Reflections of the Kingdom: October 2006

I used to read only one book at a time... and then something happened. I aquired too many books, and now I have a bookmark somewhere in an increasing number of books. Some books are worth reading more than others. There are so many books available, so many good books. However, it is difficult to discern the difference between a good book and a truly great book. I am enjoying a sabatical from seminary and a chance to tackle the books that aren't assigned!

What have you been reading? Any great books to recommend? Leave me one and let me know.

Currently reading:

1. The Life and Diary of David Brainerd edited by Jonathan Edwards
Genre: Biography. This is a long book that I have been reading since college... in a way, I fell like I've grown up with David Brainerd. When I first started reading, I thought, "Wow, this guy is depressed... but he is honest, and I can identify with what he's saying." I kept reading and have learned a lot. Throughout his diary, Brainerd seems to gain a deeper understanding of God's grace and a greater longing to live continually in His presence. Reading the diaries of a man's walk with God is almost a sacred experience.

2. World Prayer: Powerful Insighs from Four Mighty Men of Prayer by J. Oswald Sanders, J.O. Fraser, Will Bruce, and Hudson Taylor
Genre: Prayer/Missions/Devotional. I highly recommend this book for all prayer warriors or for anyone who aspires to become one (I place myself in the latter category).

3. Muslims and Christians at the Table: Promoting Biblical Understanding Among North American Muslims by Bruce A. McDowell & Anees Zaka. One of the best books on Islam and Christianity that I have encountered. McDowell and Zaka give historical background as well as engaging theological truths in a practical, deep, and gracious apologetic manner.

4. For Women Only: What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men by Shaunti Feldhahn. Nothing earth-shattering yet, but I figured it would be a good thing to learn. After all, there are a lot of men in the world and it would be good if I understood them a little better. :)

5. Blue Like Jazz: NonReligious Thoughs on Christian Spirituality by Donald Miller. Still figuring this one out...it's a good one to read before bed. I like the style of his writing, but the content isn't all that revolutionary. Definately a different kind of book than any others I have read. It reminds me of poetry, prose, and journaling combined into several chapters that compose a reflective book.

6. A Martyr's Grace: Stories of Those Who Gave All for Christ and His Cause by Marvin J. Newell. I'm always reading martyr books... good stories of God's faithfulness to those who were faithful even until death. It makes some of the stuff in Blue Like Jazz seem a bit shallow though.

7. Looking Back: An Autobiography by J. Hudson Taylor. Just orderd this one from OMF not too long ago. Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret has been one of the most influential books of my short life. I love Taylor's honesty, simplicity, and faith to simply take God at his Word. It challenges me every time.

8. God's Call by Brother Andrew. Another one of my favorite people to read... "Total, absolute dependence on God was and is the only way we can accomplish anything for him." Amen!

9. Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Here's a classic... I really appreciated the historical background and analysis at the beginning of this particular edition. Very interesting.

10. Good to Great by Jim Collins. The title rather explains the book, now doesn't it? It's a business book, but hey... it has some good things to say.

11. Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper. Read the title again, and take heed--don't waste your life. Great message, albeit the books is a bit repetitive. If you never read the book, at least take the title to heart and invest in the eternal.

12. The Pilgrim's Regress by C.S. Lewis. Great allegory by Lewis that reminds me a lot of Pilgrim's Progress. Someday I would like to read everything Lewis wrote, or almost all of it.

13. A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society by Eugene H. Peterson. This book was given to me for being a small group leader at Urbana 2003. If you haven't registered yet for Urbana 2006, do so TODAY at www.urbana.org. You won't be sorry. As for the book, I'm still trying to get into it.

14. Born for Battle: 31 Studies on Spiritual Warfare by R. Arthur Mathews. Great book on spiritual warfare. If you haven't noticed, we are in a battle... get ya armor on and let's get fighting!

15. More to be Desired than Gold by Christy Wilson. Good stories and encouraging.

16. Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer by J. Oswald Sanders. I had this book recommended to me by several people, and now I understand why. It goes in the great category with Scriptual principles, clearly articulated, minus the fluff.

17. Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray. Oh, good book...

18. Operation World. I don't think I've ever read the whole thing, but I've been reading it on and off since I was a kid. This book is a must for any world Christian.

Re-reading... all of these would be in the great books category (in my humble opinion, that's why I'm re-reading them!)

1. Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. It's a classic. I read it in highschool and now I'm re-reading it. Well-written, good principles.

2. They Found the Secret by V. Raymond Edman. Read this one in highschool too I think. I stole it off my dad's bookshelf in the basement and I just moved it down to Orlando with me. Great book, very encouraging and challenging... especially if you are wanting more out of your Christian walk than what you are currently experiencing. Go deeper--ther is more.

3. Not Even a Hint: Guarding your heart against lust by Joshua Harris. I've read several books by Josh Harris, but I think this is the best one. It addresses the heart of the matter with Biblical truth and brutal honesty that lead to freedom. When grace and truth unite, it is powerful.

4. Lost Women of the Bible: Finding strength & significance through their stories by Carolyn Custis James. I read this one earlier in the year and now am re-reading it in a book study with several young ladies. So encouraging to form a biblical theology about womanhood, and so liberating in the most non-feminist sense of the word. God created us to be warriors for His Kingdom!

5. My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers. Another devotional classic that I read every couple of years... once in highschool, once in college, and now again in Orlando.

6. The Bible. However many books I read, let me always be a student of this Book! Recently, I have felt so ignorant, hungry, wanted more of His truth to penetrate into my heart. Today I was in Lamentations and Acts.