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Post by shavonfan on Dec 7, 2005 17:24:24 GMT -5
A: Books are written in different styles and for different reasons. Some books are written to educate and inform the reader about a subject that was well studied from a variety of sources and viewpoints. Other books are written exclusely from one side of an issue. Books can be written as a response or a counter to a certain side of an issue. There are any number of reasons why an author chooses to write a book, and just as many reasons why a person chooses to read one. I think sometimes the disappointment comes when a person reads a book for a certain reason only to find that it didn't at all meet those expectations. If I am reading a book that is going to biased in its content, there are a few things that are important to me. First, I like the book to have footnotes. I want to be able to look some of the claims of the author up for myself and see more of the picture in its context. I want to be able to study more about the issue with some of the resources made available. Throwing a bunch of statements out there just doesn't cut it for me. Second, I like an author to challenge my thinking with some penetrating questions that will leave me in a postion to seek the answer after I have finished the page and put the book down. I want the author to make me think about something the next time I hear or see the subject in person or on tv or radio, so that I can audibly and visually begin to learn to discern some things for myself. Third, I like it when an author clearly states his or her bias, and the reasons for it. That way, if I agree or disagree, I am able to formulate an opinion as to what the author stated. This helps me to be ready to respond and give an answer to those who would want to know what I believe and why, as well as what I disagree about and why to a certain issue. Finally, I really do not get anything at all from an argument that includes putdowns and name-calling. To me, it only shows a lack of intelligence about the issue and a lack of respect for others. Neither one of those things add much to the discussion, and nothing is learned or gained. I already know the position of many of the authors I read. The reason I continue to read them is not because they are not biased, but because they bring with them an educated body of work that informs me, challenges me, equips me and clearly defines what it is that the author is saying. Q: Have you ever read a book that helped to change your views about a particular subject? Explain. A: Yes, "Soul Survivor" by Philip Yancey. The book is about the people who helped Yancey's faith survive the church. In it he writes about people such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Gandhi, Henri Nouwen, and Annie Dillard. Anyway, I came away with a much greater appreciation of Martin Luther King, Jr. and have come to consider him amongst my heroes. Also, the book "Treason" by Ann Coulter succeeds as well in teaching me about Joseph McCarthy. I now consider him to be an important figure in the history of the United States.
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Post by ocelot on Dec 7, 2005 20:50:54 GMT -5
A: yes, actually I'm still reading it. "Breaking the Bondage of Legalism" by Neil T. Anderson, Rich Miller, and Paul Travis. It really changed my views of the many rules that so many churches have. I now see that some of these minor rules that churches have and preach that aren't in the Bible can really wear on people if the fact that they are still forgiven isn't emphasized. I used to not mind some of the little rules but now that I've been reading the book I think unless it is in the Bible I feel it should be optional, not something pushed on people.
Q: What was the last song you heard that made you stop and go "Wow!" (it doesn't matter what the reason was)?
A: "Remember" - Josh Groban
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Post by shavonfan on Dec 7, 2005 21:20:04 GMT -5
A: This weekend I was flipping through channels on tv when I heard a voice that blew me away. I turned back to it and found that it was a concert of Michael Buble. I don't know the name of the song that really caught my attention, but I just was really taken by the great voice that he displayed. I wound up watching the rest of the show and cannot say that I liked all of the songs, but did enjoy his talent at singing a variety of different styles of music, Josh Groban made an appearance! Q: In response to your previous comments; just how widespread do you consider legalism in the church to be? A: I would say that, and I'm not being judgemental here, most professing Christians do not have a firm grasp of a lot of the things they do and why. They do it because they think they are supposed to, or because that is what they think Christianity looks like, or because they think that the Bible says so (when in fact if they read and knew their Bible they would know that a lot of churchy things are not at all straight out of Jesus' teaching or from a scriptural foundation.) This bothers me because so many people think that you are supposed to look and act a certain way in church. But if that is so, then you are cancelling out those who might need it most, because they are no way going to feel welcome no matter how nicely you greet them at the door! What really gets me most is that it is all about a relationship with God. And so often that relationship is the last thing you ever hear about! It seems it is always about do's and dont's. Be nice. Don't listen to that kind of music. Say your prayers. Don't hang around with that type of people. Well, that doesn't say very much for that type of people, does it? And in the Bible, they were the ones that Jesus was always hanging out with! I remember reading somewhere that Tony Campolo gave a talk at a retreat, and said something to this effect: " There's a lot of shit going on in the world today. And there's a lot of people who need to be reached with the Gospel. But the sad truth is that most of you in the audience are more concerned that I just said a bad word, than that there are people tonight crying in the streets for help." I think that says it all.
