So once again I am ripping off an idea from Andrew (seems to be a lack of originalness on my part…but to his credit, he’s been writing about a lot of cool stuff lately) This one is about books. I like to read alot, and I consider myself somewhat decently read, and I like writing myself. I don’t really consider myself a writer, because one has to do it frequently and with purpose to be more than above average, and I only did that while attending Barclay. Plus, I know good writers, and I am WAY too tangential to consdier myself a good writer. I did learn while with Barclay, that I actually write fairly well, (that is, when I do it frequently and with purpose). Hopefully, this blog will spur me on to continue writing…and reading alot again. Since graduation, I have been a little lax in purposeful reading and I plan on changing that.
So, here we go…
One book that changed my life: Tie - Mustard Seed Vs. McWorld by Tom Sine and Desiring God by John Piper. Mustard Seed changed the way I looked at how globalization of the world market has affected Third World countries and how it has affected church work and church life in both the Third World and here in USAmerika. It also challenged me to go from a Me-centric faith to a vastly more missional life. It forced me to look inward at my own selfish idea of a personal relationship with Jesus, to allowing me to see that my personal relationship with Jesus was created to have a personal relationship with others around me, and that I can have an impact in my world around me. It made me Missional before I even knew what Missional was.
Desiring God opened my worship life in a way I have never known before or since. It let me know that being in love with being in love with God was perfecty natural and okay and that God relishes the fact that I love being in love with Him, My love for Him created a greater desire to worship Him, and he blessed me with this worship of Him, which makes me want to worship Him more, which blesses me, which makes me want to worship Him more, etc…. Needless to say, it has radically transformed my view and practice of worship
One book I’ve read more than once: Mustard Seed Vs. McWorld- see above
One book I’d want on a desert island: Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning. Just a reminder that in the midst of grace, I really, really, don’t suck, and God really, really, loves me.
One book that made me laugh: Lake Wobegon Boy by Garrison Keillor. It’s a little crass in places, completely irreverent in others. Keillor also questions his faith, and trusts in God in the end. Just like me. His honesty with teenage hormones and urges brought back memories and some nervous laughter…I still remember some of those times all too well.
One book that made me cry: Don’t tell anyone, but the At Home in Mitford Series by Jan Karon was a guilty pleasure. Not great writing, but good storytelling that yes, made me a little misty once in a while. Being from a small town, stories with small-town characters always draw me in, even if they are not spectacularly written. But Jan’s characters made me care for them and what happens to them.
Let’s not tell anyone, ‘kay?
One book I wish had never been written: The whole Left-Behind series. Bad theology wrapped up in horrible writing that has confused millions of people about the end-times. Theologically sound, intelligent people have been wrapped up in this waste of paper. They all have issues with the theology and the writing, but have been wooed by the “storytelling”. Okay….whatever.
One book I wish had been written: The book that spells out the formula for always effective, always successful, church planting. You know the one that tells you how to DO everything right, and not have to depend on things like faith, prayer, complete dependence on God, miracles, people with faith and endurance, prayer, and ummmmm…prayer. You know, THAT book.
Oh yeah, the book that teaches you how to not want to punch church people in the throat for causing dissention in church because we aren’t doing things the way they like. You know THAT book too.
One book I’m currently reading: God is the Gospel by John Piper, my favorite Calvinist. I am trying to use it as more of a devotional, but have been a little inconsistent. The first couple of chapters got me to thinking inwardly about my relationship with Jesus again and I look forward to diving into it a little more.
One book I’ve been meaning to read: The Book of Common Prayer. I bought this as a devotional help, but struggled in trying to figure out the method and purpose to reading it. I still am very interested in using it correctly, but am needing a “Common Prayer Coach” to help me out with it.
These are the books that are “the ones”. Let me know in the comments the “ones” for you. Let’s make it a party. I like parties.
One book that changed my life: Til We Have Faces by C. S. Lewis – for being a fictional re-telling of the myth of Psyche…this book opened my eyes to some very interesting thoughts about how we relate to God.
One book I’ve read more than once: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee…I love this book.
One book I’d want on a desert island: I’m sure there is some sort of How To Survive On a Desert Island for Dummies book out there somewhere
One book that made me laugh: Carol Burnett’s autobiography…I forget the title…but it was so funny and focused on everyday life, it was easy to identify with her life
One book that made me cry: Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett…another book I have read more than once….it is an epic that spans several generations of families all centering around the building of a cathedral….VERY good book.
One book I wish had never been written: Well, I don’t know about never been written, but that I hadn’t wasted my time trying to read, The World According To Garp by John Irving
One book I wish had been written: I’m not this creative in my thinking right now…
One book I’m currently reading: I don’t have time to sit…so I’m not in the middle of any books right now, unless you could my Puzzle Book in the bathroom.
One book I’ve been meaning to read: Hiding the Elephant by Jim Steinmeyer…it tells some of the history of magicians in Europe and America….I want to know more about the history of Paul’s interest, because that is the best way to learn how to help him with building a new show.