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Books I Read in July 2018

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Like I mentioned in June, I’m trying to do a better job this year of keeping track of books I’ve completed reading.  As usual, there are some books/things, I’m always working in like the Bible (praying through the Psalms of the Day and doing lots of reading in  Ecclesiastes in different translations), Sonship, as well as Crestview’s Leadership Pipeline material.

Some titles I worked through in July:

In His Image – Jen Wilkin
Pastoral Leadership Is – Dave Earley
Easy Chairs, Hard Words – Douglas Wilson
Ministry By the Book – Derek Tidball
Redemptive Participation – Mike Cosper
Before the Lord, Before the Church – Megan and Jared Kennedy
Perfect Sinners – Matt Fuller
Identity Theft – Melissa Kruger (Editor)
I Would Die For You – Brent and Deanna Higgins
Preacher’s Catechism – Lewis Allen
I hope you’re enjoying a summer of reading, as well.

 

Books I Read in June 2018

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Like I mentioned in May, I’m trying to do a better job this year of keeping track of books I’ve completed reading.  As usual, there are some books/things, I’m always working in like the Bible (praying through the Psalms of the Day and doing lots of reading in 1 Peter and Ecclesiastes in different translations), Sonship, as well as Crestview’s Leadership Pipeline material.

Some titles I worked through in June:

Redeeming Money – Paul Tripp
Jesus In His Own Words – Robert Mounce
Your Best Year Ever – Michael Hyatt
Martin Luther – Herman Selderhuis
I hope you’re enjoying a summer of reading, as well.

Books I Read in February 2018

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Like I mentioned in January, I’m trying to do a better job this year of keeping track of books I’ve completed reading.  As usual, there are some books/things, I’m always working in like the Bible (praying through the Psalms of the Day and doing lots of reading in 1 Peter in different translations), Sonship, as well as Crestview’s Leadership Pipeline material.

In February 2018, I worked through the following:

Wisdom to Live By – Derek Kidner
Steal Away Home – Matt Carter and Aaron Ivey
Paul’s Vision for the Deacons – Alexander Strauch
(These next few were in preparation for a series on the Holy Spirit starting in March)
Bookends of the Christian Life – Jerry Bridges and Bob Bevington
Delighting In the Trinity – Michael Reeves
Forgotten God – Francis Chan
Communion With The Triune God – John Owen (I read sections on the Holy Spirit)
The Holy Spirit – Sinclair Ferguson
Jesus Continued… – J.D. Great
Practicing the Power – Sam Storms
Sufficiency: Historic Essays on The Sufficiency of Scripture – Heath Lambert, et. al.
Seeing Christ in All of Scripture — Edited by Peter Lillback

Books I Read In January 2018

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I’m trying to do a better job this year of keeping track of books I’ve completed reading.  For those who are curious about how I do this, I use Evernote and have a note called “Books I’ve Read in 2018” which I add to as I finish a book.  There are some books/things, I’m always working in like the Bible (I use ESV in daily reading and rotate translations depending on what I’m studying), Sonship (a course I’m working through with a mentor), as well as Crestview’s Leadership Pipeline material.

In January 2018, though, I was able to finish the following (some of these for the 2nd time):

Desiring the Kingdom – James K. A. Smith
Imagining The Kingdom – James K. A. Smith
Many in my theological circles are raving about these books.  I found them helpful in propelling a Christian worldview and engaging the culture
Night Driving – Chad Bird
I love Chad Bird’s honest, thought-provoking, Gospelicious devotional insights and this didn’t disappoint.
Building a Story Brand – Donald Miller
I preordered this book and finally finished it this month.  Miller helps people carrying content to the masses (be it business or any other piece of information) in ways that resonate and help them want more.
When – Daniel Pink
I heard an interview with Pink on Donald Miller’s Storybrand podcast and found this to be a helpful way of considering time.
J.I. Packer’s article “Theology and Wisdom” in The Way of Wisdom
I did some reading this month on wisdom literature in the Bible and this article by Packer was excellent.
This was a fun read on preaching and helping us say what we need to say for modern ears.  Again, I slowed down a bit and worked through the section on wisdom literature.  But overall, this book was encouraging.
The Holy Spirit is underrated in many of the theological circles I find myself at home in.  And, this book by Jared Wilson didn’t disappoint.  I preordered to get some extras from the author.   If you’re looking for a great dive into the person and work of the Holy Spirit, I’d highly recommend this.
So, it’s been a productive January (in terms of reading).  I’m looking forward to what February holds.

