Imaginary Jesus by Matt Mikalatos

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Imaginary JesusTakeaway:  Imaginary Jesus is a fun romp through some real spiritual issues that could not be done another way with quite the same effect.

I think I received Imaginary Jesus in a Catalyst mailing.  But I am not sure.  Someone might have given it to me.  Regardless I have had it for at least three or four months.  I had a plane ride and I wanted something a light.  So I figured I would pick this one up.  I had no idea I would enjoy it so much.

The basic story line is that Matt Mikalatos (yes the author made himself a character in a fiction book, no it is not supposed to be autobiographical) is having coffee with his friend Jesus when Peter walks past.  Peter sees Matt’s bible and heads over.  When Jesus sees Peter, Jesus takes off running down the street, Peter takes off after him.  Peter explains to Matt that the Jesus sitting with Matt was not the real Jesus, but an Imaginary Jesus.  This starts Matt down the road to find the real Jesus.  He has to find and realize why each of his Imaginary Jesuses are not real before he can find the real one.

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The Death of Joan of Arc: A Lost Story from the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott

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Takeaway: Ebooks allow for some experimentation.  This quick story tells some back story while we wait for the next book in the series. Purchase Links: Kindle Edition I was looking on Amazon for something today (do not even remember what) and saw a “Recommended for you” ad for The Death of Joan of Arc.  This … Read more

Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years by Diarmaid MacCulloch (Part 1: Pre-religious history of Christianity)

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Takeaway: History is complicated.  Christian history as written by Diarmaid MacCulouch is long (but worth it so far.) Purchase Links: Hardback, Paperback, Kindle Edition, Audible.com Audiobook (If purchasing, you want to think about paperback or audiobook.  Kindle is the most expensive option at $29.99) This is a large and wide ranging book.  The audio (my … Read more

Read Again: Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney – Bible Intake

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Takeaway for this chapter: If we are serious about our Christianity we must be intentional about scripture intake.  Reading is good, but we also need to think about and put what we read into practice. Purchase Links: Paperback, Kindle Edition, Audible.com Audiobook, christianaudio.com MP3 Audiobook I have been slowly working through Spiritual Disciplines for the … Read more

Waiting For Superman Participant Book

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Takeaway: Decent overview of problems facing education in the United States.  Primarily essays from people in the movie, not as a supplement to the movie. Purchase Links: Paperback, Kindle Edition My paying job is a program evaluator for an after school program.  I also do a fair bit for research on education policy and my … Read more

Flame of Love: A Theology of the Holy Spirit by Clark H. Pinnock

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Takeaway: If you liked Francis Chan‘s Forgotten God, but wanted more depth, this is your book. Best theology book I have read in a long while.

Christian Century asked eight diverse theologians for their list of the most important theology books of the past 25 years. It was an interesting list. There were a ton of books on it that I had not read. So I added a bunch to my Amazon Wish List and a friend bought me several of them as a gift.

My first book from this list was Flame of Love. I have read Pinnock’s book on preaching in seminary but I have not read any of his theology books before. Based on this, I will likely be reading more.

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