...as if religion were something God invented, and not His statement to us of certain quite unalterable facts about His own nature...
quite a few times while reading mere christianity have i had to stop, take a deep breath and just go...wow...
he goes from an intellectual discourse on the existence of God, to basic and pratical application in morals and virtues in the world we are in, yet points forward to eternity reminding us that we follow these virtues not to get into heaven, but to become a "certain sort of person" that would find joy when we get there...and then goes to tie it in the end with theology and the purpose behind it all...
i could ramble on forever about things that stood out to me and probably end up quoting half the book...but for now this one really sticks out...
Do not waste time bothering whether you 'love' your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him... ...Do not sit trying to manufacture feelings [for God]. Ask yourself, 'If I were sure that I loved God, what would I do?' When you have found the answer, go and do it.once again...wow...challenging no?
speaking of challenge,
yuling has once again begun (and begun pestering other people about...and don't get me wrong the "pestering" is much needed) his 10 book challenge.
so far i am 0 for 2, with 5.5 books being last summer's count...but this year it will be different (i know i said the same thing last year...but it will). i have actually been good lately and reading a fair bit (of course having said that i will probably jinx myself and never read again).
i am trying to create a well balanced reading list...i know so far it's so far it consists of...i am open to recommendations
1) Rediscovering Church - Lynne and Bill Hybels
2) Jesus Amoung Other Gods - Ravi Zacharias
3) Hiding Place - Corrie Ten Boom
4) The Story We Find Ourselves In -Brian McLaren
5) The Last Word and the Word After That - Brian McLaren
6) The Life You've Alway Wanted - John Ortberg
7) Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
8) The Davinci's Code - Dan Brown
9) Rich Dad Poor Dad - Robert Kiyosaki
10) The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (the whole trilogy of five) - Douglas Adams
i know the last two are kinda iffy....my friend recommended the rich/poor book when she realized that i have no clue about money...and have none for that matter...
and for the hitchhiker's guide...i know it's not the most deep and significant book, but i'm reading 5 for 1 so it should be ok... and once again, i am open for suggestions...
...and yes you may have noticed that i am back to blogging...i had been reluctant to blog since i didn't always feel i had something to blog about and that it wouldn't be amusing....well i was reminded the other day that people don't just come to my blog for amusement, but might actually care what has been going on in my life while i'm all the way in edmonton...so...YEAH!!!...i have friends! =)
