Conference yukon::christian_v7

For me, very powerful books have been books that speak of experiences with
the Holy Spirit's miraculous leadings in the modern day.  It can be easy to
have a sort of dispensationalist view just reading the Bible, after all it
was 2000 years ago.  But reading about God doing the same sorts of things for
people today, people you could call on the phone and talk to, really brings
God alive.

Some favorites are "God's Smuggler," "The cross and the switchblade," "The
Hiding Place."

Paul

    I like to read bio/autobiographies - for similar reasons as
    Paul (-.1).  I can relate better to modern day people and the
    changes/miracles God has wrought in their lives.
    
    As a young teen, I read "Starving for Attention" by Cherry Boone
    (Pat Boone's oldest daughter).  It was about her 10 (?) year struggle
    with aneroxia nervosa.  It left a great impression on me, as I was
    dancing on the edge of this disease.
    
    Read recently: (within the past year)  Keith Green's life story
    "No Compromise".  This also had a profound effect on me.  A truly
    amazing story.  Talk about being "SOLD OUT" for God and living by
    faith!
    
    all I have time for now....
    
    K
    

    I recently started reading more again (a trip to CBD's warehouse sale
    and Urbana certainly helped!;-)
    One book I bought at Urbana after hearing the author speak was "In
    Search of the Source", by Neil Anderson.  It's about the author's
    experiences with translating the Scriptures into the language of a
    tribe of Pau Pau New Guinea natives. (I think that's who it was)  
    Anyway, the tribe was already Christianized, but had no Scriptures
    until he (Neil Anderson) began the process.  He describes the process,
    but the highlights were the reactions of the tribesmen to learning some
    of the details of who Christ was and what happened to Him.  For
    example, they all became *VERY* upset when they found out about the
    scourging and method of crucifixion...
    It helped me to take a fresh look at some of those events from the
    Bible.  As he closed his talk at Urbana and the book with a quote from
    the tribesmen as they came to understand the deep truths found in the
    Bible, "We are dying of the deliciousness of these words."

 Recently finished "Faith on the Line" by Chuck Colson.  A short book (~120
pages) but very good, calling us to a deeper level of committment and involve-
ment in the community.


Also currently reading "Great Preaching on Salvation", a collection of 
sermons by various preachers from DL Moody to, um...well, other preachers.
Good inspirational stuff.



Jim

    
    
    I'm trying to finish us "Fran & Jesus Go to Work" :-)
    Don't remember the author (she's some sort of business 
    consultant), but the basis for the book began from this 
    character "Fran" that she created for her radio show.
    Each chapter is a story about a specific event that takes
    place in her life and how she handles it with Jesus' help.
    It's like reading a story book...light reading, but 
    definitely something to be gleaned from it.
    
    Next on the list is an Evelyn Christenson book about prayer.
    (It's not "What Happens When Women Pray" - I forget the title.)
    
    Never read any of her stuff...hope it's good. 
    
    K
    

    I bought Bill Bennett's "Book of Virtue" to read to the kids, and have
    become fascinated with it - what a treasure!  
    
    The book contains much of the myth and tradition that those of us who
    grew up before or during the war got in school, prose and poetry,
    stories of courage, faith, work, honor, etc.
    
    Each section starts with short, easy to read things for the younger
    children, sometimes two or three to a page, and ends with longer, more
    complex stories for the older children (like me :^)
    
    There are selections from McGuffy's (sp?) Reader, stories of Horatio at
    the Bridge and Caeser crossing the Rubicon, of Rosa Parks refusing to
    yield her seat on the Birmingham bus.  The story I read to them when I
    was last home was that of Father Kolbe, who volunteered to die for
    another prisoner at Auschwitz.  
    
    Every home with children, or with adults who were educated since God
    was evicted from the classroom, should have a copy of this book.  

    
    I'm very interested in getting the book (which is a run-away best
    seller).  I'm curious as to its cost.  
    
    jeff

    I bought my copy at Barnes and Noble in Nashua, having waited for it to
    reach the NYT best-seller list (which B&N automatically discounts 30%).  
    
    I wish my memory were better, but maybe $18-20 discounted???
    
    However, now having seen the book in detail - were it necessary, I
    would pay $100 to replace it!  
    
