Richard J. Foster: Sanctuary of the Soul: Journey into Meditative Prayer This is a very nice introduction to the way of meditative prayer. Foster grounds this practice in the teaching of Scripture and illustrates and unfolds it from the spectrum of church history and the spiritual classics. From Quakers to Reformers to Pietists to Contemplatives... they all encourage us in the way of meditative prayer. This is a very accessible (short, well written, encouraging) book.
R. Paul Stevens: Taking Your Soul to Work: Overcoming the Nine Deadly Sins of the Workplace This was pretty good... I liked how they handled the seven deadly sins and the corresponding virtues of the fruit of the Spirit. 17 short chapters. gems in each one. after awhile it seemed a bit of a retread... it is really meant to be done in a reflective way, where you assess your self on each sin and virtue.
Charles H. Spurgeon: Lectures to My Students Volume 1 The delightful, witty and passionate Mr. Spurgeon, giving his homespun wisdom on ministry to a group of students. The chapter on prayer was beautiful. Good words on calling and how to know you are called.
Handley Carr Glyn Moule: Charles Simeon An old biography of the great Charles Simeon. This edition is a reprint and the footnoting was strange. The text and the footnotes constantly interrupted each other and made for difficult reading. There were gems throughout the book. Simeon is extraordinary. This book on him is okay.
Michael Mangis: Signature Sins: Taming Our Wayward Hearts Very nice book on vice and virtue... a very helpful summary of the seven deadly sins with careful nuancing of how we experience them... insights on race, gender, biology, family and more on how our "signature" or "besetting" sins develop... and one of the best explanation on how we must put on the "antidote virtue" if we are to overcome our sins.
Scot McKnight: The King Jesus Gospel: The Original Good News Revisited This was a pretty short read. The thesis is simple. Many (perhaps most) evangelicals have reduced the wider gospel of Christ the king to a "soterian" gospel. Justification by grace through faith is only part of the gospel, and when it is removed from the larger gospel - we have all kinds of problems, not the least is that there are so many who claim to be justified, but there is almost no sign of the sanctification and transformation.
Peter Rollins: Insurrection: To Believe Is Human To Doubt, Divine Postmodern deconstructionist Peter Rollins (whose work also needs to be deconstructed) is a provocative author. I generally find myself disputing much of what he says, but his is an important voice. I do get a little tired of some of these postmodern authors being billed as the new prophets and if you disagree with them, then you are just part of the outdated system they are critiquing. I find that people like N.T. Wright and Scot McKnight write more compelling and useful critiques and ways forward.
Miroslav Volf: Exclusion & Embrace: A Theological Exploration of Identity, Otherness, and Reconciliation I should have read this a long time ago. I skimmed through it when it first came out... I read a few passages, but just didn't have the time to read it. Now, with the encouragement of a good friend (who says this book is core to understanding his own ministry of reconciliation of Christians, Muslims and Jews) I am giving it a thorough read and reflection.
Henri J. M. Nouwen: Jesus: A Gospel This is a testimony of the life, power and wisdom of Christ as it touched the life of Henri Nouwen. What made this book special was the use of the art of Rembrandt that was set alongside Nouwen's reflections.
Here are a few misc. thoughts and happenings, the podge of hodge and bits of tid for October.
ONE: The Rolling Stone issue had a great article on U2 Live From Outer Space. I love U2 but have never seen a live show. Sigh... Someday...
TWO: And speaking of the music industry, here was a fascinating tid bit of information from a New York Times article. There are 13 million songs on line and for sale. Of those 13 million songs, 10 million never had a single buyer! And . . . 80% of all revenues came from 52,000 songs. In other words, less than 1% of music for sale on the internet generated 80% of the income. Kind of makes you wonder where the music industry is going to wind up?
THREE: What is the most common disease in the United States? Seth Godin's blog said it is sinusitis and it has 30 million sufferers. I am one of them. Traveling back and forth between the southern and northern hemispheres two times in 3 weeks aggravated the problem.
