4 books & Thailand!
Thursday, March 02, 2006
♥ Thursday, March 02, 2006
The very fact i could devour 4 books, in a mere 2 and a 1/2 wks does say something about where i was doesnt it? That it sure is, boring.
So here we go.. up on the first of a list of books, we have.. Heartbreak and Triumph(150206) I think this is just about the first biography i've read from start to end. Its by Shawn Michaels- a wrestler i've adored from young. So being that, reading about the many incidents and matches he was involved in suddenly brought me back many many years, when i was still livin in Cowdray Avenue, being Marie Low's little spastic marist student neighbour fella:) i think the joy of reading it lies in where you actually see someone you hold somewhat of high esteem, and then you read about the reflections of his life, as if actually knowing the person personally now. How i wish i could read the Bible with such an angle of a perspective, wouldnt that be great?
The next is also another 'first'. The 'first' of Max Lucado books i managed to read in thailand was Traveling Light(180206). This book is basically about the burdens, God never wanted us to bear without His sound wisdom of handling and growing. OK, in a nutshell..erm, not really quite to my liking. Ok, i think Max made a great reference when he used Psalm 23 (" The lord is my shepherd, there is nothing i shall want...) to teach each of his readers that one's relationship with Jesus is sufficient to undergo the tumultous road of life. But, sadly, there isnt more depth to it. There is elaboration, with lucid examples. But, i guess it lacks the educational fervour of teaching. Maybe, its just not my kinda book la.
The God of the 2nd Chance (240206) by Greg Laurie was a book given to me (for Xmas i think) by Evelyn. Alright, this book, though the title sounds alot more simplistic than Lucado's, is a better read. His examples are easier to relate, there's a breath and a scope to each 'theme'. Its not too different from Traveling Light- references were also made to the same psalm, similar issue of guilt was mentioned, etc. But on the whole, Greg Laurie allows the reader, on more instances to grasp the notion of a loving God, of the chance we have had, on the love that we walked away from, and the opportunity to walk back. I think in all books, its not so much the idea, but the display of it. The use of metaphors in many cases, brings the minds of readers into a more intellectual depth than just telling them what, how and why. This is where Laurie makes his distinction from Lucado, i guess. Pretty good. Ask me for it, anyone.
And the FINALE..another of Dan Brown's controversial, scandalous and highly provocative novels, " Angels and Demons"(270206) This, people, is a category of its own. When i read Da Vinci Code, i thought it was good, but it fades as how our memory does. This one, on the other hand, represents not so much wit, but power. The power of an author's ability to engage, to stimulate and to allow the reader to feel for. Feeling for and stimualtion are different. Stimulation is "im touched, humoured, angry.." the ability to draw emotions outta the reader. When one feels for, however, one understands and emphathizes with the CAUSE. And when one feels for, its the soul's extension to eternity and back. For one realizes that its an innate truth that the party acts on. In this case, the Camerlengo's cause of such upheavel, represented so dramatically in his speech to the masses is that to undo Science's attempt to blind Man from God. And the issue the author talks about, Science and Religion, is a very real issue right. Its only sad, that its the person who believed in the ideals of the spiritual who is portrayed as the bad guy.Good book.
When i came to thailand, my thought of coming here was simple: a retreat. From that which i know, and from that which i dont. All that, in a quest to know God, to know myself. But i think that the departure from church, has its adverse effects. Well, these were my goals. Out of which, haha, dont think managed to fulfil much.
1) Develop relationship with God- prob get to do a little session for LOG when im back.
2) 35 pull ups-its a hundred bucks my PC promised. LUCRATIVE investment.
3) Find out what i like to do, what God want me to do with this life
4) come out with smth for jie's 21st bday.
Haha..and despite the boredom, somehow i became even more lethargic than healthy. So, ok..for now, im thinking of havin a go at Aeronautical. We'll see how that turns out eh? And yap, sure prayed abt it. Just aint that convicted, like about everything else.
oh, lastly, read meltan's blog. How nice,a Catholic who stands in the face of questions and challenge, believing the awesome nature of what surrounds the mystery we call faith. if you dont call that conviction, i just dunno what is.
