Saturday, March 31, 2007

As I sat waiting for Helen, the Mimi's Cafe waitress tilted her head sideways when she asked me what exactly I was reading. The cover of the book I'm reading is striking in it's vertical presentation of the title- The Velvet Elvis-repainting the Christian faith. "What in the world is that book about?" she questioned. "I'm not altogether sure. I've just begun reading, and I don't know if I like it or not. It has something to do with someone who found a velvet painting of Elvis in his garage and how that got the author thinking about the Bible in a different way." The waitress gave me a puzzled look and a pensive, "Huh." She took a much longer than the usual waitress to collect her thoughts enough to ask if I'd like something to drink while I waited for my friend to join me.

The truth I didn't share with the waitress is that the first chapter both intrigued me and irked me. However, I decided I like the questions enough to keep reading after my initial snag on the questions concerning the virgin birth of Christ. I don't have time to play with the truth, but I am interested in "outside the box" thinking in terms of bringing fresh and new perspective for those previously beaten over the head with the Gospel.

I'm also reading Too Small to Ignore-why children are the next big thing by Compassion International's Dr. Wess Stafford and Into the Silent Land on contemplation by Laird. After several chapters, I am still not interested in Amy Tan's Saving Fish from Drowning, so it sits on the tub waiting. I have another Doug Addsion book on dreams and a Bevere book sitting on my bedside table I may begin on vacation in May. I can't seem to stick with one book lately and finish it. I think I have book ADD.

If you have opinions on any of these books, I'd love to hear in the comments. Perhaps someone can spur me on to the end of one of these selections.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Ah, Velvet Elvis. As I recall, his comments about the Virgin Birth got me a little riled as well. (And I still don't agree with him.) But be of good cheer, it's all uphill from there.

truevyne said...

I won't give up. I won't give up.