BOOKS

At the Ministers meeting yesterday we had a long chat about books and smy good friend Tom suggested that we put up a list of what we have read and are reading. The books I have listed as read are not in particular order of reading, just the order they are on the shelf. Think this just about covers the last couple of years. I think! I have a fascination with books of a strange title.

Reading Just Now
The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
The Last Word and the Word After That by Brian McLaren
The Post Evangelical by David Tomlinson

Last Books I have read
Edward Truncorn’s Nose by Giles Milton
Two Caravan’s by Marina Lewycka
The Story We Find Ourselves In by Brian McLaren
Northern Lights by Philip Pullman
The Curious Incident of the dog in the night by Mark Haddon
A New Kind of Christian by Brian McLaren
Everyone’s Normal until You Get to Know Them by John Ortberg
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen by Paul Torday
A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka
When The Game’s Over It All Goes Back in the box by John Ortberg
For One More Day by Mitch Albom
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Secret Message of Jesus by Brian McLaren
The Church on the other side by Brian McLaren
Sex God by Rob Bell
Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell

Hoping to Read soon
Church Unplugged by David Male
A Generous Orthodoxy by Brian McLaren
The McDonaldization of the Church by John Drane
After McDonaldization by John Drane
The Irresistible Inheritance of Wilberforce by Paul Torday (still to buy)
The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (not out yet)
Jesus wants to save Christians by Rob Bell/Don Golden (not out yet)

CHURCH 101

I remember a few years ago Michael Heaney General Secretary of the Federation wrote a piece in the Congregationalist called Church 101, based on the TV programme. He got a bit of stick.

There has been an interesting debate on CF Scotland about similar things, direction and such like.

I was thinking we could ask the question again today. What would you put into Church 101? What would you want to throw out?????

Will someone post an answer?

THIS IS WORTH THE CHALLENGE

I have signed up for the Scottish Parliment Prayers. It is designed to make us more aware of the issues involving OUR Parliment.

Anyhoo, they have set up this page http://www.ppscotland.org/challenge.php

Go on give it a try and let me know ur time!!!!!

WHY ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a notable date happening this week...another year older (but wiser?). And guess what? They are forecasting the end of the world......Just my blooming luck. So, if anyone wants to give a present early, let me know!!!! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7600966.stm

ON A MORE POSITIVE NOTE

Have just started reading Brian McLaren 'The Last Word and the Word After That.' I love being challenged in how I think. It certainly broadens my world view....BTW he is coming to Scotland in December :-) http://www.eauk.org/scotland/brian-mclaren-in-scotland.cfm

AND FINALLY

Just back from a day on Arran.......reminded of what a lovely place it is. How about one more sponsor.....Climb Goat Fell??????????

CATCHING A BUG

I was worried about catching the running bug and becoming one of these people who spend every waking hour pounding the streets. I am glad to say that has not been the case. I have reverted back to the couch potato quite easily.

CHURCH CAUGHT NAVAL GAZING AGAIN

Do you get fed up with the weather? What's the story with global warming, we seem to be getting wetter and wetter every year and quite frankly I am sick of it!!!!!! Feel better now that I have that off my chest. (Deep sigh!).

Then we see the devastation caused by the weather on other sides of the world.

Then we read stories like this http://www.christiantoday.com/article/church.plays.down.speculation.of.gay.cleric.as.next.bishop.of.bangor/21346.htm

Will we ever get the point? People will ask.......what is the point. Naval gazing again