2011 Reading Plan

I conducted a life experiment in 2011.  Knowing that my brain wanders to new ideas without an intentional plan, I created an aggressive reading plan with intent of only reading those books.

Toward the end of 2010, I asked myself, "What books do I want to read before I die?"

I started to list the books and I realized that I would not make any significant progress with the list if I did not create a plan.  I recognized that if I did not "tell my reading time where to go" then I would end up with a stack of partially read books.  A majority of those books would be ones that caught my attention on any given day.

Here was the plan:

• Find a list of recommended reading from authors, teachers, pastors, leaders that I respect
• Create a set of categories
• Create an initial list for the first year with books from the different categories ("balanced diet of reading")
• Categories: Leadership, Theology, Spiritual Formation, Relationships (Marriage, Parenting), Preaching, Engaging Culture, Church History, Biographies and Fiction
• Create a schedule that would allow for me to only read those books.
• Commit to reading according to the schedule and ONLY pick up another book IF I was ahead of schedule
• Commit to reminding myself that I will not achieve my goal of reading the "before I die" list of books if I pick up other books that randomly catch my attention

I went to work in 2011.  I stayed with the plan for 75% of the year.

Below are the books that I read in 2011 in this order with the authors and categories...

2011 Reading Plan Books:

• Strengthsfinders 2.0 by Tom Rath  [Leadership]
• Strength-Based Leadership by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie  [Leadership]
• 1-2-3 Magic by Thomas Phelan  [Relationships - Parenting]
• A Simple Way to Pray by Martin Luther [Spiritual Formation]
• The Way of the Heart by Henri Nouwen [Spiritual Formation]
• Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend [Relationships]
• Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp [Relationships - Parenting]
• Jesus of Nazareth by Pope Benedict XVI [Theology]
• Leadership and Self-Deception by Arbinger Institute [Leadership]
• Faith and Justification by G.C. Berkouwer [Theology]
• Pensees by Blaise Pascal [Church History]
• Between Two Worlds by John Stott [Preaching]
• Covenant Marriage by Gary Chapman [Relationships - Marriage]
• The Descent of the Dove by Charles Williams [Church History]
• Bradshaw On: The Family by John Bradshaw [Relationships]

Additional Books

• The Pastor by Eugene Peterson [Leadership]
• To Be Told by Dan Allender [Spiritual Formation] - Story Workshop
• Primal by Mark Batterson [Spiritual Formation] - NHPC class
• Epic by John Eldredge [Spiritual Formation]
• Blink by Malcolm Gladwell [Engaging Culture]
• Lifetime Guarantee by Bill Gillham [Theology] - NHPC class
• Walking With God by John Eldredge [Spiritual Formation] - MAN-era study
• Breaking the Idols of Your Heart by Dan Allender and Tremper Longman III [Spiritual Formation] - MAN-era study

I did not stay with the plan after mid-September.  I am re-committing to this approach in 2012.

What approaches do you use to focus your reading?


Do you know what books that you would like to read before you die?


Are you reading them now?

Reset - Thoughts as I go...

I haven't blogged in over a year.  My last blog post focused on living my life with margin and not "running on empty."  A LOT has happened since November 2010.  

A mentor shared with me a few years ago that I should anticipate change at every turn.  The flip-side of his counsel is that I should not take stability for granted.  I have to admit that I had started to take stability for granted after moving from Maple Valley, WA to Mechanicsville, VA and starting with New Hanover Presbyterian Church.  November 2010 seems like a long time ago.

I am writing tonight because I have been renewed by a week of rest with my family.  I have experienced the value of Sabbath rest, especially the truth that God is ultimately at work and he does not require my attention to every detail of his church.  God has given me the gift of rest.  He also has given me the opportunity to step back and reset.

I am looking forward to tomorrow.  I always have enjoyed the final day of the year because I have always taken some time to review my journal and review my year.  I look forward to doing this tonight and tomorrow.

2011 has been a challenging year and a year of intense growth with new experiences.  I would not have written the script the way that it has unfolded.  I would not, however, change who I have become in/through the journey.

