Category Archives: Mark’s Blog

One Fiction; One Non-fiction

I try to read regularly from one fiction book and one non-fiction book. The non-fiction shapes my serious/working/spiritual formation world. The non-fiction gives me the opportunity to relax. Right now, I’m reading David Baldacci’s First Family and Ken Sande’s The … Continue reading

Posted in Mark's Blog, Mark's Currently Reading | Comments Off on One Fiction; One Non-fiction

A Fun Way to Hear “The Hallelujah Chorus”

Posted in Mark's Blog | Comments Off on A Fun Way to Hear “The Hallelujah Chorus”

Answers to Prayer

Last Thursday, my devotional plan brought me to Psalm 86:17, NLT: “Send me a sign of your favor.” Even though I thought it was a silly and self-centered prayer, I did pray that morning, “Lord, send me a sign of … Continue reading

Posted in Mark's Blog, My Personal Journey | Comments Off on Answers to Prayer

Psalm 90, Suffering & Wisdom

I read Psalm 90 this morning for devotions — what a depressing poem! Almost every verse is another poetic way of describing the misery of life. The one request that Moses (the author) makes is “Teach us to realize the … Continue reading

Posted in Bible and Theology, Mark's Blog, My Personal Journey | Comments Off on Psalm 90, Suffering & Wisdom

The Alchemist

I’m starting to read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. This is not my usual style — its a fable/parable about discovering one’s destiny. But my doctor highly recommended it and I’m enjoying reading things outside my usual parameters.

Posted in Mark's Blog, Mark's Currently Reading | Comments Off on The Alchemist

Even Sea-monsters!

” You rule the oceans. You subdue their storm-tossed waves. You crushed the great sea monster. You scattered your enemies with your mighty arm (Psalm 89:9-10, NLT).” We probably have no way of feeling how terrifying the sea was to … Continue reading

Posted in Bible and Theology, Mark's Blog, My Personal Journey | Comments Off on Even Sea-monsters!

Books on CD

I started listening to Thomas Keating today. I found a collection of audio CD’s by the leading authority on the Contemplative Life at my local public library. So I get to listen to pep talks on contemplation while working out … Continue reading

Posted in Bible and Theology, Mark's Blog, Mark's Currently Reading | Comments Off on Books on CD

A Lawyer and a Lot More

Things you learn reading novels by Stephen L Carter In real life, he is a professor of law at Yale In his fiction and non-fiction books, he acknowledges that religion can play a healthy role in modern lives What it … Continue reading

Posted in Mark's Blog, Mark's Currently Reading | Comments Off on A Lawyer and a Lot More

A Judge’s Biography

I started reading Sonia Sotomayor: The True American Dream this weekend. It was written by Antonia Felix, who doesn’t hide her admiration for the 111th Supreme Court Justice. So far, I’ve read about her mother’s impoverished beginnings in Puerto Rico, … Continue reading

Posted in Mark's Blog, Mark's Currently Reading | Comments Off on A Judge’s Biography

Questions Raised by Books

I just started reading Deep Church by Jim Belcher. Belcher is a pastor, a trained theologian, and friend to the Emerging Church movement. His book tries to bring all of his backgrounds together in proposing a new (or, really, old/basic/classic) … Continue reading

Posted in Mark's Blog, Mark's Currently Reading | Comments Off on Questions Raised by Books