I like to discuss issues of leadership, communication and Christian living. I’m passionate about these topics and in order to keep up in these areas I do my best to have a few books on the go. I’m always listening to audiobooks from my Overdrive app (free…through the local library). This has saved me hundreds of dollars and provided hours of enjoyment while I drive or do menial tasks around the house. I also read a lot on my Kindle app on my iPad. The books are cheaper and I like to be able to save my highlighted passages on my Kindle webpage. *For those who don’t know, if you have a Kindle account you automatically have a webpage where all your highlights and notes from your Kindle books are stored. And I still love the smell and feel of old school books…
Here are three recent reads that are worthy of your time and money, regardless of the format!
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
In a nutshell, the book is all about doing less, but doing it better. Not less work, but more focused work. It is all about finding our priority, the one thing that we must do, rather than trying to ‘have our cake and eat it too.’ This book is a fantastic reminder to find what is and should be important in our lives. A word of warning: Don’t give up family or God in order to prioritize work. That is essentially wrong thinking.
The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness
Timothy Keller
This short book packs a mighty punch. Keller is a master at making scriptures and concepts come alive for our everyday life. He takes 1 Corinthians 3:21-4:7 and goes on to talk about our motivations and ego. Keller’s premise is that the ills of society are not caused by low self-esteem (what most modern psychologists believe), but because our self-esteem is hubris, or too high. The rest of the book is his attempt to show how to get the transformed view of self that only Christ can give. Exceptional book. Well worth the time.
Jim Bradford
Spiritual leadership is the main emphasis of this no nonsense, practical book. Bradford, an exceptional leader in his own right, rattles off wisdom gleaned from the bible and his own experience. He focuses on the areas of servant hood, systems, strategies, skills, strengths, stamina and stability. In case you are wondering, all this alliteration is natural-he is a proven Pentecostal pastor and preacher! This is a great read for those who are young in spiritual leadership or just need a refresher for the soul.
Enjoy! I’ll update you soon with more of the books that I have been reading. Read on and lead on!