Post college I have been able to enjoy the luxury of reading. I love it, love learning and being challenged, and also enjoy entering into a good fiction book that brings me to another place. So I am going to give a REALLY brief review of the books that impacted me the most in the past year.
Jesus for President, by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw
I learned a lot about how kings, government, laws, etc. were throughout Biblical times and what Jesus did in light of that-not bringing God into the corrupt Roman government, but rather calls us to a totally radical new way of living. I learned and was challenged, and felt that it gave a good picture of how to respond to those sort of issues today.
Mother Teresa: Come be my Light
This book was terribly interesting. I love Mother Teresa and have read a lot about her, but this was very eye opening into her private light. She struggled immensely with something called "the dark night of the soul" and really didn't "feel" Jesus regularly, in fact she had feeling of God leaving her-yet she served faithfully anyway. It was intriguing and encouraging to read her inner life, not the life that others saw.
The Shack, by William P Young
The reason I liked this popular book is that it painted a picture of the Trinity in a very beautiful way that I had never imagined before, and I loved that.
Let Justice Roll Down, by Dr. John Perkins
This is more or less the story of his life and how God brought him to where he is at. It is incredible to read about the struggles he went through in the deep south during Jim Crow, yet followed God's persistent call to serve there.
Becoming the Answer to our Prayers, by Shane Claiborne and Jonathon Wilson-Hartgrove
This book was wonderful. Basically showing how God invites into community with Him to answer prayers, and into community with each other to do this with God. Very inspiring.
The Year of Living Biblically, by A.J. Jacobs
Aside from being very entertaining, I learned a lot too. This guy , who is agnostic, spent a year following the old testament laws literally. It is highly comically, but also since he draws wisdom rabbis and other spiritual leaders I learned a lot of the "why's" of the laws and also the Jewish customs that were on the old testament and then were a part of the culture that Jesus lived in.
Celebration of Discipline, but Richard Foster
Every Christian should read this book. It demonstrated beautiful ways to fall more in Love with Christ through so many different ways. I loved it, it was simple yet so profound.
The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr.
If you are interested in social justice and learning about the residual affects of slavery, Jim Crow, segregation, etc. has had and has now on how the US works, you will like this. It was inspiring to read this testimony of his faith and how above all what God was asking Him to do was what mattered most.
Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger, by Ronald J. Sider
Another one every Christian should read. These are issues that cannot be ignored, and we have to deal with our affluence in world where people die of hunger. It is intense but very informative and helps on this journey of learning and doing.
Everything Must Change, by Brian McLaren
He is one of my favorite authors, and this book really convicted be a pushed me into action. It is quite eye-opening. I also recommend the New Kind of Christan series by him as well.
an all time favorite that I read for fun and comfort is Heidi, by Johanna Spiri. You may think I am partial because of the name, but this book is so beautiful. It is the extraordinary faith of a small child that inspire those around her, and the appreciation and freedom of God's good earth, that resonate with me and give me joy! Another book series I read for fun is the Wizard of Oz series by Frank L Baum. They are so delightful and creative I can't wait to read them to my own children someday!
I am always open for book recommendations! Hope these inspire someone :)