I do not know if blogging will make a return for me in 2012.  I do know that my personal journal has been a refuge for me because I can reflect on Scripture, write down my thoughts/feelings/experiences, record prayers and see God's faithfulness.  Blogging can provide similar opportunities.  

This blog has been a place for me to share my "thoughts as I go" since I started at Princeton Theological Seminary in 2004.  I blogged a lot during seminary as I wrestled with the truths of God and my sense of call.  Perhaps, this is the time again to begin sharing my "thoughts as I go" as I reset...

Leading On Empty - resetting my rhythm

The Lead Pastor and friend at my current church gave me this book during my initial weeks at New Hanover Presbyterian Church.  He saw my intensity and shared the following words of life with me - "Pace yourself."

I remember hearing a sermon years ago by John Piper that emphasized having a marathon-mindset to the Christian life instead of a sprint mindset.  One outcome of my reflections from that sermon was to alter my workouts.  I transitioned them from a sprint mindset to a distance mindset.  I recognized that even my swimming and running workouts revealed my sprint approach to life.  I have always struggled with over-extending myself through strong sprints.

Last night, I finished the book Running On Empty and I received a fresh perspective on my life through this book.  The author did not share any awe-inspiring insights but he effectively pointed me toward what I need to consider on a daily, weekly, ongoing basis.

Here are some thoughts that I recorded from the book after finishing it:

1.     Serotonin and adrenaline

Serotonin is a chemical like an endorphin. It’s a natural, feel-good hormone.  It replenishes during times of rest and then fuels you while are working.  If, however, you continue to drive yourself without replenishing, your store of serotonin will be depleted.  As a substitute, your body will be proceed to replace the serotonin with adrenaline.  The problem is that adrenaline is designed for emergency use only.  It’s like those doors in a restaurant that when opened cause an alarm to sound.  Our problem, though, is that we use these pathways designed for emergency only, but no alarm sounds.  Not at first, anyway. Should you continue to run on adrenaline, it will destroy your system.  You will burn out sooner on the inside than you’re able to see on the outside.  The fuel of adrenaline that keeps your engines running in the beginning will turn on you and destroy you in the end.

pp. 25-26

2.     Solitude is a chosen separation for refining your soul.  Isolation is what you crave when you neglect the first. p. 70

3.     85% of what I do, anyone can do.  10% of what I do, someone with training should be able to accomplish.  5% of what I do, only I can do.

4.     “Low Fuel” light indicators – difficulty with decision making, increasing allures, desire for isolation.

5.     Drink water before you get thirsty – rest before you get tired – overall, proactively fill before you get drained.

6.     Lessons to Consider

• Do not overproduce
• Steward your energy
• Rest well, my friend – consider “sleeping in by going to bed earlier”
• Exercise your way to recovery
• Eat your way to a good life
• Recharge daily
• Fight for your family

7.     Four Possible Life Courses

• Life of Reaction
• Life of Conformity
• Life of Independence
• Life of Intentionality

8. The Intentional Life – identify my “gauges” and assess often

The Story

A simple scan of Facebook status updates shows that the world was gripped by the story of the rescue of the miners in Chile.  I listened to a news report this morning that captured the celebratory response of a nation and the world.

Here are some images that caught my attention:

• 69 days, $20 million...
• loud cheering as each miner appeared and was declared safe
• the daughter of the oldest miner said, "This is like a rebirth"
• tears of joy at the appearance of family members who were lost in the mine
• the word "rescue" repeated over and over

I was brought to tears because my soul resonated with the story of those who were seemingly gone but then were rescued.  My heart felt what it would be have been like to lose a close family member or friend but then to have them back again - restored to me.

I couldn't help but ask myself, "Why did this story more than any other seem to capture the attention and hearts of the world?"

A rescue story captures our attention because I believe we all know deep down in our hearts that we need to be rescued.  The reality is that we all need help even though we may convince ourselves that we do not need anybody else.  We all need to be rescued.


If there is a longing in us for rescue, then who is the one who rescues us?


