The Numbers of Hope 3:16 - Week 4
This week at the Christian Book Club we will be finishing The Numbers of Hope. Our reading and discussion will focus on chapters 10 through 12 and the daily devotional at the end of the book. I think this will be enjoyable reading for you. Max does a good job of talking about Heaven and Hell. He also talks about living with the promise of John 3:16. I look forward to your comments as always.
If you don’t have C.S. Lewis “The Weight of Glory” yet, make sure you order it soon. We will start reading it July 1st. I love Lewis and I think you will enjoy these “sermons” that he delivered during World War II.
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The Weight of Glory: And Other Addresses By C.S. Lewis |
I will be praying for all of you and hope that you are enjoying the Christian Book Club Online. I was just given a copy of a book called The Shack. It looks like an interesting book. I checked out the reviews and people seem to love it or hate it. I will probably be adding it to a future book club. Anyone with any insight on the book?
I wanted to thank all of you for your comments. It seems as though most of us really enjoyed ...
This book is quite profound! I've heard some of the controversy, but I felt drawn toward this book. ...
I thought the book was great. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to read about the ...
Hello everyone.
What I am taking from the story of Shack is the importance of tempering anger in our ...
as i went through the book many times i felt the presents of God through the trees , mountains, water ...
I am so glad I found this website! What a blessing!
Comment by Carol on 25 June 2008:
Can I be honest? I read through the 3:16 The Numbers of Hope book very quickly, and all in one sitting. It’s not that I didn’t like the book,
just that it seemed very shallow and superficial to me. The ideas presented were good, but nothing deep or new. When I look at the list of “Also By Max Lucado” books, I get the impression that he is writing just to write books, or to meet a publisher’s deadline. I was holding off writing any comments on this book in the past weeks because I didn’t want to introduce anything negative into an otherwise all positive and wonderful book club. Of course, everyone has their own opinions on what makes a book good; that is what makes this world so interesting and diverse.
As far as the book “The Shack”, I have seen it sitting on my pastor’s coffee table, and have heard
people recommend the book. When it actually came down to ordering it myself, I stopped short. Perhaps I didn’t order it because is a fiction book, and therefore an idea in the author’s head of his interpretation of Scripture. I have also learned, especially with movies, that just because
someone recommends a movie or a book doesn’t mean that it will appeal to me like it did to them.
Perhaps this book’s only redeeming factor will be
that they refer to God as Papa, as you also do, Pastor Steve. I always thought that was so cool! I suppose this book will be worth the read, if you
enjoy fiction such as the Left Behind series.
I have just started a book called Same Kind of Different As Me, which might prove to be an interesting read about the homeless situation. I am starting to learn more about interacting with homeless people through the church I am attending, and it brings up a whole host of problems to deal with that go along with homelessness, including mental illnesses and substance abusers. I pray that
God will give us wisdom and insight regarding these
situations.
I also enjoyed the book Sex God by Rob Bell last week. Rob Bell has a unique style in his writing and videos that is refreshing. And have heard of another good book called How People Change, but it is not readily available for purchase right now.
Please forgive me for airing my negative comments on the 3:16 book because I know others in the club really enjoy Max, and I respect your opinions. The
problem with hearing negative thoughts is that once you hear them, you can’t just erase them out of your head. Is it acceptable to voice opinions in this club about the books if they are not favorable opinions? I know that Wendy described someone’s opinion of Max’s books as bubble gum when we first started the book. Perhaps, as you said Pastor Steve, seeing Max in person will give you a wonderful perspective of him over and above what you get from reading his books.
Comment by stephenlawes on 25 June 2008:
Hi Carol,
I am hoping that everyone will say how they feel about the books we read. I would like to hear lots of different perspectives and I am hoping to read a lot of different types of books. If I have to try and find books that I always agree with, we won’t get to read a wide variety of books. My hope would be that just because we read a book on the site doesn’t mean I have to stand behind it. If we don’t like a book we should say we don’t like it and why. I fully intend to read some controversial books. Books like The Shack which people either seem to really like or not like at all. As long as we can respect everyone’s opinion we will be able to have really healthy debate. So, Carol, thank you for your opinions and your questions. I think for me the reason I like Max’s books is that they are easy to sit down and read. I like the fact that if I want to I can read through the whole thing in a short period of time. I would call it a more relaxing read. I like reading deeper books, too. I am glad you are a part of the book club.
Blessings
Steve
P.S. I will probably add The Shack just for the sake of the discussion. I want to see what the fuss is all about.
Comment by Sarah on 27 June 2008:
I just finished chapter ten. I liked how in the beginning of the chapter he wonders why people use “hell” as an adjective, but not other awful things: “This is one AIDS of a traffic jam.” I also liked how he answers the question, “Why would a loving God send people to hell? He doesn’t. They volunteer.”
To add to what Carol said, I think one of the reasons why I like this book so much is that it isn’t so deep. I only get to read lately on my lunch break, and after dealing with difficult people - and knowing that as soon as my hour is over I have to go back and deal with difficult people some more - it is easier for me to read a lighter book.
Comment by Wendy on 2 July 2008:
I can appreciate Carol’s opinion on the book. I made the comment earlier that someone at my church says Max Lucado writes “bubble gum” books. I enjoy them because they are fast reads.
“He’s not the grand marshal of the parade; he is the parade. He’s not the main event; he’s the only event.” I LOVE this quote. We sure do like to make alot of ourselves.
Page 98 stopped me in my tracks. Max bluntly tells us that if you spend a liftime telling God to be quiet He will. Hell was not meant for us but people sure seem to be in a hurry to get there.
I sure need someone that knows the way out. Thank you Jesus.
I haven’t finished the devotions. I plan to read them daily as intended.
I enjoyed this book and will pass it on to others to read.