Books I Recommend

First off, if you don't have a Kindle App (or an actual Kindle), you should get one. The app is free and it's so convenient to carry so many books with you. Just sayin'.

Anywho, here are some recent reads that I really enjoyed/am enjoying.

Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne
If you read Radical, it's along the same lines except maybe a little more "hippy-esc". It's sort of Shane's story of applying the concepts you read about in the days of the early church. To say it's challenging spiritually would be, well, an understatement.

Stuff Christians Like by Jon Acuff
If you want a really good laugh, check out this book. FUNNY stuff.

When Godly People Do Ungodly Things by Beth Moore
I started reading this book in response to a recent happening in our lives that left me with a lot of emotions that I didn't even know where to begin processing them.

I'll probably blog more about this later, but I'll just suffice it to say that this book has been very eye-opening for me about just how important it is to be ready to stand against the attacks of satan and to drench our leaders in prayer. I'm ashamed to admit I have done a pitiful job of praying for satan's prime targets.

Read. This. Book.

How Do You Tuck In a Super Hero? by Rachel Balducci
If you are a mom of boys, this is a fun book to read and you'll no doubt be able to relate to a lot of the stories that Rachel tells. It's really lighthearted and funny and helped me appreciate even more the ambitious, rambunctious boy that I have as well as realize the huge part I play in his life.

That Was Kinda Nice

The other day, I was reading this really great (random) book that I found called How Do You Tuck In a Superhero? The author, Rachel Balducci, is the mom of 5 boys (and one girl now) and tells story after story of life with boys.

When I was done with the book (which I finished in just 2 days), I found myself teary-eyed and praying.

That's when it happened. I asked God for something in faith and I realized that I just don't do that very often. Usually, my prayers are pitiful little cries to "please do this" or "please don't do that". But this time was different.

This time, I straight up asked God to give me something. And it felt good to do it. That's when it hit me: that's how God wants us to pray. He wants us to trust Him and love Him enough to shoot straight with Him. And what's even more, He wants us to ask Him for the desires of our heart because if we're seeking Him, those desires will be from Him and it will please Him to answer them. (Got that?)

So I asked God for this: to give me the joy and the privilege to raise our family in the Jung|e. Where it's "dangerous" and "unpredictable". Where it's hot and tiring and lonely at times. Where we'll be learning new languages our home will be open to whomever, whenever. Where we'll no doubt have sickness and injuries. But where our joy will be full and our lives will be spent healing and teaching and serving.

And suddenly that's all I wanted and I found myself in tears asking God to find me worthy of such a great calling as to raise Elliott and whatever other children He may bless us with in the Jung|e so that they could grow up to see that we serve a BIG God who loves the |ndians just as much as us.

I sing a song with Elliott, you probably know it, called "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands".

I adapt the verses to say different things and one is: He's Got the Indians in the Jungle in His Hands.

My earnest prayer is that God will equip Richard and myself with the humility and servant hearts that are necessary to raise our children to know that we are all equal in God's eyes.... and that's a beautiful thing.
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Good Reads

While we were on our most recent trip, I actually had time to read some books, a rare occurrence when we are Stateside and life is nonstop. Just thought I'd share a few of the good ones...

Title: Spirit of the Rainforest: A Yanomamo Shaman's Story
Author: Mark Andrew Richie
My thoughts: 
For those of us who have been raised in "modern" civilization, it's difficult for us to wrap our minds around the truth found in Ephesians 6.12 where Paul writes, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." But in parts of the world where the name of Jesus has never been mentioned and satan rules and reigns as the "prince of the power of the air", there are a lot of spiritual things that go on that are very difficult for us to believe or understand.

We have God in a pretty box and say things like, "God doesn't work that way. We have the full Scriptures now so He doesn't do that anymore..."

Surpise! He's God and He can do whatever He wants!

What I liked most about this book is that it is told from a Shaman (or Witchdoctor) and opens your eyes to the reality of the spiritual battles that go on, especially in these uncontacted tribes.

If you're interested in getting a better understanding of the spiritual warfare that goes on in the Jungle, read this book.

(Disclaimer: We do NOT recommend this book for young readers. It is very graphic and detailed in ways that are not appropriate for some. Use discretion and feel free to ask us if you have questions in regards who should not read it.)

Title: Bruchko
Author: Bruce Olson
My thoughts:
Have you ever thought to yourself, "I have no idea how to do what God is calling me to do!" or "I am not educated or equipped to do that!" Well, Bruce Olson was no doubt less "qualified" and less "educated" than anyone reading this right now but God used him in ways that I literally still have trouble believing until I realize, "Oh yeah... we do serve the God of the impossible!"

If you want to hear an incredible story of how God used a nobody to accomplish something amazing, read this book.

I read it in a day. It's that good.

Title: Pagan Christianity?
Authors: Frank Viola and George Barna
My thoughts:
As you were putting on your suit and tie or struggling to fit in that dress after the holidays as you headed out to church this past Sunday morning, did it cross your mind, "Why in the world do we have to get dressed up for church?" Or maybe you've wondered why we make people "bow their heads and close their eyes" or why we have a "sinners prayer" that can't seem to be located in the Scriptures. Why do we build massive buildings? Why do we tithe? Why is there always a certain structure to the service and why is it always the same? Why do we sit on pews and fill out decision cards and spend money on massive steeples and..... lots of questions!

I had/have a lot of questions about why we Christians do the "Christian" things that we do, especially since I can't seem to find almost any of them in the Bible. If you find yourself in that same position, here's a great book for you to read. Admittedly I haven't finished it yet, but the bulk of what I have read has been very eye-opening and backed up by facts and history.

A little warning: Unless you're ready/willing to have the practices and traditions that you've likely known all your life questioned, don't read this book. It will no doubt step on a toe or two, but as Richard would say, "Sometimes you have to step on toes so people will get out of the way!"

Title: The Shack
Author: William P. Young
My thoughts:
When I first started reading this book, I thought it was just another fiction book about a Christian family that goes through a hard time and then turns to God and viola! a happy family surfaces.

Nope.

For me, it helped me understand a little better the unconditional love and forgiveness of God and His desire to know us intimately.

Just a little disclaimer, there is a controversy over this book. I personally found it refreshing, but I didn't look to it for doctrinal reference. I wouldn't recommend it to an unsaved person for a clearer understanding of salvation as it doesn't present that plainly. Obviously you should go to the Scriptures for that. I took it at face value and for me it was encouraging.

I do like what Mark Strauss said about it, "Employ spiritual discernment, as with anything in life."

(The above suggestions do not imply that we agree with everything that is written in all of these books. Obviously we are told to search the Scriptures for what is true and right. These are just some books that we have enjoyed and that have challenged us to dig deeper in the Word. Please use spiritual discernment and go to the Scriptures for any questions or doubts.)