Reading List

Even though I know that I am moving in under two weeks and my already overstuffed bookshelves need to be downsized, I have continued to buy books on sale and waste valuable packing time by reading. To help me to keep track, I've decided to compile a list.

Reading:
1. Boundaries - So far an easy read that is quote worthy and helping me to see what I need to correct in my own life. (reading now)

2. Keep A Quiet Heart (Elisabeth Elliot) - I read a section of two from this book every day during my quiet time. (ongoing)

3. The Business of Heaven: Daily Readings (C. S. Lewis) - I read an entry daily from this book, also during quiet time. (ongoing)

4. Discover Your Destiny (Charles Stanley) - I've read it before and it has taken up space on my shelf for awhile. I'd like to read it again when things calm down.

5. A Man of Grace and Grit: Paul (Charles R. Swindoll) - I can't *wait* to read this one! Paul is my favorite, so I'm saving this book until I can focus on it 100%. It's my reward for moving. (looking forward to it)

6. Inside Prince Caspian (Devin Brown) - This book was a freebie from Asbury when I visited their campus earlier this summer. I suspect that it will involve a lot of thinking and I will want to reread the Chronicles, so I'm saving it. (when I have time)

And because I like to get deep in the Word, a list of the bible studies and other courses that I am taking.

Bible Studies/Classes:
1. Way of the Master (Kirk Cameron/Ray Comfort) - Baby steps to evangelism. This study is really getting me out of my comfort zone and helping me to be more of a "people person". Not to mention evangelism, which is where my heart is at. I'm about three weeks in. Meets Wednesdays.

2. Financial Peace (Dave Ramsey) - I hate to focus too much on money, but I also need to be a good steward of my resources, so I am hoping that this will get me on track. Also three weeks in. Meets Sundays.

3. Experiencing God (Blackabys) - Phenomenal study. I am growing by leaps and bounds through this and seeing my walk in a whole new light. Our small group is about nine weeks in, we meet on Tuesday nights.

4. Faith, Hope & Luck (Andy Stanley?)- This study is one through Hope Community. We had a meet and greet last Monday; the first official session will be next Monday. I haven't decided if I will officially participate through the course, as I try to reserve my final decision until after the first session. I am concerned that we were told at the meet and greet that we wouldn't need our Bibles, because the references would be on the screen. This bothers me, because it could inhibit the discussion from going deeper. I don't know if this has happened to anyone else, but the natual flow of discussion at Bible studies often leads to something else in the Bible, which leads to someone saying, "Let's look it up and see". I NEED DEPTH. This one meets every other Monday.

Twilight....

.....will be a movie! Now I have to hurry and read the series...I always dread that the movie will not live up to what I imagined from the book. That's probably why I haven't been able to watch the Narnia movies.

However. While I was reading this, I couldn't help but wonder what it was about the characters/the plot/the whole concept that made this book so appealing. Vampires aren't a new concept; neither is the idea of vampire vs. wolverine. What sucked me in? The book is narrated in the first person, by Bella. I think readers identify quickly with first person. And then I realized that what sucked me in is the same thing that kept me and my BFF (hey, it was high school) sneaking and reading her mom's Harlequinn (I know, I know) novels.

The basic formula is the same. Not so perfect chick (clumsy, pudgy, sloppy, "unlovable") sees man-so-handsome-as-to-be -Greek-godlike and thinks he never in a trillion years will notice her. But, he always does. He saves the day, wants to be with her 24/7, fixes every little problem she has and marries her in the end. In the epilogue, the couple usually has at least one child on the way, and they're living the dream life in whatever place they met.

And that's my problem with romances. Reality is a far cry from fantasy romance fiction. A man doesn't "complete" a woman, only God can fill that chink in her heart. The attraction is almost always based on lust alone. I think there is a danger in reading these, because it causes unrealistic expectations in a woman's own relationships. Plus, it keeps the guys around us to a (very) unrealistic standard.

I'm not saying sweet/charming/romantic guys don't exist; they do. In fact, I've recently met one couple who had a rather fairy tale courtship (ladies, the way he courted his (now) wife is unbelievably romantic), but that doesn't mean that they will never disagree or that they only love because of the mushy stuff.

Anyway, my point is beware the romance novel ("Christian" ones fall in the beware category, too).