4 Books I'm Excited To Read In 2017

“Books,” John Piper says, “don’t change people, paragraphs do — sometimes sentences.” The more books I read, the more convinced I am that Piper is onto something. I’ll grant that particular paragraphs and sentences have the immensity of their impact because of the ideas and context the rest of the book provides, but it’s the individual sentence or thought that sticks with you. After spending hours with a book, you walk away with five to ten great thoughts or quotes that serve as a summation of all you learned.

Such is the power of a good book. It stays with you. It bounces around inside your head, just waiting for the right moment. Then all at once it comes running to your rescue. What’s most exhilarating is that when you crack the spine on a new book, you have no idea how it’s going to shape you or what nuggets of gold you’ll be leaving with. That excites me, and I hope it excites you. It’s early January which means I’m putting the finishing touches on my 2017 reading list. It’s never too early to start thinking about what you’ll read this year. Here are four I’m looking forward to having shape me over the next twelve months:  

This one was near the top of my list for books I was most excited to read in 2016. Needless to say, I didn’t get to it. My wife and I walked through a miscarriage not long after I wrote a similar version of this post last year. So this book remained on the shelf all year long. Now that my wife and I are entering the third trimester of her pregnancy, I am growing more and more excited to pick this one up. My hope this year as it was last, is that this book will become a resource that helps me be the godly parent I so desperately want to be.

Night School
By Lee Child

A little over a year ago, Jack Reacher brought me back to the fiction reading world. Night School is the next in the long line of Reacher books written by Lee Child. This one  is on my list for the pure joy of it all. If you’re unfamiliar with the Jack Reacher series, check out Killing Floor by Lee Child. If you like rooting for a good guy who’s bigger, stronger, and smarter than the bad guys, you’ll love Reacher.

The most compelling argument I know for the Christian worldview is the way the world actually is. In searching for truth, we have to go where the evidence leads, and I believe Christianity most closely reflects the world in which we live. In his newest book, Greg makes this argument and I can’t wait to read it.

Last summer, I listened to an interview with Doug Wilson on the Home Row Podcast. It was so fantastic I listened to it at least three times. Reading and writing are two of my twin passions. Anything that can help me improve at either or both, is a must read. Of all the books on writing I’m planning to read in 2017, this is the one I am most looking forward to. 

What 6 Of My Favorite Writers Read This Year

At the close of each year, the internet is filled with book lists and recommendations. Everyone with a keyboard and an internet connection wants to share the best books they’ve read. I recently did the same by sharing 6 of my favorites with you here.

Today, I’d like to point you towards what six of my favorite writers read this year. This is a great place to start planning your reading list for next year, and if you still have Christmas shopping to do, there is undoubtedly more than enough ideas for the book lover in your life.

• Russell Moore: My Top 10 Books of 2016

• Scott Kedersha: My Favorite Books I Read in 2016

• Tim Challies: My Top Books of 2016

• Desiring God: Top 16 Books of 2016

• Jared Wilson: My Top 10 Books of 2016

• Aaron Armstrong: My Favorite Books of 2016

 

My 6 Favorite Books From 2016

We find ourselves nearing the end of yet another year. One in which I failed at two of my most ambitious goals, reading & writing. As the calendar turned from 2015 to 2016, I wanted to increase my intake and output of words. If you’ve been a reader of this blog for long, you’ll have noticed a definite drop in output. What you may not have noticed, unless you’re my wife, is that I have also failed to reach my reading goal for 2016. Perhaps I was a tad ambitious in putting together this year’s list by taking on several large volumes. Whatever the reason, I completed roughly half of my intention. 

Within the 25-30 books I did complete however, were several gems I’d like to share with you. If you’re still looking for that perfect gift to place under the tree for the avid reader you know, perhaps this list will help you find it. 

Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan - Classic works of literature can be boring, meandering messes. As I’ve sought to read all the books the collective “they” says I should, I’ve been bogged down by author’s use of language or pace. Not so with Bunyan’s masterpiece. Intermingled in this beautiful story of Christian’s journey are biblical truths that instruct the mind and comfort the soul. As Christian makes his journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City his trials and temptations show us a familiar picture and point us to the Way. Wonderful in it’s use of language, and stunning in it’s simplicity this classic is one I plan to revisit often. 

