I’m the kind of person whose mind loves to be in many subjects at once. I usually have a fiction book, and several non-fiction books that I’m reading concurrently. This is the page where I will write about those selections.

Pilgrims Progress, John Bunyan.

Surprisingly, I have read Bunyan’s book on Prayer, and other theological works of his, but never this book that he is so famous for. Written in the 1600′s, it is still a classic and has yet to drop in popularity. His use of metaphors is beautiful and stimulates the imagination.

Currently, I’m following the main character on his journey away from a city filled with a lifestyle that was killing him towards a city filled with joy and pleasure and glory. His strength of faith and character is tested daily, but he is never alone on this journey. I am being reminded of God’s provision and sustaining and power as I read about this part of his journey. I am also being reminded that my life is a sojourning. I’m not home–I am on a grand journey home. This journey is filled with pain, trials, blessings, and joy–and this life I live I must live as though I’m moving towards home rather than believing this moment or this place is the thing God created me for.

I have already decided that my next fiction selection will be Pilgrim’s Regress by C.S. Lewis.

CrossTalk: Where Life and Scripture Meet, MIchael Emlet. 2009.

I recently finished this book, given to me at a conference. I want to give it a hearty recommendation! He is not discussing how to study the Bible–he recommends other resources for those with no formal training. He is rather talking about how to bridge the gap between what the story meant centuries ago, and how it applies to the life of a Christian today. This book is aimed at teaching those who are teaching or involved in one-on-one ministry settings. If you only have a small amount of time to devote to this book, I would recommend the last several chapters. He challenges your understanding and approach to Scripture, and teaches new ways of relating the text to people you are in relationship with–showing you how to break away from the typical verses everyone overuses, but instead to be teaching the Scripture in light of all of redemptive history. You will be very encouraged by this book, I promise you.

Generous Justice: How God’s Grace Makes us Just, Timothy Keller.

This book has been on my list for a while, and it is finally over 40% off at Amazon, so if you’ve had your eye on it, now is the time to purchase. I am only in the second chapter, and I submit that this is one of the more thought provoking books I have read in a while. So many people have misconceptions about God because of their incorrect understanding of “justice.” Likewise, I am discovering, many of us who love the LORD have misunderstood justice, seeing only a portion of what it is. If more Christians read this book and take its message to heart, there will be far fewer poor and oppressed people in the world; that is, if we are up for the challenge.

The Backyard Homestead, Carleen Madigan.

I’m am fascinated by nutrition, and love my garden, and if I had more time on my hands–my garden would include a lot more than herbs. This book was a gift, but also one I had been admiring. Carleen Madigan teaches you how to literally create a homestead out of a quarter of an acre! I’m just starting, but am sure I will love this book. Chapters range from vegetation, to raising animals, to fruit and nut trees…with recipes for how to use all you’ve grown. Now if only my third of an acre had a bit more sunlight…

Crazy Love, Francis Chan.

I am most skeptical about “popular” Christian books, as they are usually disappointing. Many popular Christian books water down the truth, dumb down the topic, give false assurances, tell flowery stories, and twist the Gospel. Not this book. This book, so far, is far from the norm. He engages his readers with stories, but they are not superfluous. He weaves Scriptural truth through every chapter; these are the thoughts of one who has meditated on the Word, and he does not mince words or twist the truth. I have been encouraged by his teaching on the character of God, the love of God, and what it means to truly be a Christian. Though the topics are not new (they are after all found in Scripture), and you may have already read books that cover these topics (anything by Bonhoeffer, Lewis, Willard, Schaeffer, Keller, Piper), this is a good book, and worth recommending to someone who is growing in their faith, or even new in their faith.

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