Helpful Reading in 2012

Top 5 most helpful books for me in 2012 (so far)...

5. Under the Unpredictable Plant 
"The storm either exposes the futility of our work (as in Jonah) or confirms it (as in Paul).  In either case, the storm forces the awareness that God constitutes our work, and it disabused us of any suggestion that in our work we can avoid or manipulate God."

4.Kings Cross
"When you forgive it's agony.  Why?  Instead of making the other person suffer, you're absorbing the cost yourself.  You aren't trying to get your reputation back by tearing their reputation down.  You are forgiving them and it is costing you.  That's what forgiveness is.  True forgiveness always entails suffering."

3.Unthinkable
No quote, just the observation as I was reading this book that some people survive disasters because they've been through disasters before... they've become "disaster experts".  I've been through a few things... I'm currently going through some things... I'm a disaster expert.  I'll get out OK.

2.Start with Why 

"People don’t buy WHAT you do, they buy WHY you do it"

1. Bible
2Corinthians 2:14 - "But thanks be to God who always leads in triumphal procession..."

Man-Created Trinity of Terrors

"I'm not to big on religion," Jesus said a little sarcastically, "and not very fond of politics or economics either." Jesus' visage darkened noticeably. "And why should I be? They are the man-created trinity of terrors that ravages the earth and deceives those I care about. What mental turmoil and anxiety does any human face that is not related to one of those three?"

Mack hesitated. He wasn't sure what to say... Jesus down-shifted. "Put simply, these terrors are tools that many use to prop up their illusions of security and control. People are afraid of uncertainty, afraid of the future. These institutions, these structures and ideologies, are all a vain effort to create some sense of certainty and security where there isn't any. It's all false! Systems cannot provide you security. Only I can."

"The Shack", Page 179

The Shack

On the plane ride home from Seattle last weekend (btw - what a beautiful city that is in the summertime!) with much interest I read the book, "The Shack". This is a book that has stirred up as much attention as any book in recent memory in Christian fiction. Find out about "The Shack" here. There are also lots of reviews. Here's one I particularly like from Scott Daniels blog. But... don't read the reviews before you read the book. Unless you want to...