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.
Julia Duin: Quitting Church: Why the Faithful are Fleeing and What to Do about It
I just picked it up and will read it this weekend. It is one of two books on the church and why people leave and why the church matters.
Frank C. Laubach: Letters by a Modern Mystic
I have wanted to read this book for years. Pretty fascinating letters about a profound journey into the Presence of God... and not just an occasional foray into God, but learning how to live there. It is a true spiritual classic. In some ways, an updated Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence.
David L. Fleming: What Is Ignatian Spirituality?
A short little book of short essays. Pretty basic, mainly useful for someone who knows nothing about the Exercises.
Jeffrey Gitomer: Little Gold Book of YES! Attitude: How to Find, Build and Keep a YES! Attitude for a Lifetime of SUCCESS
Pretty simplistic... lala land motivational one liners... and yet, the guy is super optimistic... the kind of guy you want to hang around with... and he has reached the pinnacle of his profession. I did come away with a number of nuggets worth pondering. If you have a lousy attitude, or just a mediocre one, this is a wakeup call.
W. Meissner S.J.: Ignatius of Loyola: The Psychology of a Saint
I like biographies... good thing, for this one runs over 400 pages of text and then adds another 70 pages with notes. I've read shorter accounts of Ignatius and was ready to read a major work. This is one that is mentioned everywhere and recommended highly. So I took the plunge. I am just starting it.
George W. Traub, SJ, editor: An Ignatian Spirituality Reader
This is the theology and the spiritual theory that undergirds the devotional way of Ignatian/Jesuit spirituality. It is a collection of 18 essays that explore the central facets of this spirituality. It is substantial and accessible. If you want a solid introduction and explanation of the heart of Ignatian spirituality, this is a great book.
William A. Barry: Contemplatives in Action: The Jesuit Way
A very nice, short book on Jesuit spirituality (as opposed to the more general Ignatian spirituality). Barry explores the uniqueness of Jesuit spirituality in light of 7 tensions inherent in their approach.
Jeffrey Gitomer: Little Red Book of Selling: 12.5 Principles of Sales Greatness
This is like having a personal coach motivate, inspire, tease, yell, rebuke, exhort and constantly urge you on to do your very best. Lots of practical, how to's. This is written by a non-Christian, so some language may be offensive... kind of like the football coach on the sidelines... (can you tell it is football season?).
Larry McMurtry: Books: A Memoir
This was a simply delightful memoir about reading books, collecting books, and selling books. Larry McMurtry is a best selling author and writer of screenplays. But his passion is reading and book selling. He has a personal library of 30,000 books and a bookstore that has 400,000 used, rare and collectible books. He ponders the loss of reading and the gradual disappearance of bookstores.
Brian Godawa: Word Pictures: Knowing God Through Story & Imagination
Popular culture, theology, film, images, communication, story... this is the focus of Word Pictures. I start reading it today also.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky: Notes from Underground
I have long wanted to read this work by Dostoyevsky. I have loved his novels, but read little else by him. I picked up this new translation and will start reading it today.
Skye Jethani: The Divine Commodity: Discovering a Faith Beyond Consumer Christianity
A book that asks us to wrestle with how our Christian faith, our churches and even God is being morphed by consumerism. Well written, significant analogies help move into the main themes. And Van Gogh's experience and artistic expression weave everything together.
Donald Miller: A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life
I start this one on Tuesday. Donald Miller will be coming to LWCC on his latest tour and talking about this book. I am looking forward to the book and his evening of story-telling.
Becky and I went to see The Great Debaters on New Year's Eve. I liked it a lot. A powerful movie about leadership in the context of the plight of the African Americans prior to the Civil Rights Movement. I will definitely rent it when it is out on video and watch it again.
