Reading but not Writing

I haven't been writing much. There are 3 other blogs I contribute to and in the last months my contributions have been slim to nil. (Reasons vary and I'm hoping to snap out of it.)

Nelly sent me Rilke's Book of Images and said, "It's ok that you're not writing these days. Just be sure to read good things."

That made me pause and feel comforted as I recalled what I have read since the beginning of the year...

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Death personified watches the life of one little German girl during WW2. So beautiful! Really astonishing.

Stones Into Schools by Greg Mortenson. More inspiring stories from the author of Three Cups of Tea. Mortenson builds schools in the hardest to reach areas of Central Asia. Great stuff.

When the Heart Waits by Sue Monk Kidd. Thoughts on faith and how it changes as we grow. Lovely.

Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. The true story of great wealth, terrible poverty and how two lives come together across the gulf between them. Sweet.

Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. Painful yet exhilarating reading on turning oppression of women into opportunity for them instead.

Sabbath by Wayne Muller. Drawing from many faiths but primarily the Judeo Christian tradition, this book is about renewal and delight in the midst of life. Sweet and simple.

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero. Combining many sources of wisdom with Biblical encouragement to be whole. Draws on many writers/thinkers I've already read so was a review but inspiring none the less.

How (not) to Speak of God by Peter Rollins. Discussions on faith from a very bright young (well, 10 years younger than me) mind. Enjoyed this very much.

A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel. Reflections on growing up in small-town midwest America. Poignant and very funny.

She Got Up off the Coach (and other heroic acts from Mooreland, Indiana) by Haven Kimmel. More incredibly subtle observations and wicked humor as Kimmel tells the story of her mother's resurrection from junk food and depression. These 2 books must be read back to back. Loved them.

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller. Miller's journey continues as he discovers the importance of story and how a life should be a really, really good one. I love story and I like this thinking. (But you cannot convince me that he writes at the level of Anne Lamott.)

On-going readings...

The Bible. Most recently I Corinithians and 1 John. Always from the Psalms.

Rainer Maria Rilke. His poetry... sigh. It's like chocolate. I just take a little piece and luxuriate in it.

Mary Oliver. Perfect. Her poetry is so sweet. Beauty in the simple.

Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings from the Northumbria Community. Selections here and there throughout the days and weeks. Peaceful. Helpful. Good.

Looking forward to...

Untamed by Alan and Deb Hirsch. I'm a big fan of both Alan and Deb because they are kind and genuine and smart. Deb says this one is more readable than Alan's other books (though I didn't find those difficult to read) because she helped him write it. Ha! That girl :-)

The Forgotten Ways (or Alan Hirsch Has a Great Brain)

I'm reading Alan Hirsch's book The Forgotten Ways (Reactivating the Missional Church)

We got the book many months back but there has been no space in my life for reading. I am now reading and loving it.

In the last few years we have read a long list of very good books. The healthy survival and growth of the church has filled many volumes that we have taken in. They have been good. But if you find yourself dreaming Church, longing for her health and engagement in the world and you really only have time for one book, get The Forgotten Ways.

Alan's question to himself was, "How did a group of 25,000 Christians in AD 100 multiply to 20 million believers by AD 310?" In pursuing the answer to this, Alan uncovers simple, profound truths that fill me with hope and excitement.

I will not delve into a proper review of the book here. I think you should read it yourself. But I will tell you some of the things I love about Alan.

I love that Alan is outrageously bright and disarmingly humble and unaffected. I love that he is not angry. I have read books through which you can actually feel the chip on the author's shoulder. I love that he is brave and hopeful and that he loves the Church with passion. I love that he is a Jewish South African who lives in Australia and follows Jesus. I love that he calls everyone "Beautiful," as in "Hello, Beautiful!" And (maybe mostly) I love that he is married to Deb. I'm a big fan of Deb Hirsch and I can't wait for her to write.

So thanks for The Forgotten Ways, Mr. Hirsch. It's a major blessing to this world.