"The only thing you will ever know

is what you see

and what you read."


In the past year, I've read (or re-read) a handful of books that are on my 'Keep These Close to You' books.  


1. Worship Matters, by Bob Kauflin. Perhaps the best thing I've read on worship this year. Whether it's as a vocalist, musician, media tech, or congregation member, the greatest obstacle you and I have in worship is not the song selection, the drum volume, or the tempo. It's the heart. It's the thing that really matters. God calls us to love Him more than we love singing about (or to) Him. Kauflin tackles some tough questions as well as offers some practical helps for developing meaningful times of worship. 


2. Finding the Groove, by Robert Gelinas. On recommendation from Len Sweet, I picked up this one, and it revolutionized a lot of my thinking on creating a jazz-shaped faith. Some of my previous thoughts on it are here and here. 


3. Satan and the Problem of Evil, by Greg Boyd. This year I finished re-reading this and it's companion, "God At War", for a second time. While they are both lean a little to the academic and scholarly crowds, Boyd does an outstanding job of explaining a Scriptural, warfare theodicy. Don't be confused: this is not so much a book on traditional spiritual warfare as it is building a construct for explaining evil, free will, injustice and restoration within a trinitarian warfare mindset. Jesus is King, but His Kingdom is not yet fully realized. You and I are living in the now-and-not-yet of that reality. You can read more here. 


4. Why Your Church Must Twitter (e-book), by Anthony Coppedge. It cost me $5 to have the privilege to make and distribute copies…so let me know if you follow me on Twitter, DM me and I’ll send you one. 


5. My Beautiful Idol, by Pete Gall. I came across his book via a strange event that involved some BBQ, and old friend, a crack addict, and an introduction to the Samson Society. One of the best books I've read since Brennan Manning's "Ragamuffin Gospel".  Some more thoughts on it are here.

6. Deliver Us From Me-Ville, by David Zimmerman. In Me-Ville, our way of living is killing us slowly, setting up our society for collapse… and deceptively looking a lot like the USAmerican brand of Christianity. Read Me-Ville and get over yourself. Move out of me-ville and into thee-ville.  In a day overrun with iTunes, iPods, iPhones, and iMacs….we even spell 'we' with two I's (Wii!)…Zimmerman's brutal honesty and wit is a wonderful reminder to the Tyler Durden theology of Fight Club: "You are not the contents of your wallet. You are not the car you drive. You are not your khakis." More thoughts on it are here.

7. Imagine: A Vision for Christians in the Arts, by Steve Turner. Written by someone who has worked among artists for 30 years, Turner believes Christians should confront society and the church with art that achieves excellence and relevance. He includes artists like Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, U2, and Van Morrison… as well as challenging the rest of us. I've budgeted to be able to give this to everyone in our worship band in 2010. (HT to Jordan Fowler for recommending it!) 

 
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