Takeaway: A fairly basic overview of prayer from Jesus and the Apostles. Purchase Links: It is out of print. Amazon has some used versions I have been trying to read good books on prayer from a variety of Christian denominations and background. I have read a couple Roman Catholic and Orthodox books. This is the … Read more
Takeaway: We really need to read theologians for themselves and not allow others to define them for us. Barth was not a US Evangelical, but he was clearly a Christian that took his Christianity seriously and did much for the church as a whole. Purchase Links: Paperback, Kindle Edition, Audible.com Audiobook Let me start by saying … Read more
Takeaway: Openness to questioning your beliefs and understanding primarily is about relationship. If we are unable to question, we are unable to build relationships with anyone that does not believe exactly as we do. Early in the book David Dark quotes Flannery O’Conner as saying, “The cultivation of skepticism is a sacred obligation because skepticism keeps … Read more
Takeaway: Passion is good, but we need more if we are going to accomplish something that is lasting. Purchase Links: Paperback, Kindle Edition – Lendable- 180 pages in print I cannot remember where I read/heard it, but I have been thinking for a long time about a quote. “People that are successful don’t just work … Read more
Guest post by David Sawyer, a lawyer in Atlanta, married to Ashley, and in my small group. Find him on Goodreads a online community for readers. Takeaways: As a guy who initially loved Bush and then grew to strongly dislike him over the years, I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this book. Purchase Links: … Read more
Takeaway: Teen vampire books don’t all have to be overly concerned with Team Edward/Team Jacob to be good. Purchase Links: Paperback, Kindle Edition – Not lendable – 256 pages in print This was a free kindle book. I have read Twilight and some of the other teen vampire books so I have some context about … Read more
Takeaway: This is a superhero/comicbook/romance novel. No great take aways. But a fun book. Purchase Link: Paperback, Kindle Edition Almost ever fiction book I read I think I should be reading more fiction. Fiction is fun. It is great to just distract you or make you laugh or make you think. Phenomenal Girl 5 (the first … Read more
Takeaway: Bullshit, like Truth is hard to define. But still worth thinking about. Purchase Links: hardcover, kindle edition, Audible.com audiobook (Audiobook is cheapest right now) This is a serious book. Primarily philosophy and linguistics. I bought it because I both have problems with exagerating my certainty about things and people that always seem to be … Read more
Takeaway: This is a good example of why scholarship is about the sum of multiple takes on a subject, not just one side. Stark attempts to show that the crusades were not as bad as they seem. He makes some good points, but over plays some of his arguments. Rodney Stark has a history of … Read more
Takeaway: Many stories can be told about the changes that have been going on in Christianity. Purchase Links: Hardcover, Kindle Edition, Audible.com Audiobook I have admired the work that Phyllis Tickle has done with fixed hour prayer and other spiritual disciplines for a while. So when I saw another book of hers was free on … Read more