Halfway Herbert and The Big Red Tractor

Have you ever read a 'kids' book and you walk away with a sense of conviction that God meant for you to read that book, and be changed by it?

Francis Chan's The Big Red Tractor and the Little Village and Halfway Herbert are both that way for me. Many of you know of Francis Chan from his books, Crazy Love and Forgotten God. Fewer of you probably know of him as a children's author. Each of these books are a easy to understand story and illustration of God's heart for his people...kids specifically, but not just for kids. Chan wrote these books because the role of the Holy Spirit is often a topic neglected in children's books, and he wanted to write a simple, but clear (and visually appealing) book to help children understand the role of the Holy Spirit in one's life and pursuit of God.

These are excellent books and I greatly enjoy reading these books to Ezra and Olivia. It has sparked some good conversations and questions...

'Dad, why didn't they just follow the directions on how to run the tractor?'  


'Dad, why was Herbert called Halfway Herbert?


'Dad, so much more occurred when they asked God for help.'
(you'll have to read the books to understand the context of the questions.)

We have personally found these two books enjoyable to read , full of excellent content, visually stimulating, and a aide in helping our children grasp with a little greater clarity the person and work of the Holy Spirit.

                     

My bad habit of starting 'good' books and not finishing them

You bought more books? Heidi asks.

'Yea, these are going to be really good ones' I sheepishly reply.

(She has heard the same story from me many a times)

'Dustin, why not just read the countless books you have and haven't read yet..or started but haven't finished?'

'Uggghhh...well...that'd be ideal...hmmmm...'

Heidi isn't against having/buying new books, but I think it would delight her if I would make it a point to NOT buy new books, until I read through the list of the ones I have. No harm in that...it'd probably do me good to heed that advice.

If the book does not impact my life in some way, then reading is merely entertainment. Maybe a little better than TV or browsing the internet. I have to ask myself this:  if change doesn't occur in my life as a result of what I read...why read?


Again, like I mentioned in my list of books I'll be reading this year, one of my goals is to actually finish books I start, do a blog post of each of the books, and hopefully be able to articulate some of the ways I've been changed by God using books (ideas) to sanctify us and refine us.


When Heidi and I are in Ethiopia, we are going to have a lot of down time...so we are each going to bring a few books. Here are the books I'll be bringing, reading, and maybe even finishing, and most of all, being changed by.

Reclaiming Adoption: Missional Living through the Rediscovery of Abba Father

Wrestling with an Angel: A Story of Love, Disablity and the Lessons of Grace 


Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit




Heidi's Taking...(I think)


Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches

Treasuring God in Our Traditions

Safely Home - Historical Fiction by Randy Alcorn. This is an EXCELLENT book. Can't put down, will grow your heart for missions.

What are you reading in 2011...

Before I start describing the initial 20 books I'd like to read this year, I need to say that the Bible is hands down the Book that I will spend the majority of my time in.

Our day in age is full of people who read a lot about the Bible, without reading the Bible, without thinking, meditating, cherishing, loving the Word of God.

You might say, 'Well of course, Dustin', of course will read the Bible...that is our Christian duty, that is our responsibility, we need to get our 'quiet time' in each day.

Thinking that way is so dangerous and programmatic and lifeless. God wants to reveal Himself to those who draw near to Him, and

If I read all these books, yet the the Word of God is left on the shelf getting dusty, bad idea.

Of the books I read this year, here are my simple desires and goals:
1. Finish the books I start
2. Write at least one blog post about the book
3. Be changed by the books I read.


(This list will continue to grow over the year)

Here are 2 questions that I am going to address with each book:
1. Why am I reading this book?
2. What information do I want to get from this book?


Christian Living/Church Life

Unleashing the Word: Rediscovering the Public Reading of Scripture

I think the public reading of Scripture is one of the most neglected parts of ministry in the body of Christ. I'd like to be a help to encourage others to READ IT LIKE YOU BELIEVE IT. I think this might be a good resource.

Generous Justice: How God's Grace Makes Us Just

Tim Keller's newest book. He writes stuff worth reading and living. Counterfeit gods, The Prodigal God, Reason of God are a few of this other books worth reading.  

