LeadershipConneXtions

Kathleen Powers Erickson: At Eternity's Gate: The Spiritual Vision of Vincent Van Gogh
Every year I like to read biographies. I am getting a few different kinds for early 2010. This is one of the best on van Gogh and I am looking forward to it. I love the art of van Gogh and his spiritual journey, illuminated through his art is a treat. I will be using this along with: Van Gogh: The Complete Paintings, published by Taschen.

Paul Johnson: Churchill
Hot off the presses and quite short (by comparison with many works on Churchill). Johnson is a writer with a magisterial sense of modern history. Churchill is one of the towering leaders of modernity. And this short book is a great introduction to a great man.

David G. Benner: The Gift of Being Yourself: The Sacred Call to Self-Discovery
One of several short books by Benner. Loaded with insights woven together from spirituality and psychology. A gem of a book. A nice help in the journey to self-awareness.

Dwight Friesen: Thy Kingdom Connected: What the Church Can Learn from Facebook, the Internet, and Other Networks
Just picked it up and start reading it tomorrow. Friesen is a brilliant thinker and I am anticipating a challenging and paradigm shaping book.

Scott Cairns: God With Us: Rediscovering the Meaning of Christmas
An advent devotional I just started using. Very nice daily reflections, beautiful artwork.

Ronald Modras: Ignatian Humanism: A Dynamic Spirituality for the 21st Century
An interesting study. Focuses on Ignatius and five more leading Jesuits who exemplify a "spiritual humanism" and how this approach can be meaningful today.

James Brodrick: The Origin of the Jesuits
A classic work, first done in 1940. This reprint is 1997.

Paul Mariani: Thirty Days: On Retreat with the Exercises of St. Ignatius (Compass)
I read a few books each month about the Jesuits. This book in in the Memoirs genre and is Mariani's description of his 30 Day Spiritual Exercises retreat. Well written. Insightful, vulnerable. It is always of great interest for me to read of the experiences of others who have done the Exercises.

Eric Hoffer: The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements (Perennial Classic.)
A classic book on the nature of movements by a truly remarkable and perceptive "street philosopher."

Jim Belcher: Deep Church: A Third Way Beyond Emerging and Traditional
This is an OUTSTANDING book, one of the very best I have read so far. Wow... Almost done with it. A full review coming very soon. And some posts on the church inspired out of it.

Jessica Hagy: Indexed
Rave reviews... I'm not sure why? I thought it was kind of silly and I was really looking forward to it. Oh well...

Steve Addison: Movements That Change the World
I am reading a number of books about movements in the next few weeks. This one is the first.

Steve McCranie: Love Jesus, Hate Church: How to Survive in Church— or Die Trying
Just reading through it.

Timothy Keller: Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters
Just off the printing presses, is the third book by Keller. I suspect that his thoughtful and pastoral writings will become more numerous in the years ahead. This is welcome development. In this book, Keller shows he is a master exegete of culture and a wise discerner of the times.

Kevin DeYoung: Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion
The other book on the church I just picked up. I liked their first book - Why We're Not Emergent. They write in a witty, engaging, "mildly in your face" way.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Lost Christmas Eve
I have created my Playlist of TSO music. I love these guys, heavy metal, rock ballad, neo-classical shredding... all about Christmas and you have the unique sound of TSO.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Beethoven's Last Night

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Christmas Eve and Other Stories

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Night Castle (2 CD)
Their latest CD... we just heard them for the 3rd time. I like it.

George Bellas: Venomous Fingers
My first CD by this artist. He is a shredder. I am also listening to two other CDs that won't come up in a search by this engine. Here they are: Steve Morse Band. Out Standing in Their Field Johnny Hilland Band. Loud and Proud Both are great guitarists.

Craig Chaquico: Acoustic Planet
I don't have all his albums, but I have most of them which spawn quite a few years. He is an outstanding acoustic, jazz, guitarist. Melodic, light, breezy, dancing... these words describe his style. I have had a Chaquico Playlist on my iPod for the last few weeks and have listened to it many times.

Craig Chaquico: Four Corners
see note above

Craig Chaquico: A Thousand Pictures
see note above

Craig Chaquico: Shadow and Light
see note above

Craig Chaquico: Midnight Noon
see note above

Craig Chaquico: Once in a Blue Universe
see note in the CD above

David Crowder Band: Church Music
Just bought it. Loaded it on the iPod and haven't had time to listen to it yet. My friend Gordon says it is great.

Relient K: Forget and Not Slow Down
Just bought it for my son Matt. I listened to it first. I like it. A bit rockier. I'll give it another listen or two in the next few days.

Live On
Kenny Wayne Shepherd: Live On

Trouble Is...
The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band: Trouble Is...