didn't think like me ... I am not talking about agreeing with me ... but the didn't process information like I did - didn't view reality like I did - didn't even view a relationship with Christ the way I did. I think a little background is in order here.

I was raised by very godly parents - they taught me how to love, taught me how to treat people and taught me how to think - how to reason. It was all very logical - for my father is an analytical engineer - smart too - brilliant actually - he is a rocket scientist. I was raised to think - reason - analyze - weigh out options - black/white - very quantifiable - very empirical. And I love that ... I love bulleted lists - I love precision - I love finding solutions to difficult problems.

And in a sense - that is what Jesus is to me - A solution to a difficult problem. Sin separated me from God and Jesus provided a solution to this relational problem. Big problem - great solution. Makes sense.

But as I began to research my Dissertation - I found that most people didn't see the world or God as I did. It wasn't so clear cut - the "reasoned bulleted convincing arguments" didn't work. It was if I was speaking a totally different language than they were.

So - I have been doing what I have always done - I have been analyzing the situation. (stop laughing) I want to know how to communicate with these people. I want to understand what "makes them tick."

At first I thought they were nuts. Sloppy - messy - artsy/fartsy kind of people - but now I have come to appreciate them for what they are. They are the artist to my engineer. They are the color to my black and white.

They love the same God as I do - but express that love in such different ways - worship Him in such different ways - ways that don't ring my bell - but I do think it rings God's Bell. Actually - I think my of loving and worshipping Him does too - God has a great capacity to receive all kinds of expressions of love from His Children.

Which brings me to this book - Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller.

Donald Miller is a guy that loves the Lord in an incredible way. This book chronicles many of his thoughts and experiences about people and God.

As I read it – it seemed like a meandering journey – but one that I truly enjoyed and appreciated greatly. In addition – he sees things in a way that I do not – which is marvelous!

It is clear that he has an incredible love for Jesus – and so do I – but we have arrived there in incredibly divergent paths – and we both have something to learn from the others journey.

I have learned to appreciate the journeys, experiences and biblical applicative insights from this book. He writes honestly about his struggles with faith, the church, right-wing politics and especially religion. But what is amazing is that he doesn’t “gloss over” these struggles with religious jargon or clichés. And in the struggles – you gain insight to his soul – and insight to your own.

There are some things in this book that make me uneasy – but to dismiss the insights because of those would be incredibly prejudiced – even judgmental. But still …

I would highly recommend this book to have both a greater understanding of a way of postmodern religious reasoning – and to see journeys to God that are filled with incredibly poignant truths.

Velvet Elvis - Rob Bell

Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell is a very interesting and entertaining read. There are many insights that I picked up from this book - particularly those of the Jewish Culture during the time of Jesus. From Bell's insights on the Jewish Culture, Rabbis and Tamildin - the calling of the Disciples by Jesus took on a much deeper and fuller meaning.

However, there are points where Bell stretches my comfort zone with his view of Scripture. His points of questioning whether there is a "constant right" interpretation of scripture troubles me. Even though there are cultural and traditional influences and insights, there is still places where the scripture is clear. While insights might add color, there are still some black and white issues of right and wrong in scripture that cross cultural, generational and geographic lines.

Additionally, I am troubled at some acceptance of habits that would be stumbling blocks in the culture that I live. While as Christians there is freedom, there are times when you don't exercise that freedom because it would be a stumbling block to either new believers or even unbelievers. Again - that is my culture - and Rob Bell does not live in my culture.

I would recommend this book to mature Christian who could filter it though his understanding of his faith and the culture in which he lives his faith out.

How To Ruin Your LIfe - Ben Stein

Ok. I admit it. I am a big Ben Stein fan. My first exposure to him was in Ferris Bueller’'s Day Off where he played the role of an American History teacher - it still makes me smile when I think of, “Beuller …… Beuller …… Beuller…..” (Thanks Chad). Stein’s part of the boring teacher in Ferris Bueller's Day Off was recently ranked as one of the fifty most famous scenes in American film.

