I picked up the book Under the Overpass today and am reading it quite intently. Long story short: a guy and his friend decided to give up everything and live as homeless in several of America's big cities to learn, grow and understand. More importantly, they wanted to answer the question: "What if i stepped out of my comfortable life with nothing but God and put my faith to the test alongside of those who live with nothing every day?"

I'll let you know what I think. So far, it's very eye-opening. I hear that the author is coming to the Detroit area in a few weeks to speak on the topic.

You know you're a social networking geek when you try to Digg-down a post on a Facebook discussion board. You laugh, but I tried last night. No surprise, it didn't work.

MeLCat is one of the most underused tools in the post-collegiate era. Which is why I have been throwing a full-blown blitzkrieg at the Novi Public Library with all of my hold requests. I'm currently going through N.T. Wright's entire library as well as grabbing the Thomas Tallis music I can find. Remember, this is all free and available through many libraries in the state of Michigan (there is a list here).

Several shifts this week at Sbux, then a short week next week to get ready for the Pittsburgh trip. More details to follow on that I'm sure.

Moved from "Reading" to "Read" (past tense):
Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen

Reading Actively:
Prayer: Finding Our Way Through Duty to Delight by J. I. Packer

Yesterday I finished the late Dr. Robert Webber's book Evangelicals on the Canterbury Trail. A great book for really anyone, but especially those in the Evangelical traditions, or those who have had friends or family leave the Evangelical traditions for liturgical worship. Webber did a great job summing up the draw of liturgical worship and it seems like he was actually telling my story. It is worth the read if you have the chance.

In recent weeks I have been able to spend some time catching up on that bizarre genre of fiction sometimes called "dystopian" (or anti-utopian, if you prefer to differentiate between the two. The Wikipedia article on dystopia has a great explanation). The most recent novel I finished, Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, had a very meaningful dialogue near the end of the novel that I felt was necessary to share.

On happiness

"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the overcompensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand." - pg 221

On God and Man

"One of the numerous things in heaven and earth that these philsophers didn't dream about was this, (he waved his hand, us, the modern world. 'You can only be independent of God while you've got youth and prosperity; independence won't take you safely to the end.' Well, we've now got youth and prosperity right up to the end. What follows? Evidently, that we can be independent of God. 'The religious sentiment will compensate us for all our losses.' But there aren't any losses for us to compensate; religious sentiment is superfluous." - pg 233

Thought-provoking novel. Check it out, add it to your library. I have linked to it and other recent reads of mine over here.

I don't have the right sized screw driver to take the hard drive out of Giles' defunct laptop.

I don't have the correct registration code to finish the reinstall of some software for my Treo.

I don't have any local sports to watch on television.

I finished the book I was reading last night, and then it greatly affected my dreams, so I'm going to take a night off from reading.

I really feel like reading (I know, contradiction to the previous sentence) a biography of The Mamas & The Papas. But I don't own it, and neither does the local library. And frankly, listening to "Creeque Alley" over and over again is not doing the trick.

We've joined with several members of Christ Church Cranbrook, under the leadership of Father Terry Miller, to undertake a weekly study of Dr. Gary Chapman's book The Five Languages of Apology. This is, in essence a companion/follow-up to his previous best-selling title, The Five Love Languages. I encourage you all to pick up a copy of either of these books. I highly recommend them.

The Five Languages of Apology: How to Experience Healing in All Your Relationships

The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate

I recently read this book, or more appropriately, essay, for a 20th Century European History class. Despite only being 103 pages in length, Kagan manages to express thoroughly the differences between American and European policy during and after the Cold War.I am debating whether or not I should write a full-fledged review for the Collegian on this book. I found it to be quite fascinating, to tell the truth, and highly recommend it. But seriously, for those who read my last book review, do you think I should write one on this or not?

Lewis the Literate

C.S. Lewis' book An Experiment in Criticism has a couple of interesting characteristics to it.

1. Very few people have ever heard of it before. He wrote it near the end of his life (1960; he died in 1963).

2. His criticisms in the book are very impressive, albeit harsh. His primary target is the literary and the literate but he is willing to step on a few toes when he briefly discusses music and worship as well.

I would encourage everyone to pick up a copy at some point in their lives and read it. Lewis had spent his entire life reading and writing; I think this could be remembered as his "memoirs" in a certain light.

Healing...?

We heard yesterday from both sides of the aisle that America (and her relations with Europe too) needs to start a period of healing. Well, for those of you who are bitter towards those you disagree with: start making amends. Get over your differences. Realize that Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, who were some of the most bitter political rivals and experienced a very harsh Presidential election when they ran against each other, became great friends (again) afterwards and even died on the same day (not that it implies anything, but it is interesting). Reach out to those with whom you are bitter and in complete disagreement. Take the first step. You are what makes America great and you can help bring the American people back together.

I leave you all with a blessing, something that my dear friend Lindsey sent me as we parted ways not so long ago. I know not whether I will see her again in this life. But she left me with this, and now I leave it for all of you.

The Lord bless you, and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord life up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26