My team (and my friends back home) can tell you that my biggest fear coming on the Race was that I was going to conform to the typical World Race stereotype or make my experience on the Race my identity. Not one part of me wanted to read Crazy Love, listen to Hillsong, or make a photo of me and an African baby my Facebook profile picture. Part of it was my own cynicism, but going to a Christian university kind of jaded me to popular Christian stuff too.
About halfway through my second month of the Race (after some feedback and encouragement from my team), I decided that I was going to shift my focus and energy from what I didn’t want to become to who I did want to become. I took ownership of my World Race experience. I started reading Christian books that interested me, found some Christian music that I related to, but I still didn’t change my profile picture to me with an African baby (It was tempting though. They’re just so damn cute.).
So, below is a list of the books, music, and podcasts that have taught, moved, and inspired me up to this point in the Race. I also included things I read/listen to for fun. When you’ve lived with the same 6 other people for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for the past 7 months, sometimes you just need to lose yourself in a book or jam out to some Yoncé. After some things I’ll write what I got out of the book or why I love the album.
My heart in this is that people that don’t really vibe with/understand/relate to mainstream Christianity will find something here that impacts you and helps you relate to or understand God better. Or maybe you’ll just find a book or album that you’ll enjoy. Either way, thanks for reading and God bless!
Books:
Christian:
What We Talk About When We Talk About God by Rob Bell
Daring Greatly be Brené Brown
– Not overtly Christian, but she talks about spirituality quite a bit. Super applicable for everyone. Really changed the way I view conflict, relationships, and self-compassion. Shout out to the incredible Kaley Green for the recommendation.
A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans
– RHE’s books and blog have impacted me in crazy ways. This book really challenged the way I saw women in the bible, modern Christian women, gender, and what it means to be a “Biblical” man or woman. Great read for anyone.
Faith Unraveled by Rachel Held Evans
– I highlighted like half this book. If you’ve ever questioned anything in the bible or with Christianity, I’d highly recommend this book.
The Bible Tells Me So by Peter Enns
We Make the Road By Walking by Brian D. McLaren
This is a weekly devotional book. It’s challenged me in so many ways and brought creative interpretation and new light to a lot of different stories in scripture. Can’t imagine my Race experience without it.
For Fun:
A Song of Ice and Fire Series (Game of Thrones) by George R.R. Martin
The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
Albums:
* = Christian album
This Is All Yours – alt-J
Every Kingdom – Ben Howard
I Forget Where We Were – Ben Howard
Beyoncé – Beyoncé
Beyoncé (More Only) – Beyoncé
Ghosts Upon the Earth – Gungor *
I am Mountain – Gungor *
First Fruits – Judah & the Lion *
Sweet Tennessee – Judah & the Lion *
Kids These Days – Judah & the Lion *
Rivers In the Wasteland – NEEDTOBREATHE *
Swimmin’ Time – Shovels & Rope
1989 – Taylor Swift
Podcasts:
The Liturgists Podcast
– This podcast is by Michael Gungor (from the band Gungor) and a dude nicknamed Science Mike, with some special guests occasionally. They discuss various topics through the lens of science, faith, and art. Favorite Episodes – Episode 2 – Genesis & Evolution, Episode 3 – The Bible, Episode 4 – Church Unity (probably my favorite ever), Episode 6 & 7 – Lost & Found, Episode 9 (maybe?) – Safe Church
Ethos Church
– This is the podcast from my church in Nashville. It’s been awesome having their sermons to listen to. Having teachings from a church I trust has been great for learning and processing.
