My book list

So I keep staring at my blank blog page and thinking, "What will I blog about first"? So, I need to get this first one on the road or I'll never get going. I didn't ever have much of a desire to read growing up. I also read very little through college, it's a wonder I graduated. The last three years of seminary has finally created within me more of a desire to read. I would have to say that most of the books I've been assigned in the last three or four years of classes I have actually read! However, I have longed for the day when I could actually choose my reading list. Well, on the bottom of my blog page you can see my list. Simple Church comes out of my own desire to simplify the way a church approaches discipleship. So far I have enjoyed it, but it does at time conflict with my devotional reading: Spiritual Direction and Meditation. Thomas Merton, a Catholic monk, discusses the fine art of becoming a spiritual director. Where Simple Church says that a clear, simple discipleship process is necessary, Spiritual Direction and Meditation says that the process is different for everyone and spiritual directors should be careful not to package discipleship. I'll share the quotes with you later. Both of them are very good reads so far. I just cracked into The Total Money Makeover tonight. I listen to Dave Ramsey's podcast, so it is a little repetitive so far but I'm sure it will get better. And the Gospel of John is my scripture reading for the next four months of preaching/teaching. It has been very juicy and full of exciting knowledge on the life and purpose of Jesus. John is so different from the synoptic gospels that at times I get a headache trying to figure out why he talks about Jesus (and especially the Pharisees and religious rulers) so differently from the synoptic gospels. So, there is my current reading list and I look forward to making updates soon!