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What I am Reading in '08

  • Frederica Mathewes-Green: The Illumined Heart: Capture the Vibrant Faith of Ancient Christians

    Frederica Mathewes-Green: The Illumined Heart: Capture the Vibrant Faith of Ancient Christians
    'What did previous generations of Christians know that we don't' about living in Christ? That is the question Frederica pursues in this little book, and one that I have been pursuing for years. Her answers come straight from the heart of Eastern Orthodoxy. For over 30 years a part of my own family history (my brother converted to Orthodox monasticism in his undergraduate years), this book was a helpful re-introduction to the wisdom of Orthodoxy about living in Christ and spiritual formation, including theosis, the centrality of repentance, the importance of the mind (nous) and heart in ascetic spirituality and the Jesus Prayer. Well written and accessible; thank you, Frederica! (****)

  • Rory Stewart: The Places In Between

    Rory Stewart: The Places In Between
    The bestselling story of Rory Stewart's trek across Afghanistan, following the steps of Afghanistan's first emperor, Babur, through the harsh inner mountain passageway. The book is a vivid introduction to an ancient culture in a modern world, and to the still strong rural roots of modern conflicts. Well worth the read; Stewart at the same time sees and notes things I would miss, and misses things I would have loved to lingered upon. Maybe part of that comes because he walks so fast! (***)

  • John G. West: Darwin Day In America: How Our Politics and Culture Have Been Dehumanized in the Name of Science

    John G. West: Darwin Day In America: How Our Politics and Culture Have Been Dehumanized in the Name of Science
    "The definitive scholarly critique" of Darwinian scientific materialism and its social impact in the West. Well researched, full of facts and illustrative anecdotes, and expansive in its sweep, John West traces the impact of Darwin and his successors as they have impacted legal practice, educational policy, economic theory, and life issues. This book shed essential light on broad and familiar tracks of life in America by framing them within the contest between scientific materialism and theistic creationism. An excellent read and resource. (****)

  • Jaroslav Pelikan: Acts (Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible)

    Jaroslav Pelikan: Acts (Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible)
    Of the three commentaries I used this year in preaching through Acts (Stott, Rackham & this) - Pelikan was the most help in diving in deep to the theological currents flowing in Acts. Great work. (*****)

  • Timothy Keller: The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism

    Timothy Keller: The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism
    Keller is one of the best at linking the wisdom of the Bible with the currents of culture. Just starting it...

  • John Muir: Meditations of John Muir: Nature's Temple

    John Muir: Meditations of John Muir: Nature's Temple
    Wonderful episodes of reflection. Muir can listen with the heart to the voice of God in the creation.

  • John Muir: The Wild Muir: Twenty-Two of John Muir's Greatest Adventures

    John Muir: The Wild Muir: Twenty-Two of John Muir's Greatest Adventures
    I have missed Muir since I worked through a reader 3 years ago. Great book, giving exciting episodes across the range of his years. You can catch the wildness. (****)

  • Peter Connolly: The Jews in the Time of Jesus: A History

    Peter Connolly: The Jews in the Time of Jesus: A History
    Background reading for my upcoming trip to Israel in June. Already learning a lot! (****)

  • William P. Young: The Shack

    William P. Young: The Shack
    The story of a God who heals life's deepest tragedies. A stunning read, a grace book. (****)

  • Dallas Willard: Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ

    Dallas Willard: Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ
    I am working through this for the 3rd time, especially revisiting the chapters on the Kingdom and putting this into practice in the local congregation. Dallas' 2002 book on the process of becoming Christlike, including chapters on the transformation of the thought life, emotions, will, character, body, relationships and the soul. (*****)

  • Dallas Willard: The Divine Conspiracy : Rediscovering Our Hidden Life In God

    Dallas Willard: The Divine Conspiracy : Rediscovering Our Hidden Life In God
    Foundational work on understanding the transformational processes of Christianity, with a focus on the transformation of the heart. (****)

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December 28, 2005

Living Life with God

Nativitycrossimageofchrist

The central theme of the Bible from beginning to end is how God takes the initiative to satisfy our deepest longings with himself.  With his own presence.  With a love-relationship with him. 

To Moses God said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest”   (Exo. 33:14)

To Jacob God said, “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go”   (Gen. 28:15)

To Joshua God said, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you”   (Josh. 1:5)

To Israel God said, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you”   (Isa. 43:2)

King David knew this settled everything and prayed to God:  “I will fear no evil; for You are with me...”    (Psalm 23.4)

Those people were first in a long line of men and women who have discovered that the secret to life is living in the presence of God.  They discovered that you and I are made for more than ourselves.  Much more.  You and I are made for God himself.

Jesus entered this world to fulfill that promise. Isaiah wrote it hundreds of years earlier and the angel whispered it again to Joseph in a dream.. “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”-which means, “God with us.”   (Matt 1:23)

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December 28, 2005 in Kingdom of God, Sermons |

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