FOUR: I had a meeting with a friend (a pastoral friend) and I came away deeply admiring how much of a life long learner he is. He shared books he is reading, conversations he is having with friends, new things he is exploring, websites to check out ... He is going strong and is going to finish well. I came away with a half dozen trails to explore out of our conversation.
FIVE: Jeffrey Gitomer. I read two books by him in the last month... both in the "leadership, self-help" genre and the kind of books I normally avoid. But there were numerous nuggets in each one. Here is one of them. He said, "What you are off the job determines what you are on the job." Well Said! Gitomer is one of the most highly motivated, intentional, strategic people out there. He is making every minute count. ummmhhh... good stuff...
SIX: I had a great trip to Argentina, working with a top shelf group of leaders, many of whom I know quite well, having had them in several courses and seminars over the years. One thing that was quite rewarding was seeing the influence the LCI courses had on them... how they are growing in their capacity to empower a new kind of leader in their context. I was deeply grateful for their lives and for the privilege Christ has entrusted to me for working with them.
SEVEN: I was also really struck by the fact that my friend and colleague, Omar Gava, is finishing EXTREMELY WELL. And I hope he takes at least another 25 years in this finish. His life and ministry is a testament to a life well lived, a life well shaped by core values and a powerful vision. He is an inspiration to me.
EIGHT: Practicing Spanish... Every time I am in Latin America i practice Spanish again. By the end of a week, I am feeling better about my Spanish... and then I leave and I revert... Oh well. I practice Spanish, the students practice English, we do a Spanglish Thing and have fun.
NINE: Since my son is a drummer, every now and then I see some amazing YouTube videos of drummers. Here is just one of them.
Plus, there has been a lot of really good drumming with all the marching band shows we have seen during the last month.
TEN: Movies... the drought continues... too little time...
ELEVEN: I was down in Charlotte, North Carolina for a day this past month visiting with a friend who is leading a missions organization. What a nice area. Friendly people. Great weather. I am always on time for flights. This time I miscalculated the traffic around the beltway and I was running so late, I had to park in the hourly garage and run to the terminal. I made it with about two minutes to spare and the plane door closed.
TWELVE: We are having a good time in the Ancient-Future Faith course studying Ephesians. There are just so many powerful themes in Paul's letter. We are gathering around some of the great things that matter the most and seeking out the implications for our lives. I hope you have a section of the Scriptures that you are diving into, both for study and for lectio divina reflections.
THIRTEEN: I am continuing to read widely and deeply about the Jesuits and Ignatius and the spiritual formation approaches that arise out of this. I have a new blog where I post once a week. For anyone who is interested in learning about this, you can check it out at either:
Here are a few misc. thoughts and happenings, the podge of hodge and bits of tid for October.
ONE: The Rolling Stone issue had a great article on U2 Live From Outer Space. I love U2 but have never seen a live show. Sigh... Someday...
TWO: And speaking of the music industry, here was a fascinating tid bit of information from a New York Times article. There are 13 million songs on line and for sale. Of those 13 million songs, 10 million never had a single buyer! And . . . 80% of all revenues came from 52,000 songs. In other words, less than 1% of music for sale on the internet generated 80% of the income. Kind of makes you wonder where the music industry is going to wind up?
THREE: What is the most common disease in the United States? Seth Godin's blog said it is sinusitis and it has 30 million sufferers. I am one of them. Traveling back and forth between the southern and northern hemispheres two times in 3 weeks aggravated the problem.
FOUR: I had a meeting with a friend (a pastoral friend) and I came away deeply admiring how much of a life long learner he is. He shared books he is reading, conversations he is having with friends, new things he is exploring, websites to check out ... He is going strong and is going to finish well. I came away with a half dozen trails to explore out of our conversation.
