This past weekend we had our March Meeting where we discussed the book, Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza. We had 5 attendees and had a great discussion about the amazing work God has done in the life of the author. I found a great discussion guide online and wanted to share in case you wanted a few questions to ponder about what you learned from this story and what you will take away.
There is a second book by Immaculee called Led by Faith which continues her story as she rebuilds her life after the genocide. You can read more about this book here on the blog. My copy is currently in the works of being passed around. If you would like to borrow it just let me know and I can pass it on to you eventually. If you still have not read this months selection I urge you to borrow someones copy or get a copy from the library as it is quite an inspiring and amazing story of God's work and presence during this tragic time.
I hope you all are looking forward to our April Selection, Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom. I pray you have a great month! Let me know if you are reading any goodies! Happy reading!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
April Book Club Selection
Our April selection will be Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom. We have read selections form this author in the past. This is a non-fiction story about two religious men with completely different backgrounds. I first told you about this book on the Blog back in Feb 2010 but have been waiting for it to come available in paperback. It only has 272 pages. Here is a description from the the author's website:
Albom’s first nonfiction book since Tuesdays with Morrie, Have a little Faith begins with an unusual request: an 82-year-old rabbi from Albom’s old hometown asks him to deliver his eulogy.
Feeling unworthy, Albom insists on understanding the man better, which throws him back into a world of faith he’d left years ago. Meanwhile, closer to his current home, Albom becomes involved with a Detroit pastor – a reformed drug dealer and convict – who preaches to the poor and homeless in a decaying church with a hole in its roof.
Moving between their worlds, Christian and Jewish, African-American and white, impoverished and well-to-do, Mitch observes how these very different men employ faith similarly in fighting for survival: the older, suburban rabbi, embracing it as death approaches; the younger, inner-city pastor relying on it to keep himself and his church afloat.
As America struggles with hard times and people turn more to their beliefs, Mitch and the two men of God explore issues that perplex modern man: how to endure when difficult things happen; what heaven is; intermarriage; forgiveness; doubting God; and the importance of faith in trying times. Although the texts, prayers and histories are different, Albom begins to realize a striking unity between the two worlds - and indeed, between beliefs everywhere.
In the end, as the rabbi nears death and a harsh winter threatens the pastor’s wobbly church, Albom sadly fulfills the last request and writes the eulogy. And he finally understands what both men had been teaching all along: the profound comfort of believing in something bigger than yourself.
Have a Little Faith is a book about a life’s purpose; about losing belief and finding it again; about the divine spark inside us all. It is one man’s journey, but it is everyone’s story." (end quote)
I listened to this book on CD as well and would recommend it that way too. Albom isn't pushy on either religion but just tells these two different yet inspirational and interesting stories.
Kathy will let you know about a book order if needed for anyone. Our April meeting will be Saturday April 30th at 8:30am-10:00am in Swift's new building. Thanks so much for your participation!!! Remember I LOVE book suggestions and am here if you have any questions or need some other book ideas to read when you finish the monthly book. You can also check out the blog and see what other books I read and review as I try to find books for the club and for my own enjoyment.
**Reminder the March Meeting for Left to Tell is this upcoming Saturday the 26th at 8:30-10:00AM. Please RSVP.. Please let me know if you can come.
Happy Reading!
Albom’s first nonfiction book since Tuesdays with Morrie, Have a little Faith begins with an unusual request: an 82-year-old rabbi from Albom’s old hometown asks him to deliver his eulogy.
Feeling unworthy, Albom insists on understanding the man better, which throws him back into a world of faith he’d left years ago. Meanwhile, closer to his current home, Albom becomes involved with a Detroit pastor – a reformed drug dealer and convict – who preaches to the poor and homeless in a decaying church with a hole in its roof.
Moving between their worlds, Christian and Jewish, African-American and white, impoverished and well-to-do, Mitch observes how these very different men employ faith similarly in fighting for survival: the older, suburban rabbi, embracing it as death approaches; the younger, inner-city pastor relying on it to keep himself and his church afloat.
