Summer reading
This long hot summer, don’t forget to invest in some reading time, whether for study or just plain old escapism. I’ve got a large pile of books and kindle titles to work through this July and August, but here are four of the best so far this month.
Using stories from the lives of 12 men through church history who have remained faithful to their call in spite of severe pressures, this helpful book acts a reset for our disposable, throw away culture. Indeed, it reminds us that rather than be surprised when the heat is on, that we should expect hardship, pressure, pruning, and even more so in christian leadership. It was both an easy read and a difficult one, where I found the need to stop, think, pray as I faced my reflection in the lives of these pioneers. Honestly, this book is worth it just for the short foreward from Ray Ortlund - that part of a book you normally skip, but which here impacts your heart from the opening paragraph.
Prisoners of Geography - Everything you need to know about global politics. Tim Marshall
If you love maps and have any desire to understand tribal politics, this book is a must! In sections which take you around the world, and through some of the key conflict areas, Marshall undercuts secondary political agendas and compellingly suggests rivers, mountains and access to sea ports as the major factors in ongoing territorial claims and anxieties. It’s entertaining, historically informative, and something of a 21st century forecast. You’ll never be short of conversation starters with this in your locker.
Guiltless - Viveca Sten
My guilty reading pleasure is found within the Scandinavian crime genre. That dark, cold, Nordic chill which is finding it’s way more and more into late night subtitled BBC Four scheduling. I could have picked from a number I’ve enjoyed this summer, but this series by Sten is developing well, and left me on the classic knife edge with an immediate desire to download the next book in the series…..I didn’t, but only because I’ve got others unread to get through first!
Spiritual Slavery to Spiritual Sonship - Jack Frost
Others have written well on this subject, and I’ve been deeply impacted by Stibbe’s ‘Orphans to heirs’, and Floyd McClung’s ‘Father Heart of God.’ Whilst Frost borrows much, his writing style, and his engaging back story as a fishing boat captain before conversion, bring a freshness. His honesty and insights from his own family life too are so helpful. Both of his books are worth getting and reading over again. I’m grateful that his prophetic contribution to this area of heart healing, was documented before he went early to be with the Lord.
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