Books, Books, Books

I'll begin taking a class this coming month so I thought I better get in all the reading for "fun" that I could. Here are a few brief comments on the books I've recently read, or am reading. They are just my two cents but I thought I'd share in case anything sparks something of interest for someone else. I love to read. I love learning about other ways of looking at things, and noticing peoples different backgrounds, and being challenged to think through my starting points.

The Secret Message of Jesus - Brian McLaren
Personally, I was under whelmed by "A New Kind Of Christian" and thoroughly annoyed with "A Generous Orthodoxy," and so I was surprised to find I liked and appreciated "The Secret Message of Jesus." Very early on in the book I was reminded of Dallas Willard's "Divine Conspiracy" and his challenge to live out God's Kingdom here on earth and not just look forward to it in heaven. Missionality is a hot topic now, and has so much potential to show Christ to people in real, practical ways so I loved the reminder from McLaren.

McLaren contends that God has a mission in this world and being a Christian is joining God in His mission to the world. His politics show up, but he doesn't overshadow his content with his political views. We have the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus to a needy world all around us. It is not a crazy new idea, and hopefully as the church embraces the idea we will make a greater impact on the world around us for God's glory.

I am still not sure what I think about some of his challenges to traditional way of interpreting certain things such as why Jesus spoke in parables, and I am not sure Jesus was intentionally hiding his message, but I welcome the idea as something to think through. Either way, I liked the focus being on Christianity applied to the world today, rather than Christianity that focuses on being saved and looking forward to redeemed life in heaven when we die.

Jeffrey Gitomer's Little Red Book of Selling
I am still reading this one. The guy writing it seems quite cocky but I appreciate the content. It has a lot of practical suggestions and tips about free resources on the internet. A rookie in the sales world, like me, is grateful for the coaching on selling that seem to make a lot of sense. I guess time will tell J

God Is Closer Than You Think - John Ortberg
My small group is reading this. I really like Ortberg, even though a lot of people dismiss him as lightweight. He talks about some deep stuff in very easy to read ways, but the application is plenty deep! This book is about practicing the presence of God and noticing God in the small things and walking with God intentionally through the day - day in and day out. Ortberg shares a lot of small things we can very practically begin to do in our attempt to remember God throughout the day.

Girl Meets God - A Memoir Lauren Winner
Like it, like it, like it. In this book Lauren shares her journey from a Jewish childhood to one slice of Orthodox Judaism in the young adult years and finally to Christianity as she gradually falls in love with Jesus. There is nothing formulaic about it - very flowing. So the opposite of Paul's dramatic conversion and I think it is a story many can relate to. Another thing I appreciate about the book is that it shows one persons real experience as a practicing Jew and because of that we learn about Judaism in an authentic manner, that doesn't seem as overtly trendy as a lot out there that is being taught about Christianity's Jewish roots. Equally enjoyable are her insights into the Christian world with her discussion on the difference between fundamentalism and evangelical, etc. I don't take it as deep theological teaching, but rather appreciate it for the discussions it brings up, and what it may appear like to those outside the Christian subculture.

I must admit that typically I think these type of books are overly self absorbed and the book certainly is self centered, but the difference is that given the title (A Memoir) - you expect it to be her personal journey and so then are free to enjoy the sharing of her story in a way that is charming, and challenging, witty and unconventional.

Conformed To His Image - Dr. Kenneth Boa
I'd love to go through this book in a group, but it would require a group willing to dig a little deeper than most of the small groups I have been a part of. Its sub-title reads, "biblical and practical approaches to spiritual formation" but what I really like about it is that it is so much more holistic than most books I have read about spiritual disciplines. Before it even begins to teach on the disciplines it covers basic ground such as loving God and ourselves appropriately, and after it teaches on the disciplines in talks about how these might play out in real life. It also takes into account our personal make up and which disciplines may be more natural or unnatural. I think it is great content that if dug into could have profound effects. It is long and is taking me a long time to get through it though.

George Fox's Journal - George Fox
I am about half way through this and do not know what to think. It is so different from modern, western Christianity. I like his emphasis on no interposition between God and man, and obviously appreciate his care on social justice issues. I grew up in a Friend's Church so enjoy getting to learn more of the history behind that denomination.

Books that arrived from Amazon last week and are waiting to be opened…

Never Eat Alone (and other secrets to success one relationship at a time) - Keith Ferrazzi

Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places - a conversation in spiritual theology by Eugene Peterson
Ken Boa recommended this one to me so I am looking forward to reading it.
Now that I have written this I want to stay up all night finishing the books that I have begun to enjoy, but I know I learn more when I read them in smaller doses :-)