Just in case you don't look at the sidebar of my blog, I wanted to let you know that I've finally updated it after several months.
Just in case you still won't look at the sidebar, here is the music I'm listening to and what I'm reading. By the way, in case you didn't know, I read a lot of books at the same time. I don't know why. I just do.
What I'm reading:
Jim & Casper Go to Church: Frank Conversation About Faith, Churches, and Well-meaning Christians
- I've read through it, but I'm still blogging on each chapter. I'll get back to it, don't worry.
The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating the Missional Church
- The author of this book (Alan Hirsch) co-authored a favorite book of mine called The Shaping Of Things To Come. So far this book is really good. It's one of those books where you read a few pages, and then you have to close the book and chew on what you read for awhile.
The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus
- I love Brennan Manning's books. All of them. I started reading them when I was in college (The Ragamuffin Gospel and The Signature Of Jesus), and have continued to buy his books as he comes out with a new one. It's a lot easier to swallow the concept of grace from someone who was a priest, squandered away everything on alcohol, and then sobered up and started writing about grace.
Simple Church: Returning to God's Process for Making Disciples
- Simple church. Who would have thunk it? This is something that I've been thinking about for at least a year, the idea that less is actually more, and that when you have a million things going on in your church, it doesn't necessarily mean your church is growing. It just means the church is really busy. It's better to do a few things well then to do several things really poorly.
The Passionate Church
- This book is written by a couple of pastors at a church in Arizona that was really close geographically to the church that planted a church that I worked at. I love their concept of "LifeShapes". Perhaps I'll blog about this book next.
Your God Is Too Safe
- Get this book. Now. I'm serious. This is like the twentieth time for me in reading this book.
What I'm listening to:
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- Damien Rice. Nothing like an acoustic playing Irishman, in my book. His songs, in the words of Chris Elliott from Groundhog Day, "move me, man."
Sam's Town
- I didn't really listen to The Killers's first CD (Hot Fuss), but this CD is great. It's kind of like Bruce Springsteen and M83 getting together. Okay, not exactly. But it's good.
Twilight
- Future of Forestry is a worship band out of San Diego. They are really good. Buy this CD. And if you live in the Cincinnati/Dayton OH area, go to the FoF concert at The Garage at the end of August!
The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Of Me
- Listening to this right now. Thanks Pat for introducing me to this CD. It makes me happy. (and sad. and mad.)
All of the Above
- This is the first Hillsong United CD to be recorded in studio, and I'm not sure if I like that. It has some good songs, however. We're doing "Take Me To The Cross" on Sunday. When I say "we", I mean "me", because it will be just me on acoustic this Sunday.
A Beautiful Lie
- I really like this band (30 Seconds To Mars). Sure, it has that actor guy Jared Leto in it. But they are good. I only wish my daughter would like more than just one of their songs, though, because I have to hear that song (From Yesterday) at least ten times a day.
Neon Bible
- I actually like this Arcade Fire CD better than their first one. And that's quite an achievement, because I really like their first one.
EDIT: I also just purchased The Fountain Soundtrack. Amazing. Truly, amazing.
Well, that's about it. Comments? Questions about my sanity? Let me know.
3 comments:
Regarding Simple Church:
I taking a class on Paul's letters to the churches right now. One of the things that seems to be emphasized over and over is that the Church has one mission, one purpose for existence, to introduce people to Jesus Christ and help them maintain that relationship. Period.
We tend to think that business models, corporate philosophies, and "numbers" growth equals a successful church. So in order to have the biggest church we sacrifice discipleship, accountability, integrity, honesty, responsibility, and worse of all: love.
We offer a smörgåsbord of programming in order to meet the "needs" of every person. The problem is that the church should really only be concerned about one need: relationship to Jesus.
Simple Church sounds like the right way to go. What would the Church of the 21st Century look like if it stopped buying into "purpose-driven," "just-walk-across-the-room," and even emergent trends? If the Church stripped itself down to the bare essentials and did those few things incredibly well? I have a feeling that the 21st Century Church would look a lot like the 1st Century Church (minus togas, but that would be fun).
I got a great gift for Mother's Day..a Border's gift card that I found out works on Amazon:)sooooo I did buy All of the Above ..Hillsong United and Friday Night Lights because I love Explosions in the Sky when you play it for communion/element
I definitely would recommend Jim and Casper Go To Church...
I looked at The Forgotten Ways when I was at Apex bookstore Sat night..I can see why you read a few pages and then digest :)
Simple Church...it's the one Roger referred to on Sunday? I vote for the Acts 2 church but I know that's easier said than done in today's world
You read as much as I do and the same way ...several books at once
Hi, Adam! I noticed that you are reading "Jim & Casper Go to Church." I'm a volunteer with Jim's organization Off the Map and I wanted to let you know about our Live event coming up this November in Seattle. Both Jim and Matt Casper will be speaking at this event. Here is the link if you want to find out more: http://www.offthemap.com/live
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