Friday, October 26, 2012

Friday Five:What's On Your Shelf?

It has been a very long time since I played the Rev Gal Blog Pals Friday Five.  The reasons are many, but Deb enticed me to play today.  Here's what she said:

Recently I decided to re-organize my study and put books of like topic and purpose together. (Of course, they don't stay that way -- but that's another matter!) I also culled out some books which I hesitated to even donate to the library book sale because they were either extremely outdated or had content that I didn't want the unexamined mind to read. (Not quite as bad as "The Total Woman" but... you get my drift!)

And here are the questions she poses to us today:

1. STUDYING: What is your favorite book or series for sermon prep or study? Or have you moved from books to on-line tools for your personal study?

I have mostly moved from books to online resources for sermon study.  I have an OLD series of commentaries (I'm talking early 1900s) that, oddly enough, serve well when I want a hard copy of something to study.  There are about 12 volumns and they are called "The Preachers Study" and I'd tell you more except I am not able to access them at the moment.  The insights are often basic but  profound.

2. IN THE QUEUE: Do you have a queue of books you are longing to read or do you read in bits and pieces over several books at a time? What's in the queue?

These days I tend to read in bits and peices, though that is not how I prefer it.  Honestly, these days I so seldom get to just be alone and sit and read for pleasure.  I'm longing to do so, but there seems to be no space for it.  I have a shelf of books, none of them new, that I hope to get to.  I haven't bought anything new because I just can't make myself do so when I already have so many unread volumns.

Someone gave me a small paperback by David W. Dyer, someone I never heard of, and it is shaking my world a bit.  The title is "Let My People Go: Freedom from Religious Bondage" and pictures a ball and chain.  I've only read two short chapters, and I am re-reading, very carefully.  Not sure what to think, but it's a bit revolutionary for pastor-types.  Making me think however, and that's a good thing.  I hope...

I'm about to purchase, "Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate" by Justin Lee.

3. FAVORITE OF ALL TIME: What's one book that you have to have in your study? Is it professional, personal, fun or artistic? (For instance, I have a copy of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. It just helps sometimes.)

I can't pick a favorite book.  I mean, I don't mean to be annoying, but the Bible is where I have to start.  Sometimes in sermon prep I have to make myself NOT look at anything else for a while, so I don't get stuck in pre-conceived notions. 

4. KINDLE OR PRINT? or both? Is there a trend in your recent purchases?

I have a Kindle.  It is handy for some reading. But I much prefer books.  I like the look, the feel and the smell.   Books have good associations from my life.  My Kindle does not.

5. DISCARDS: I regularly cruise the "FREE BOOKS" rack at our local library. (I know, I know. It's a bad habit!) When's the last time you went through your books and gave some away (or threw some away?) Do you remember what made the discard pile?

I have not done this for a looooong time.  I have a large stack of boxes full of books in the basement and a stack in my office and it is on my to-do list for this month.  MUST do it.  It is difficult.  My new ministry venture, "The OASIS" meets above a thrift store, so I do have the perfect drop-off place. 

Saturday, October 06, 2012

O Wind of God

Breathe on me,
O Wind of God...
Blow sin's distraction from my mind,

Breathe on me,
O Wind of God,
Whisper wisdom from Your heart.

Blow soft--or strong,
O Breath of Life,
Scatter the debris of selfish pain.

Breath of Heaven,
Dance with me,
Fresh and clean and full of rain.

In Your hands,
Ruach Divine,
May freedom come...
And songs of joy.