‘if you want to know what i think, then watch how i live.’
– john m. perkins

‘peacefulness and productivity never come from a defensive state.’
– andrew marin

this week i had ample time on flights across the country to read a number of books that were recommended to me by friends.

here are a few i’ve read in recent days ::

neighbors and wise men: sacred encounters in a portland pub and other unexpected places
by tony kriz

the contemplative pastor: returning to the art of spiritual direction
by eugene peterson

unexpected gifts: discovering the way of community
by christopher heuertz

(i’ll be blogging about this book in the coming week – particularly since The Marin Foundation will be hosting chris for our Living in the Tension event this evening to discuss his new book).

–
i’m also working my way through the fascinating story of pope Celestine V – the first and only pope to resign the seat of st. peter prior to this past week when pope benedict did so under similarly fascinating circumstances behind the closed doors of the vatican.

this factual historical account reads more like a dan brown novel than it does ‘boring’ church history (although, as a self-admitting history nerd, i may or may not be biased).

the pope who quit: a true medieval tale of mystery, death, and salvation
by jon stewart

here are some other books i’ve read recently.

what other books you would recommend? what are you reading?

‘Jesus says again and again, this kingdom advances neither with violence nor bloodshed, with neither hatred nor revenge. This kingdom advances slowly, quietly, under the surface – like yeast in dough, like a seed in soil. It advances with faith :: when people believe it is true, it becomes true. It advances with reconciling, forgiving love :: when people love strangers and enemies, the kingdom gains ground.’

– the secret message of jesus, brian d. mclaren

how far are you willing to go to follow the teachings of your church || your pastor || your faith tradition || your friends || the religious crowd jesus?

free speech?  i think not.

according to the guardian, the town of middleborough, massachusetts  passed a proposal last night that imposes a $20 fine on public profanity.

that’s one expensive swear jar. (*&@#>. 

(i was tempted to actually cuss, but i don’t have the $20 on me).
 the tight lipped town voted 183-50 to approve of the measure.

so as the police of middleborough enforce the new measure, writing tickets to potty mouthed teens, i can’t help but wonder ::

who decides what is and is not profane? 

i don’t expect the law to stick around very long.

what about you?  do you think it is appropriate to legislate morality, even when it infringes upon what has already been established as a right in our society (in this case, free speech)?

this time, he’s wearing them.

this little guy helped me pick out my new glasses yesterday. i’ll pick them up next week. lord, give me eyes to see…

it’s biblical.

hoping so, anyway.  in fact, i’m counting on it.  stay tuned and i’ll keep you posted.  good things to come.

we’ve all got questions we’d like to have answered about our faith.

if you could have the answer to just one question — one question only — what would you ask?