Thinking About Books

I have to confess a serious problem. I like reading, but not as much as I like to plan what I'm going to read. I was explaining to my pastor this morning what my issue is: for every book I read, I add at least five to my list of books I'd like to read. So I've decided to try something new. For this upcoming year, I'm posting a blog about five books I am most looking forward to reading this upcoming year.  My hope is that by publishing this, I'll be more mindful of staying disciplined and actually reading what I'd like to...Not just planning to read what I'd like to!  

So in no particular order, here are five books I am most excited to read this upcoming year.  

1.  The Hole in Our Holiness by Kevin DeYoung. 

     This book was a gift for my birthday in October, and I've perused it quite a bit, but have failed to sit down and really read it.  I love DeYoung's point though, and I am challenged by his call to all believers to live lives worthy of their calling.

2.  Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen.  

     This is the oldest book on my list, but equally as relevant if not more relevant than the others.  The Westminster Seminary founder's response to the liberal theological movement in the early 1900s can be incredibly useful and helpful today.

3.  Total Church by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis.

  This book comes highly recommend by a few friends who raved about it.  One went so far as to say, "If you read one book this year, it should be this one."  

4.  No Other Gospel by Josh                                     Moody. 

     This one is written by a local author, the teaching pastor at College Church in Wheaton, IL.  He preached at my church, Hope Fellowship in Lombard, IL on a passage in Galatians and it was an incredible sermon.  I have been looking forward to reading this book, which dives deeper into Paul's letter to the Galatians, since he preached at Hope Fellowship.

5. A Praying Life by Paul Miller.  

    A few weeks ago, my friend was telling me about what a good book this was, and I had never heard of it before. Sure enough, the next day I saw it posted on Kindle for $1.99 (which it still is!!) so I bought it.  Again, it's a book I do not know all that much about yet, but am looking forward to reading it!