Summer Reading Docket (Update)

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You might remember a few weeks ago, I wrote about my Summer Reading Docket:

I’ve made some great progress on this:  For instance, I read…

Just Ride: A Practical Guide To Riding Your Bike by Grant Peterson
Just as I hoped, it provided some good, practical tips for riding.  

Side By Side: Walking With Others in Wisdom and Love by Ed Welch
About halfway done with this and reading this as a devotional each morning.  Soul penetrating with good questions towards application. 

The Matheny Manifesto by Mike Matheny
I wish I could give a copy to EVERY PERSON involved in youth sports.  So good.  It’s even affected how I support my kids in summer baseball.  

God Dwells Among Us by Greg Beale
Good, easy to read Biblical Theology.  There are some interesting ideas set forth here, but, when you consider these in light of the Biblical storyline, many resonate with truth.  

The Pastor and Counseling by Jeremy Pierre
Very practical help for allowing to Bible to be wielded in the lives of busy pastors.  

India After Gandhi by Ramachandra Guha
It’s 800 pages long, roughly, but getting a lot of practical information on the backstory of India.  

What Does The Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality? by Kevin DeYoung
This is a great, clear, relevant unpacking of the Biblical view of marriage as well as some of the pushback against that vision.  Many will be helped by this.  

Testimony of the Beloved Disciple by Richard Bauckham
Bauckham sees things differently that I do in many areas, but he is a great scholar on John and has given me some good things to think about.  

I’m also (continuing to) work my way through Andrew Fuller’s sermons (I’m using the Logos edition)…

Tony Reinke’s book Newton on the Christian Life emerged, spoke and conquered me.  What a book.  It’s excellent.  I have some copies if you’d like to read this.  I’d be happy to give you one.  I agree with Ray Ortlund, Jr. who said that for some, this may be one of the most important books they ever read.  This is like sitting across for coffee with someone who’s thought about a lot of life and application.  Newton speaks clear through Reinke’s pen.  You’ll love this, I promise.  

I still anticipate Don Whitney’s Praying the Bible for the summer.


I grabbed Keller’s book on Preaching and am working through it.  Vintage Keller.  

Also, I grabbed the NSBT on Trinity in John’s Gospel.  That’s going to be fun. 

I would reiterate, though, I am not allowing this reading to crowd out reading the Bible.  I’m spending a lot of time in 1 John these days.  So if you dig these recommendations, why not dig into 1 John with me this summer.  Just read a chapter each weekday and you’ll be steeping long and with much fruit.  Tolle Lege!  

Summer Reading Docket Is Set…

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I’m probably thinking a tad too ambitious, but this ought to keep me busy…

Here’s some books I’m hoping to tackle this summer:

Just Ride: A Practical Guide To Riding Your Bike by Grant Peterson
Hoping to get a nugget or two of encouragement and practical help for my hobby.

Side By Side: Walking With Others in Wisdom and Love by Ed Welch
I’ve never been disappointed with a Welch book and I’m sure the practical wisdom will be helpful.

The Matheny Manifesto by Mike Matheny
My favorite baseball team’s manager wrote this and I haven’t gotten to it yet.

God Dwells Among Us by Greg Beale
Beale has abbreviated some themes he’s written on elsewhere in this book and it will be a good Biblical theology to dig in to.

The Pastor and Counseling by Jeremy Pierre
I always like to read practical books on helping me help people make progress in the “stuff” of life.

India After Gandhi by Ramachandra Guha
Hoping to learn some history of a country I’ve grown to love.

What Does The Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality? by Kevin DeYoung
While much of our culture war isn’t about the Bible at all, this is important for people who claim to be Christians to know.  Reading this by a typically clear writer to get more perspective.

Testimony of the Beloved Disciple by Richard Bauckham
My next series in 2016 will be on the Gospel of John so this will be good background reading.

I’m also working my way through Andrew Fuller’s sermons (I’m using the Logos edition)…

And, Tony Reinke’s book Newton on the Christian Life will emerge soon.

Also, I anticipate Don Whitney’s Praying the Bible to be a great addition for the summer.

