Reading update...

Book #5
Good People
Marcus Sakey

What happens if you find tens of thousands of dollars hidden in your basement suite after the reclusive renter suddenly dies? Duh...keep it and make things super difficult when it turns out that the money is actually stolen. I'm kidding of course, but once again I wasn't actually too impressed with Sakey's story line. I like his writing, but he just seems to put people in ridiculous situations that they bring upon themselves. Then they complain about it and try to fix it on there own while seeming to avoid practical common sense. Skip it.


Book #6
Crazy Love
Francis Chan

At times I was reminded of how loved I am. At times I was feeling guilty and slightly reprimanded for not being the Christian I should be. At times I was inspired and challenged. Chan really tries to push you to consider changing how you live so that it reflects your love for God. And from his own story, it sounds like a guy who practices what he preaches. The book also has a website that contains some videos to go along with the book. However, I wrestled with the tone of the book. Not that I expected some fluffy "Jesus loves you" kind of sentiment, but I found some of his stuff a little in your face. Some of it made me feel like I was a horrible Christian. Maybe I am. I'll probably put this on the shelf and pull it out again sometime.

Book #6
Everything Must Change
Brian McLaren

This was collecting dust on the shelf for the last year, and now I know why. I had a beggar of a time (is that even a phrase?) working through it. I love how McLaren isn't afraid to speak his mind and how he isn't afraid to ask some very big questions. But the way that his brain works can sometimes boggle my mind. I find myself reading, rereading and scratching my head more often than not. I can't put a finger on it, but sometime there are people that I just have a hard time tracking with. They are usually smart, well educated and they use big words. I think the big picture (if I found it) of change is one that seems like a great idea in principle, but I wonder if it is realistic. I also wonder if some of it is based too much on a fear of the worst of what could happen in the future. Still, you can't dismiss the merit of paying attention to ways in which the world (especially the Western world) is setting itself up for failure. There probably is something we can do.