WholeHeartedLife

What I'm Reading

Readers are learners and readers are leaders. Leaders who aren't reading aren't learning to their potential. The reason I read as much as I do is that I feel as if i'm already behind the curve in the area of intelligence (hold the jokes - I know all about it - it ain't easy being me   ).

With that thought in mind, here are the books that I've been in over the past few months:

• Praying Hyde: Missionary to India - This book was given to me this past spring by my man, Chris Schofield, Director of Prayer for the NC Baptist State Convention. He gave Donnie Paschall and myself a free copy saying, "this is the book that drove me through seminary". Anytime that Chris suggest something to read I take it seriously. Love that dude. This book will drive you to your knees and remind you how amazing God is and the way that he wants to use us.  
• Essential Church: Reclaiming a Generation of Dropouts - In the spring of 08 I attended a breakout session at the NC Evangelism Conference with Dr Thom Rainer, CEO of Lifeway. I've always been a fan of Dr. Rainers writing - his study and research has always intrigued me. During this session he basically presented the findings that were the basis for this book - they left our jaws open and our hearts heavy. I don't know about you but I want church and relationship with Jesus to be at the forefront of the next generations' lives.
• Mad Church Disease: Overcoming the Burnout Epidemic Still reading this one... I'm taking it in one chapter at a time and allowing it to challenge and bring much reflection into my current phase of life and ministry. As I said in a previous post, I read the intro and wept uncontrollably - something in there touched a very deep place in my spirit. 
• I recently finished reading Tony Morgan's new book, "KIlling Cockroaches". Tony is always a really great read. I love the way that he uses a very blog-like format. The book isn't broken up into chapters, rather, it's broken into columns based on their subjects. So much wisdom built into this book and many challenging thoughts from someone I consider huge in the arena of ideas. I was reminded that as a leader I shouldn't be doing everything - there are others who can do certain things I do BETTER than I... stop doing what your doing to kill a cockroach; call the exterminator and stay on task. 
• Planting Fast Growing Churches by Stephen Gray - I picked this one up last week while I was at convention offices for the National Day of Prayer. This book is a quick read (1 day for me) but is packed full of the hows and why's of starting churches right. If you've been reading or followed me for long, you know that church planting is something that I definitely feel I'll be involved with one way or the other in the future. I SEE NO OTHER WAY THAT GOD REDEEMS OUR NATION IF NEW CHURCHES AREN'T PLANTED AND MULTIPLIED.  

Lastly, on the way of deeper biblical knowledge, I am reading Sytematic Theology: an Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. This book is amazingly easy to understand - I highly suggest it for anyone wanting to REALLY learn the truths of bible doctrine, which should be important to all. Hope this helps or challenges you in some way. 

The Shack

Knowing that I may possibly be the last person to read "The Shack" by WM. Paul Young, I finally gave in last week. I'm glad I did.

I am a reader. I am not a fiction reader. I should be but for some reason reading fiction at times brings guilt as there is always something out there I need to be reading that isn't fiction, ya know?

I am so impressed by the writers imagination. The story is captivating, heartbreaking, inspiring and at times breathtaking. I loved the way Young dove into the depth of God's love for us.

I don't want to go deeply into the story, you have to do yourself a favor and read it for yourself. I will however say that I can see how people are so inspired by the story. "The Shack" is the story of a man named Mackenzie Phillips, faithful husband to Nan and father of five kids. A tradgedy happens to Mack's family that leaves him in the throws of depression and the overwhelming sadness that often accompanies tradgedy. The happening leaves Mack with many hurts, doubts and questions concerning the incident as well as God. The major happening in the story is that God decides to do something about it.

You really gotta check this book out!

I am also aware that some people are offended by the route that the author takes to describe God in the book, totally missing the heart of what the writer was presenting. One word: Fiction. It's a story. A story interwoven with theology and questions, but none-the-less, a fictional work designed to entertain as well as make the reader think and hopefully discuss the complexities of the book. I was actually inspired in that God was willing to do whatever was necessary to reach Mack (sounds familiar to another story of God going to great lengths to reach us, doesn't it?). God is not looking for your ritual - He is always interested in relationship.

Warning: at the end of chapter 11 I was torn up!!! Check it out for yourself.

Books

I try to pass on what i'm reading - Here are a couple of books that would be a great read.

The Big Idea: Focus the Message, Multiply the Impact

In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't (thanks Tim!)