The celebration in Chile as each miner was rescued immediately led my mind Jesus' words in Luke 15:1-7 -

Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

I see with clearer eyes this morning why the story of the Bible invites us into a story of rescue.  The Bible paints a picture of someone who does not leave those in need of rescue to be alone, to die, to remain helpless. 

Instead, God stepped (literally) into our world, put on flesh and rescued us from which we could not rescue ourselves - our separation from God, our separation from others, our separation even from ourselves. 


Jesus is the one who leaves the 99 sheep for the 1 lost sheep.

Jesus is the one who rescues us.

Jesus shows us that God cares, God rescues, God restores relationships (with God, with others, even with ourselves as we discover our true selves in him).

I rejoice at the rescue of the 33 miners!  

I also rejoice because this story (re)points me to the big God story and brings the same tears of joy that can only come a rescue as monumental as the one God undertook for me (and the world).

The Radical Disciple - Stott

I just finished a book titled "The Radical Disciple" by John Stott.  I had seen this on multiple reading lists of individuals I respect so I picked it up.  I needed a fresh look at discipleship and Stott provided one.

I have not made it a practice of summarizing books on my blog in the past but I am going to write up a few thoughts here.  My goal is to capture some of the key thoughts that impacted me. 

Stott shares that "the purpose of this book is to consider eight characteristics of Christian discipleship that are often neglected and yet deserve to be taken seriously."

Let's take a look at the first characteristic...

Characteristic #1 - Nonconformity
Followers of Christ are called to be different.  They are called to engage the world through love and service but not at the expense of losing their identity as followers of Jesus.  Stott shares that Christians are called to engagement without compromise where "escapism and conformism are thus both forbidden" (p. 17)

He lists 4 trends that need to be addressed (pluralism, materialism, relativism, narcissism) and he summarizes the responses as, "Over against the challenge of pluralism, we are to be a community of truth, standing up for the uniqueness of Jesus Christ.  Over against the challenge of materialism, we are to be a community of simplicity and pilgrimage.  Over against the challenge of relativism, we are to be a community of obedience.  Over against the challenge of narcissism, we are to be a community of love." (pp. 26-27)

I was challenged by all 4 but I was mostly struck by the challenge of materialism. 

• Do I truly aim for simplicity in my life? 
• At the same time, do I view my life as a journey (pilgrimage)? 
• If I did, then what would change about my daily moment-by-moment decisions?

How can I follow Jesus more closely in this area of my life?

For me, reading this book led me to that last question over and over...

I will write more on the other chapters over time.



Proper Confidence - Convictions

This video challenged me to change my blog description.  The description used to have something along the lines of "these are my thoughts and they are not in final form (whatever that is?)"  

I do have thoughts.  I do have convictions.  I seek to have humble convictions that are based on a proper confidence in God and my life story's intersection with God's story.

I share on this blog (when I get to it) my very real "thoughts as I go".  I do not want to hide behind a false humility that purports to know nothing because nobody can know anything.  I know that my thoughts will always be open to reshaping but I would be remiss to not share confidently in the moment "as I go."

Those are my thoughts...

Check out the video below to see what caught my attention last night...




Typography from Ronnie Bruce on Vimeo.

Like the ocean waves...

The ocean has always been a place where I am reminded of God's love for me.  For as long as I can remember, I recall thinking while standing in the ocean waters that God's love is like the ocean waves - always coming at me, surrounding me, refreshing me, renewing me, restoring me.

A song that has been out there for awhile finally caught my attention.  I do not know why it is that some songs catch my attention and others do not.  I also do not know why some songs catch my attention and not others and vice versa.  Music always eludes concrete definitions.  In many ways, my relationship with a song is like a relationship with a friend or person.  I may meet someone or talk with someone but there comes a time when the relationship transitions from a random name to a known person.  I experience songs like this...

The song that transitioned from "something on Pandora" to a friend is "Your Love Is A Song" by Switchfoot.  I'm sure that this song is old for everyone else but for me it is fresh and it stirs my soul.

