AssemblyBoard

I love reading good books and I have benefitted from books that others have recommended.  Keep it up everyone! :) :)

The following quote is from New Earth, Old Earth...
Joe,
Thanks for your recommendation regarding The Invisible War by John Barnhouse.  I bought it and started to read it at first because I was interested in the Genesis 1:1-2 interpretation (his is very sound) but the book goes so much farther!  It is well written, easy to read and sticks to Scripture.
BTW, I read The Fingerprint of God quite some time ago and found it very compelling as well.
Again,
Thanks!

I've been encouraged by reading the following books:

1) Churches That Abuse - by Ron Enroth
2) Recovering from Churches That Abuse - by Ron Enroth
3) Twisted Scriptures - by Mary Alice Chrnalogar (still reading this)
4) The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse - by Jeff VanVonderen and David Johnson
5) Tired of Trying to Measure Up - by Jeff VanVonderen

These authors have GG's number dialed (even though only the first two specifically mention the Assembly).  As you read them you will find:

1) You are not alone with regard to your problems.
2) God loves you no matter what.
3) Church leaders don't have the right to treat you the way that most did in the assembly.
4) The damage and deception was pervasive and subtle.
5) You can avoid being enslaved again in a yoke of bondage by knowing what made the assembly tick.
6) There is hope.

I got them all from Amazon for $6 - $13 each.

Hope this helps.

Jack

One book that blessed me greatly was a book by C.H. Spurgeon entitled "All of Grace". Another book that Tom Maddux gave to me a long time ago that is extremely
comforting is called "The God of All Comfort" by Hannah Whitall Smith---it is truly a blessing. But one of the greatest
books I've read is "A lifting up for the Downcast" by
an old Puritan writer named William Bridge, written in the 1600's. It is amazingly comforting and uplifting.

--Joe

"Transforming Grace-Living Confidently in God's Unfailing Love"
by Jerry Bridges
(Navpress)

Maybe someone else has recommended this one already and I missed it.  But I found it last week on a resource library shelf, and it is a powerful and encouraging antidote to some of the false assembly teachings.  Esp. the error of basing our relationship with God on our performance rather than on His grace.

BW

"Dynamic Spiritual Leadership", By J. Oswald Sanders
This book was mentioned on one of Chuck Swindoll programs.  It gives a very good view on the apsotles Paul.

     i am not going to directly address the above quote, except to thank Verne for sharing this message, and to encourage all to take it to heart, ask God to open your eyes to it, and don't stop asking until you see it so well that your heart rejoices.

     A number of years ago, i had a copy of My Utmost for His Highest, a daily devotional guide composed by Oswald Chambers.  i used it for a time, but i don't remember learning anything from it.  i don't think i had much idea what he was writing about.  Eventually, i set it aside, and have no idea where it is today.
     But when God began teaching me many new things (or opening my eyes to many old things i had never seen), i bought a new copy (Barbour Publishing, Inc.).  Today it dwells in my "inner circle" of books, with my bibles, concordance and hymnals.  Mr. Chambers' insights bless my heart daily.

     Another volume that has been very liberating is Free at Last by Tony Evans (Moody Press).  This short & simple exposition of the finished work of Jesus Christ explains the fulness, permanence and immutability of our bought-and-paid-for inheritance in Christ Jesus, and why we should (and how we can) enjoy it now.
     Both books should be easily available from Christian bookstores or the internet.

al Hartman

Verne and all,
     In the wonderful passage of Luke 24:13-32, verse 32 says, "And they said to one another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?"  As Jesus had been walking with them, explaining all that had happened, he kept their eyes from recognizing him, but their hearts burned within them as he spoke to them.
     i find a bizarre antithesis of this reality in the experience that many of us had when GG spoke and his words created within us a sort of spiritual "heartburn" that we didn't recognize as the Holy Spirit's heresy alarm, & we didn't know what to do about it.


     Verne, you have just painted the banner that says THIS WAY TO VICTORY!  There has always been on this board a contingent who hold that before any erring saints can be led into the light, they must first see and confess what is wrong about the darkness.  The fact is that only the Truth can set us free.  And Jesus Christ is the Truth.  As He was lifted upon the cross that He might draw all to Himself, even today as we point people (sinners and saints) toward our exalted Savior and Lord, He draws them to Himself.  All hail the power of Jesus' Name...

al

My favorite recent read of a non-fiction book is one Wayne Mathews recommended, 'Grace Matters: A Story of Racial Reconciliation', by Chris Rice.  Because of recent racial discussions on other threads I wanted to mention it.

