A day in the life of...Mark Williams

What I'm reading, listening to...

Over the past few weeks, I have been reading more and more it seems.  Here are a few things that I have read or am currently reading:

If God Were Real by John Avant.  A no-holds barred look at what Christianity has become....and it's NOT good. 

Crazy Love by Francis Chan.  An absolute must-read.  We'll be going through this book for DT during Jan.-March.  

My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers.  I've never done a year straight in this.  Not sure I will this time.  I pick it up and it challenges the heck outta me!!  Love this.  Read it online HERE.

Stuff I've been listening to lately.

Hope Rising album by Fee.  He's probably my favorite worship leader.  

Church Music by David Crowder Band. 

Rereading "The Dip" by Seth Godin

I'm reading back through The Dip by Seth Godin.  It is an incredible little book with some excellent priniciples.  Just thought it would be good for me to "work" myself back through it. 

Anybody reading any good books right now? 

Journey Through Disability: Stories and Meditations from Webb's Mommy

I just finished this amazing book by Tammy Smith.  Tammy is a member here at ABC.  More than that, the Smith's are wonderful friends.  Steve, Tammy, Webb, Kelsie, and Delaney are all blessings to me and my family.  You need to read this book.  There are so many wonderful insights, blessings, and cool stories within the pages.  I laughed.  I cried.  I prayed.  I remembered.  Webb is a blessing to our family also.  I talk with Webb every Sunday.  I like to put him in a headlock or just rub his head.  I want him to know me and what a blessing he is. 

When Webb was in school, and I would go visit students in the lunch room...I would sneak back to where his classroom was.  I always liked that, because it was a familiar face in unfamiliar surroundings.  Sometimes, he would look at me with his eyes that would be saying, "I know you...but I'm supposed to see you at church".  I liked surprising him. 

If you haven't picked up a copy of the book from Tammy, you need to pick it up for a GREAT BLESSING!!

Harry Potter...the first one is done

I finished the first book in the Harry Potter series last night,  Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone.  It was a nice read, that surprisingly kept me interested.  I've been loaned the next few by a blog reader.  I've got to decide if I'm going to start the next one immediately or wait a short time.   There are some other books that are on my reading list right now.  I'll make a decision soon.  Mainly because I love to read. 

Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone

I'm about to read the first book in the Harry Potter series.  Yes...I'm behind.  I know.  I just never "got into it".  I'll let you know if I finish it.  I'll also let you know if I like it or not.  We'll see.

The Shack

I just finished reading the book "The Shack".  This book has been in the headlines over the past year in the Christian circles because of its view of God. 
My take:  It was a decent read...from an entertainment standpoint.  The theology was pretty terrible, and way off base.  I guess it all depends on how you read a book.  I do much of my reading (even Christian fiction) from an entertainment viewpoint or purpose.  If I was reading something that I wanted to gain some theological understanding out of, I would read one of my theology books (I like Wayne Grudem for one).  I probably wouldn't read the book again (not enough action for me).  I guess it's kinda like the DaVinci Code.  Ok for entertainment purpose, but not very sound at all from a theological standpoint. 

So hear me say this....ok read, but not the greatest.  I do NOT agree with the theology of the book.  I read it strictly from a curiousity standpoint, and found that, yes, it is full of bad theology.  If bad theology in a piece of fiction concerns you, I would recommend not reading it.  I welcome any dialogue about the book....and the theology. 

Non-fiction books

What are your top 3 non-fiction books?  This could be anything from an autobiography, leadership book, to a book about a major event, etc. 

What are your top 3 favorite fiction books?

I don't read a whole lot of fiction, but I do enjoy the occasional thriller. 

What are your top 3 fiction books?

Playing for Pizza

I'm currently reading the John Grisham novel, Playing for Pizza. 

It's about a washed up NFL quarterback that goes and plays American football in Italy.  So far, it's a good read.  I'm a big John Grisham fan. 

His next legal thriller comes out in January 2008.  It is based on the electing of State Supreme Court justices.  I'm really interested in this topic, given that I am friends to one of Mississippi's most recently elected Supreme Court Justices.  I'm not real sure why we elect Judges.  It seems to me that judges should be appointed.  Then again, I'm no expert. 

Proverbs

I've been reading through Proverbs.  Here are some that I focused on.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:7

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23

Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all wrongs. Proverbs 10:12

The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land. Proverbs 10:30

A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. Proverbs 11:12

A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted. Proverbs 12:3

The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. Proverbs 12:5

Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. Proverbs 12:19

Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner. Proverbs 13:6

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20