GlocalNet

I’m asked this all the time.  I believe what you read is crucial - it is the guardian of your mind, the fuel for your forward motion, the ideas that are called forth from, the thinking that makes you what you are, the dirt that provides growth for your thinking, and the stories of those that have already done something.

FIRST, I read that Bible.  SHOCK!!!  It’s the number one book I read.  I believe it is unlike any other book - straight from God in inspiration and authority.  It teaches me, cleanses me, sparks me, convicts me, motivates me, guides me . . . . all of it.  I read through it at least once a year. 

SECOND, I read books on the Kingdom of God.  I have a whole section in my study at home I’m always referring back to.  E. Stanley Jones is my favorite - but you’ll find Wright, Ladd, Bright, Willard and lots of others.  I also read devotional books on prayer, spiritual disciplines and walking with God.

THIRD, I read management books.  Yes Aaron Snow - you should read them too.  They’re not the Bible, but Wesley did what he did because he knew how to organize.  Often they have to do with systems, leadership, or even biographies. 

FOURTH, I read lots of books on global issues.  Current events, Arab-Israeli, India, China, Africa, Globalization, diplomacy, etc., Brookings, Center for Foreign Relations - are great centers with really good publications. I read their stuff too. 

FIFTH, I LOVE biographies.  I’ve read probably a dozen on Jefferson, 3 on Washington, several on others like Gandhi, Mandela, Lincoln-3, Caesar, Augustine, Churchill, etc., 

SIXTH, Science.  Yes, don’t be shocked.  Generally they are lay books from Hawking to Green, and Newton to Darwin.

SEVENTH, Literature.  I love the poets (Frost and Thoreau are my favorites).  Maya Angelou is great.  Don’t always like their answers - but love their questions.  I love essays, short stories (Hemingway is one of my favorites.  I read some novels - just finished the Shack (don’t ask me) - it was a fun read. 

Sooo, here is some of what I’ve read this year -
The Bible
The Koran
Boardroom Confidence - Bobb Biehl
Reign Down - Kalledstad & Cole
Watchman Nee - Authority and Submission
Eboo Patel - Acts of Faith
Watchman Nee - The Release of the Spirit
Peter Block - Community
Steve Addison - Movement
Francis Chan - The Forgotten God
God is Back - Micklethwait/Wooldrige
Fasting - Jentezen Franklin
Fasting - Scot McKnight
The Home We Build Together - Sachs
God of Promise/Covenant - Horton
The Hole In Our Gospel - Stearns
How the Mighyt Fall - Jim Collins
Who’s Got your Back – Keith Ferrazzi
Branding Faith - Phil Cook
The Shack - Young
Imaging India – Nadan Nilekani
Leadership and Self-Deception - Arbinger Institute
The Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts - Turner
Preaching the Parables - Bloomberg
Apostolic Congregation - Hunter
Decentralization of the World - Berger
A Deadly Misunderstanding - Siljander
Who Speaks for Islam - Esposito & Mogahed
The Lost Story of Christianity - Jenkins
Gandhi & Churchill

& lots of books I’ve had to endorse!

Journals & Magazines -
Newsweek
Harvard Business Review
Fortune
Foreign Relations
Center for Faith and International Affairs