Current Readings

i've had some extra time to read lately. plane rides normally put me to sleep, but the trip to south dakota offered some wonderful time of reading. on the day i arrived in SD, we made a little stop at crossroads. i picked up a couple of new books, the new friars and my 30 days under the overpass. both books have shed some light and hope.

the new friars' author has in interesting article here. looks like scott bessenecker had the opportunity to speak at urbana. i know a young man who attended urbana, but haven't spoken with him yet. looking forward to hearing how God moved thru this convention. anyway, back to the book. throughout the book, quotes from various friars have journal entries. i recommend the book to everyone. a quick quote from the book:
"And while the qualities that are emerging amoung new friar communities seem radical, tey are ones all of us would do well embrace:
*incarnation - tearing down the insulation and becoming real to those in trouble
*devotion - making intimacy with Christ our all-consuming passion
*community - intentionally creating interdependence with others
*mission - looking outside ourselves
*marginalization - being countercultural in a world that beckons us to assimilate at the cost of our conscience"

my 30 days under the overpass is a daily devotion which challenges our ordinary, selfish, western-civilization thinking. i'm not far into this book, but so far it has been really good. looking forward to seeing how my heart is changed from callouse to compassion.

from my bible, i've been stuck in ezekiel 18 for the last few days. "The soul who sins is the one who will die." (eze. 18.20a) before this verse, there is an entire discourse about if a son should die for his father's sin. is the guilt of a family transferred to the children? the answer is "no", because God is just. then verse 31a and 32 hits like a sonic boom, "Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and Live!" those are powerful words.