On Writing Well by William Zinsser - This book now sits within arms reach of my desk. I often pull it down, flip through its pages and in so doing find exactly the help I need to finish my task. It serves as both an inspiration and a resource regardless of the project. If you have an interest in writing on any level, this book will guide you through rough seas and stormy gales until you’re safely home having created the best form of writing you can.      

On Writing by Stephen King - This is the only Stephen King book I’ll probably ever read, but I’m beyond glad I did. King is both immensely practical and wildly entertaining as he brings you along for the ride of how he became the writer we all know. His memoir style approach to the subject of writing is as insightful as any other book on the craft and is a joy to read, even if you have no interest in writing at all. 

Tactics by Greg Koukl - How often have you been in situations or conversations in which you felt the need to say something but weren’t sure what? In Tactics, Koukl gives you a game plan for discussing your Christian convictions with that often difficult cocktail of grace and truth. In this book you’ll learn how to frame a discussion gracefully and confidently. One of my favorite aspects of Koukl’s approach is that you can employ it from day one. There is no need to wait until you’ve finished the book to get in the game. He helps you turn any conversation into a discussion of significance, without being weird or strange.   

Do More Better by Tim Challies - There are so many resources and books out there on the topic of productivity. In a culture obsessed with getting things done, we are always on the hunt for the next nugget or hack that is going to fix everything. In this crowded space, a work has to be especially great to stand out. It was a breath of fresh air then, to download a copy of Tim Challies’ Do More Better. In this short, but powerful book Challies helps us step back and see productivity rightly and build a system to steward your gifts, talents, time, energy and enthusiasm for the good of others and the glory of God. 

Church History In Plain Language by Bruce Shelley - It’s easy to fall into the trap of focusing so much on the present and future that we forget to look at the past. What a mistake we make when we fail to consider our story and how we got here. While I haven’t quite finished reading this one, it has proven itself to be a great help already. Like most stories, this one starts with the beginning—the early church. After a very brief retelling of the life and ministry of Christ, Shelley picks up the trail of the rag tag group entrusted with carrying forth the good news of the gospel to the whole world.

Please note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. Should you complete a purchase using a link from this post, at no extra cost to you, I would receive a small commission on the sale.

Thanksgiving 2016

The Pilgrims and Indians held their now famous feast almost 400 years ago. As settlers in a world wholly different from their own, they faced hardship at every turn. If not for the providence of God their grand adventure would have ended in tragedy. Of the 100 or so who disembarked the Mayflower a year previous only 50 survived the harsh New England winter. One can only imagine the tears they shed and the despair they felt. These Christian Pilgrims had to be questioning the decisions they’d made and the God who had led them this far. 

Fleeing religious persecution, these brave souls sailed to the New World with the idea of building a settlement on Christian principles. Their biggest dream was to live all of their lives to the glory of God and for every aspect of it to be ruled and directed by the principles they found in God’s word. Talk about a lofty aspiration. The Pilgrims no doubt believed the Lord would honor and bless their plans. One year in and it certainly didn’t look like it. 

Then one day an Indian named Squanto walked into their camp, speaking perfect English. The story of how Squanto changed the fortunes of the Plymouth settlement is fascinating. It is a tale and testament to God’s sovereign care and provision for His people.

The temptation when we read stories like these is to view the plot and characters as wholly different from ourselves. We aggrandize the players and put them on a pedestal, when they and their story aren’t that markedly different. Time and space may separate us, but we find ourselves within the same unfolding story of God’s grace and in the same position of dependence upon Him. The Pilgrims recognized this and hit pause for a few days to stop and thank the Lord for His provision and care.  As we eat turkey, watch football and gather with family and friends today, let us do likewise. 

We have so much to be thankful for. Let us look to the Giver with a grateful heart and genuinely say, “Thank you.” Thank you not only for the daily provision of bread but for the ultimate provision of His Son that we may have life eternal.      

Turning 30: Mentors From A Distance

Most late afternoons during my college years I could be found sitting at a picnic table with headphones in. Fast forward to the present and little has changed. I spend a good portion of my day with headphones in listening to a podcast, sermon or music. They are among my most valuable tools. They help me stay focused and get things done, but more importantly these two white buds are responsible for who I am and who I am becoming.