FIVE: Jeffrey Gitomer. I read two books by him in the last month... both in the "leadership, self-help" genre and the kind of books I normally avoid. But there were numerous nuggets in each one. Here is one of them. He said, "What you are off the job determines what you are on the job." Well Said! Gitomer is one of the most highly motivated, intentional, strategic people out there. He is making every minute count. ummmhhh... good stuff...
SIX: I had a great trip to Argentina, working with a top shelf group of leaders, many of whom I know quite well, having had them in several courses and seminars over the years. One thing that was quite rewarding was seeing the influence the LCI courses had on them... how they are growing in their capacity to empower a new kind of leader in their context. I was deeply grateful for their lives and for the privilege Christ has entrusted to me for working with them.
SEVEN: I was also really struck by the fact that my friend and colleague, Omar Gava, is finishing EXTREMELY WELL. And I hope he takes at least another 25 years in this finish. His life and ministry is a testament to a life well lived, a life well shaped by core values and a powerful vision. He is an inspiration to me.
EIGHT: Practicing Spanish... Every time I am in Latin America i practice Spanish again. By the end of a week, I am feeling better about my Spanish... and then I leave and I revert... Oh well. I practice Spanish, the students practice English, we do a Spanglish Thing and have fun.
NINE: Since my son is a drummer, every now and then I see some amazing YouTube videos of drummers. Here is just one of them.
Plus, there has been a lot of really good drumming with all the marching band shows we have seen during the last month.
TEN: Movies... the drought continues... too little time...
ELEVEN: I was down in Charlotte, North Carolina for a day this past month visiting with a friend who is leading a missions organization. What a nice area. Friendly people. Great weather. I am always on time for flights. This time I miscalculated the traffic around the beltway and I was running so late, I had to park in the hourly garage and run to the terminal. I made it with about two minutes to spare and the plane door closed.
TWELVE: We are having a good time in the Ancient-Future Faith course studying Ephesians. There are just so many powerful themes in Paul's letter. We are gathering around some of the great things that matter the most and seeking out the implications for our lives. I hope you have a section of the Scriptures that you are diving into, both for study and for lectio divina reflections.
THIRTEEN: I am continuing to read widely and deeply about the Jesuits and Ignatius and the spiritual formation approaches that arise out of this. I have a new blog where I post once a week. For anyone who is interested in learning about this, you can check it out at either:
Danny Jones: Finding My Way A new artist for me. Seriously, he ranks up there with the creativity and sheer talent of a Joe Satriani... although the Silver Surfer guitarist is still in my top three faves. But Danny Jones deserves a wide listen by all the rock/metal fans.
Gungor: Ghosts Upon the Earth Their newest. I've listened to it a few times. I like Beautiful Things more, but this one is growing on me and several of the songs are outstanding.
Yo-Yo Ma: The Goat Rodeo Sessions Buy this album just because of the great title. No, really buy it because of the four string virtuosos and the magic they conjure up as their instruments flow together.
Josh Wilson: See You Pretty good album by Christian activist, singer, guitarist.
Downhere: Wide-Eyed & Mystified My new favorite band. Canadian Christians, great music, outstanding (TRULY) vocals. And profound lyrics. They leave most Christian artists in the dust of banal pop Christianity.
Downhere: How Many Kings I got this album just a few days before Christmas. It became my favorite Christmas CD in many years.
Neil Zaza: One Silent Night, Vol. 1 I selected this to represent about 20 instrumental rock, metal Christmas guitar albums currently in the iPod and just waiting to be cranked up at my December workouts at the gym.
Solas: Words That Remain One of the first albums from this Irish-American folk band. My friend Gordon told me about it. I created a Solas station on Pandora. Liked what I heard and got this one.
Coldplay: Mylo Xyloto I broke down and got it... haven't listened to it yet... this week.
Brad Paisley: Time Well Wasted I am becoming a huge favorite of this country star who writes great songs, has a great voice and cooks on guitar. I want Brad and Keith Urban to do a guitar album together.