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Post by ocelot on Dec 7, 2005 22:41:12 GMT -5
I love that quote! And Michael Buble is great!
A: The legalism in my church is more from persons and the church not making a stand against it. The church has a couple of songbooks/hymnals that we use and hardly ever sing from anything else because those are the songs of our church (this means we don't sing beautiful songs like Chris Tomlin's "Enough", "Above All", and etc.). There are people who are treated differently by the majority of people in the churchbecause they don't wear what they should or they have been divorced or their daughter had a child out of marriage. We also have so many rules of what is done in the church service: each church service has to have a sermon, songs, a litergy, certain prayers, a certain procession of way way things are done, a collection, and be a certain length (I'm not saying these are bad but we don't need all of these every service as long as the Spirit leads the service which it doesn't feel like it does). I find that after the service is over people aren't talking about the way the Spirit spoke to them through the service but what was wrong with the service or the way things were done. People also put others down if they don't go to church every Sunday.
Q: What is the most beautiful song you've listened to this week?
A: ''Forgive Me" - Rebecca St. James
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Post by shavonfan on Dec 7, 2005 22:50:21 GMT -5
A:"Prodigal" - Casting Crowns
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Post by shavonfan on Dec 11, 2005 17:28:02 GMT -5
Q: Which do you prefer to do? Shovel snow, rake leaves (maple leafs for you, Leona), or cut grass? A: All of them are a real chore for me! But I guess I would have to say that I much prefer to shovel snow.
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Post by ocelot on Dec 11, 2005 18:47:00 GMT -5
A: Shovel snow
Q: What do you prefer rake leaves or cut grass?
A: Cut grass
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Post by shavonfan on Dec 11, 2005 19:02:50 GMT -5
A: Rake leaves. I say this only because in the summer when it is hot, I seem to get a bit of an allergic reaction to the freshly cut grass, and sometimes I become very itchy. At least in the Fall season, the temperature is usually cooler and more crisp, so it helps with my breathing. Q: Will you be making a snowman this winter? A: Absolutely!
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Post by ocelot on Dec 11, 2005 20:02:12 GMT -5
A: I don't know
Q: Are you done your Christmas shopping?
A: yes
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Post by shavonfan on Dec 11, 2005 20:16:09 GMT -5
A: No, and I won't be until sometime in January! (Hmmm, any ideas why, Shavon?) Q: What do hope to get from Santa? A: Well, first of all, some guy at work told me that there really wasn't a Santa. I told him that in the film "The Santa Clause" with Tim Allen, there is a line that says "seeing isn't believing; believing is seeing!" HA! That guy's a real Scrooge! But, in answer I would have to say that I really want an all-in-one printer,copier,fax, and scanner. Plus, I would like the Bruce Springsteen 'Born To Run' box set, and Tammy Bruce's book, 'The New American Revolution.' I think Santa will come again this year....he hasn't exactly answered my letter requesting that he define good!
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Post by ocelot on Dec 11, 2005 20:32:44 GMT -5
A: Guitar instruction software, there's a few Neil T. Anderson books that I want, Queen's "Classic" album, Julie Zenatti's album "Dans Les Yeux D'un Autre", and there's also some sheet music that I've asked for.
Q: What song is your favourite song that was released to radio this year (any country)?
A: Une Ave Maria
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Post by shavonfan on Dec 11, 2005 21:03:11 GMT -5
A: I'm sorry, but I rarely listen to radio and don't keep up with what makes it there!
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Post by shavonfan on Dec 13, 2005 17:54:44 GMT -5
Q: What artist's latest release are you likely to give a listen and possibly buy after hearing or reading a good review? A: Sheryl Crow's "Wildflower"
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Post by ocelot on Dec 13, 2005 20:08:26 GMT -5
A: Carrie Underwood - Some Hearts
Q: What up-coming movie are you most likely to watch?
A: The New World
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Post by shavonfan on Dec 13, 2005 20:18:43 GMT -5
A: "Good Night And Good Luck" (because I am very interested in seeing how once again Hollywood will wrongly smear Joseph McCarthy's good name through the mud.) Q: Who would you like to see a movie made about? A: Jackie Robinson
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