Here are the lyrics:
I hear you breathing in

Another day begins
The stars are falling out
My dreams are fading now, fading out

I've been keeping my eyes wide open
I've been keeping my eyes wide open

Your love is a symphony
All around me, running through me
Your love is a melody
Underneath me, running to me

Oh, your love is a song

The dawn is fire bright
Against the city lights
The clouds are glowing now
The moon is blacking out, is blacking out

So I've been keeping my mind wide open
I've been keeping my mind wide open, yeah

Your love is a symphony
All around me, running to me
Your love is a melody
Underneath me, and into me

Oh, your love is a song
Your love is a song
Oh, your love is a song
Your love is strong

With my eyes wide open
I've got my eyes wide open
I've been keeping my hopes unbroken
Yeah, yeah


As I have been listening to this song, God has brought the Bible passage 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 to my mind.  This is the "famous love passage" that is often read at weddings.  The lyric "I've been keeping my hopes unbroken" triggered this connection. 

I reread 1 Corinthians 13 this morning but I substituted "God" for "love" in the passage based on the 1 John 4:8 description of "God is love."

Here is 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 with that exchange:

God is patient, God is kind. God does not envy, God does not boast, God is not proud.  
God is not rude, God is not self-seeking, God is not easily angered, God keeps no record of wrongs.
God does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 
God always protects, God always trusts, God always hopes, God always perseveres. 
God never fails.


God's love is song...  Your love is a symphony, all around me, running to me, your love is a melody underneath me, and into me...

How do you experience God as love that comes to you like the ocean waves?

How do you experience God's love like a symphony, a beautiful masterpiece of music around you, coming to you, underneath you, moving you?

My soul is moved by this song...

My soul is transformed by Jesus who shows us and relates to us as the God of 1 Corinthians 13 (and the entire Bible's love song) who is love...


Go ahead, reread 1 Corinthians 13 and listen to "Love is a Song" and turn it up!

More than dishes...

College provided a wealth of memories and experiences.  I remember sharing an apartment with 3 friends during my final 2 years at UVA.  For the most part, we shared duties around the apartment and pulled our own weight.  From time to time, the dishes would pile up in the sink and it became painfully apparent that somone had to step up and clean them. 

An argument broke out one evening about the dishes and accusations flew across the room from one person to the other.  In the midst of the discussion, one of my roommates calmly said, "None of these dishes are mine.  I always clean my dishes or put them in the dish washer."

Period.

He silenced us with his bold claim.  He silenced us because we knew it was true.  He was a servant-minded person who lived with integrity and we knew his claim of innocence was accurate.

This morning, I continued my reading in the Old Testament book of Job.  Job in chapter 31 shares a defense of his life.  He is responding to his critics (supposed friends) who are convinced that Job's devastating misfortunes (read chapters 1-2) are a result of his sin and rebellion against God.

Job shares his defense and it is a noble defense.

He can claim everything that he claims because like my friend (obviously moreso because this is MORE THAN DISHES), Job was a man of integrity who loved God and served other people.

For me, I am a defensive man who hides my mistakes.  If I could only begin to claim what Job claim then I could share that God has restored and reshaped me into a godly man who loves God and serves others with no strings attached.

Here is a list of what Job claimed in chapter 31:

• v.1 - not looking lustfully at a girl
• v. 5 - not walking in falsehood
• v. 9 - not enticed by a woman or not lurking at a neighbor's door with that intention
• v. 13 - not denying justice to his servants
• v. 16 - not denying the desires of the poor or the widow
• v. 19 - not avoiding giving clothes to those who without garments
• v. 21 - not ignoring the fatherless (especially with his influence in the court system)
• v. 24 - not putting his trust in gold
• v. 26 - not worshiping the sun or moon
• v. 29 - not rejoicing over his enemies' misfortunes
• v. 32 - not denying a traveler hospitality in his place
• v. 33 - not concealing sin as others do...

WOW!

That list, as a friend has said so well in the recent past, tools with my soul...

How about you?

Can you claim a list like this?

Note: I do not believe that the goal of the Christian life is to boast on outward actions but I do believe that the inward change of the heart by God should lead to the outward working of these patterns (by God's grace).

This list involves more than dishes...