It's the story of Chris Rice's friendship with Spencer Jenkins, and their Antioch community in Mississippi, whose goal was to experience true Christian brotherhood across black/white racial lines.  It's a very good story, eye-opening and interesting on a number of levels.  One thing that struck me was the attitudes they experienced in living together.  Their home wasn't a training home like in the assembly, but some of the same dynamics were present.  The difference is (in my opinion), these Christians had a much better goal in mind.  As in, 'love one another that the world might know that you are My disciples'.

I'd like to hear from others who have read the book.

Becky

I love Matthew Henry's Commentary, and highly recommend it. I usually read a section as part of my "evening devotions" and am almost always blessed.
H

Rising To The Call, by Os Guinness.

Great SHORT book, very simple and straight to the point and deep, and will provoke you to examine your faith, and stir you up for good works!  :-)

Cheers,
G

I recently read David Limbaugh's book called "Persecution".  It is not an uplifting, devotional book, but a detailed, well documented work showing how Chistians are being marginalized in all areas of society.

I write an occasional column for the local newspaper (www.outdeep.com) and this book helped convince me that I need to speak more forthrightly about matters of faith.

The book "Time for Truth" by Os Guinness helped me understand Postmodernism better.

The Book I Love is C.S Lewis 'Surprised byJoy' in it he goes from early childhood Christianity to Atheism and back to Christianity..He recognizes God bringing him true Joy..using his friend as an instrument to win him back.. I like this book for its honesty in approaching the real things Christians go through afterall were Human Beings ...The difference is were partakers of the Divine nature...We hav'ent grasped all it means that Jesus is full of Grace and Truth...Light and Life......I've read this book a few times...C.S. notices arrows of Joy being shot at him...The Lord gets his attention !!!!!!

The Poisonwood Bible - a novel about missionaries that go to Africa.  In gg terms - the father in this story is a 'type of George'.  It was on the Oprah book list a couple years back.  I read it and wept, and laughed and cried some more.  
delila

This is a good list of books and thoughts and I have to say the more people see that the GG system is at fault and not them the sooner they can be free to really enjoy the Lord.

Jesus said in John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free.

The song that comes to mind is a children's song. "This little light of mine". The verse says "hide it under a bushel NO! I'm going to let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine.

Lord bless you all and be a good Berean and look it up. Don't fall prey to some Authority who says but the Greek says this and don't use those Scofield bibles and stay away from those Evangelical Semitaries. You can be free and the Lord is showing you how but you need to want it. Wild horses can't drag me back to that bondage again. Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees.

How To Be Born Again, by Billy Graham
It was so simple ( I was embarassed to buy it) but very encouraging. It reconfirmed what the assembly caused me to doubt about salvation.
 Getting "back to basics" after leaving the assembly was the best thing I could have done.

Philip Yancey is an excellent author.

1. What's so Amazing About Grace

2. The Jesus I Never Knew

3. Soul Survivor - How My Faith Survived the Church.
From Back cover:
   "I became a writer, I now believe, to sort out and reclaim words used and misused by the Christians of my youth,"  Philip Yancey says. "These are the people who ushered me into the kingdom. In many ways they are why I remain a Christian today, and I want to introduce them to other spiritual seekers."
   How did Philip Yancey manage to survive spiritually despite early encounters with a racist, legalistic church that he now views as almost cultic? In this, his most soul-searching book yet, he probes that very question. He tells the story of his own struggle to reclaim belief, interwoven with inspiring portraits of notable people from all walks of life, whom he calls his spiritual directors. Soul Survivor is his tribute to thirteen remarkable individuals, mentors who transformed his life work. Yancey provides fresh glimpses of the lives and faith journeys of each one. From the scatterbrained journalist G. K. Chesterton to the tortured novelists Tolstoy and Dostoevsky to contemporaries such as Martin Luther King Jr., Annie Dillard, and Robert Coles, Yancey gives inspiring portraits of those who modeled for him a life-enhancing rather than a life-constricting faith.
   Soul Survivor offers illuminating insights that will enrich the lives of the veteran believers and cautious seekers alike.

