Seeds - February 2006

Possessions are not God's blessings and goodness, but the opportunities of service which he entrusts to us.

_____

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945). Theologian, Spiritual Writer, Church Leader who stood in opposition to Nazism. He paid for this opposition with his life.

See also the following link for more information on Dietrich Bonhoeffer:

http://www.ushmm.org/bonhoeffer/

Currently Reading: January 2006

Title: The Imitation Of Christ
Author: Thomas à Kempis
Publisher: Dover Publications
Release: 2003, (Original Release: 1418)

Seeds - January 2006

Lord, what You say is true. Your care for me is greater than all the care I can take of myself. For he who does not cast all his care upon You stands very unsafely. If only my will remain right and firm toward you, Lord, do with me whatever pleases You. For whatever You shall do with me can only be good.

If You wish me to be in darkness, I shall bless You. And if You wish me to be in light, again I shall bless You. If You stoop down to comfort me, I shall bless You, and if You wish me to be afflicted , I shall bless You forever.

_____

Thomas à Kempis (1379 - 1471). Priest, monk, writer. This quote taken from the classic Christian devotional The Imitation of Christ, a book second only to the Bible as a source of religious instruction and inspiration.

Currently Reading: Fall 2005

I've been meaning to post the books I've been reading over the past few months, but with all the busyness of my studies, internship, and ministry tasks, I've been unable to. Well, here they are, all in one post. I've only included my favourite books, as otherwise the list would be much too long. Some of these books I read cover-to-cover, others I just skim-read. Also, I included a brief review that includes some positive and negative aspects of the book.

Anyways, here goes:















Title: Christian Religious Education. Sharing Our Story And Vision
Author: Thomas H. Groome
Publisher: Jossey-Bass
Release: 1980
Review: This is a gem. A bit heavy and philosophical at times, but it thoroughly covers what it claims to. It provides a "comprehensive integration of the history, theory, and practise of modern religious education for a generation of educators" (back cover).

Title: Medieval Monasticism. Forms of Religious Life in Western Europe In The Middle Ages
Author: C. H. Lawrence
Publisher: Longman
Release: 2001, 3rd edition, (Original Release 1984)
Review: This is a good but slow read. It traces the rise and influence of the numerous monastic movements on the Christian faith. It covers one thousand years, from the 4th to the 14th century. For anyone not familiar with the monastics, this provides a good introduction to the incalculable contribution they rendered European civilization. It's a slow read though, as the intertwining of the political and religious milieus are complex, and the period of history covered is not one that the typical contemporary reader is very familiar with.

Title: The Story of Christianity. Volume I: The Early Church To The Dawn Of The Reformation
Author: Justo L. Gonzalez
Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco
Release: 1984
Review: Anyone wishing to read up on the story of Christianity need look no further. Gonzalez is the man. It's an "informative, interesting, and consistently readable narrative history. It brings alive the people, dramatic events, and ideas that shaped the first fifteen centuries of the church's life and thought" (Back cover). Perhaps most importantly, it avoids what so many other Christian writers/books are unable to do, namely, the polarization and polemicism between the Catholic and the Protestant tradition. One drawback: it does not deal appropriately or sufficiently with the "other lung" of the global church: the Orthodox Church.

Title: The Story of Christianity. Volume II: The Reformation To The Present Day
Author: Justo L. Gonzalez
Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco
Release: 1985
Review: Same as above. Gonzalez is the man.
















Title: Word, Water, Wine, And Bread. How Worship Has Changed Over The Years
Author: William H. Willimon
Publisher: Judson
Release: 1980
Review: This thin little book traces the progression of Christian worship from the early church to the late 20th century. It's written in a simple, easy-to-understand language that is appealing to readers of various levels. Trying to cover 2000 years of worship history is a tough task in such a short format, however, so the one drawback of this book is that it's very general. Still, a great introductory read.

Title: Life And Practise In The Early Church. A Documentary Reader
Author: Steven McKinion (editor)
Publisher: New York University
Review: This documentary reader provides a window into early church worship practises. It includes many excerpts of post-Apostolic church writings, such as the Didache, as well as authors such as St. Irenaeus , St. Ignatius of Antioch, Justin Martyr, and Hyppolytus.

Seeds - December 2005

Was there a moment, known only to God, when all the stars held their breath, when the galaxies paused in their dance for a fraction of a second, and the Word, who had called it all into being, went with all his love into the womb of a young girl, and the universe started to breathe again, and the ancient harmonies resumed their song, and the angels clapped their hands for joy?

_____

Madeleine L'Engle (1918-). Writer.

Seeds - November 2005

The duties and cares of the day crowd about us when we awake each day - if they have not already dispelled our night's rest. How can everything be accommodated in one day? When will I do this, when that? How will it all be accomplished? Thus agitated, we are tempted to run and rush. And so we must take the reins in hand and remind ourselves, "Let go of your plans. The first hour of your morning belongs to God. Tackle the day's work that he charges you with, and he will give you the power to accomplish it.

_____

- Edith Stein (1891-1942). Nun, Martyr.

Seeds - October 2005

Consider the analogy of the sunbeam: eadch person upon whom its kindly light falls rejoices as if the sun existed for him alone, yet it illumines land and sea, and is master of the atmosphere. In the same way, the Spirit is given to each one who receives Him as if He were the possession of that person alone, yet He sends forth sufficient grace to fill all the universe. Everything that partakes of His grace is filled with joy according to its capacity – the capacity of its nature, not of His power.

_____

- St. Basil the Great (329-379AD). Bishop of Caesarea in the 4th century. Part of the "trio" called the Cappadocian Fathers. Defender of the Faith against the heresies of the 4th century.

Currently Reading: September 2005

Title: Under the Unpredictable Plant. An Exploration in Vocational Holiness
Author: Eugene H. Peterson
Publisher: Eerdmans
Release: 1992

Seeds - September 2005

May all your expectations be frustrated.
May all your plans be thwarted.
May all your desires be withered into nothingness.

That you may experience the powerlessness and poverty of a child,
and then, sing and dance in the love of God who is Father, Son, and Spirit,
and today on planet earth,
may you experience the wonder and beauty of yourself as Abba’s child
and temple of the Holy Spirit,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

_____

- Brennan Manning, Writer, teacher, preacher.

Currently Reading: August 2005

Title: The Cube and the Cathedral - Europe, America, and Politics without God
Author: George Weigel
Publisher: Basic Books
Release: 2005









Title: The Idiot
Author: Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Translation: David McDuff
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Release: 2004, (Original Release: 1868)

Seeds - August 2005

Let everyone understand that the real love of God does not consist in tear-shedding, nor in that sweetness and tenderness for which we often long, just because they console us, but in serving God by serving those around us, in justice, fortitude of soul, and humility.
_____

- St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582AD).

Currently Reading - July 2005

Title: Orthodoxy
Author: G. K. Chesterton
Publisher: Regent College Publishing. (Original Publisher: Dodd, Mead & Co)
Release: 2004. (Original Release: 1908)





Title: St. Francis of Assisi, Everlasting Man, St. Thomas Aquinas. Part of the Collected Works Series, Volume II
Author: G. K. Chesterton
Publisher: Ignatius Press
Release: 1986