    /John

    That good, eh?

    
    
    re: Bill Bennett
    
    There is an article on him in April's Focus on the Family magazine.
    I see him often on "Good Morning America" debating with Chris ?
    on various issues....I like his style and his stance...the word
    that comes to mind to describe him is "class".
    
    I've been wanting to pick up his book also.
    
    Karen
    

         FYI:  Just out in paperback for $12.00 ($10.80 at B & N) is Bill
    Bennett's THE DE-VALUING OF AMERICA. I just picked it up but haven't
    had a chance to read it yet. I have every intention of picking up THE
    BOOK OF VIRTUES when it comes out in paperback. Sounds great!
    
           Mike
   

	I bought it 2 weeks ago after suggestion from one of the Christian
talk show (1260?). In the first week, I read the book to my 2 kids, 7 and 9
years old, just before they go to bed. In the 2nd week,the older one
piked up the book himself without waiting for me, and read it by himself.
Last night we stayed very late (11:30pm), and I told them to skip reading
and go to bed right away. The older one insisted he read one chapter
before he sleep. I grant him his wish, and waited for him to finish.

	If we go this rate, the older will be done reading before I can
read all of the chapters to them both at the same time.

mike

    I don't know if this is the right place to put this - feel free to
    move.
    
    Nathan is just beginning to read at a level that he will read a
    story by himself.  I am trying to find a book series for boys
    that might interest a 7 year old.  
    
    When I was his age I used to read the Bobsey Twins and the B is
    for Betsy books but have no clue if there are good, wholesome,
    easy to read book series' out there for young boys.
    
    I will be going to the library once it reopens after restoration
    but I want to surprise him with one this weekend while Dad
    is gone to Promise Keepers because Nathan is pretty sad about
    it.
    
    Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.
    
    Thanks a lot,   Pam

    Pam,
    
    My 2 older boys (9 & 6 [the six yr old reads on about a 3rd grade level) 
    love the box car kids.  There's 31 books in the series.  I don't know
    the author off hand, but I can find out for you.  Our church library
    carries the series.
    
    Bing

    From a christian perspective, there are alot of books series for kids. 
    My son is reading the Darcy J Doyle series of paperbacks, the other
    likes the Detective Dan series.  I pick one up every so often as they
    request.  They both teach biblical principles as well as have cute
    stories in easy to read format.
    
    -s
    

    Wow, this is great!  I didn't expect info so quickly.  Think I'll
    stop at the Christian bookstore on the way home!
    
    Pam

    I have three books that I'd like to recommend.  The first two, I've
    already recommended in here before.
    
    "Grace Works" by Dudley Hall
    "Lifetime Guarantee" by Bill Gilham
    
    These books tell of who we are in Christ, of focusing on the internals
    (rather that the externals), of God's matchless Grace, of Christ life
    in us, and of Truth vs Error.  Bill Gilhams book, in particular, gives
    practical understanding of how the mind, will, and emotions interact in
    our walk with the Lord.
    
    "Wisdom Hunter" by Randall Arthur
    
    I finished this book at about 1:30 this morning.  It's a fictional novel 
    about a legalistic pastor in Atlanta, who has put God in a box.  His life is
    torn apart through a series of tragedies.  He ultimately comes to a new 
    understanding of who God is.  Its a great story.  Very griping and
    suspenseful.
    
    
    Bing

    OK, one more book by Randall Arthur to recommend.
    
    It's "Jordan's Crossing". Both this book and "The Wisdom Hunter" are
    every bit as good as the Frank Peretti books "This Present Darkness" &
    "Piercing the Darkness" (if not better)!
    
    Bing
    
    Anybody got any other good books to read?
    
    

    	Is this topic only for positive recommendations?  If not, I'd
    	like to drop a dagger on "Living in Sin?  A Bishop Rethinks
    	Human Sexuality" by Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong of the
    	Diocese of Newark (NJ).
    
    	Among other things he calls for a new church-sanctioned sexual
    	relationship between unmarried people.  He calls it "betrothal".
    
