Reading

Good reads

/ The Pastor / 7 Comments

I have been doing a fair amount of reading this summer (as I mentioned in a post a while back).  Here’s a list of books I have read and ones that I am working on (and will be working on).

READ
(1) Rediscovering the Lord’s Prayer by Art Simon.
This book gave me a new and exciting way to look at the Lord’s Prayer.  So often we pray this great prayer that our Savior taught us, and don’t truly think about what we are praying for.  We are asking for a lot in this prayer.  It’s a short book (128 pgs.) and a quick read.

(2) Christless Christianity by Michael Horton.
This was a scary book but a true commentary on the Church and our culture.  It talked about a shift that is talking place in the world (including the Church) where Christ is being preached less and less.  Instead of talking about what God has done for us in Jesus, what is being preached is what we need to do in order to have our best life now.  It’s 259 pgs and it will require you to slow down and think about what is being written.  Even though it may not be a quick read it is well worth the time.

(3) Baptism: A Users Guide by Martin E. Marty.
This book is written for people who are desiring baptism, those who perform baptisms, those who are baptized, etc.  Basically, it’s for anyone.  It is a well written book talking about the ins and outs of baptism.  This is a quick read (161 pgs) with discussion questions at the end.

ON GOING
(1) Various sermons by Martin Luther
Basically you can’t go wrong reading a little Luther.

IN PROGRESS
(1) Beyond Opinion by Ravi Zacharias.
I haven’t read anything by Zacharias before but have heard great things about him.  Having just read the introduction I can’t say a whole lot about this book now but I might have more to say later.

TO BE READ
I am still working on this list but one book that was recommended to me was a book by John Piper called Finally Alive. If you have any other good reads for me please feel free to let me know.  I am compiling a list and I will see what I get through this summer.

It has been such a treat to slow down and read, read and then read some more.  I am trying to open myself to different things and explore topics that I haven’t spent a lot of time in.  My hope is that once I get into the busyness of the school year I can continue the discipline of reading.  Continuing education is extremely important for personal and professional growth.

So…what are you reading? And…what have you read?

God bless!

-edh-

A decision

/ The Pastor / 8 Comments

I have made a decision today.  Part of me thinks it is an impulsive decision without a lot of thought of what I am getting myself into.  Another part of me wonders if I can actually do it, but when I think about that I am reminded of my bold goal last year of running a marathon (which I completed).  But another part of me wonders if I am smart enough to comprehend what I am going to read.  And another part of me wonders if this will be worth my time.

So…with all my parts at odds with one another…I am going to do it…

Do what you may ask?  I have decided that it is time to tackle some more challenging reading; something I regrettably haven’t done since seminary (5 years ago).  Some may not think this will be challenging but what I am going to start reading is “Christian Dogmatics, vol. 2” edited by Carl E. Braaten and Robert W. Jenson.  Some of the topics covered in this volume are intriguing to me: The Work of Christ; The Holy Spirit; The Church; The Means of Grace; Christian Life; and Eschatology.  Basically it is nearly 600 pages of theology…WHEW!  My brain is starting to hurt already.

I am telling you this because I am hoping that people will help me and hold me accountable.  I don’t expect to finish this book next week or next month (or next year for the matter) but I do expect to finish the book…in a somewhat timely fashion.  Hopefully along the way I can post some thoughts from my reading for all of you to enjoy.

So with that being said I am diving in…first up…The Work of Christ.

-edh-