From an esteemed American friend, Wes Roberts (8 November, 2000):

A number of people on our email list have been responding to recent emails and letters and asking what I would recommend reading…listening to…for Christmas gifts for friends, loved ones, themselves. One dear saint says that she always gets and reads and/or listens to what is suggested…so this should keep her busy for awhile. 🙂

All that is suggested here we have read and listened to. We are taking some great new tomes with us on this trip…so expect some new suggestions from authors and cohorts, Gail MacDonald, McNair Wilson Phillip Yancey when we return.

READING–NOVELS…

During Judy’s illness and recovery she has gone through a series of novels that have had deep and enduring impact on both of us in the past days and months. The author is Susan Howatch, a barrister (lawyer) from the UK.

Ms. Howatch, a deeply gifted and spiritual woman, has produced a remarkable series of six novels on the Church of England from the 30’s through the 70’s. They are richly written with a specific narrator in each book. Upon reading all six…you begin to see the interplay of generations and the strengths and weaknesses of life. Your spiritual life will be impacted at important and unique levels from reading all of these books.

This past Saturday evening we had dinner with good friends from New York state. All four of us agreed that we are not casual shoppers…but more like hunters when we need to go and purchase something.

All that to say, that I would encourage you to go “hunting” at used book stores and get the lesser expensive used paperbacks on the following titles. AND…do read them in the order listed below…the author has a wise and thoughful plan for flow that happens from novel to novel:

Glittering Images Glamous Powers Ultimate Prizes Scandalous Risks Mystical Paths Absolute Truths

Susan has also written two excellent, additional novels beyond this series. As with all of these books…they are extra riviting and very hard to put down once you begin reading. The additional titles, in order, are:

The Wonder Worker The High Flyer

READING–A GREAT CHILDREN’S BOOK…

Ever wonder what happens with your children’s babysitters? Well…we wonder no more about one special lady, who is now married to one good man, with kids of their own.

If you know of a family with a young munchkin, or have a child who is in the 4-7 range…or will be one day…this is an exceptional book for you to give. “You Can Do Great Things” by Michele Steinhauser is a super book to get…go through…and ultimately do what is suggested with that special child.

We’ve known this wonderful young woman for years. What a delight to see her talents and skills being used in this way. I hope she doesn’t stop with just this book…for I am certain there are many more good and creative thoughts in her mind and heart.

READING–FOR ANYONE WHO HAS ANY HEARTBEAT AT ALL FOR THE LOCAL CHURCH…

Young, old, high on church, confused and frustrated with church, a church leader…paid or volunteer, one who warms the pews/chairs, new believer in Jesus Christ, one who has been a Christian “forever”…you sincerely need to pick up this book and thoughtfully go through it. It is a VERY important book to read if you have any kind of interest in the church in the future.

“The Church On The Other Side” by Brian McLaren is to be read by anyone who fits any of the categories in the paragraph above. Church staffs and church boards need to read it together. Denominational leaders…hurry and get it.

Thankfully, this is NOT one more formulaic book on “how to do church.” But it will challenge you and get you thinking in directions that all of us need to be thinking if we are going to experience and be a part of a vibrant, and vastly different, needful way of reaching generations to come for Christ.

The whole book is Biblically solid and extra thought provoking. I was amazed at a quote Brian put into the introduction of the book from Francis Schaeffer from 1970…30 whole years ago:

“The church today should be getting ready and talking about issues of tomorrow and not issues of 20 and 30 years ago, because the church is going to be squeezed in a wringer. If we found it tough in these last few years, what are we going to do when we are faced with the real changes that are ahead?…”

“One of the greatest injustices we do to our young people is to ask them to be conservatives. Christianity is not concervative, but revolutionary. To be conservative today is to miss the whole point, for conservation means standing in the flow of the status quo, and the status que no longer belongs to us….”

“If we want to be fair, we must teach the young to be revolutionaries, revolutionaries against the status quo.”

Go Francis…….!!! And go Brian…!!! Thank you for challenging so well our hearts, minds, relationships and the reasons for “doing church.” Please…seriously…this IS a must read for anyone who is reading this email.

LET THERE BE MUSIC…

Judy and I have recently been blown away with a new and masterful CD (also on cassette). “Smell The Color 9” by Chris Rice is outstanding. The music is richly textured…very unique and funky in some spots…and the words…well…the words in most songs have expressed so much of what we have been feeling in the various facets of our lives…and the lives of so many people around the planet that we know and love.

For those of you who sincerely enjoy the beauty classical music and old hymns…this may not be your cup of tea. However, you good friends will be pleasantly surprised at the three “surprise” track at the end of this CD.

So don’t think we’ve flipped out, too far, if you get this great piece of work. For those with a broader musical horizon, where one will also find exceptional beauty in new music, you will find this a sumptous feast from beginning to end…appetizers to dessert…for the ear…the heart…and deep down into your soul. You remember that old TV ad?…well…try it, you’ll like it!!!

We may have this CD worn out by the time we get to Phoenix. It is simply that good. I don’t think anyone who gets it will be disappointed. This will make a great stocking stuffer for Christmas…someone will bless you for getting it for them. And don’t forget you…you need this in your stack of CD’s too.

Here are the words to just one of Chris Rice’s songs…titled:

My Prayer…

Fresh page, new pen Where do I begin Words fail, tears come I need someone To take the thoughts I almost think And carry them to God for me

Deep breath, exhale Breathe in deeper still Long sigh, I’m still numb Is there anyone Who can find the things I’m barely feeling And give them wings beyond my ceiling?

Right heart, wrong place It’s too far to outer space Sorry, I forgot, You’re right here I cup my hands around Your ear I feel You smile, You feel my breath You listen while I whisper non-sense

Simple exchange Your will, I’m changed And now my prayer ends Thank You, Amen

Hey…if you can hang on for a minute more…here are the words to the title song of the CD:

Smell of the Color 9

I would take “no” for an answer Just to know I heard You speak And I’m wonderin’ why I’ve never Seen the signs they claim to see Are the special revelations Meant for everybody but me? Maybe I don’t truly know You Or maybe I just simply believe

‘Cause I can sniff, I can see I can count up pretty high But these faculties aren’t getting me Any closer to the sky But my heart of faith keeps poundin’ So I know I’m doin’ fine But sometimes finding You Is just like trying to ‘ Smell the color nine

Now I’ve never ‘felt the presence’ But I know You’re always near And I’ve never ‘heard the calling’ But somehow You’ve led me right here So I’m not looking for burning bushes Or some divine graffiti to appear I’m just beggin’ You for Your wisdom And I believe You’re puttin’ some here

‘Cause I can sniff, I can see I can count up pretty high But these faculties aren’t getting me Any closer to the sky But my heart of faith keeps poundin’ So I know I’m doin’ fine But sometimes finding You Is just like trying to ‘ Smell the color nine

Smell the color nine? But nine’s not a color And even if it were you can’t smell a color That’s my point exactly…