Marcia,

Whoever wrote that back cover blurb needs his head examined!  Gilbert K. Chesterton was SCATTERBRAINED???

Gilbert Chesterton was an English intellectual who converted to Catholicism and  spent 40 years standing up for Christianity among the "intellectual" circles of England and USA.

His "The Everlasting Man" book about Christ is masterful, to say the least.  His biographies of Aquinas and Augustine are also excellent.

He wrote a series of short detective stories which are known as the "Father Brown" series.  Brown is an old priest who exemplifies good heartedness and wisdom, as well as a profound understanding of evil.  He solves many of the mysteries by relying on a Biblical view of man.

Scatterbrained indeed.  

God bless,
Thomas Maddux
Gasbag in Chief

Here is a book that I highly recommend.  It was a great help to me in getting my head out of deeper life mysticism...or maybe getting deeper life mysticism out of my head.

Decision Making and the Will of God

By Gary Friesen

God bless,

Thomas Maddux

George MacDonald (1824-1905)–Michael R. Phillips, Editor – “The Curate’s Awakening”.

I have started reading it. The novel has very deep spiritual understanding. The novel is the first in a trilogy that deals with people who have similar problems as both leaders and followers in the Assembly. It shows people doubting their beliefs and leaders who are not what they appear to be who are ill prepared to handle the responsibilities. The book shows how now that they are in a place of responsibility they feel compelled to do something. George MacDonald has written these books to emphasize grace a sense of the loving Father, a teaching he did not find taught at the time he was around. My apologies to any who adhere to Calvanist beliefs; at the time of his writing he had not seen a good example set by the people in his church. I don't know enough about Calvanism to agree or disagree I am still learning.

http://www.theromancereadersconnection.com/reviews/macdonaldgeorge1502.html

Quote from introduction:

<begin quote>
………

George MacDonald often seemed to poke fun at organized religion. Christianity in England and Scotland during the late nineteenth century was; despite pockets of revival and great fervency, locked for the most part into the constricting doctrines of Calvinism carried to the extreme. God’s wrath was severe and greatly to be feared; and woe to him who had not been born of the “chosen elect”.

In the midst of this legalism, MacDonald emerged with a warm view of a God of love and compassion. From the pulpit and the printed page, MacDonald proclaimed that God’s essence was love. It was not, according to the outspoken Scotsman, God’s will that any should perish, that any should be so far removed that He could not reach down and pour His love into him. MacDonald’s writings portrayed an entirely contrasting picture of God–a tender and compassionate Father. Much of today’s awareness of God’s loving fatherhood has sprung from evangelical pioneers like MacDonald-men who dared stand against the tide of commonly held views of God’s character.

People flocked to MacDonald and devoured his writings because of the deeper sense of truth they found in them. However, MacDonald was scorned by official churchdom. He had rebelled against the established order and refused to relax his attacks upon the Phariseeism within the church in which he had been raised and in which he had unsuccessfully sought to become a leader. Trying to influence the system from within, he had been ousted because of his strong views. Thus he took his case directly to the public. And their response to his books affirmed the truths he believed in his heart.

…..

To MacDonald, the attributes lived out by his title character comprise the essence of spirituality. It is not how much a person knows, but how willing one is to learn; not where one stands, but in which direction he is progressing; not what doubts he harbors; but into what truth such doubts eventually lead; not how spiritual one may appear in men’s eyes, but how much truth that one is seeking in the quietness of his own heart. In such views MacDonald’s forerunning influence on C.S. Lewis and Francis Schaeffer and other contemporary writers can clearly be seen. For like these men, MacDonald stood strongly for a Christian faith which was reasonable and consistent. He firmly believed in the practice of that faith as the key to substantiating God’s existence.

…………

<end quote>

If you want to read it once again I am enjoying it.

PS: This book is now out of print.  ;DHOWEVER ;D it is reprinted under a new name.

The Curate of Glaston (3-in-1)
George MacDonald ,  Michael Phillips

http://www.bethanyhouse.com/index.asp?inc=books&page=detail&book=1416


Hugh

I heard that George MacDonald believed in universal reconciliation.  Years ago I read a few of his stories.  They were very enchanting, but in retrospect, his excessive subjectivism leads me to distrust his opinions as not being well grounded in the truth.