Apple's invention of the iPod came along at just the right moment. I was in my late teens or early twenties and filled with an insatiable appetite for knowledge. Knowledge I couldn't find in the classroom, or school library. I wanted to know God and be shaped by His word. No better tool could have burst onto the scene than this new avenue of filling my mind with all manner of things called the podcast.

Regardless your tastes—there's something sitting out there just waiting to deliver massive amounts of information you'll love directly to your brain. They allow some of the most thoughtful minds to serve as mentors from a distance. They provide the opportunity for us to spend countless hours with these men, without the trouble of traveling and booking time on their calendars. We can meet with them whenever and wherever we please.

There have been many shaping voices over the years. I would like to share a few of them with you and encourage that you give them a listen on your commute, while working out or perhaps the next time your relaxing in the serene surroundings of nature.

Many voices have impacted me over the years, but John Piper has been the most influential. You're most likely familiar with his writing and teaching ministry. Perhaps you've read and been encouraged by Desiring God, Future Grace or Don't Waste Your Life. Maybe you've listened to one of his classic sermon series—I've especially enjoyed his Romans series as well as the biographical messages he's given at the Desiring God Pastors Conferences throughout the years. Piper has made a contribution to evangelical thought and discussion unlike anyone in the last half century. Among his most lasting and far-reaching contributions is his embracing and leveraging of media / technology for kingdom purposes. An early adopter of technological wizardry such as social media, podcasting & the internet, Piper has shown an entire generation of believers a model for engaging culture in a winsome way. Of the many resources available at DesiringGod.org I will commend two for your listening pleasure. The first, is his daily podcast Ask Pastor John—where Piper answers listener questions about life, theology and more in a quick yet satisfying manner. The second resource I would like to suggest is a sermon Pastor John gave as part of his series on The Book of Romans called What Is the Will of God, and How Do We Know It?—careful this one might change your life.      

Matt Chandler has served a major role in shaping and establishing much of my spiritual journey. Few can articulate the truths of the gospel in as compelling a fashion as Chandler. His compassionate plea and admonition that there is room at the foot of the cross have changed not only my life but countless others. Following in the footsteps of the aforementioned John Piper, Matt has grasped hold of the power of media—which means that the majority of his preaching catalog can be found online. From that impressive catalog—I could not recommend his sermon series on Ecclesiastes to you strongly enough. In a culture obsessed with riches, pleasure and attention this word from King Solomon is timely and needed. Matt also cohosts a weekly podcast called Culture Matters, where he and his trusty sidekick Josh Patterson discuss pertinent topics and interview some of the most compelling guests. 

Tommy Nelson is the most outstanding teacher of God's word you've never heard of. When I first subscribed to the Denton Bible Church podcast, the large booming voice of the former UNT quarterback came radiating through my headphones. It clearly and wonderfully communicated the beauty and excellence of Christ with a folksy charm that pulled me in. As a result I spent hundreds of hours listening to him unpack truth whether he was walking line by line through a text or unpacking history. The full scale of Tommy's gifts are on full display in his series entitled The 60's: The Fault Line of America and The Book of Romans. 

"All I want to do," Greg Koukl says, "is put a stone in someone's shoe. I want to give him something worth thinking about, something he can't ignore because it continues to poke at him in a good way." Few thinkers approach sharing the Christian worldview in as kind & conversational a manner as Greg Koukl. He is thoughtful, insightful and engaging when discussing matters of faith and reality. The Stand to Reason Weekly Podcast provides wisdom for navigating the issues of the day and tactics for engaging the world around you with truth. With this helpful tool in your pocket, you'll be prepared to give a clear & effective response to the questions of our day. 

"Discipleship is a relationship", Tommy Nelson says, "between older and younger Christians based on scripture & trust that will progressively bring the younger to resemble the other in knowledge, life and purpose through the grace of God." If he is correct, what I'm calling impact & influence is actually discipleship—without the context of personal relationship and physical presence. The fact that these men wouldn't recognize or notice me if we were in the same room is of little consequence. The Lord has used their teaching ministries to touch my life and assist my growth in Christlikeness. For this I am immensely grateful and commend their resources to you in hopes that they help spur you on.