It’s hard to believe that the end of November is so-o-o in sight. Predictions about the end of the world have come and gone … we’re still here. I guess there’s always 2012 to look forward to for apocalyse watchers. For the rest of us, the next thing in view is Christmas! And I’ve just begun browsing the Net for books to buy …
Of course, since I got my very handy iPad2, I’ve cut down on buying print books. Now I often resort to e-books. I was looking at some book sites, especially my favourite, which is www.christianbook.com. And I thought this year, I would highlight some e-books as part of my Christmas shopping list. It’s random–just some things I have loved reading, and would like to read soon.
1. At the Master’s Feet by Sadhu Sundar Singh. Free download from Christian Classics Ethereal Library as Word document. A classic must-read.
2. Boundaries by Dr. Cloud and Dr. Townsend. I would recommend this to everyone. We live in a messy world where relationships are messy and messed-up, and nobody respects anybody’s boundaries. Great read. The other books in this Boundaries “series” are also available as e-books.
3. Who Made God?: And Answers to 100 Other Tough Questions of Faith, ed by Ravi Zacharias and Norman Geisler. Not a new book either, but useful and interesting Apologetic read. I’ve always liked Norman Geisler, so another book I would recommend. And of course Ravi Zacharias is popular reading for many Christians too (though I prefer hearing him speak than reading his books).
4. Old Testament Exegesis, 4th ed.: A Handbook for Students and Pastors by Douglas Stuart. Definitely a must-read for those of us engaged in teaching and preaching. There’s just too much holey (no spelling error!) preaching nowadays. We’re masters at eisegesis, not exegesis! Shame, shame!
5. Flight to Heaven by Capt. Dale Black, Ken Gire. If you’re curious about the Afterlife, like me, this is one more book for your collection.
6. Celebrating Jesus in the Biblical Feasts by Richard Booker.
7. Transforming Discipleship: Making a Few Disciples at a Time by Greg Ogden. Written for those of us with a mega-programme and instant gratification complex …
8. A Passion for God: The Spiritual Journey of A.W. Tozer by Lyle W. Dorset. A biography of a great saint with feet of clay. Good reading, and wonderful reminder of the clayeyness of being human …
9. Breath for the Bones by Luci Shaw. An exploration of art, creativity, faith and imagination. I love Luci Shaw.
10. Living the Sabbath: Discovering the Rhythms of Rest and Delight by Norman Wirzba. I like the sound of this! Our Christian and church life is too reminiscent of the rat race. I often wonder if we take to heart what Christ said about the weary and heavy-laden coming to Him and finding rest. We pay lip service of course, but I don’t think we really understand what God’s Sabbath rest and delight means for the Christian. If we did, we wouldn’t whip people up into a guilty frenzy for not being as “involved” or “serving” in church as much as we would like.
That’s 1o e-books to consider for Christmas gifting. Visit www.christianbook.com and see the full list for yourself. (Just doing some free marketing for them …) Downside, though … some e-books are available only in the US.