    	From the book:
    
    	"I call upon the churches of this land to revive a concept of
    	betrothal and to install it as a valid option and a sign of
    	serious commitment, even though it falls short of the legal
    	status of marriage.  By "betrothal" I mean a relationship that
    	is faithful, committed, and public but not legal **OR NECESSARILY
    	FOR A LIFETIME** ...  In fact the **CONTEMPORARY PRACTICE OF
    	ENGAGED COUPLES** comes close to defining what I mean by
    	betrothal.
    
    	(Emphasis mine.)
    
    	"The contemporary practice of engaged couples" is nothing short
    	of fornication.  It is practically the "everybody's doing it
    	anyway" sort of argument.  So we may as well bless it anyway, huh?    								-mr. bill
        								-mr. bill
    
    O we may as well bless it, huh?

    Can anyone give me information on the "Satanic Verses"... I'm very
    concerned about this book... is it wicked or Christian?

    Nancy I believe that "Satanic Verses" is the Satanic equivalent
    of the Bible.
    
    Stay away from it!
    
    Pam

    Thanks... my roommate's husband said that he wants to read it for
    "information" and I told him implicitly before knowing what you just
    wrote that I felt demons would be attached to that book and I did not
    want it in my house.
    
    I'm glad I listened to the Spirit on this.

 Satanic Verses was written by Salmon Rushdie and is the book that 
 caused the Ayatollah Homeini to put a death sentence on him.




Jim

Yes but what is the book about? I as under the impression that the novel 
was written with an anti-Islamic theme. I didn't think it was a "Satanic 
Bible".

Ben 

    Well, like I said.  I wasn't sure if that's what it was.
    
    Perhaps calling a bookstore might help.
    
    Pam

    
    Come on folks, come up to date!  Satanic Verses is a novel (and a
    pretty bad one at that, I understand).
    
    jeff

    
    My understanding is that the Satanic Verses had to do with looking at the 
    teachings of fundamentalist Islamic extremist and pointing out their
    errors. It is titled the Satanic Verses because extremist like
    Ayatollah and others fundamentalist fanatics like him, would label 
    anything that would criticize  their teachings as,  Satanic.

    If my understanding is correct, the book would be almost the equivalent of
    a book that tells of the errors the Nazi's made in interpreting
    Scripture.

     Jim

    So it would be a "good" thing for them to read??????
    
    

    Nancy,
    
    As a practical matter, since there are so many undeniably good things
    to read, why fool with the ones that are questionable?
    
    	BD�

    re: .29
    
    I'm not Nancy (duh!), but I think it is sometimes profitable to read
    non-Biblical material, even anti-Biblical material.  Of course - let
    each person discern for himself and do nothing unless based in faith!!!
    
    But I say this because it is not profitable for us to be so separate
    from the world that we can't relate to people where they are (this has
    been a recurring theme in sermons at our congregation lately, so it's
    fresh with me ;-).  We should spend (let's say) 5 times as much energy
    and devotion to the Word as we do other works, but we shouldn't ignore
    some of those "questionable" areas.  Of course, there are some areas we
    need not go near at all, that's true, but I think you get my drift.
    
    Steve

    Steve (.30),
    
    Not arguing, but please keep in mind the audience. Nancy wasn't asking
    whether it's an ok book for *her* (a mature Christian) to read, but
    rather would it be an ok book for her roommate (status unknown) to
    read. Yes, strong Christians should be able to read virtually anything
    (but here I would still advise caution: the enemy can get a foothold
    quite easily - testimony available upon request ;-), but for unknown
    folks, the best advice is still to immerse them in the Word.
    
    	BD�

    
    Again, Satanic Verses is *fiction* with identifiable blasphemy and
    criticism of Islam according to fundamentalist Islam.  It is not a
    scholarly book nor anything approaching that.  
    
    It would be of no substantial difference reading Satanic Verses or the
    Nancy Drew mysteries (well, the subject matter would be largely
    different but they're both only stories).
    
    jeff

    Baer,
    
    Good point!  I forgot the intended audience (context is everything ;-).
    
    Steve

    re:32
    
    Jeff,
         have you read it ?
    
    
    
    Jim

    I have a couple books on the feasts of Israel in the queue now - "The
    Fall Feasts of Israel" and "Celebrate the Feasts."
    
