WHAT ARE YOU READING?

I am asked, at church at the gym and in my neighborhood---"what are you reading?". Hm-m-m---that must mean I'm a reader. A reader whom they can trust. That's a big responsibility.

Here are 2  "real" books on my shelf. My other book is an e-book---not my favorite choice but it
is the only access I had to Dear Mr. Knightley! I'm only 65% through the story but it already is in my 4 star category. It's a "reader's" delight as it has many classic book references in the text!

Timothy Keller is always a good read for me when I'm seeking insight.  Following the Intro of Walking With God Through Pain and Suffering, I have used the Table of Contents a lot.  It's often the way I "read" non-fiction. For me. the third part of the book provided the most practical material. From the crushed in Spirit to those in the fiery furnace, the author offers hope, within the reality of suffering, through Scripture. I appreciate that Keller is a reader and appropriately quotes from a variety of backgrounds, e,g. Shakespeare and Patchett to Lloyd-Jones and C.S. Lewis. 

A few take-aways for me: Suffering puts its fingers on good things that have become too important to us (me). (p.308) Human beings are hoped-shaped creatures. The way you live now is controlled by what you believe about your future. (p.334)

For fiction, Elizabeth Musser's books have long been a favorite. She had me hooked with Swan House, the first on I read.  Hopefully, I will soon be able to borrow her latest one, When I Close My Eyes. Two take-aways from The Long Highway Home deal with courage and faith. The book highlights the terror and horror of refugees as they flee their homelands.   

Courage is fear that has said its prayers. (p. 334)

Faith has changed my perspectives on things. My wants and needs and desires. (p.369)

Books, both fiction and non-fiction, change me as I read with my spiritual insight lenses intact. 

As I age, more and more of my books are audio---hearing those words give me vision as clearly as the printed text.

Sight without vision. Sight beyond vision. Think periscope. Periscopic. Seeing things that are out of sight but spiritually intact. Close by. Sounds like faith to me.

What are you reading?