Recent Reads
Since starting the Bridge I have really tried to be intentional with establishing a rhythm for my schedule. In some areas I have been successful and other areas still need some work. Reading has been one of those areas of success. I was able to finish 9 books in this month. Many of them were very short. Here they are with a few quick comments.
I was hoping Beyond the First Visit would give me some ideas as to what we can do with the trickle in effect of The Bridge. It seems every Sunday we have three or four new couples come in but the retention of them is sporadic. They come back just not in consecutive weeks. So I took a liking to the chapter on becoming a good host. Most of the book was very affirming as we already had thought through or were doing their key suggestions. Spread the Word chapter was a little convicting as I continue to see ways we could have done this earlier. Starting New Ministries was contradicting to many of the things I have read prior.
Overall 3.5
Fallen Founder was a dream come true when I walked into Barnes & Noble a few months ago. I took a history class in college that made us read Gore Vidal’s novel “Burr”. Since then I have read several Revolutionary Era books and his name is everywhere. Two years ago I sat in the Central College Library reading a two volume book on Aaron Burr but never finished. I found the author constantly trying to defend Burr and his actions. Some times she was valid in doing this other times they major stretches. A few fascinating facts about Burr. He was the grandson of the great awakening preacher Johnathan Edwards, his father was president of Princeton, he shot Alexander Hamilton while being vice President, he was charged with trying to start his own country in the west with a capital in New Orleans.
Overall 3.0
Hard Optimism was a random purchase that I’m glad I made. What I found most interesting was the differences between optimist and pessimists. Many enjoyable quotes in the book as well including, “No sense being pessimistic, wouldn’t work anyways.” Very quick read - this kept me optimistic!
Overall 4
As a youth pastor Mike Yaconelli’s name was everywhere. For some reason I never really took an interest in what he said or did. I grabbed this book off a Craig Zuithoff’s shelf (the guy who took my job and does it so well that everyone is wondering what I was doing all of those years) and thought I’d see if it had anything to say. WOW! I don’t know if it was because I was having a horrible week or what but I really resonated with this book. The whole idea that we don’t have it all together and we shouldn’t and life is hard and the how comes and why’s. Typical youth pastor story teller and good humor made this a great read.
Overall 4.5
I read this a year ago but really didn’t get much out of it. I was preparing for a message and I got stuck and so I just grabbed this off the shelf. Pounded through it and was awakened with some fuel and fresh ideas. We bought a bunch of these and gave them away at The Bridge.
Overall 4
I have always been a fan of Bill Hybels. Willow Creek is an amazing story of God using Bill and a team of people that gets me all jacked up about the church. This book is no different. I had heard part of this book as a talk some time ago. I’m still trying to identify my Holy Discontent but feel as if this is a great resource book for those who want to jump on board with an aspect of The Bridge.
Overall 3.5
I posted about this book while reading it earlier in the month. (read it) The book eventually dragged on talking about working less like the French suggesting a 35 hour work week and taking up leisure activities such as knitting. Throughout the entire book I was made aware of new ideas and thoughts. Written from a secular perspective made for some rather out there ideas but if you could get by those it was a great book.
Overall 4
I’ve listened to this as a talk given by Andy Stanley at the Leadership Summit at Willow Creek several times. I remember sitting in Chicago trying to keep up with my note taking. The stories haven’t changed three years later and neither has the insight. But part of that is the point.
Overall 4
I was quite surprised by this book. Not only is another book by Grisham that is removed from the court room and suspense but it contained a pretty regular dose of questionable morality. The main plot of the book followed a rejected 3rd string QB in the NFL to a privatized Italian league. Much of the book went into detail about the Italian Culture. It paralleled “A Praise for Slowness” in many of its descriptions.
Overall 3.5
If you have read any of these I’d love to hear what you thought.
If you would like to read any of these let me know.