    Mike (who's trying to learn more about Jewish Culture as it relates to
          the Bible)

� 443.20 JULIET::MORALES_NA 
� Can anyone give me information on the "Satanic Verses"... I'm very
� concerned about this book... is it wicked or Christian?

The 'Satanic Verses' is a section originally included in the Koran, as
written by Mohammed.  It became a political hot potato [I believe it
condemned a section of the community who were ready to cease opposition to
Islam - I'd have to check to be sure on that, though], so that section was
deemed to be of satanic origin, instead of given by allah, and was removed
from the Koran.  

To the Moslem, the Koran is not just a book of God's words; it is a portion
of heaven.  Each copy has to be given extreme reverence.  For instance, to
carry a Testament in your back pocket is seen as a very gross insult to
the book, because it is in close proximity to parts of the anatomy viewed
as unclean.  To put a bag on the floor, when the bag contains a Bible, is 
seen as insulting the Bible.

So any implication of less than total inspiration and holiness in
connection with the Koran is so offensive to a Moslem that it is liable to
precipitate a fatwah (holy war).

Salman Rushdie wrote a sordid book in which he highlighted the Satanic
Verses, and the implied fallibility of the Koran, naming the book after the
verses.  Incidentally, from the press reports, the same book grossly
insulted just about everything else he could think of, including (as he was
in England) the police, white women generally, the English Royal family,
etc.  This is from reports only; I have not even seen a copy, and have no
wish to. However, because of the representation of the satanic verses, the
publication of this book raised a furore amongst the Islamic population,
who declared a fatwah on him personally, since which time he has resided in
hiding, protected by those same British police he viewed so disparagingly
in his book...  The whole thing happened about 3 years ago, I believe, and
was covered extensively in the British press at the time. 

The bottom line, Nancy, is that any small informational value in the book 
would seem to be heavily offset by the churnings of a disturbed and vulgar
mind.  There's plenty other trash on the market which gives better return 
for your [roommate's husband's] time and money than that.

								Andrew

    If you come from a background of legalism, run (don't walk) to your
    nearest bookstore and get Pastor Chuck Smith's new book "Why Grace
    Changes Everything."  It's the kind of book you can read over and over
    again.
    
    Mike

    Wasn't sure where to put this, but this seemed as good a place as any!
    
    Simon (7) and I have been steadily working our way through C S Lewis'
    Narnia series, currently nearing the end of The Silver Chair. These
    really are an excellent series, CSL had such a gift of beimg able to
    describe things in a very detailed way, which nonetheless holds the
    reader's attention.
    
    This morning I was reading from Hosea 11, where it talks of the Lord
    roaring like a lion. It struck me that maybe this was where Lewis got
    his idea of Aslan the Lion from. 
    
    Does anyone have any views on this?
    
    Paul

    
    Hi Paul,
    
    My son Graham and I are also in the "Silver Chair".  I read it myself
    several years ago but am enjoying reading it to Graham.  He loves it.
    
    Don't know about Aslan source but do know that many of his characters
    are from mythology.  Even though my son does not discern too much of
    the symbolism I believe that he will as he gets older.
    
    jeff

� It struck me that maybe this was where Lewis got his idea of Aslan the
� Lion from. 

In 'The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe', the beaver refers to the lion as 
the king of the beasts, and indicates that this is why Alsan must be a 
lion.  It's a common term, and I thought that this was why CSL selected the 
lion, though I have no biographical backing for this...

							Andrew

    I'm about half-way through this book, but already strongly recommend it
    to those interested in the "end-times".  This book is titled "The
    Harvest", authored by Rick Joyner. The subtitle is "the prophetic word
    of the nineties". 
    
    Bob

    There is a new book on the market called "The trouble with Angels".  I
    found it in a "regular" bookstore in the mall, and its really cute. 
    Its about three angels (Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy) who help three
    different sets of people.  The arch angel Gabriel is priceless. 
                                    
    Anyway, its very good reading.  The author is Debbie Macomber.
    
    

� .... three angels (Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy) ....

					!!!!�!!!  ;-)

� The arch angel Gabriel is priceless. 
                                    
I think Zechariah would agree too.....

								&

    Yeah!

