It’s amazing to think about where I’ve been, what I’ve seen, and what I’ve been able to experience over the past year and a half (shoot, my whole life really) while graduating college, going on The World Race, and now being at G42 and even looking ahead a little bit. I apologize for the lack of blogging that is occurring, but I’m going to get back into it. To start off I want to run through some of the great books I’ve read over the past 15 months or so.
The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini
Story of two Afghan boys growing up in Kabul before the Soviet invasion in 1979. It is a story of friendship, loyalty, betrayal, shame, and redemption. It gives a glimpse at both life before the Soviet invasion and war, and life afterwards under Taliban control. It speaks of Afghan culture beautifully, but the reason this book struck chords in me was the story of Amir and Hassan, the two main characters.The loyalty and undying love shown to Amir by Hassan, even as young boys, struck me with how even though I can ignore Christ, even betray him, he will never take away his love. Not ashamed to say it, I read it twice in a week or so, and yes, I cried.
Heavenly Man – Brother Yun
Read this one during the first month of the WR, and was blown away by the experiences of Yun. The story details his life, including how he came to Christ, the way he was blessed with having a Bible all his own and memorizing huge portions of it at a time, the way the Holy Spirit has given him dreams, spoken to him in visions, and miraculously carried him through circumstances most of us cannot begin to imagine. Getting shut up in prison and beat mercilessly, just for holding a meeting in someone’s house and sharing Jesus, is mostly unimaginable for people in the U.S. God has worked through him to bring light to places ranging from traditional church in Germany to the darkest, dirtiest prisons of Bur/ma, and the stories are incredible. You wouldn’t regret reading this and challenging yourself to grow in faith. Incredible (God is).
Victory Over the Darkness – Neil Anderson
The book contains great insights into who we really are as children of God, and what that means for us here and now. It tells stories of people’s lives changed and their minds healed just from realizing and taking hold of the truth. America is a truly blessed nation, but the poverty we face is of a different kind, a spiritual poverty, an emotional poverty. Even in the Church problems can and do go unchecked. It is of great importance to know the battle we fight and that victory is the Lord’s, and the ways that we can overcome huge obstacles in our own lives, in our own minds.
The Brothers Karamazov – Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Considered one of the greatest novels of all time. Probably would have to read it a few more times to grasp all of the commentary, the way the characters live and what they represent, and what Dostoyevsky is ultimately saying. But there are still some unbelievable parts of the book, challenging ideas about grace, justice, punishment, and human struggles. Not a quick or easy read, but of course an unbelievable novel and glimpses of truly loving God and loving others in the Russian backdrop.
Soul Survivor – Philip Yancey
Picked it up in Nelspruit, South Africa, and couldn’t put it down. Author Philip Yancey details thirteen of his favorite authors and people, giving stories from their lives and how they have affected him. The stories are incredible and hearing truth about real passion and commitment of some of these people, even in the face of extreme doubt and uncertainty, is a beautiful thing. READ THIS BOOK.
Three Cups of Tea – Greg Mortensen
Details the life of Greg Mortensen: how he was raised, what drove him to go to college, earn a certain degree, and eventually find himself lost in the mountains of the Karakoram in northern Pakistan. Tells of what he found there and how that has changed his life forever. Talk about being broken-hearted for the world, finding a dream and going for it! While there are little to no references to Christianity in the book, the story is simply incredible, incredible. Guys, don’t be fooled by the girlish sounding title, this story is legit. READ THIS BOOK.
The Only Road North – Erik Mirandette
The journey of four friends who desire to really see the world as it is, from the back of a dirtbike. They meet in Cape Town, South Africa, and plan to ride all the way through the continent of Africa to Egypt on the backs of their bikes. Stories. To. Tell. Their story is a true look at living a life of adventure and passion, and following your heart as Christ puts those desires inside of you. Be prepared to hear some gut-wrenching things, some funny stories, and some real, raw, and emotional accounts. Any guy or girl who wants to take a motorcycle trip, especially one to share Jesus everywhere you go, needs to read this book.
Wild At Heart – John Eldridge
Read this one right after getting home from the Race, and man, so much of it just makes sense. Guys, you are capable and meant for a life of adventure, battle, and love. You don’t have to be a tame churchgoer who makes safe decisions and plays all your cards without ever risking that big gamble. Jesus is radical, you are radical, and true manhood is radical, especially in the United States where a real, true, life-giving, passionate, dangerous, loving man is not as easy as it sounds to find. You are that man, you are wild, and you are loved by God the Father in a complete and real way, despite who or what you base your definition of father on.
What’s So Amazing About Grace? – Yancey
Stories of true grace being poured out. How do we treat one another when everything you’ve done has been to harm me, and all the sudden you are asking me to forgive you? How do we treat people who dare to even think about showing up at our churches because they are afraid they will get blasted by Christians for not being up to the moral standards. Grace is a world changing force, operating on the hearts of people to bring all kinds of beauty.
These have been some of the books that have really stuck out to me over the course of the year. I recommend you read every single one, let it sink in, and challenge yourself with the truths that you find there. Open yourself to new possibilities, whether that means you start thinking about letting Jesus really redeem you, or is a step from once a week churchgoer to radical disciple. Open yourself to new possibilities about how you think God works. More to come soon, hope you enjoy at least one of these before too long…
