Dinner with a Perfect Stranger

If you could have dinner with anyone - living or dead - who would it be?

To be honest I'm not sure my answer would have been Jesus but since reading the book Dinner with a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory its made me think, what would I ask Jesus if I sat down to dinner with him. Pick up the book - its a great read and makes you think!

Here is what Amazon.ca said about it:

In this didactic inspirational novella, Cincinnati workaholic Nick Cominsky accepts an invitation that he assumes is a gag: to have dinner with Jesus Christ himself. He soon finds out it's no laughing matter, and, despite his doubts and initial misgivings, he engages in a long conversation with the deity (who has jettisoned the long locks and sandals in favor of a Brooks Brothers haircut and blue suit). That conversation constitutes the novella's light plot. As the courses of their elegant Italian meal are delivered, Nick and Jesus discuss the dichotomies of sin and salvation, grace and works, organized religion and personal faith. In his quest to prove why Christianity is superior to other religions, Gregory has Jesus make misleading statements about Hinduism, Buddhism and particularly Islam. These unfair caricatures add to the book's heavy-handed feel, as do strawman arguments for the veracity of the Bible and the resurrection. What's appealing about this book is that its Jesus is refreshingly down-to-earth; he digs good food, draws theological illustrations from Star Trek, and quietly chafes at wearing a necktie. But that can't disguise the fact that Gregory has not written a story so much as a dressed-up and controversial sermon.

And here is what some great authors had to say about it:

"Here’s a wonderful feast for the mind and soul! Pull up a chair and eavesdrop on this provocative conversation. If you’re like me, you’ll hear questions that match your own — and answers that can change your life."
— Lee Strobel, author of The Case for Christ, The Case for Faith, and The Case for a Creator

“There's just one thing people need in order to live a happy, abundant life: to be convinced that God loves them. Want to be convinced? Read Dinner With a Perfect Stranger. The author deftly anticipates and answers every question. I predict this little book will become a classic--one of a handful of modern books (like Mere Christianity) that people read to kindle or rekindle faith. All of the "business" surrounding the dinner is done so well it reminds me of Babette's Feast--simple, earthly details that profoundly convey spiritual reality. Dinner with a Perfect Stranger is truly a wonderful book that makes me feel I've just heard the gospel for the very first time.”

--Mike Mason, author of The Mystery of Marriage, Champagne for the Soul, Practicing the Presence of People, and other books

“The choice is yours: Enjoy a delicious meal of, say, veal fantarella with grilled vegetables. Or spend a quiet hour reading David Gregory’s book. You may find an altogether different sort of hunger has been sated by the final page. Brilliant in its simplicity, fearless in its presentation of the truth, Dinner with a Perfect Stranger is one invitation you'll want to RSVP.”

–Liz Curtis Higgs, author, Thorn in My Heart and other books

A Week of Our Life

Ali Edwards is leading another Week in the Life project - April 19th to the 25th. April and I are both going to do this and then get together to put it together. We have been talking about how neither one of us has done much scrapbooking lately so this project seemed like the perfect start.

I have done a week in the life once before - but this time around I am going to include Fred so its more of "Our Week". It should be a lot of fun! I am going to try to use both classic and hybrid style scrapbooking - but ultimately it will be kept simple - the goal is to document through pictures and words.

If you are interested in learning more about this check out Ali's blog http://www.aliedwards.com/

Another year older...

This past Saturday was my 29th birthday. I can't believe next year I will be thirty - its hard to believe my twenties are almost past me (if that makes sense).

It was a great birthday - Fred took me out for breakfast at this neat place downtown - great homefries! And then we hung out at the house until April and Aaron came over. We went out to dinner to the Keg and had a fabulous meal and then headed back to the house for some ice cream cake and watched a movie. It was a good birthday!

I definately have grown up a lot in my twenties - I will have to make a list of all the things I have learned over the past 10 years - I know its been a crazy time of growing, learning, changing.

The written word...

Some authors just have a way of capturing a story to the point where it is too hard to put it down! I just finished, Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers over the weekend. I love the building of the characters. I loved how I could relate to some of it. I love the relationships that were focused on between Mothers and Daughters and then Wife and Husband. And I'm thrilled that this is part one of two books -- can't wait to read the next one due out in the fall. Now I pass the book on to other River fans and I'm sure they will love it too! And for a better summary of what the book is about here you go - Tyndale House Publishers

Next up on the bedside table is So Long Insecurity by Beth Moore. I'm on chapter three so far and its hitting deep. I'm afraid I'm not going to take it all in as she has so much to say on the topic. I love how Beth Moore shares her life experiences with us and includes other real life stories - it makes you realize you are not in this alone. On her blog she has been going through the book with several hundred ladies so I have gone back to the questions she had them answer and will be going through those on my own. I would highly recommend this book to ANY women out there as I know not one of us can say we are free from this insane thing called insecurity. And again for a better descriptiong - go here

And the pile continues to grow of books I want to read so off I go to read some more!