the reluctant leader

Top 10 Books I Read in 2012

I love books, digital books and dead tree books. Here are some of the best I read in 2012.

10. The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony. A gift from my South African friends, Roger and Nicola Pearce, I read the whole book on a Joburg to Nashville flight. Couldn't put it down. The Last Rhino by Lawrence was just as good. Both books made me want to get on the next flight to Africa!

9. The Trellis and the Vine by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne. This book could revolutionize the way you think about church and ministry. Highly recommended for pastors, church planters, missionaries, and everyone who works in ministry.

8. Faith to Live By: A Practical Guide to the Life of Faith by Paul Barker. Historical, biblical, theological, practical. This might be the best book on faith you will ever read.

7. The Mormonizing of America by Stephen Mansfield. Learned a lot of interesting and scary stuff. Also enjoyed Lincoln's Battle with God. Stephen is a great writer and a better friend.

6. No Man is an Island by Thomas Merton. Devotional classic. Not a wasted word. For best results, read slowly with a humble heart. 

5. Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas. Long and tedious, but worth the time. I suggest the digital version, unless you want to carry around a ten pound book.

4. The Expositor's Bible Commentary. I did not read all of the 10,000 plus pages of the thirteen volumes, but I have enjoyed every page I've read. In don't know if my sermons are better because of these books, but I'm pretty sure I am better because of them.

3. The Century of the Holy Spirit: 100 Years of Pentecostal and Charismatic Renewal by Vinson Synan. This thick book has been on my Nashville bedside table for a year. It's the last thing I read as I fall asleep. It informed my mind, stretched my faith, convicted my heart, and inspired my dreams. If you love church history, you gotta read this book.

2. The Lego Principle by Joey Bonifacio. Might be the most important book about doing ministry that you'll ever read. Discipleship really is relationship! Great book, Joey! Can't wait to read the sequel.

1. The Bible. I've read it a few times before, but this was my first full reading using YouVersion's "Blended" plan, with daily OT and NT selections. I am now officially hooked to YouVersion and plan to use it in 2013 and beyond.

Honorable mention, but not quite top ten:

Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud. My first Henry Cloud book. Made me want to fire someone. But I resisted. All leaders should read this one. Also recommended for people stuck in dysfunctinal relationships and horrible jobs.

Calico Joe by John Grisham. Fatherhood. Family. Forgiveness. Baseball. Great themes woven together in classic Grisham fashion, minus the ubiquitous lawyer and tired courtroom.

Drop Dead Healthy by AJ Jacobs. A hilarious look at America's health obsession/hypocrisy.

What did you read in 2012? 

Here's my 2011 list, and here's my 2010 list.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top 10 Books I Read in 2011

Someone really famous, important and/or smart person once said, "readers are leaders" or maybe it was, "leaders are readers." I don't know, but I hope you are a reader and a leader.

Here are some of the best books I read in 2011, in random order. (And here's the 2010 list, and a bunch of other random & interesting top 10 lists - you never know what will show up on one of my top 10 lists. Back to the books...)

1. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. Amazing true story of a WWII hero. Warning: once you start reading, it's impossible to stop.

2. Stolen Lives: Twenty Years in a Desert Jail by Malika Oufkir & Michèle Fitoussi. True story of Morrocan Muslim brutality. The result of reading this book: I'm praying that the Lord of the Harvest would send workers to Northern Africa. Who will go?

3. Living a Life of Fire by Reinhard Bonnke. Just when you think you have accomplished something with your life, you pick up a Bonnke book.

4. Creating Magic: 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies from a Life at Disney by Lee Cockerell. Recommended for all church planters, pastors, missionaries and anyone who leads people and/or organizations.  

5. The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: How to be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience by Carmine Gallo. One of the best how-to communication books ever. Confession: I have never seen a Steve Jobs presentation. But I still think every preacher, teacher, presenter and small group leader should read this one. Here's a review of the book, using the presentation secrets of Steve J.

6. Contempt of Court: The Turn-of-the-Century Lynching that Launched a Hundred Years of Federalism by Mark Curriden and Leroy Phillips. A gift from my friend, Melvin Malone. This tragic story reads like a Grisham legal thriller. Summary: In 1906, an innocent black man was found guilty of raping a white teen & sentenced to die in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Two unknown black lawyers took the case all the way to the Supreme Court & won a surprise stay of execution. Local rednecks responded by lynching the innocent man. The result forever changed the way the Supreme Court views the authority of state courts.  

7. The Confession by John Grisham. Speaking of Grisham legal thrillers, gotta love it when a law-breaking pastor is the hero.

8. Where Has Oprah Taken Us: The Religious Influence of the World's Most Famous Woman by Stephen Mansfield. I have never watched an episode of Oprah, but I am glad I read this book. It is not so much about "Pastor Oprah" as it is about modern religion. Every pastor who preaches in the West should read this insightfully scary book by my friend.

