Gracism

I finished reading Gracism by David Anderson last evening and have been mulling it over all day. I found several chapters quite thought-provoking.

He addresses many of the "-isms" that separate humanity into our comfortable little compartments... I appreciated that he took the race issue head-on and and allowed people who have discomfort some space to process their feelings. I especially appreciated that he was not judgemental or condemning, because, frankly, we all have our favorite "-isms" and we cling to them. (Case in point, the whole Obama/Wright kerfuffle!) No one gets a "free card" on this issue.

It's going to require a re-read, that's for sure. But I kept wishing that he would address sexism a little more directly. Perhaps because racism is more universally experienced by both men and women? Or because, being a male, even though he is an African American, he doesn't see it to be such a big "problem"?? I dunno...

Just musing. There's lots of good stuff in this book. It would make a great topical sermon series, if one dared to wade through it...

Deb

Friday Five: Read Any Good Books Lately?

Rev HRod from RevGalBlogPals writes:

I think that some books ARE better than others! How about you?

Oh - ABSOLUTELY! And unfortunately, there is a lot of trash out there. It is discouraging too, because I think, as you look at this list, that you'll agree that it IS possible to write a book that isn't soft porn or pablum.

Or maybe it's just me. Anyway, here's this week's Five!


1. What book have you read in the last six months that has really stayed with you? Why?

It HAS to be Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. I waited a month to get the book at the library, read it through twice and couldn't stop thinking about it after I read it. It is just one of those books that grips you. It's the story of Greg's mission to build schools for GIRLS in the remotest parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan. (You can read the back story here!)

The book struck a chord in me because it talked about the passion and focus of one person, and what having and living for a vision and a dream can accomplish, against all odds. I especially appreciated reading something about that part of the world that was not militaristic propaganda.


2. What is one of your favorite childhood books?

Probably Black Beauty. I loved the story of a good horse and good people (and what happens when people aren't good to animals.) It was one of those books to curl up and read on a rainy afternoon... or under the covers at night with a flashlight!

Since I was horse-crazy as a kid, I wanted a horse in the worst way.



Do you have a favorite book of the Bible? Do tell!

Without a doubt, the Psalms!

You get history, poetry, metaphors, laments, praise, despair, confession, and deep words of faith. There are creative forms, meters and rhymes, chants and responses, long and short... a banquet of literature.

There's more than my mind can conceive or understand just reading the English translation. Then, ya throw in the riches of studying the Hebrew text, and my mind just boggles.

What is one book you could read again and again?

Oh dear. ONE book? Not possible. Not even one series... How could I chose between:
The Lord of the Rings
Harry Potter
The Chronicles of Narnia

I won't, I tell you! Instead, I'm going to vote for David Eddings' five volume series called "The Belgariad" (closely followed by "The Mallorean" series) and I promise you, if you start the series, you won't be able to put them down. Each book ends as a cliff-hanger, and you must must read them in order!

(OK, I know that's cheating. But really. ONE book? You must be joking!)

Is there a book you would suggest for Lenten reading? What is it and why?

I haven't even thought about Lent. I don't know if it's really "Lenten" or not, but I am going to re-read Brennan Manning's Ruthless Trust. I wrote about it last week.

It's just good stuff.

There's something about being reminded that you really don't have anything else you can trust, anything else you can really sink your roots into than God. No one else. No other thing. Just God.


And because we all love bonus questions, if you were going to publish a book what would it be? Who would you want to write the jacket cover blurb expounding on your talent?

Wow. Well, I would love to write a book. I think I'd like to write fiction for readers who are after Dr. Suess but before Stephen King. Not horror. Not kiddie porn. Not Christian pablum. Something that intrigues, gives a challenge to the mind and the heart, and something that makes you laugh.

And who would be my "blurbist"? (is that a word? Well, it is now!) Oh, let's go for broke. Oprah!

That's my bookshelf and I'm sticking with it!

Deb

Blogging challenge

Alex at Besomami has issued a blogging challenge. She writes:
"Every time I finish a book this year, I am going to post about it. Anyone care to join me? Leave a comment on this post and we can keep up with each other, compare books, give suggestions, etc."

Soooo... OK. I'm in! How about you?

I've already finished three (OK, vacation helped!) and am ready to start my next book. Fun, philosophical, political, educational... I think anything except a comic book counts.

Here's my first three:
Off-Road Disciplines: Spiritual Adventures of Missional Leaders by Earl Creps
It's a book for people who want to be honest about missional churches and their impact on (western) culture. There's a lot I liked in this book... I wish, however, he had dealt with the issue of women and ordination, because he was silent about that. And he didn't strike me as someone who was unwilling to let a woman preach.


Ruthless Trust: The Ragamuffin's Path to God by Brennan Manning
I love how he writes. I love how he points me back, every single time, to Scripture and to God's redemptive power in Jesus. I appreciate the raw, real issues he grapples with and throws into my face as a result. Good stuff. Plus he quotes writers I love like Henri Nouwen. :) My journal is filled with quotes to re-read and consider. Good stuff.


Becky Garrison's book Rising from the Ashes: Rethinking Church is a more radical version of Creps' book (above.) She pulls no punches and lets the voices of leaders in the "emergent" church speak for themselves. I have page flags stuck all through this book because of some blunt quotes that made me blink... and then think. If you care about the church thriving past this generation, you need to read it. Even if you "hate" the whole idea of the "emergent" church, you need to think about the issues these voices raise. I'm just sayin...

OK, that's it for now. I will try and pick more interesting, non-theological books too. But hey. I'm in seminary. I am reading pages and pages every week. And it ain't the funny pages. But I will try to be more diverse.

:) Deb