iHOPE: Myanmar/Burma AID Updates

Books Worth Reading

Rob Bell: Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith (Cover Image May Vary)
We have been reading this book at staff- and have loved it! Despite its unlikely title, this is an engaging and stimulating book. You'll never look at faith, scripture, God- or yourself, the same after reading this book. I liked it so much, I included it as part of the Pastor's Book Club this summer.
Christina Lamb: House of Stone: The True Story of a Family Divided in War-Torn Zimbabwe
The sad saga of Zimbabwe is told through the eyes of two people: a white male farmer and a black female housekeeper. Their stories intersect and illuminate how the headlines effect real people. Its a true story and is well-written.
Owen Gingerich: God's Universe
Gingerich is the professor emeritus of Astronomy and the History of Science at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. He also has a deep faith in God. He makes a great case for faith and science as separate but valid ways of 'knowing'.
Francis S. Collins: The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief
Written by the head of the Human Genome Project. A terrific book that cuts through the false 'either/or' of Evolution and the existence of God.
Timothy Keller: The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism
If you are looking for a book that will help you think through the many challenges (How could a good God allow suffering? Aren't all the religions really the same? Doesn't science disprove Christianity?, etc.) then you'll like this book- and that is just the first half! Keller does a terrific job of answering back to skeptics in the first half of the book and then goes on to lay out the reasons for faith in a clear and compelling manner, in the second. This is a well written book, but not a quick read. Highly recommended.
Henri J. M. Nouwen: Our Greatest Gift: Meditation on Dying and Caring, A
Few authors are as eloquent as Henri Nouwen. His deep love of God and others, coupled with his profound insights into grief, loss and fear have combined for a wonderful book.
Donald Miller: Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
An unorthodox and thought-provoking way of looking at faith. You will constantly be challenged- and never bored.
Rick Rusaw: Living a Life on Loan: Finding Grace at the Intersections
We used this as a One Congregation, One Book Congregational selection in Fall '07. A great book to challenge and expand your faith.
Bart D. Ehrman: The Lost Christianities: The Battles for Scripture and the Faiths We Never Knew
A very provocative and enlightening book for anyone who has wondered how we got the Bible in the form we have it and how the church formed its faith and defined its boundaries. This brings early Church History to life in a whole new way.
Mark Labberton: The Dangerous Act of Worship: Living God's Call to Justice
For those who want to go beyond the 'Worship Wars' between 'Contemporary' vs. 'Traditional' vs. 'Emergent' Worship, this is a book that challenges us to re-think WHY we worship and WHAT worship is supposed to accomplish. Food for thought.
Henri Nouwen: The Wounded Healer: Ministry in Contemporary Society
This is a modern classic. It has encouraged and helped countless people to see how God can use our weaknesses and our wounds to be a source of strength and healing for others.
Leslie D. Weatherhead: The Will of God
I find this a very helpful and wise book. Few things have helped me grapple with the pain and suffering of this world as this book. It seems to only be available in large print, but maybe you can find a copy of it in the library.