"Agape Leadership"

by Robert L. Peterson and  Alexander Strauch

DENNIS,

     How great to see you on board!!! :D  Don't be a stranger...

al

The Grace Awakening by Charles Swindoll, 2003 edition.

Have been reading it carefully for three weeks now.  So much applies re. assembly experience.
Interesting that for years I ignored this man's writings because of negative things assembly leadership said about him and the ev free church.  
Here's just one question he asks of ministers in a chapter called Are You Really Ministers of Grace?
'Do you let others go, or do you smother them...control them?'
OK, two more...
'Are the people you serve given the freedom to be who they are, or do you force them to be who you expect them to be?  Do you encourage, build up and affirm those to whom you minister?'

BTW, this whole book speaks to me as a mom, too, in my own small area of influence.

Becky

My wife and I have been having a encouraging time reading , 'The Purpose Driven Life' by Rick Warren.
It contains forty brief chapters that the author suggests to partner up with someone and read only one chapter a day.
It's been a great time.
The books introduction points out that in many instances God used forty days to prepare someone for His purposes;
Noahs life changed by forty days of rain
Moses transformed by forty days on Mount Sinai
The spies changed by forty days in the promised land
David changed by Golieth's forty day challenge.
Elijah changed  when God gave him  forty days strenth from a single meal.
Nineveh was tranformed when God gave them forty days to change.
Jesus was empowered by forty days in the wilderness.
The disciples were transformed by forty days with Jesus after his resurrection.
It's been fun, the average life span is 25,550 days. So forty days of going through a devotional and prayer with my wife is good.

'A Wrinkle in Time'
L'Engle's book now is the basis for a made-for-television movie, which airs as a "Wonderful World of Disney" presentation on ABC May 10th, 2004 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
http://abc.go.com/movies/awrinkleintime.html (http://abc.go.com/movies/awrinkleintime.html)

Meg, Calvin and Charles Wallace are battling the Dark Thing while searching for Father. They travel to the planet Camazotz, which has given in to the Darkness, and is now controlled by IT. IT tries to persuade them to give up their individuality by telling them how he will look after them, make all their decisions and keep them from pain. He says that differences create problems in the world. Life will be easier for the children and they will be happier if they are all alike. However, the children argue that they like being different. They are disturbed by the sameness and conformation of the people in the village.
http://www.novelguide.com/AWrinkleInTime/ (http://www.novelguide.com/AWrinkleInTime/)

I'm glad you liked Wrinkle in Time.  I know many people who have - it was a Newbery Award classic.  I'm surprised it took so long to be made into a movie.

I didn't enjoy it as much, but you have to realize that I don't care for the fantasy genre so much unless the literary rules are very tight.  I gave up listening to  Lord of the Rings half way through the 2nd book due to sheer boredom.

One fantasy book that I thought worked extremely well is "The Giver" by Lois Laurie.  For historical fiction, "The Bronze Bow" by Elizabeth George Sphere is excellent.  Both are Newbery award books.  

The Giver is excellent.

Dave, you must listen to the BBC production of The Lord of the Rings, and/or watch the extended version of the movies on DVD.

Marcia

     There really are some  l  o  n  g  sections in the second LOTR book that describe seemingly endless travels through dark & despondent lands.  The movie version keeps up the action pace & assumes, rather than portrays, the long dry spells.  The readers of the audio books put so much feeling into their voices that the worst of times seem to pass more swiftly.

al

Yes, don't get me wrong.  J.R.R. Tolkein has a masterful work and I will never in my lifetime come close to what he has accomplished with LOTR.  I did see the movies and especially enjoyed the third one because by that time, I began to connect who the characters are.  The first two ran by me quickly with me obtaining about 50% comprehension (it has something to do with a ring, right?).

I enjoyed the voices in the audio version.  However, I found in those long stretches between the few critical action points that my mind would wonder off when they were in these endless conversations about where to go next.  I think if Tolkein had to face the rigorous modern editor, he would have ended up with a pamphlet.  I got to the point that I dreaded putting the cassette into the car stereo, opting rather for Rush Limbaugh.  After several weeks of this, I finally faced reality and said, "if I am really not enjoying this, why am I doing this?"

