I really love to read, but I haven’t found the time to do this nearly as much as I’d like in the past several years. So I’ve made a goal to read at least 12 teaching and learning books in 2015. I read a few fiction books as well but kept that to a minimum this past year.
Here are my favorites in no particular order:
Recreate
We have owned this book for at least 5-6 years and I have read it at least 3-4 times. It is that good! I am not the type to read most books more than once, but this is one that I have no problem reading over and over. It’s hard, to sum up why I like this book so much, but I will definitely try. This is a book about family culture. The author tells us why we need to be aware of the culture at large and what the motivation is behind that culture. My favorite part is how he talks about making a relationship with our kids a huge priority. If we don’t have a relationship, we won’t have respect or obedience either.
Start
This is the guy that got me thinking a lot about my life. I read it back in the early part of 2015, but it sat in my brain for a long time. He addresses the fact that if we don’t know where we are going, we can’t get directions. He dares us to ask “what gives me the most joy?” You get to do a lot of trying and striking out on this journey. (Of life) You also try, but you don’t always connect with the ball. He said it’s so easy to say things like, “Someday I’ll write a book. Someday I’ll speak. Someday I’ll pursue those dreams.” I personally am tired of my some days. Action ALWAYS beats Intention.
Thou Shall Prosper
This is a heavy book. Bernd bought it because he heard it recommended on a podcast he listened to. This book literally took me 6 months to finish because I picked it up for a while, set it down for a while, and picked it up again. This really puts my “westerner” mindset on tilt. The biggest takeaway, for me, is that each time we help or serve someone we are actually helping one of God’s people.
No Compromise
This is another book that we have owned for a long time. This was also a re-read for me. This is a kick you in the pants kind of book. Keith Green was literally a Christian for just 7 years before he died, but during that time he shook the world of pretty much every Christian he met. He led many to Christ and discipled many as well. He had a no excuses approach to sharing the gospel and though he made mistakes along the way, it is inspiring (and convicting) to read.
Switch On Your Brain
This book is amazing! If you haven’t ever heard Dr. Caroline Leaf speak, you are missing out. She is a Christian cognitive neuroscientist. Yes, I know that sounds terribly complicated. While she does use some pretty big words in her book, it is written very simply and you don’t have to be a scientist to understand it. The most earth-shattering takeaway from this book for me is: Our brains are always healing and regenerating themselves. This happens ALL the time. Just because we are getting older doesn’t mean we need to be forgetful, our brain is literally new every morning. Lamentations 3:22-23 says The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. It’s really true.
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