It has been a while...

Hardly seems possible that I have not blogged in so many months. I last spoke about the books I have read or was about to read and how the authors represented those who have been (and continue to be) mentors for me. I must add to the list more recently read or reread books.

A New Kind of Christian, by Brian D. McLaren, Jossey-Bass, 200_; The Story We Find Ourselves In, Further Adventures of a New Kind of Christian, Jossey-Bass, 2003; The Last Word and the Word After That, A Tale of Faith, Doubt, and A New Kind of Christianity, Jossey-Bass, 2005; A New Kind of Christianity, Ten Questions that are Transforming the Faith, by Brian D. McLaren, Harper One, 2010; Finding Our Way Again, The Return of the Ancient Practices, by Brian Mclaren ,Thomas Nelson, 2008; Paul, by N. T. Wright, Fortress Press, Minneapolis, paperback 2009; Paul for Everyone, Galatians and Thessalonians, N. T. Wright, Westminster John Knox Press, 2002; What Saint Paul Really Said, Was Paul of Tarsus the Real Founder of Christianity?, by N. T. Wright, William B. Eerdman Publishing Co.,1997; Galatians in the Greek New Testament, by Kenneth S. Wuest, WM. B. Eerdmans, 1953.

Some I have read more than one time. I remember reading where someone said that every book needs to be read three times: first, to hear what the author has to say; second, to discover what the author means (in his/her context) and third, what does the author's thoughts mean to me. Some are able to glean all three in the first reading. More often than not, I am not in that category!

Recent Books read

Many of my mentors are now with the Lord. They continue to be an influence in my life via the books they left behind. One recently revisited is The Knowledge of The Holy by A. W. Tozer, Harper 1961. He said, "Were we able to extract from any man a complete answer to the question, "What comes into your mind when you think about God?" we might predict with certainty the spiritual future of that man."

Two others in the 'reread' category are: The Secret Message of Jesus, by Brian D. McLaren, Thomas Nelson, 2006 and Everything Must Change also by Brian D. McLaren, 2007.

Others recently read are:

The Monkey and the Fish by Dave Gibbons, Zondervan 2009. It is a timely example of what it means to truly be 'third culture' in our postmodern opportunity as followers of Jesus. Excellent!

The Great Emergence by Phyllis Tickle, BakerBooks, 2008. The subtitle is 'How Christianity Is Changing and Why'. In 165 pages she does an excellent job of reviewing the 500-year 'garage sales' the church has every half century and elaborates on what is happening in the current change/garage sale.

The Next Evangelicalism, Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity by Soong-Chan Rah, IVP Press, 2009. He makes a powerful inditement against the male, white dominated Western Christianity in the U.S. and how most of the world's followers of Christ are not in that category and the sooner the 'western' church wakes up the better for the kingdom. No a comfortable picture... but, more truth than fiction.

Books I've read and will be reading

I often return to read once again books that influenced my life the most. Recently, that included Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard (5th time in 7 years) , Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey (4th time in 9 years) and Discovering the Enneagram by Richard Rohr & Andreas Ebert (2nd time in 8years).

New books I've read recently include: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson, The Monkey and the Fish by Dave Gibbons, Heritecs Guide to Heaven by Spencer Burke and Barry Taylor and The Great Emergence by Phyllis Tickle .

Books I'll be working on in January include: The Mosaic Holy Bible (NLT), Tyndale, Stones to Schools by Greg Mortenson, A Faith That Transcends by Steven P. Thomason and at least one other not yet decided.

California Trip

Tomorrow--June 4--Marj and I leave for California at 7:25 pm on United flight 387 to Denver and then on to Sacramento United flight 485 arriving at  11:32 pm.  Two events have caused our trip to be at this time.  First, Julia will graduate from high school on Friday night the 5th and she will have her final dance recital on the 6th.  We attended her first dance recital when they lived in the Lincoln, Nebraska area.  Also, Janessa and Jordan just celebrated their birthdays and we want to take them out to do something special.  

Since originally planning this trip, Jim and Suzie have confirmed they (along with Julia, Janessa and Jordan) will be moving to China in August for a year (or more) of ministry.  So, we may have the opportunity to help them with some of the packing to put things in storage.  They plan a driving trip with their camper back to the East (Chicago, Minneapolis, Memphis, TN area) to begin on the same day we fly back from Sacramento--June 11.  It will be a fun and busy trip! Josh and Justin have an apartment and will remain in California.  

Spiritual Development

 "You are what you eat." Yes, the health of my physical body, at least to some degree, is dependent on my choice of diet--what I eat.  What about my spirit?  Perhaps it is equally accurate to say..."You are what you read."

Not counting school or work assigned reading, I like to ask, "What are you reading?" when I  meet with a friend or potential new friend.  Why?  Because I am nosey? Perhaps, at least a little.  Mostly because it's my conviction that their independent choice of what to ready tells me lots about who they are; what questions they are asking; what they are feeling; and how they are growing mentally and spiritually.   Some of my greatest mentors are people I have never met other than in the pages of the books they have written.  

Ten of my mentors are:  Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, Phillip Yancey, John Piper, J. I. Packer, Randy Alcorn, R. C. Sproul, N. T. Wright, Gordon MacDonald, and Brian McLaren.  

What am I currently reading?  I am  reading/studying  through five at the moment.  

What Saint Paul Really Said, Was Paul of Tarsus the Real Founder of Christianity? by N. T. Wright (excellent! nearly finished)

The Last Days According to Jesus, When Did Jesus Say He Would Return?  by R. C. Sproul  (scholarly. half way through)

Journey Into The Heavenlies, Tommy C. Higle (second reading)

The Most Embarrassing Book in The Bible, Understanding the Book of Revelation, by Andrew Corbett (Pastor in Australia)

Everything Must Change, Jesus, Global Crises, and a Revolution of Hope, by Brien D. McLaren

All are being used to help me see better what Jesus and Paul were talking about when they used words like "gospel" and "Kingdom of God".   It is an exciting growing experience!

Classic Ink Jerusalem

 I recently experimented with a Classic Ink of a Bible scene.  

The original photos for reference were of a model of the city of Jerusalem located in the city. The Temple area is in the background with the Antonia Fortress to the far upper left.  

The original Classic Ink is 30" x  15".  I have prints in 8" x 10".  It was a fun project to work on.  I look forward to creating more pieces with a Bible theme.  

Classic Ink St. Paul Cathedral

I finished the St. Paul Cathedral and in the post below you will see the six (6) steps normally involved in producing a Classic Art piece.  

1.  Photo/sketch references

2.  Pencil sketch/drawing

3.  First ink outline

4.  Second ink procedure

5.  Final In work

6.  Matted and framed