I am now listening to "The Green Mile" by Stephen King (I'm not big on horror either, but this isn't really a horror book) that is the only King I read other than his great book (profanity aside) on writing.   I am enjoying every minute.

Dave and Al,

but... I assume that you have not heard the BBC production version of LOTR on CD or cassette.  BBC has also done an audio version of the Hobbit.

About 10-12 years ago we were travelling by car from Ottawa to Spokane WA.  We were in Montana on the interstate heading west and guess what, we ran out of gas because we had gotten so distracted with BBC's audio version of LOTR.  Montana is so isolated that the State Police cars are equipped to syphon gas.  Well we benefitted from their genorosity, and were able to run of of gas again just as we coasted into the nearest gas station.  Those state troopers were quite expert with their math calculations of how many minutes to turn on the nozzle and give only what's need to any helpless motorist.  So, the moral of the story, you must listen to the BBC audio production.  They have editted out parts of the story and did an excellent job.

Marcia

BEST BOOKS I HAVE READ RECENTLY. All get two thumbs up.
 
1) THE PASTOR'S WIFE  BY  SABINA WURMBRAND
2) TORTURED FOR CHRIST  BY RICHARD WURMBRAND
      both deal with Christian persecution during
communist occupation of Romania
3) ANGOLA BELOVED  BY T.ERNEST WILSON
       40 years of memories by a wonderful man of God
who labored in Angola from 1920 to 1960
4)POET AND PEASANT  AND THROUGH PEASANT EYES
   BY KENNETH E. BAILEY
        splendidly done exegesis of the parables in the book of Luke
 5)THE FAITH OF GOD'S ELECT  BY JOHN F. PARKINSON
        this book takes Calvinism and Arminianism behind
the woodshed for a good spanking. Best book on Calvinism yet.

Enjoy,  steve harris

Steve,

     You have listed five books, each of which you have given two thumbs up...  does this indicate that you are "all thumbs?"

 ;D al  ;)

     All kidding aside, thanks for the recommendations...

MAY 24: 3:48 AM EST:

BOOKS I WOULD RECOMMEND:
- any and all novels by JANNETTE OKE   - excellent Christian author , and a Canadian author, of heartwarming and inspiring and clean romance novel, with a Christian story .

MY CHURCH IS READING:
- THE PURPOSE DRIVE LIFE
      -What on Earth am I Here For?
-by Rick Warren:

I am only on the first day so far.  There if 40 chapters to be read one chapter a day for 40 days.

So far, the people I have spoken to, have enjoyed and have been able to glean from it.

I am a big fan of Orwell. I like 1984, and I feel what Winston must have felt. I also like Lord of the Flies and Animal Farm. (Guess I am not exactly all cheery in my taste of books, huh?) But as far as a spiritual aspect, I actually picked up Captive Hearts, Captive Minds. Excellent! Makes me feel that I am not crazy or alone. I've also read Scripture twisters. And Chruches that Abuse. Those not so much. I would highly recommend Captive Hearts, Captive Minds to anyone of you. :) Has anyone else read it and felt the same way? And of course anything by C. S. Lewis pretty much rocks. :)

Big Dummies of the Bible
 
brings to life 13 offbeat biblical tales of downright stupidity, including:

Kings and priests who couldn’t keep their pants on
The most expensive bowl of soup ever eaten
The mean queen who became canine cuisine
The fool who picked a fight with a hungry army
The warrior who was putty in a pretty woman’s hands
 
Why read about these goofs, blunders, and slip-ups? Bestselling author Stephen M. Miller says there are at least two reasons to ponder these tales of denseness:

“For one thing,” he says, “it’s reassuring to know there are people dumber than us. And for another, we human beings learn from mistakes—whether it’s our own mistakes or the mistakes of someone else. We experience misery—vicariously or in the flesh—and we’re suddenly wiser.”

Each chapter contains a set of thought-provoking questions, challenging you to apply these biblical lessons to twenty-first-century living. With tongue firmly implanted in cheek at times, Miller makes it clear that you could be guilty—or at risk—of similar stupidity, and the often dreadful consequences.

Big Dummies of the Bible will make you cringe (and laugh) while you learn how not to be a dummy, too. You’ll wise up in a hurry.