What I’m Reading

Good movies and books leave an imprint on you.  It might leave an imprint on your soul, your mind, and in some cases, both!  A couple of books I’m reading right now are doing both!

The Tangible Kingdom by Hugh Halter

So many people talk about the church, but they talk so little about the kingdom!  It’s clear that Jesus talked much more about the kingdom of God than he did the church!  So if Jesus spent so much time talking, preaching, and doing kingdom stuff, then why aren’t we?  The Tangible Kingdom by Hugh Halter is a refreshing and challenging book about living life as a missionary in our culture.  NO, the book is not for the super religious, it’s for every Christian!  Hugh is challenging us to rethink what it means to have social interactions with people who are searching for God.  To me, this book is both affirming and challenging.  Affirming because we at Emmaus Church are having lots of “life conversations” with people who don’t connect with any faith group.  It’s challenging because it’s easy to want to “run the church” instead of be with people and have significant conversations.  It’s a great book and I suggest you pick it up!  It just might leave an imprint on you!

 

Your God is Too Safe by Mark Buchanan

Ok, so, this is my second time through this book.  Yes, it’s that good.  I read it about 4 years ago and it’s worth the read again!  Mark’s premise is simple: we get stuck spiritually because we’re afraid of risk.  We toe-dunk with the things of God, yet wonder why we’re not experiencing life fully.  We choose safety and security even at the risk of death by boredom.  We get stuck. 

The only way out of our paralysed life is to risk and trust and trust and risk.  It’s a great book if you need to make some big decisions in your life, or, if you are feeling just plain stuck in your spiritual life.

2 Responses to “ What I’m Reading ”

1. Mark Pederson says:

   January 25, 2010 at 2:00 am

   Gary,

   Hi, I saw your card at a Woodinville Terriaki take out place and felt led to take your card. I lost it so when I came in the next time I memorized your web site. I enjoyed reading your blog. I am currently reading the book “fearless” by Max Lucado. I just started so I don’t have much to share at this point.

   My family and I just moved to Woodinville after some very difficult times. I’m looking for a new start after a career ending injury, disability, bankruptsy, home forclosure, short marriage seperation… just to mention some of what we’ve been through. I’ve been a Christian for 40 years and grew up Lutheran then moved towards more evangelical, charasmatic then back to more midstream worship with the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. I’m not quite sure where God is leading us at this point. My wife is kind of cold about church, even though we go whenever we can. My youngest daugher is not walking with the Lord right now, but my oldest married daughter (Praise God) is.

   It’s been hard to get plugged in with my schedule. I was a WSP Trooper for nearly 20 years until I was struck by a drunk driver while standing on the shoulder of I-5 a few years back. I fought to stay with the State Patrol but my body had other plans. I was granted a disability that didn’t support my family fully. I’ve had several careers since starting back to work. I was a case manager for 2.5 years and the typing aggravated a neck injury which resulted in an experimental surgery-artificial (metal) cervical disc transplant to prevent paralysis after a disc ruptured and disolved and my c-spine calapsed.

   The last 1.7 years I’ve been working with the Port of Everett as a security officer. I work rotating shifts and it is impossible to stay involved with anything church wise on a regular basis. As a 21 year type I diabetic I have had to keep my sleep schedule oriented to the graveyard shift I work and as a result, Sunday Morning Worship has been difficult for me to attend. I still have a number of ongoing health concerns and I’ve surrendered these issues to the Lord hoping for some positive change in 2010.

   My first priority for my family is to find a church where we can fellowship, when we can. I’m not sure what my next career move will be but I want to find a job with a better schedule that I can perform with some physical limitations so that we can fellowship more. When I left our church in Everett, I left a fellowship I had attended for 26 years and had served as an Elder twice and worship leader throughout my time there. I also left many dear friends that I had given my life to in service and who had been a big encouragement to me and my family. I rarely share like this but your church mission seems to match what I’ve strived for in the workplace and community most my life. I must confess I’m hurting and willing to open up and reach out to find some connection. Thank you for offering a place for folks to share. God Bless You. If you have any fellowship suggestions that might help us please drop me an email. I know your busy so if I don’t hear from you that’s fine. I now know your web site and will have the opportunity to research worship times etc…

   Peace and Rest be with You,

   Mark Pederson
2. gary says:

   January 29, 2010 at 2:40 pm

   Amazing story Mark. Lots of struggle, lots of joys, a lot of pain. Sounds like you’ve had your share of life’s challenges, and probably wonder why this has all happened.

   I’m not sure what you’re looking for in a church, and we can’t offer much, but what we can do is encourage you and your family. I think you can come as you are, struggles and all, and fit in here…when you can. We’re a church for the average person. Non of us are spectacular….we’re just who we are.

   Please introduce yourself soon….I’d love to meet you!

   In Christ,

   Gary

   ps…God has a way of redeeming everything we’ve gone through….everything…..