Having said all of this, though, I will not allow this reading to crowd out the regular, unhurried time in THE BOOK, so if you dig these recommendations, why not dig into 1 John with me this summer.  Just read a chapter each weekday and you’ll be steeping long and with much fruit.  Tolle Lege!  

Trifecta On Leadership

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I’ve been greatly helped in recent days by 3 books that have come out on leadership in the local church.

The first one was Dangerous Calling by Paul Tripp.  Tripp goes after the heart of every pastor.  When I preached on Hebrews 13:17 recently, I was reminded, convicted afresh and challenged to be a man who is worthy of a congregation’s trust and support.  Tripp helps expose the selfish tendency pastors have in ministry and then soothes us with deep, Gospel realities.

Secondly, Dave Kraft’s Mistakes Leaders Make has been another eye opener to be aware of some common pitfalls that can come our way in pastoral leadership and to choose a better path, that glorifies God and serves the good of the people (and ministry).  I’m still in this one, but have been very encouraged so far.

Finally, Al Mohler’s Conviction to Lead has proven helpful to seeing how leadership looks from an overarching and thoroughly Christian worldview.  Mohler deals with a leadership point and fleshes that out from Scripture and experience to point us in truth.  Honestly, I’m still in this and have been using it as a springboard for prayer in devotions.

Each of these books are very helpful in their each unique way in fostering healthy leadership for pastors in local churches and I commend them each to you.

S’More books I’ve read…

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Last weekend, I highlighted 3 books I had finished and over the weekend I finished up a few more:

40 Questions About the End Times by Eckhard Schnabel
Schnabel is a first class scholar and the 40 Questions series are a very accessible set of books.  What I appreciated about this overview of many of the questions we have about the end times was how thoroughly Biblical he was.  Part of the struggle in end times is deciphering what’s literal and what’s figurative in the apocalyptic genre (Revelation isn’t the same genre as say one of Paul’s letters).  Schnabel helps navigate the waters with a thorough Biblical case.  One other practical things that makes this appealing is in helping one see how different interpreters have erred and seeking to avoid that.  Really helpful piece.

Rose Guide to End-Times Prophecy by Timothy Paul Jones
I am working through this book right now and have found it very helpful in again, thinking about the 10,000 foot level of eschatology.  One thing I love so far is how centered on Jesus the book is.  One frustration I have about end times fanaticism is that the interpretations can leave Christ on the curb and other things are sensationalized and showcased.  Jones helps the reader see how different schools of thought are making much of Christ and what this means for the average person out there.  This book also helps by bringing end times things throughout the history of the church, and, in this, helps all readers.

Loving the Church . . . Blessing the Nations: Pursuing the Role of Local Churches in Global Mission by George Miley
Last month I attended a conference at a missions agency to help local church missions committees think about their role in relation to both the church and the call to reach the nations.  At that conference, one resource that popped up in a few quotes was this one.  I gave this a quick read and found many things helpful.  This book helps highlight a methodology for church planting.  But, in a deeper way, shows a love for the local church and the strength she can wield in planting churches internationally.  The church can be about God’s work and I was encouraged in this regard by this book.

Hope you’re enjoying your summer reading.

What You Read and Your Heart…

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Was challenged by Russell Moore’s post yesterday, Can Romance Novels Hurt Your Heart? Here’s the conclusion:

How many disappointed middle-aged women in our congregations are reading these novels as a means of comparing the “strong spiritual leaders” depicted there with what by comparison must seem to be underachieving lumps lying next to them on the couch?

This is not to equate morally “romance novels” with the grave soul destruction of pornography. But it is worth asking, “Is what I’m consuming leading me toward contentment with my spouse (or future spouse) or away from it? Is it pointing me to the other in one-flesh union or to an eroticized embodiment of my own desires? Is this the mystery or a mirage?

You really should read his entire post…

However, I recognize that my heart can easily drift toward self-righteousness when my wife or another Christian woman is reading the “fluff stuff.” Therefore, I think we would do well to ask the question, how does what I read affect my heart? For some, the newspaper might affect your heart. For guys, in particular, it might be that catalog, motorcycle or golf magazine, or sports stuff. Just ask these questions about what you read…am I able to be discerning as I read, or is this holding too much sway or influence over me? Realize that what you ingest into your heart will come out of your mouth. Therefore, be careful what you read!