As America struggles with hard times and people turn more to their beliefs, Mitch and the two men of God explore issues that perplex modern man: how to endure when difficult things happen; what heaven is; intermarriage; forgiveness; doubting God; and the importance of faith in trying times. Although the texts, prayers and histories are different, Albom begins to realize a striking unity between the two worlds - and indeed, between beliefs everywhere.
In the end, as the rabbi nears death and a harsh winter threatens the pastor’s wobbly church, Albom sadly fulfills the last request and writes the eulogy. And he finally understands what both men had been teaching all along: the profound comfort of believing in something bigger than yourself.
Have a Little Faith is a book about a life’s purpose; about losing belief and finding it again; about the divine spark inside us all. It is one man’s journey, but it is everyone’s story." (end quote)
I listened to this book on CD as well and would recommend it that way too. Albom isn't pushy on either religion but just tells these two different yet inspirational and interesting stories.
Kathy will let you know about a book order if needed for anyone. Our April meeting will be Saturday April 30th at 8:30am-10:00am in Swift's new building. Thanks so much for your participation!!! Remember I LOVE book suggestions and am here if you have any questions or need some other book ideas to read when you finish the monthly book. You can also check out the blog and see what other books I read and review as I try to find books for the club and for my own enjoyment.
**Reminder the March Meeting for Left to Tell is this upcoming Saturday the 26th at 8:30-10:00AM. Please RSVP.. Please let me know if you can come.
Happy Reading!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Practicing the Presence OF GOD
This past month when we had our meeting to discuss the February Book, The practice of the presence of God by Brother Lawrence, I did not have any set discussion questions. Instead I pulled some from a great resource that I found online that helps you to go deeper into what Brother Lawrence is teaching us in the book. You can find this great free study online by clicking here.
The women I talked to in our group enjoyed this book and found the words of wisdom very helpful in every day lives. Some admitted to having difficulty reading it at first but then later would pick it back up and it was like reading a whole different book. Sometimes this happens and certain books just don't appeal to us when we are in different seasons of our lives or even in certain moods. I know that this book shouldn't be just pushed on the shelf only to end up in the yard sale box a couple years later. But this book should be kept along side your devotionals and bible.
I have found that since I have read this book my life has taken a turn to be even busier which no doubt is God checking to see if I learned anything from Brother Lawrence....? I have found myself determined not to lead such a busy life and I am beginning to organize and prioritize my time. I don't want to look back years from now and wonder where the time went and regret things I missed out on with family and friends. I also find myself praying to God more often and thanking him before I am about to do a task as well as afterwards thank him for the opportunity and the blessing just as Brother Lawrence mentions he would do.
I hope that you have found things that you can take away from this book and that you remember to go back to it often if you find your life taking a busy turn. I thank God for Brother Lawrence and that we could share in his wisdom. Happy Reading!
The women I talked to in our group enjoyed this book and found the words of wisdom very helpful in every day lives. Some admitted to having difficulty reading it at first but then later would pick it back up and it was like reading a whole different book. Sometimes this happens and certain books just don't appeal to us when we are in different seasons of our lives or even in certain moods. I know that this book shouldn't be just pushed on the shelf only to end up in the yard sale box a couple years later. But this book should be kept along side your devotionals and bible.
I have found that since I have read this book my life has taken a turn to be even busier which no doubt is God checking to see if I learned anything from Brother Lawrence....? I have found myself determined not to lead such a busy life and I am beginning to organize and prioritize my time. I don't want to look back years from now and wonder where the time went and regret things I missed out on with family and friends. I also find myself praying to God more often and thanking him before I am about to do a task as well as afterwards thank him for the opportunity and the blessing just as Brother Lawrence mentions he would do.
I hope that you have found things that you can take away from this book and that you remember to go back to it often if you find your life taking a busy turn. I thank God for Brother Lawrence and that we could share in his wisdom. Happy Reading!
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