9. Decision Points by George W Bush. No matter what you think about Bush, Republicans or American foreign policy, this is a great leadership book. Not the typical presidential memoir, this is a book about leadership decisions. Bush tells us the why behind decisions including why he stopped drinking, why he ran for governor of Texas, why the surge, why he hired and fired certain people, and other difficult decisions both personal and political. He also freely admits many mistakes, which in presidential memoirs, is rarer than a Sasquatch sighting. If you are a decision-maker, you should read this one.

10. Pacific Rims: Beermen Ballin' in Flip-Flops and the Philippine's Unlikely Love Affair with Basketball By Rafe Bartholomew. Written by a young American basketball fanatic while on a Fullbright schlarship in the Philippines. I don't know the author, but I do know several people who show up on the pages of his book. Fun book for all who love the Philippines and the PBA. 

2011 Snubs: Other good books that did not make my list include works by Tim Keller, RT Kendall, Philip Yancy, Vince Flynn, Gavin Menzies (interesting views on history) and lesser known writers. And, I read and snubbed that book about love by a former pastor (glad I read it but not glad he wrote it).

Next year's list will include the Eric Metaxas Bonhoeffer book which I started last week but will not finish until 2012, and Joey Bonifacio's "Lego Principle" which I read in 2011 but will not be published until fall of 2012.

What good books did you read in 2011?

Almost forgot, one more book you should buy - would be good to read it too - but you definitely should BUY 1 or 2 or 10 copies of THIS BOOK.

 

 

 

Divine Hide & Seek (The Gospel in Genesis)

While doing the Purple Book this morning (for the thousandth time), I got stuck on question #7 in chapter 1: "How did Adam and Eve react after their eyes were opened and hey realized they were naked?"

The answer to that question is found in Genesis 3:7-10,15.

1. They covered up, or "made coverings for themselves" (vs 7)

2. "They hid from the Lord God" (vs 8)

3. They were afraid of God (vs 10)

Fallen human nature is the same yesterday, today and forever. Thousands of years later our first reaction to sin, guilt and shame is still to cover up and hide. Hiding from an all-knowing invisible God is not the smartest move ever.

While Adam and Eve were hiding, God was seeking. He walked the garden calling them by name and giving them an opportunity to come clean about their sin. Rather than confessing and repenting, they passed the blame and rationalized.

The good news is that while man continues to sin, run and hide - God continues to pursue, because while it is human nature to cover up and hide, it is God's nature to seek and save.

That's the gospel in Genesis.

The Story of My Life

I'm back in Nashville after a two week trip that included ministering to leaders at Every Nation Church in London, visiting my son in Oxford and training church planters in South Africa. It also included the usual flight delays and monstrous airport security lines.

One of my airplane books for this trip was Tim Keller's King's Cross, a study of the life of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark. According to Keller, when Mark says Jesus spoke "with authority" it is like saying Jesus is speaking as the author. The New Testament word translated "authority" means "out of the original stuff" and comes from the same root word as the word "author."

Authors write as the final authority of their stories. They create the characters, the plot, the conflicts and they determine how the story ends.

I like the idea that Jesus is the author of my story. He is the one writing the script of my life, including the good times and the tough times. It is all his idea and as the author, he is completely in control of the outcome.

The writer of Hebrews calls him the "author and finisher of our faith." (Hebrews 12:2)

I am thankful that the Author of my story has included chapters that contain comedy, action, adventure, romance, mystery and even tragedy. (Thankfully no sci-fi or horror, yet.) And I can't wait to read and live the next few chapters.

Top 10 List: Best Books of 2010

Read lots of books this year. Some good. Some bad. Some life-changing. Some painfully boring. Here’s my 2010 top 10:

10. Banker to the Poor: Micro-Lending and the Battle Against World Poverty by Muhammad Yunis

Former MTSU prof, Nobel Laureate, Bengladeshi national hero – this guy really did change the world.

 

9. The Blessed Life by Robert Morris

I’m probably the last pastor on the planet to read this one, but better late than never.

 

8. Before I Am 30: Testimonies of a Life Transformed by World Missions by “Jack”

Only 47 pages, but one of the most inspiring stories I’ve ever read. “Jack” is a young leader in the Chinese church. I am honored to call him my friend.  ("Jack" was one of our featured speakers at EN2010 in Manila, but because of our security protocols we were not able to podcast his message.)

 

7.  The Devil in Pew Number Seven by Rebecca Nichols Alonzo

A true story that reads like a hard-to-believe novel. A movie begging to happen. If you know anyone struggling with forgiveness issues, give them Becky’s book. Her message will crack open the hardest of hearts.  (Becky & her family are members of Bethel, Every Nation’s church in Nashville.)

