Reading...

I love books. I'm a little odd about it. I really like to read - I think it's my dad's fault! I remember as a kid sitting in stacks and boxes full of Louis L'Amour western paperbacks. I always liked sneaking my dad's books into my room to read - I couldn't let him know that I liked the same books, so I was sneaky (or maybe I just liked thinking I was being sneaky).

Just thought I'd post a list of some really good books I've read lately that might interest you.

Barbarian Way and An Unstoppable Force - both by Erwin McManus. Both of these books are really a challenge to the church to lay aside the conventional in order to take hold of whatever Christ is calling us toward. Awesome books.

Hurt by Chap Clark takes a look at the pain of youth culture - feelings of abondonment that pervade young people today. This book raises an issue that is really huge for me... the separation of old from young in the church. There is so much damage being done...

Blue Like Jazz and Searching for God Knows What from Donald Miller. Everyone talks about his edgy way of writing... I guess I can really appreciate his stripping off all the complications of "Christianity" and just splashing around in the simple truth that we are made to be loved by God.

The Relevent Church from Relevant Books has some really interesting stories of various faith communities. God is doing some awesome stuff through creative efforts of His people to follow Him.

The Radical Reformission from Mark Driscoll. I really liked how this book drives home the insanity of some of the church's typical responses to the world and offers real hope for the future of the church. Some of the stories shared are just hilarious - until you realize the painful truth that he's pointing out.

Hosea from the Bible. You do remember the prophet who married a whore to make a point don't you. (I'll just preach a sermon or post something in a blog, thanks!) This whole story of how God and Hosea love their unfaithful brides just makes me so grateful in so many ways. The faithfulness of my wife - and the undying love of God that is offered to the least worthy people...people like you and me.

Whatever Happened to Worship from A.W. Tozer. A really strong reminder of just what worship is all about, and an urging to pay close attention to avoid worshipping anything other than our creator (like our selves, our favorite kind of music or instruments, our comfortable orders of services...)

The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci ... Hey, I told you I'm a little odd.

Umm... I just realized this post got pretty long, and there are no nice little pictures to distract you, so I think I better shut up! If you read this far, you apparently like to read, too, so check out these books - they're good. If you don't like to read, you probably haven't made it this far, so you won't mind when I say, "Expand you brain, already. Read something!"