2011 Reading List

Beginning last year I expanded my reading list to include a broader spectrum of subjects. My intention was to gain more understanding and view points from others. I started reading novels, business and leadership, Christian, cooking, photography, and more. I look forward to expanding that even more in 2012. Included in my new endeavor is my Personal MBA reading list.

Crazy Love - Francis Chan – Started slow… then it started getting personal and really hit home.

Pillars of the Earth – Ken Follet  - this was the longest book I’ve read – It was a great read.

In The Name of Jesus – Henry Nouwen – Recommended from Bari who is serving in Africa right now. Great!

Hood – Stephen Lawhead  - I’ve not read the Robin Hood Series, but it was a great. Starting 2nd book in 2012

Brave New World - Aldous Huxley – eh.. not great in my mind, but brings up interesting discussion

Winners Never Cheat – Jon Huntsman – I love this.

Byzantium - Stephen Lawhead

Down by the River – Charles Bowden – Wow. Eye-opening about the drug cartels and influence in world.

I Promise – Gary Smalley

Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis

When Helping Hurts – Brian Fikkert, Steve Corbett

See You At The Top – Zig Ziglar – My first experience with Ziglar

In A Pit with a Lion – Mark Batterson

Your Story Gods Story – Max Lucado

Action Trumps Everything – Charles Kiefer, Leonard Schlesinger

The Energy Bus – Jon Gordon – gift from principal at Roberts Elementary

Snuck one more book in before the end of the year… The Story of Texas. Much history in this state of ours.

When possible I bought all of my books on my kindle. I’ve come to love using it.

Reading To Your Children

I am no expert on reading. As a matter of fact, up until the fourth grade I went to see the reading specialist, because of my inability to read. I remember this as not being a pleasant experience. I don’t however receiving a Mickey Mouse pin for achieving some milestone… probably the only positive thing I remember.

A short five weeks ago I began tutoring at a local elementary school. One that struggles in many areas, but in reading in particular. I work with kinder – 4th grade students, with most of my one on one time with kinder and 1st grade.

I’m sad to say that many of the children struggle even to know the alphabet… let alone the sounds each letter makes. When we do sneak in sight words, often times we also have to add the definition to those words.

I believe there are many benefits that reading brings. First I believe it creates an amazing connection between you and your child. The closeness, the physical touch of snuggling up to a book, voices being heard and shared. Expressions and tone in voice; excitement, sadness, tension, love and happiness. These are just a few of the things that I have experienced and know to be true and I am no expert.

If you read to your child when they are young… you will give your child an advantage that will go with them all through their lives and especially in their early years of school.

And lastly it will increase their imagination. I love this one especially as I love to see my kids use it outside of reading… and in writing their own books.

So… take some time and read to your children. Make up a story while holding your book in the car. Pretend you’re reading a story to them. I don’t care… just read.

What memories do you have from your childhood and reading?

Pew Sitting Is Not For Me…

… or soft cushy chairs or plastic IKEA or… well you get the point. I have been in full-time ministry for the past 18 years… wow that makes me feel old saying that.

In a short 20 days – minus a week long hunting trip that comes to an end. And by the way I am really excited and ready to sleep in a crappy cot in the cold Wyoming countryside with a buddy of mine, looking for animals to shoot. REALLY EXCITED.

so… 20 days from now I’m out, maybe. To be honest, I sat in a IKEA chair this past Sunday for the first time in almost five years since I jumped in with helping plant Paseo Church. And to be honest… it really bothered me. I’m not sure how else to put it, except that Pew Sitting Is Not For Me. I was uncomfortable, I was antsy, I felt trapped… BUGGED ME.

I’ve just begun to wrestle with this and what the implication it has on my life… but right now I can’t see it continuing… right now it just feels wrong to me. Maybe it’s because I’ve not done it since well 18 years ago. Maybe it’s just I’m not used to sitting during a Sunday morning church service.

Maybe it is wrong… maybe? Maybe not. Is it okay to be comfortable in that position? In my head right now I’m wrestling with what I’m saying… trying to defend what I’m saying and at the same time justifying the time a person comes and enjoys the soft cushions. They need it one side says, while the other says, no… for too many that’s all there is.

I’m not sure what to make of it, but I know I’m not a pew sitter and I don’t want to push through until it’s comfortable. Can’t, it’s just not me.