It was only later that I found out that he was an incredibly diverse man. He was a speech writer for both President Nixon and President Ford. I then began reading Monday Night at Morton’s articles published on E-Online. I have enjoyed his wit and insight on many levels and will continue to read most anything he writes.

His book, “How to Ruin Your Life” is a great example of his sarcastic wit. Publisher’s Weekly says, “"Keeping a Chin Up Offering a tongue-in-cheek approach to living well, quiz show host and former White House speechwriter Ben Stein has written How to Ruin Your Life. Asserting that "failure is often a virtual road map to success in reverse," Stein tells readers, "[f]ollow these rules and you're guaranteed disaster. Avoid them, and you're on the high road to achievement...." He proceeds to explain how to "make yourself useless," "be a slob," "convince yourself you're all that matters" and "act like the world owes you." If ignored, his advice is sound and realistic, and may be the perfect way to push recent grads or other impressionable readers in the right direction.”"

This book will make great reading for teenagers who “have all the answers” to life. Adults who read it will laugh - sometimes with embarrassment - at some of the insights Stein offers.

How to Ruin Your Life is a powerful self-help tool in the form of a work of humor. It is sardonic advice, presented in a tongue-in-cheek style, explaining how people can "ruin" their lives. Topics include essays such as "Convince Yourself That You’re The Center of the Universe," "Think The Worst of Everyone," and "You Can Change People."

I thought I would type in one of his 35 lessons as a sample:

Number 27 - Don’t Clean Up After Yourself.

Throw away the apron. I know I'’ve mentioned it before, bit it is worth repeating: You are a perfect being whom others are supposed to clean up after. Just leave your dirty dishes and pots and pans lying around the house. Someone will clean it all up, even if you live alone. Leave your dirty clothes on the floor. That’s not your job. You aren'’t a day worker in a plantation house. You have things to do, worlds to conquer. Look, you'’ve seen Star Wars! Did Luke Skywalker or Han Solo go around doing laundry and folding clothes after ironing? Did either one of them clean the floors after Chewbacca had an accident? Now, it is true that in Gone With the Wind, Scarlett did lower herself to do some cleaning. But that was only meant to show you how bad things had gotten. When things got better, she had servants to do the dirty work for her.

So freaking what if people complain you are a slob? You don'’t live to please others! You live to please yourself, plain and simple! So get down and boogie, and let somebody else clean it all up. And if it gets too awful where you live because it is starting to look and smell like a pigsty, just move someplace else (but make sure you leave your place a complete mess for the next tenant.)

This also applies to emotional and financial messes. So what if you promised to love a man and he gave up his job and moved across the country to be with you? If you get tired of him, just cut him off without even a phone call. So what if you encouraged your partner to borrow money to start a business you were going to work with him on? If you changed your mind, that is his problem! You don’'t have to clean up the messes you have made. That is for the little people.

Your job in life is to please yourself moment by moment. I don'’t think that includes going around with a mop or dustpan, whether real or figurative. Make any mess you want, and then go merrily on your way. It is your right.

I have given this book on a couple of occasions to kids who thought the world truly did revolve around them - and to their credit - with a sly grin - they got the message. With this book - it is difficult not to.

This is not a “Biblical Book” - but it does teach biblical truths - in an effectively sarcastic way. This is a book that will stay on my shelf - and at some point - find its way into Joseph'’s and Nathan’'s (my sons) hands.

Upcoming Books I WIll Read

Well - my reading drought is over. My thirst has returned. It is time to start a disciplined reading program again.

Here is what I will be reading over the next few weeks. Some are leftovers from my previous list - some are new - but all will be read and commented on. Will you join me?

Here is the list

1. Exquisite Agony - Gene Edwards
2. I Flunked Sunday School - Ken Bailey
3. How to Ruin Your Life - Ben Stein
4. Hearing the Master's Voice - Robert Jeffress
5. Healing for the Hurting Heart - June Hunt
6. The American Prophecies - Michael Evans
7. The Politically Incorrect Guide to American History - Thomas E. Woods Jr.

By the way - I have learned that I can save money by purchasing some books on Amazon - but purchasing them used. This is especially true of books that have been out a couple of years.

Remember - one who does not read has no advantage over the person who cannot read!