KyleGoen.com

Well, things slowed down greatly in my reading earlier this summer. I have picked back up recently and have completed a couple of really good books about ministry in Belgium and working with people who speak French as their first language.

#18 Firebrand of Flanders by Phyllis Thompson

I also recently completed a book by D.A. Carson written about his father who was a church planter in Quebec.

#19 Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor by D.A. Carson

I hope to be back diligently read again on a more consistent basis in the coming days and weeks. My Goal seems to be in jeopardy if I don’t get active pretty soon.

The past few months I have really let up on my goal of reading 50 books this year. Life took over and the pace of reading slowed to a crawl during our summer break from school.  I was able to complete a couple of books that are of interest to me in light of the coming changes to our family in the next year with Belgium on the horizon.

First…

A Theology as Big as the City by Ray Bakke.

I have had this book in my library from one of my doctoral seminars a few years back. I read through it for a class and enjoyed it then but it is really applicable today. Needless to say, I read with new eyes and an open mind.

Second…

Planting and Growing Urban Churches, edited by Harvie Conn.

This book was also on my shelf from a previous doctoral seminar. It is a good book but more research oriented for the practitioner than for the average reader to enjoy. I would recommend it though as an easy read.

The kids began school today so I am hopeful that I can return to my normal reading routines. Summer schedules bring a great amount of variety to our days and lives as a family. That variety is needed and appreciated, but I am looking forward to the consistency of scheduling for our family.

Two books I have just recently completed…you know what I have been thinking about recently.

Getting Sent, A Relational Approach to Support Raising by Pete Sommer

People Raising, A Practical GuideTo Raising Support by William P. Dillon

I am back into my reading routine. I have found that I get in a rhythm with my reading and accomplish my goal if I can ever get started.

#7. Serve God Save The Planet, A Christian Call to Action by J. Matthew Sleeth, M.D.

This was a good read. I didn’t know if I would be able to get into the subject matter or not. The issue of creation care has really been intriguing to me over the last several years so when the book was recommended I thought I would give it a shot. Well, to my surprise it turned out to be a book that I will recommend. Whether you think the Earth is heating up or not, we all have a responsibility to care for the Earth that God made and gave us to work.

editor’s words – Serve God, Save the Planet by former emergency room doctor Dr. J. Matthew Sleeth is a deeply personal book with far-reaching ramifications for Christians and all those who take their devotion to God seriously.  The book presents a gripping account of Dr. Sleeth’s personal and spiritual journey to environmental stewardship.  It lays out sobering rationale for life changes, and a “how-to” guide for lifestyle changes that will help care for others and protect the earth.

#8. Tribes, We Need You to Lead Us by Seth Godin

Small book, but powerful reading. There are no chapters, just quick burst of paragraphs. There doesn’t seem to be a reasoning behind how he links subjects together sometimes, but he definitely gets his points across. Worth the time to read.

editor’s words – Tribes is a book about marketing, apparently, except it’s actually about leadership. We see Tribes behind every successful brand, organization, politician, non profit and cause. And yet it seems almost impossible to attract a tribe. In this book, I try to explain that the challenge is leadership, not marketing or hype.

#9. Strengths Finder 2.0, Tom Rath

Very easy to read. Short book that gives insight as to why many people are unfulfilled by there work. Purchasing the book entitles you to take an online Strengths Finder inventory. I really enjoyed getting the results. I would recommend this book.

editor’s words -To help people uncover their talents, Gallup introduced the first version of its online assessment, StrengthsFinder, in the 2001 management book Now, Discover Your Strengths. The book spent more than five years on the bestseller lists and ignited a global conversation, while StrengthsFinder helped millions to discover their top five talents. In StrengthsFinder 2.0 Gallup unveiled the new and improved version of its popular assessment, language of 34 themes, and much more. While you can read this book in one sitting, you’ll use it as a reference for decades.

Just finished Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. I enjoyed this book a lot. It is a very moving story (I got teared up several times) and easy to read (important to me).

publisher comments: It begins outside a burning plantation hut in Louisiana… and an East Texas honky-tonk… and, without a doubt, in the heart of God. It unfolds in a Hollywood hacienda… an upscale New York Gallery… a downtown dumpster… a Texas ranch. Gritty with pain and betrayal and brutality, it also shines with an unexpected, life-changing love.

In my quest for 50 in ’09 I have just finished in the past week a book I started over the holiday period and one I purchased in preparation for my trip to Belgium.

#4 – The Shack by William Paul Young

I am not a fan overall of The Shack. I can appreciate what the author is trying to convey about God’s love, the Trinity’s relationship and how that is vital to moving us through tragedy in our lives. I think Young has done a huge disservice to his readers by misrepresenting the Bible’s picture of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I understand that the story is fiction but he leads the undiscerning reader away from what the orthodox Christian view of the doctrine of the Trinity. Though I am in the minority (millions have sold, NY Times Bestseller) I cannot in good conscience recommend this book.

Review by Dr. Albert Mohler - if you are interested (concerned)

Review by Tim Challies – if you are interested (concerned)

#5 Belgium by Michael Burgan

This is a book out of the Enchantment of the World series. It is along the lines of an expanded encyclopedia. It has 144 pages of text, pictures and very good information about Belgian lifestyles. It has furthered my curiosity of what our team will see and learn when we travel in March.

I hope you are reading something worthwhile.

I have a goal of reading 50 books this year. Huge for me…I like to read but this is more than I have ever read in a year. Well I have completed a few. I will give you a small description and something from the publisher if it is available so you can know more about the books.

#1 Fodor’s Belgium

Travel guide given to me by Pat. This book is to prepare our West Europe team for our vision trip to Belgium in March. I really enjoyed learning more about the country.

from the publisher – We frequently update our Belgium guide, and we make every effort to bring you the most accurate and thorough book. Plus we provide timely updates about the area to Fodors.com.
- Unlike other travel books, Fodor’s guides rely heavily on local experts who know the territory best—so you know you’re seeing the real Belgium.
- We give you the planning tools you need to tailor your trip. We give options for all budgets. You make the choices.

#2   God’s Continent, Christianity, Islam, and Europe’s Religious Crisis by Philip Jenkins

This book examines the present state of religion in Western Europe and how it happened. I found the book to be an interesting read.

Product description from christianbooks.com - What does the future hold for European Christianity? Is the Christian church doomed to collapse under the weight of globalization, Western secularism, and a flood of Muslim immigrants? Is Europe, in short, on the brink of becoming “Eurabia”?

#3 Crazy Love, Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan

I have enjoyed this book a lot. It is a very easy read but has caused me to evaluate my walk with God. Chan is a frequent speaker on the Passion Tours with Louie Giglio and Chris Tomlin. This is a good read for students and adults. Chan Pastors a church in California, Cornerstone Church.

product description – The God of the universe is crazy about you! His love is the most powerful thing in the world and He wants to give it to you, so you can live for Him. If you have made a commitment to follow Christ, then read “Crazy Love” to be reminded and challenged in your walk. Sharing from his own life struggles and sacrifices, author Francis Chan issues a call for selfless, Christ-like living. Let the love you have received from God impact your life like never before.