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..."

Read Lately

Last couple of months I've read...

Church Unique
I've read a lot of church vision/strategy/leadership books... I don't think I've marked up any of them more than Church Unique.  As the name implies, the purpose of the book is to impress upon church leaders everywhere that every church is unique.  The mega-churches of the day are great places... I have many friends and acquaintances serving in them... I'm thankful for them... but I've watched many pastors/leaders over the years try to replicate what goes on in the mega-church only to be frustrated.  I believe the principal reason for frustration lies with the idea that we fail to realize that every church is a one-of-a-kind place.  It takes hard work to discover the one-of-a-kind reason that a church exists.  Replication offers an easier path.

Unbroken - A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Loved this book.  It was a both great story and history lesson.  I had forgotten how brutal the Japanese were to their POW's during WWII.  The redemption twist at the end of the book really surprised me.  I highly recommend it.

Counterfeit Gods, King's Cross, The Freedom of Self-Forgetfullness 
I've been on a Timothy Keller kick lately.  Although his style or charisma is not as flashy as other contemporary pastor/authors, I find him incredibly insightful.

Missional Renaissance, Changing the Score Card for the Church
(Yes, another book title with the word, "missional" in it!)  I always enjoy Reggie McNeal.  In my opinion the book itself is not ground-breaking... the same kinds of things have been said for a few years now... however, it's important to be aware of.  Furthermore, there are two things specifically that I love about the book... The practical examples that are given and the sub-title.  The simple phrase, "changing the scorecard" is something I can get my mind wrapped around.  It's another way of saying, what get's rewarded is what gets done.  With regard to church leadership and growth, it's time for local churches and denominations to make a decision on what should be rewarded... on what the scorecard should look like.  When we do that we can change the score!

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...