don't you ever interrupt me when I'm reading my book...
I’m back!! After a hiatus for summer camp, I have a few thoughts for us :)
Years ago, my kids watched Julian Smith on you tube. Absolutely mindless fun, with the focus on mindless! He had a funny video about not being interrupted when he’s reading his book- hence the title (I couldn’t resist)!
“I want to read more”.... How many of us have said those words to the person across the table from us? I know I have many times. I live with an avid reader. And often I watch him read more than I read myself!
If you’ve followed the blog, you know that I work full time in the summers at a Christian summer camp. You can read more about camp in this post. Well, August brings the end of camp and preparations for the use of the school season time.
This year, I’m planning to read on purpose. In most every area of my life, I live with great purpose, and I’m going to extend this to reading. And I’m hoping to take some of you along with me.
Monthly, I’m going to post what I’m reading and a few thoughts. I’d love to see you all also read along and share your thoughts. That’s how we grow- challenging each other's thoughts and ideas, sharpening each other as we flesh out what it looks like to incarnate Jesus in our individual spaces and places.
This month we are going to start with a book freshly on the stands by Preston Sprinkle:
Does the Bible support Same-Sex Marriage, 21 conversations from a historically Christian view.
Dr. Sprinkle was a theologian and professor before he became a speaker and podcaster. He’s been a great voice in my life in sorting out passages, ideas, and controversial LGBTQ topics from the historical Christian perspective. He does this with a huge, huge pile of compassion and care. He does not speak from the sidelines, he works to know and understand the people he writes to and about.
For me, he fleshes out what it looks like to think biblically and critically, while also remembering that ultimately LGBTQ “issues” are about people. At the end of the day, the people standing in front of us or sitting at our table deeply matter, to the Father, and to me. Dr. Sprinkle has modelled this in his writing and speaking.
He has also been a great teacher of language to me. Understanding culture, the ways that words are used to inform, to wound, and to make our point, has been so challenging for me as an area to grow. Being able to speak clearly in the language of those around me has been invaluable. I want to clearly articulate what I believe the Bible is saying. I want to use words that are understood by the teen campers I serve during the summer, and the college students I sit with during the year.
This book is approachable and understandable. It encourages conversation. He encourages and equips us to have conversations where
“everyone feels understood and honored- even if disagreement remains.”
He goes on to say in the first few pages that
“the quality of our beliefs is obviously important. But the manner in which we hold those beliefs can be equally important. Sometimes how we believe is as important as what we believe.”
I’ve gotten a good start and am excited to finish. I am challenging you to read it as well. Pick up a copy, or grab it on your favorite library app! Let’s get started :).
As always, you can:
1- Hit the button to subscribe!
2- Hit me up to have a soda together for more discussion :)