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Cook and Pietersen dominate Test

Alastair Cook hits 158 not out and Kevin Pietersen a memorable 99 as England close day one of the first Test against Bangladesh on an imposing 374-3.... [+]

Lehman bosses severely criticised

A report into the collapse of US bank Lehman Brothers criticises senior executives and auditor Ernst & Young for serious lapses.... [+]

Burma election laws a 'setback'

The US calls Burma's new election laws a setback for dialogue, as a UN envoy condemns 'gross' human rights violations.... [+]

Deadly blasts hit Pakistani city

At least 39 die in twin suicide attacks targeting Pakistani security forces in the eastern city of Lahore, police say.... [+]

Sarkozy to meet UK party leaders

French President Nicolas Sarkozy will hold separate talks in London later with Gordon Brown and Tory leader David Cameron.... [+]
Rob Bell: Velvet Elvis

Velvet Elvis, by Rob Bell

I read Velvet Elvis quite a while ago, and just now recommended it to Karen. It's still one of my favorite books.

I love the way Rob Bell writes, how he discusses and searches, and takes you on the search. It's not a passive book, it's engaging and demands that you think for yourself. He's talking about the defenitions of Christianity, about the foundations of our faith, and challenging the readers to find out for themselves what it means to be a follower of Christ.

I love the way he in the beginning describes christianity as a trampoline, where the theology is like springs that stretch and bend, and we are the jumpers - enjoying life with Jesus and throughout  our lives inviting others to jump as well.

Another part (there are many) I love is when he talks about the constant repainting of faith, how it constantly moves and how each generation is a part of the search, and how we need to question and wrestle with what it means to follow Christ today. Not that God changes, but that we need to find out for ourselves what it means.

I can strongly recommend this book. Take it one part at a time, and allow yourself to wrestle with it. Don't take everything just like it says, but let it mean something to you, and let it challange you to get deeper into God's word and find out what He is really about.

By Jennie, 21, Sweden

 

I also loved this book and was very challenged by it. His section about rabbis really stuck out to me in particular. Rob Bell talks about how the rabbis picked certain people to be their students, people they believed to have what it takes be like them and to continue with their set of teachings. The kids that were picked were the smartest ones. Then Jesus came and picked fishermen and tax collectors-and you and me. And thats what really got to me, that Jesus has so much faith in me, that he believes that i have what it takes. He chose me...John 15:16.

A lot of the things in this book really made me think and i would definitely recommend it.

 By Karen, 21, Ireland