Biographies

Jim Forest: Love Is the Measure: A Biography of Dorothy Day
Dorothy Day is a different kind of saint. Anyone who feels like they want to follow Jesus but have problems with the church will find a kindred spirit with Dorothy Day.
Arthur Ashe: Days of Grace
Tennis fans will love this book. So will anyone who wants to read about a person of integrity and passion.
Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela
Not many lives exemplify what it means to persevere through times of oppression and injustice more than that of Nelson Mandela.
John Allen: Rabble-Rouser for Peace: The Authorized Biography of Desmond Tutu
Desmond Tutu is one of the most inspiring saints alive today.
Mother Teresa: Mother Teresa: In My Own Words
Mother Teresa is one of the best known Christians of the 20th century. Not bad for tiny nun stuck in one of the most god-foresaken corners of the world.
Saint Augustine of Hippo: Confessions (Penguin Classics)
Probably the most famous Christian autobiography of all time. Written more than 1,600 years ago it still inspires and challenges.
Tony Dungy: Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, & Priorities of a Winning Life
This is the latest I have read. If you like football and admire integrity, you'll love this book.
Robert D. Schildgen: Toyohiko Kagawa: An Apostle of Love and Social Justice
This one will require a library search to find- but it will be worth it.
Carol Green Wilson: Chinatown Quest: The Life-Adventures of Donaldina Cameron
Donaldina Cameron's story is inspiring by anyone's standards. Not enough people know her or her life. The effect she had in SanFrancisco (and the entire Bay Area) is impressive. There is a Presbyterian Mission house in the heart of Chinatown that bears her name: Cameron House.
George William Pilcher: Samuel Davies; apostle of dissent in colonial Virginia
Samuel Davies lived in colonial times and readingabout his life will give a whole new understanding of what life was like and the battles that were being fought even before the Revolutionary War. He was aprolific author and wrote many hymns- some of which are in hymnals still today. You may have to go to the library for this one (I'll be happy to loan my copy, too).
Charles W. Colson: Born Again
Chuck Colson is about as far away from Dorothy Day with his politics as you can imagine- yet they are both following Jesus. Evidently, Jesus can use people of all political persuasions as long as he has our hearts.
Albert Schweitzer: Out of My Life and Thought (The Albert Schweitzer Library)
Schweitzer stands out as one of the giants of the 20th century. A stunning man who led a stunning life. This is what a '10 Talent' life can look like when it is given to God.
Ron Hall & Denver Moore: Same Kind of Different as Me: A Modern-Day Slave, an International Art Dealer, and the Unlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together
This was a book we used for the Pastor's Book Club this summer. It is a true story about what it means to be friends as well as followers of Christ. It is a terrific book and highly recommended

May 12, 2008

Myanmar/Burma AID Updates

The nature of this blog is going to change for the next week or so. Between the crisis in Zimbabwe, the Hurricane in Myanmar and this morning's earthquake in China, it seems that there is lots of news that changes constantly. This blog wasn't designed to be a clearing house for disaster relief, but I will continue to post updates and more info as I get it on these subjects. I will also include some of the regular information that would normally be here.

The situation in Myanmar gets more and more dire everyday. The government's refusal to let aid in the country from Western countries has only recently been modified. All those involved affirm that it is much too little and it is getting later and later. The initial estimates of deaths (somewhere around 100,000) could multiply if the efforts to bring sanitary conditions and clean water aren't successful.
I placed a link last week for those who want to contribute directly to disaster assistance (see below). For an update on how our Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is working within the situation you can click on the following link: PDA-Myanmar

Posted at 03:10 PM in Current Affairs | Permalink

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Pastor's Book Club

William P. Young: The Shack
"In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant, 'The Shack' wrestles with the timeless question, "Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?" (from the back cover) This book is getting a lot of 'buzz' this summer- so let's read it together! Discussion date is Sunday, August 24.
Rob Bell: Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith (Cover Image May Vary)
This is the most surprising book I have read this year. Don't let the title chase you away. This is a terrific book for re-thinking the way we think about God, Church, the world and ourselves. Rob Bell is a terrific author and he has written an engaging and stimulating book. You could breeze through it pretty quickly- but you won't want to. We have been reading this as Staff and it has sparked some terrific discussion. Discussion date: Sunday, July 20 (place and time to be announced).
Christina Lamb: House of Stone: The True Story of a Family Divided in War-Torn Zimbabwe
I picked this book because it is the best introduction I know to get a feeling for life in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. It is a true story about two real people and how they lived (and live) in this tortured land. There are no easy answers here, but the author does a terrific job highlighting the stories of two very different people and things they have in common. At the end of the book you will feel like you know these people have a better understanding of this country and its peoplee.

iHOPE

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May 12, 2008

Myanmar/Burma AID Updates

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