LeadershipConneXtions: Taking a Few Days Off From Blogging Back After Thanksgiving Weekend

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Current Reads

Ann Droyd: Goodnight iPad: a Parody for the next generation
An update and a remake. Fun concept, but poor rhyming.
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.
Parker J. Palmer: The Promise of Paradox: A Celebration of Contradictions in the Christian Life
This was pretty good, but also uneven from chapter to chapter. For me, by far, the best was the last essay on teaching and learning. I think Palmer is at his very best when he reflects on the education process.
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.
John Piper: Filling Up the Afflictions of Christ: The Cost of Bringing the Gospel to the Nations in the Lives of William Tyndale, Adoniram Judson, and John Paton
Three stories of God's missional servants and the price they paid to serve the purposes of God in their generation. Plus the story of God's sovereign work in their lives. I was familiar with Tyndale and Judson, but John Paton was new to me. And he was amazing.
John Piper: Contending for Our All: Defending Truth and Treasuring Christ in the lIves of Athanasius, John Owen and J. Gresham Machen
Probably my least favorite in his series of five books in the Swans Are Not Silent series, but his chapter on John Owen is worth the entire book. What an amazing pastor and theologian. Especially moving was how Owen would live into the experience of a truth before preaching/teaching. Powerful and motivating.
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.
John Piper: The Roots of Endurance: Invincible Perseverance in the Lives of John Newton, Charles Simeon, and William Wilberforce
This is book three in The Swans Are Not Silent Series. I am reading these books in a sitting (takes about an hour and a half to two hours) and then I spend about two hours reflecting and journaling on the theme of the book. Powerful devotional times doing this.
James Martin: Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter Are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life
Hey Stephen Colbert recommends this book by a Jesuit. That is telling you something. "Magis" humor for the greater glory of God. It fits!
Kent Carlson: Renovation of the Church: What Happens When a Seeker Church Discovers Spiritual Formation
Very good read and wise guidance on the journey of helping a community of faith move into spiritual formation and the pursuit of intimacy with God.
John Piper: The Hidden Smile of God: The Fruit of Affliction in the Lives of John Bunyan, William Cowper, and David Brainerd
The second book in the Swans Are Not Silent series. Pretty powerful stuff on the nature of suffering and affliction in the Christian life and how the sovereign God uses this for our holiness and His purposes and ultimately His greater glory. Radically counter-cultural for evangelical Christianity.
John Piper: The Legacy of Sovereign Joy: God's Triumphant Grace in the Lives of Augustine, Luther, and Calvin (Swans Are Not Silent)
The first in the Swans Are Not Silent series where Piper weaves together autobiography and theological reflection for devotional encouragement. Wonderful book.
R. Paul Stevens: Taking Your Soul to Work: Overcoming the Nine Deadly Sins of the Workplace
I am just starting this one as well as the MBA Oath (below). As if seven deadly sins weren't enough, there are nine dealt with in this book. I am reading this one and the MBA Oath to take a major ethical look at the way we work, do business and attempt to lead.
Max Anderson: The MBA Oath: Setting a Higher Standard for Business Leaders
A book that is getting a growing and well deserved reading - asking the important ethical questions that must undergird our world of business. I am just starting this.
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.

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November 16, 2011

Taking a Few Days Off From Blogging Back After Thanksgiving Weekend

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Important Information

Music in the iPod

Danny Band Jones: Over the Edge
See the note below.
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.
: More Than Meets The Eye ( Remastered )
Some of the greatest prog rock being done today. Nuff said.
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.
Joop Walters: Speed Traffic and Guitar
Great guitarist, evocative, fluid melodies, intricate arrangements, instrumental.
Chickenfoot: Chickenfoot III
Even better then their first CD. This is their second release, whimsically called Chickenfoot III... Boy do they rock on.
The Black Keys: El Camino
Good rockin' music.
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.
Fishbone: Essential Fishbone
A funk, jamming, soul, rhythm collection of a great band.
Pearl Jam: Rearviewmirror: Greatest Hits 1991-2003
An awesome anthology of a great band.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Christmas Eve and Other Stories
I selected this one CD to represent the entire corpus of TSO musics also on the iPod.
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.
Mumford & Sons: Sigh No More
A British folk-rock band... a fun listen...
Gungor: Beautiful Things
An album of incredible spiritual beauty and evocative melodies.
Aristocrats: Beller, Govan, Minneman
Three unbelievable musicians with Govan being one of the world's most amazing guitarists.
Switchfoot: Vice Verses (Deluxe 2xCD)
Steely Dan: Definitive Collection
Pearl Jam: Rearviewmirror: Greatest Hits 1991-2003
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.
George Lynch: Kill All Control
My second CD by this shredder... a quick listen on iTunes and it sounded good.