 

6. Many Colors: Cultural Intelligence for a Changing Church by Soong-Chan Rah

Anyone attempting to build a multi-ethnic church or do cross-cultural missions should read this one. Also recommended to all in a cross-cultural or multi-ethnic marriage as well as those who have adopted foreign children. Should be required reading in all mission schools. 

 

5. How the Mighty Fall by Jim Collins

This small book scared me real bad. As far as I know Bro Jim is not a believer, but he sure has a prophetic message for pastors and ministry leaders – especially those who lead a growing church or ministry.

 

4. Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall & Denver Moore

Another true story that should be a movie. I read it straight through. Could not stop. Enough said. Buy it. Read it. Live it.

 

3. The Unlikely Disciple by Kevin Roose

Randomly bought this one while looking for something else in Borders. Laughed, cringed and repented as I read an outsider’s undercover  experience inside the Evangelical world.  Every pastor and campus missionary should read this. I have bought and given away at least 20 copies.

 

2. The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns

Painful, but necessary look at the gospel demands regarding our responsibility to the poor.  

 

1. Movements that Change the World by Steve Addison

My book of the year. Most reading this blog want to change the world. Here’s how.

 

What books did you read in 2010? What was the best?

Fasting, Hunger Strikes & the Mystery of the Empty Stomach

Like thousands of others around the world, I’m starting 2010 with a season of prayer, fasting and consecration. Fortunately for me, our whole office (Every Nation Nashville) is doing this fast together. Left to myself, I’d start the year sleeping, feasting and watching TV. I’m pretty unmotivated and lazy by myself. Like most of us, I’m a much better Christian in community than alone.

 During the fast, I’m re-reading Joey Bonifacio’s little book, “The Mystery of the Empty Stomach” for the 100th time. I think it’s one of the best fasting books ever - not because Joey is one of my best friends ever, but because he writes about fasting in a way no one else does. Joey actually makes me want to fast.

Here are some of my favorite “Empty Stomach” chapters:
-From Duty to Delight
-From Deprivation to Desire
-From Desperation to Devotion
-From Diet to Deposit

Here are a few Joey quotes from Mystery:  
 “Fasting is associated with desperate situations. Through the centuries, people fasted mostly when they found themselves in tight spots. Jesus, on the other hand, was espousing a new and higher motivation to fast – not one borne of desperation, but out of devotion.”

 “We fast not to twist God’s arm so he will pay attention to us. We already have his undivided attention. We don’t fast in order to make ourselves worthy of his acceptance. We already have his unconditional love.”

 “We fast not so he will hear us, but for us to hear him.”

 “The Pharisees’ idea of fasting was to deprive the flesh in order to strengthen the spirit. They were focusing on the wrong thing. Jesus was telling them that fasting was not about depriving yourself. Rather, its about desiring the Bridegroom.”

Hope that encourages you to seek God like never before. 2010 could be your best year ever!

Extreme Generosity & "Planned Poverty"

Picked up an old book the other day. It was buried deep in the back on my bookshelf. Read it about 30 yrs ago, when i was a new believer.

Radical quotes from DeVern Fromke's classic, "No Other Foundation" about generosity and planned poverty:

- "William Carey went to the mission field with a salary of $250 a year. While in India he was hired by the government to teach in a university for $7500 a year. Carey continued to live on $250, giving the rest to the work of the Lord. That was planned poverty."

- "John Wesley began working for $150 a year. He gave $10 to the Lord. His salary was doubled the second year, but Wesley continued to live on $140, giving $160 to Christian work. During his third year, Wesley received $600. He kept $140, while $460 were given to the Lord. That was planned poverty."

- "William Bordon died before his 26th birthday. He had given his entire fortune of $25,000,000 to the work of the Lord before going out as a missionary. That was purposeful poverty."

- "What about Moses who rejected the name, the fame, the power and the wealth of Egypt, only to suffer affliction with the children of Israel? His choice was premeditated. He esteemed the reproach of Christ greater than the treasures in Egypt."

Fromke goes on the write about the "deliberate and dedicated frugality" of the Macedonian church, the "sacrificial spirit" of Paul, and the "planned poverty" of Jesus.

None of these people were "poor" because they were lazy or lacked the intelligence to become financially successful - rather, they choose to give rather than horde.

Modern believers in our materialistic culture seem to have lost the passion for extravagant  generosity.

Could this extreme generosity help explain John Wesley's often documented marriage problems?
Should we follow these radical examples, or live balanced lives?
What do you think?
Were these guys overboard? Crazy? Out of balance? Or extremely generous?

ACCIDENTAL MISSIONARY REVIEWS:

Speaking of poverty, "Slumdog Millionaire" review here.

And "The FOrgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression" review here.