For the last few years, at the end of the year, I've published a brief overview of the books I read during that year. I do this in the hope it will spur others on to more reading. Readers are leaders, after all. I also hope my thoughts on the good and not so good aspects of the various things read will be helpful.
Faith-based reading:
Bible - I read the Bible in a couple different ways this year. I used the 5x5x5 Plan, which is available on our church website and found it very useful. I recommend that plan. I also used several short topical reading plans from the Bible app on my iPad, and found them useful. And I used and am using a "through the Bible in a year" plan which I always recommend.
The Autobiography of Charles Spurgeon in 4 Volumes - I confess to getting bogged down in this massive tome, resorting to a bit of skimming toward the end. It is just such a huge thing to read. But I finally finished it and have a clearer appreciation of the character and work of this amazing man.
Brothers, We are Not Professionals, John Piper - I initially had mixed feelings about this book. I thought the chapter on “not serving God” was a stretch, if not simply off the mark. Piper sometimes seems to really work at saying things in a new and clever way, and I prefer the old truths and the old ways. Too much of the former in this book, I think. On the other hand, chapter 8 on prayer may be the best I've read on the topic. That chapter is worth the price of the book. And chapter 9 on sacred substitutes is equally excellent. Perhaps my earlier criticism was premature, for as I progressed through the book, I found only one chapter that really set my teeth in edge, the chapter on not serving God. Other than that, the book was good… excellent even. Chapter 10 - on reading - superb. Chapter 18 is a very interesting and helpful defense of believer's baptism. I thought the book bogged down in the final chapters, but overall a good read.
The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness, by Timothy Keller. This booklet contains a single sermon from 1 Corinthians. Suggested to me by Sean Turner and I'm glad I read it. Thought provoking. The final two paragraphs were the best, I thought.
The Bruised Reed, by Richard Sibbes - I read about half of this. The old style English makes the reading slow, but fruitful. There was much to commend the portion I read, and I will eventually try and read the conclusion as well.
Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, by Mark Dever. Read this with the elders and discussed during the elders' meetings. This is a good book overall. Several times while discussing during elders' meetings, the consensus was that it got a bit too wordy, and points could have been made much simpler and with fewer words. But the 9 marks are all valid and helpful guideposts for our church.
Deepening Your Conversation with God: the Life-Changing Power of Prayer, by Ben Patterson - Chapter 1 is wonderful. Chapter 3 is also wonderful… and convicting. I think I saw myself on every page. This was, overall, a good read. It definitely got me thinking more about prayer, both personal and corporate, and lit within me a fire to pray more. I'm certain that was the goal of the book, and it met that goal in me. Recommended.
The Daniel Fast, by Susan Gregory - I purchased and read this book in preparation for observing a Daniel Fast with Beth. Both this book, and that exercise, were useful.
Basics Of Biblical Greek, by William D. Mounce - I started this in 2014, but have a long way to go. Hopefully I will finish it in the next year. So far, it seems to be a wonderfully readable and engaging textbook on learning the Greek of the Bible.
The Case For Christ, by Lee Strobel -
Highly recommended for anybody trying to determine whether Jesus is indeed the Christ. Chapter 10, the fingerprint evidence, is one of the best treatments I've seen of how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy. I think this chapter alone would be an excellent tool to use with Jewish people. And the final section in Chapter 13, subheaded
The Resurrection Of Debbie, greatly encouraged me concerning my loss of Beth. It is a wonderful illustration to use in a resurrection sermon. Chapter 14 on the circumstantial evidence was also very compelling. I liked this book so much that I purchased several copies to give skeptical friends.
The Crusades: The Authoritative History of the War for the Holy Land, by Thomas Asbridge - I bought this book to read on the plane returning from Israel in 2014. It took several months to complete it because it is quite an in-depth and lengthy read. Overall, an excellent treatment of the topic, and I believe I have a greater understanding now of this than I ever have. Highly recommended.
Dispensationalism, by Lewis Sperry Chafer - This is meat, indeed, and not something I can digest with one quick read. I need to go back through it slowly, following the numerous cross references. It might even be one to read many times.
Take Words With You, by Tim Kerr - This book is simply a large collection of scriptures arranged under various categories. It is meant as an aid to praying the scriptures and would no doubt work if used that way. I simply used it as another way to read scripture - by topic. Useful. However I didn't read it all the way through as it's more of a reference.
Grieving, Hope and Solace When a Loved One Dies In Christ, by Albert N. Martin - This book was sent to me by a friend after Beth died. I read it through in a single sitting and intend to read it again and again. EXCELLENT is too weak of a word for this book. Immediately after writing this review I went to Amazon.com and ordered copies for friends and loved ones. I need to always have copies of this book available to give away. EXCELLENT.
A Grief Observed, by C.S. Lewis - Brutally honest look at the grieving process Lewis experienced when his wife, Joy, died. Good and helpful, even if some of Lewis's doctrinal positions (purgatory?) give pause. Recommended with that small caveat, to any going through such loss.
John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace, by Jonathan Aitken - started in 2014, but won't finish it until next year. Stay tuned for the review!
Miscellaneous reading:
Here are a few other things read during the year which were not faith based, but nonetheless interesting and/or useful.
Learning Python, by Mark Lutz - I am not done with this one yet, but am working my way through it as a help in the secular side of my bivocational career. Python is a programming / scripting language.
Living Without Electricity, by Stephen Scott and Kenneth Pellman - an interesting read detailing how the Amish people do what the title says. It's not only interesting for that reason, but also because of the glimpse it gives into Amish belief.
Make Your Book Work Harder, How to Use Multiple Platforms to Make More Money, by Nancy Hendrickson and Michele Campbell-Scott - Not much to recommend here. I read this to gain ideas on more fruitful marketing of my books. A few interesting ideas, but not worth the purchase price, in my opinion.
How to Disappear, by Frank Ahearn - This book, written by a man who specializes in helping people disappear, is both interesting and alarming. The details about how information can be obtained on a person ought to alarm anybody. The book was interesting, but not one I'm endorsing or recommending.
How To Read A Book, by Mortimer Adler - I read about 10% of this book and then got bogged down. For my purposes, a summarization of the thoughts in this book would have been sufficient.
Books I want to read
Here are a few that are on the list for 2015. Hopefully, the Lord's return will preempt my reading them, but if not, stay tuned for reviews of these and others at the end of next year.
A Wind in the House of Islam, by David Garrison
Jack: A Life of C. S. Lewis, by George Sayer
Say It a Well, by Chuck Swindoll