Think: The Life of the Mind and the Love of God

Piper's most recent book. I try to read at least 1 Piper book a year and I don't think very well a lot of the time, so I think this will be a good resource.

Spectacular Sins: And Their Global Purpose in the Glory of Christ







Reclaiming Adoption: Missional Living through the Rediscovery of Abba Father
Dan Cruver has compiled a great resource and think this will be an excellent book.

Sex, Romance, and the Glory of God: What Every Christian Husband Needs to Know

This book is a yearly read for me. 'Touch her mind before you touch her body'. :)

Church Planter: The Man, the Message, the Mission

This video is a good enough reason to read the book. I linked to a 2 hour video interview he did with Desiring God a while back.

Church 3.0: Upgrades for the Future of the Church (Jossey-Bass Leadership Network Series)

Francis Chan wrote the forward to this book. He (Francis Chan) has been thinking through a lot lately regarding 'church' and thought this would be a good read.

A Gospel Primer for Christians: Learning to See the Glories of God's Love

 Many people have mentioned this book being a great source of encouragement to them, so I look forward to this one. 

Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream

You have probably heard of this book. I have listened to the majority of David Platt's sermons in which this book is based upon, but I imagine I will be rightly challenged from this book also. My dad just finished it and got if for me for Christmas. I love having conversations with my dad about this stuff and praying God to do a great work in our hearts.

Parenting

TEN WAYS TO DESTROY THE IMAGINATION OF YOUR CHILD

Russell Moore referenced this book on one of his blog posts. As a dad who has young children and lots of them, I want to stoke of the fires of my children's God-given imagination and do not want to be guilty of destroying it.

Gospel-Powered Parenting: How the Gospel Shapes and Transforms Parenting

I have had this book for a good 2 years, but haven't read it yet. Bill Farley is the lead pastor of Grace Christian Fellowship, here is in Spokane and some of his children are good friends of Heidi and I. I have looked through the book some, but never really read through it as of yet. 

Biography

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

WWII Veteran, POW, Olympic Runner, Saved by Grace...this is going to be a good one. It is already on the New York Times Bestseller list and heard that it is already in the works to be made into a movie.

Wrestling with an Angel: A Story of Love, Disablity and the Lessons of Grace

The manner by which this author (Greg Lucas) writes is incredible...from everyone I talked to, they read this book in less than a day, it is that captivating, riveting, honest, and remarkable. I have also heard (from other men) that they cried several times throughout this book.

Business/Development/Missions

Dead Aid: Why Aid Is Not Working and How There Is a Better Way for Africa

God's been growing my heart for Africa and I know this is a book being widely read and want to see how the author describes 'a better way'.

The Dragonfly Effect: Quick, Effective, and Powerful Ways To Use Social Media to Drive Social Change
Facebook, Twitter, and the countless other forms of social media have changed and will continue to change almost everything. The first few chapters of the books read like a well-written biography, so I look forward to reading this and to see what I can implement.



The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness
 I also try to read at least one personal finance book a year. Obviously Dave Ramsey is not new on the block (which is usually a good sign) and has some great principles regarding personal finance. He has a background in real estate, so he gets the up's and down's of a Realtor's income.

When Helping Hurts: Alleviating Poverty Without Hurting the Poor. . .and Yourself

Ok, so I read most of this book in 2010. I got this book for my dad for Christmas, and before I wrapped it, I read nearly the whole thing. This seriously was a 'I can't put this book down'. For those interested in ministering to those in need, this book serves as a helpful tool and asset in asking the HOW and WHY of what we do.

Fiction

Heidi's List
Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches
The author, Doug Wilson's daughter, has 5 kids under 5 years old. From what I previewed, she is very honest and transparent regarding the struggles and trials related to mothering young kids, and a large number of them at once.





Books to Read to the Kids

The Chronicles of Narnia

Ezra is getting to the age where his imagination is starting to grow and is able to sit and listen while I read books without pictures. We read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in about a week and every night asked if we could keep reading. I'd like to finish the whole series this year.

What books are you going to be reading this year???