My Prison Pen Pal

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_schoel
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My Prison Pen Pal

Post by _schoel » Tue Mar 20, 2007 9:43 pm

Through Prison Fellowship, I correspond with an inmate by the name of Gentle. He is between 18-25 and professes a belief in Jesus. He has mentioned that he is currently reading his Bible. I'm guessing he reads (based on the way he writes) at an 11th or 12th grade level. I also believe that he is African American based on his letters.

I've asked him if he would be interested in both of us reading a book together and then adding our comments or questions in our letters to each other. He has agreed and has left it to me to recommend a book.

Any recommendations for a book?
Biography?
Non-fiction?

Thanks,
Dave

ps. The Left Behind series and the Purpose Driven Life are out
:roll: :D
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_Derek
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Re: My Prison Pen Pal

Post by _Derek » Wed Mar 21, 2007 4:59 am

schoel wrote:Through Prison Fellowship, I correspond with an inmate by the name of Gentle. He is between 18-25 and professes a belief in Jesus. He has mentioned that he is currently reading his Bible. I'm guessing he reads (based on the way he writes) at an 11th or 12th grade level. I also believe that he is African American based on his letters.

I've asked him if he would be interested in both of us reading a book together and then adding our comments or questions in our letters to each other. He has agreed and has left it to me to recommend a book.

Any recommendations for a book?
Biography?
Non-fiction?

Thanks,
Dave

ps. The Left Behind series and the Purpose Driven Life are out
:roll: :D
I have two Pen Pals my self. We just got started corrosponding. One has written back and I'm still waiting on the other's first letter. The one I've spoken to so far is not saved.

How about The Power of Prayer by RA Torrey? Very good book on prayer. It's very edifying, and not a hard read.

Maybe Tramp for the Lord or The Hiding Place?

God bless,
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Derek

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
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_TK
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Post by _TK » Wed Mar 21, 2007 6:39 am

"The Heavenly Man" might be good choice because Brother Yun is in prison for much of the book. Its is not a difficult read either.

TK
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_Derek
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Post by _Derek » Wed Mar 21, 2007 3:59 pm

TK wrote:"The Heavenly Man" might be good choice because Brother Yun is in prison for much of the book. Its is not a difficult read either.

TK
I would second that! Wonderful book.
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Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
Psalm 20:7
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_JC
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Post by _JC » Thu Mar 22, 2007 7:14 am

I'd choose either "Heavenly Man" by Brother Yun or "Night" by Eli Weisel.
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_TK
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Post by _TK » Thu Mar 22, 2007 7:21 am

my son just had to read "Night" for school- i was helping him with a project and read some of it-- some of it is very poignant and asks good questions.

TK
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_MLH
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Post by _MLH » Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:53 am

A woman author, Beth Moore, "Get out of that Pit" alot of scripture..........
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_STEVE7150
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Post by _STEVE7150 » Thu Mar 22, 2007 5:08 pm

My vote is also for "The Heavenly Man."
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_schoel
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Post by _schoel » Fri Mar 23, 2007 12:57 pm

Thanks everyone for your feedback.

While the overwhelming consensus of this thread is for The Heavenly Man, I've decided on something more uplifting and spiritual, namely Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential by Joel Osteen.

Brother Yun's life seems to focus a lot on suffering, sacrifice and obedience.
Are those topics even relevant?
Or encouraging?
Or marketable?
I'm not sure he even knows what's appropriate in today's 21st century Western Christianity.

On the other hand, Osteen's book takes Jesus' gloomy portrayal of the Christian life, modeled by Brother Yun, and improves it to how it is supposed to be.

For instance, I'm pretty sure that the Beatitudes should have read like this:
Blessed are wealthy, for theirs is the stuff of earth
Blessed are the happy, because that's really a priority
Blessed are the smart, strong and sexy, for theirs is People Magazine and the adoration of the rest of us.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for prosperity, for their needs will always be met.
Blessed are the pure in theological ideas, for they are the ones with whom God is most proud
Blessed are the warriors for God, for they will shock and awe the atheist, the homosexual and other sinners
Blessed are those that recieve the praise of others and deftly avoid suffering, for their life will be really fulfilling.

Probably a translation issue.


Thanks anyway,
Dave




ps. Satire alert! :wink: The Heavenly Man is a great book and I think my pal will enjoy it.
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_TK
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Post by _TK » Fri Mar 23, 2007 2:17 pm

Dave--

you had me going for about .2 seconds. awesome!

TK
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