Continue reading "11/8: Forgive one another...Confess to one another." »
Gerald L. Sittser: Love One Another: Becoming the Church Jesus Longs for
This is the book which prompted me to preach on the "One anothers." I too share Gerald's passion for the church to become the church Jesus intended and intends for us to be. We get so distracted arguing over so many things we deem important, that we fail to pay attention to the things Jesus said were important. I heartily recommend reading this book.
Jim Collins: Good to Great and the Social Sectors: A Monograph to Accompany Good to Great
The Sonoma Valley School District leadership is reading this, so I jumped on the bandwagon. I just ordered copies for our church staff. Clearly written to challenge non-profits to go from good to great. I couldn't put it down. Thirty pages of gold.
Jr., James Stuart Bell: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Bible, Third Edition
This book gets great reviews on Amazon and I found it to be very helpful and cover the bases for anyone who is getting serious about learning to read and appreciate the Bible. Bell provides "how to" tips, historical background, and a host of other helpful information. While the title seems humorous, this is a very serious tool.
Adam Hamilton: Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White: Thoughts on Religion, Morality, and Politics
Adam has put into words my struggle to find a way forward theologically in the midst of artificial “either/or” choices. Adam tackles all the BIG questions we ask our faith—questions about heaven and hell, salvation offered to followers of other religions, to name just two. I don’t always agree with his conclusions, but his is a fresh and welcome voice.
Ron Hall: Same Kind of Different As Me: A Modern-Day Slave, an International Art Dealer, and the Unlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together
Jon Popenoe recommended this book and it was a reading experience I didn't want to end. I don't want to give away the story, but it is the remarkable true story of God's power to break down walls and bring people together in ways which astonish us. This is an example of God "coloring" outside our lines and raises the question of where God wants to "color" outside the lines in my life, and with whom?
Donald Miller: Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
This one remains one of my top picks for those of us who grew up in the church and need our souls stirred a bit. Miller has a knack for cutting through the fog of faith and radically share a new vision for what the church can be when we let go and let the Spirit really lead us.