Holiday reading

One of the real blessings of my recent holiday was the chance to get stuck into some good books. I managed to read 4 books whilst away which have greatly challenged my thinking since. I recommend each and everyone of these great but different books.

1. Vintage Jesus is a book by two guy called Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears. A really readable book, Driscoll and Breshears seek to write around the person and work of Jesus. I don't know what you're stereotypical image of Jesus is, but I'm sure that after you have read this book there will be something new that you discover about Jesus that you probably didn't think about before. Driscoll's writings are always very straight to the point and this book calls us as individuals and churches to rethink and recapture the true Jesus. A really great read!



2. Plastic Jesus is a book by Eric Sandras subtitled Exposing the hollowness of comfortable Christianity. He explores the idea of Spiritual suburbia, everything looks great from the outside but is it actually on the inside. He suggests that if we really want to see authentic relationships, and churches that reach the lost then we need to peel back the cover that many of us place over our own lives, except our own brokenness and sinfulness but live in surrender to Christ's forgiveness. A great concept which should lead us to action in our lives and churches.




3. An Arrow pointing to Heaven, a devotional biography on Rich Mullins by James Bryan Smith is a brilliant and inspirational read. Rich Mullins wrote the song 'Our God is an awesome God' as well as many other hits. He was a huge star in America but yet an amazingly humble man. In 1997 he died in a tragic car crash. Smith writes admiringly of Mullins live which was and still is an excellent example of Godly living. Whilst very successful and wealthy Mullins only took what he needed and gave much of his wealth away, whilst he was not reckless about death he looked forward to heaven, and he was passionate about God's creation. When I read this I was inspired to write songs, spend time enjoying God's creation, and spending each day as a gift from the Almighty God.

4. Second Guessing God is a book by Brian Jones about holding onto the sovereignty of God even when you are in the darkest valley. I love the idea that Jones uses, God is working 'upstream in our lives. We may not understand what is happening right now in our situation, we may not be able to see hope or a future in the depth of whatever struggles we may face but God is working upstream and has promised to be working for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:38) A great read if you are struggling!

So that was part of my holiday, if you get the opportunity dip into anyone of these great books!