	Jewels and Ashes
        ----------------

        by Arnold Zable
        publishers: Harcourt and Brace & Co.
        copyright:  1991    


        I've been riveted to this book the last couple of days, avidly
        "devouring" its pages every spare moment I get, and I recommend 
        it highly.  Its a collage of memories and impressions of the 
        author's parents, family friends, and people he meets, told as 
        the author relates the course of his journey and experiences 
        retracing family history and roots in Poland.  The author's 
        imagery, metaphors, and narratives are both poetic and powerful 
        as he explores the places and experiences of his Jewish family, 
        most of whom were annilated in the holocaust.  

        His parents had immigrated to Melbourne, Australia shortly before 
        WWII, but they left behind friends, family, and a way of life that 
        had been dear to them.  Both the people and the way of life were
        soon to be no more as Nazi pograms and "aktions" were carried out
        against the towns, shtetls, and ghettos that made up the familiar
        world of his ancestors.  Though much of what Zable relates is painful 
        and horrific beyond belief, here and there, there are brighter 
        glimpses of the joy and beauty that one can also find in life.  And
        the language of the book is so well-crafted that it is a treasure to
        read.

        This book makes history very real.  If I were an English, social
        studies, or history teacher (for people 14 and older), I'd make it 
        a reading assignment for all my classes.  Its a book that makes me
        want to write a note to the author telling him how much I appreciate
        his work.  I guess I should add that it can be a bit difficult
        emotionally to read.

        Leslie

    PS. I'd just like to add that I think it would be a good idea for
        noters in this string to make the title of their note the name
        of the book that they're reviewing or commenting on.  That way,
        when you do a directory of the note you can see what book each
        note is about which would be handy for us avid book readers who
        might want to scan the topic from time to time when we're looking
        for what would be a good book to read or get for someone.

    Leslie

Hey, Leslie.  Thanks for the Christmas gift idea for my wife.

(Boy, do I need help!)

    I picked it up as a present for me, quite by accident ;-).  I'd gone
    into the children's bookstore, Book Nooks and Krannies, to see if 
    they things suitable for any of my nephews or step-children.  Came
    across this book on sale (less than 1/2 price actually) - the store 
    carries a few books for grown-ups too.  It looked pretty good when I
    leafed through and the price was right so I got it, and am very glad
    that I did.

>>Hey, Leslie.  Thanks for the Christmas gift idea for my wife.

>>(Boy, do I need help!)

    If Joy is at all like me, there's another book that might make a nice
    Christmas present .... I suggested it to my husband when he asked for
    gift ideas for me.  Its a cookbook.  "Another cookbook!", groaned Greg,
    "You have three shelves full of them, isn't that enough?"  "But", said
    I, "its A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS COOKBOOK!"  

    The author is Jeff Smith who does the "Frugal Gourmet" cooking show on 
    television.  In the first section of the book he talks about Christmas, 
    its meaning, and different traditions now associated it with it.  He 
    talks about each of the figures in a typical nativity creche - and 
    suggests a recipe that sort of goes along - for example, for Joseph, the 
    recipe was for some type of hearty peasant bread.  Somewhere in the 
    preface or introduction he makes the statement that he loves theology
    even more than he loves cooking.  I think it would have been better if
    he said he loved God even more, but still, I think his book may reach
    a good many people.  Anyhow, I didn't have to long to stand there 
    looking at it, just a quick page flip, but it looked interesting and
    fun.  I don't remember the book's actual title - its on the table of
    special Christmas books in the middle of the cooking book section
    towards the center of the Barnes & Nobel bookstore in Nashua.

    Leslie

    Here's a book that you sports fans might enjoy.  I received it for
    Christmas and think it is excellent so far.
    
    "VICTORY - The Principles of Championship Living" by A.C. Green
    
    Besides, he plays for God's team so it has to be good.
    
    Mike

    
    I'll have to pick it up Mike when I have a little loose change.  I
    think A.C. Green is one of the finest examples of christian athletes
    around.  I know I cheer for him and his teammates as often as I can.
    Love the game against those heathens - the Orlando Magic.  ;-)
    
    Jill

    There's also KJ, Coach Westphal, and the owner Colangelo.

    
    Excellent!  I knew about KJ but not the other two.