Training

Below are some resources and other things I highly recommend. It’s my hope that things I’ve discovered along the way will somehow help you like they’ve helped me. I’ll add and subtract and change things up sometimes too, so keep coming back. If you have something you think I need to look at, contact me.

BIBLES

The Voice New Testament (paper) or (leather)

This New Testament is a new release by Thomas Nelson. From Amazon, ” Instead of confining God’s Word in the framework of biblical criticism, The Voice? highlights the beauty of God’s communication to His people. In The Voice?, the voice of God is heard as clearly as when He first revealed His truth.”

BOOKS

The Divine Commodity by Skye Jethani
This is THE book anyone who is in church, especially an influencer in their church, MUST read. I simply cannot recommend it enough. Seriously. GET IT.

Purple Cow by Seth Godin
Ever wonder “Why in the world does Anne do the things she does?” Read this book. It’s classic.

The Dip by Seth Godin
Should you quit? Or should you push through? Another Godin classic.

The Discernment of Spirits: The Ignatian Guide for Everyday Life by Timothy Gallagher
“But I’m protestant.” And that is exactly why you should read it.

The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel
A timeless look at a timeless practice.

Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light – The Private Writings of the Saint of Calcutta
Mother Teresa struggled so often with darkness and depression, yet spoke openly about it to her spiritual guides and now to us. Maybe the power of being broken allows us to be used more without getting a holy ego about it. Super insightful, especially for those wondering where God is.

The Wounded Healer by Henri Nouwen
It is Nouwen’s contention that ministers are called to recognize the sufferings of their time in their own hearts and make that recognition the starting point of their service. For Nouwen, ministers must be willing to go beyond their professional role and leave themselves open as fellow human beings with the same wounds and suffering — in the image of Christ.

The Inner Voice of Love: A Journey Through Anguish to Freedom by Henri Nouwen
Pages from Nouwen’s personal journal during the time his self-esteem, worth, and joy hit rock bottom.

Streams in the Dessert by LB Cowman
Classic. Just classic.

My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
Another meditative classic. From a Scottish guy.

Made to Stick by the Heath Brothers
Ever wonder what it would take for your ideas to stick and your message to spread? It’s a long book. But ever-so-sticky and wonderful.

Crazy Love by Francis Chan
Lukewarm people beware. And this book might make pastors a little bit nervous.

Deadly Viper Character Assassins by Mike Foster and Jud Wilhite
Written and creatively designed by two dear friends of mine. Explore seven character assassins that will sneak up on you and can take you down if your defenses are down.

Chasing Francis by Ian Morgan Cron
Ever feel like running? Escaping? Confused about a non-Americanized version of Christianity? This book is for you.

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Every writer needs this book. Period.

Prophetic Untimeliness by Os Guinness
Explores the question if cultural relevance subtracts from Scriptural authority and a timeless message.

Death by Meeting by Patrick Lencioni
Kill your meetings before they kill you. If you hate meetings and want to know how to change your approach to them in order to be more effective, this book is a must read.

Tribes by Seth Godin
We are charged move the status quo. What isn’t working? Why isn’t it? And while we’re asking all the questions, we should be changing it. This is not a how to book. It’s a because you must book. And it will stick with you in amazing ways.

Jesus Brand Spirituality by Ken Wilson
A wonderful mix of faith, personal and social responsibility, Ken inspired me to broaden my worldview and open my hands wide — to both receive and give the grace that Jesus walked this earth for.

UnChristian by David Kinnaman
David is a genius. Not just a genius, but a genius who sincerely cares about where this world is going. And with culture’s view of Christians, that place is to hell in a handbasket. Get outside your bubble and read this book.

The Shack by Wm. Paul Young
Yes, I loved this book. I actually didn’t read it until after I was able to spend some time with Mr. Young. He is a kind and gracious and humble man. I really thought he could have been Jesus until he said his name was Paul. I still think he’s got a lot of Jesus going on anyway.

Love is an Orientation: Elevating the Conversation with the Gay Community by Andrew Marin
Most Christians are homophobic. Sure, we “love” everyone. But most of us have no freaking idea how to have a relationship with someone who isn’t straight. This book will challenge you in so many ways if you’re brave enough to read it.

Seeing in the Dark: Getting the facts on Depression and Finding Hope Again by Gary Kinnaman
If you or someone you love is depressed, read this book! It dispels many common myths of the disease, and it’s written by a wonderful man who served in a local church for over 30 years while battling it the entire time.

The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection
Ever ask…why don’t I feel God??? Where is he?? How do we live in the presence of God continuously?

Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas
Not everyone worships the same way. This is an insightful assessment and expository on the many ways one can.

The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The Cost of Discipleship is a compelling statement of the demands of sacrifice and ethical consistency from a man whose life and thought were exemplary articulations of a new type of leadership inspired by the Gospel, and imbued with the spirit of Christian humanism and a creative sense of civic duty.

The Blue Sweater: Bridging the Gap Between Rich and Poor in an Interconnected World by Jacqueline Novogratz
(From the back cover):The Blue Sweater is the inspiring story of a woman who left a career in international banking to spend her life on a quest to understand global poverty and find powerful new ways of tackling it. It all started back home in Virginia, with the blue sweater, a gift that quickly became her prized possession?until the day she outgrew it and gave it away to Goodwill. Eleven years later in Africa, she spotted a young boy wearing that very sweater, with her name still on the tag inside. That the sweater had made its trek all the way to Rwanda was ample evidence, she thought, of how we are all connected, how our actions?and inaction?touch people every day across the globe, people we may never know or meet.

Just Courage by Gary A. Haugen
A very challenging book from the founder of the International Justice Mission that talks about the reality of injustice globally. It made me think things I had never thought. It made sense. And it left me looking at issues of injustice in a new and hopeful light. Oh, and it made me want to kick some @$$.

MUSIC

Keep No Score – Sleeping at Last
Melodic, poetic, hopefully honest. Listen when you’re on the verge of exploding with joy yet something is holding you back and you’re not sure what.

Ghosts by Sleeping at Last
Same band as above, but an earlier album. Listen when you’re wrestling and trying to discern direction.

Distorted Lullabies by Ours
This isn’t a “Christian Band” and there may or may not be words you don’t like on it. However, if there is a side to you that’s a bit angry or frustrated and dark and you need to work it out of your system with the world’s most beautiful voice, emotionally sweeping lyrics and composition, and edge-of-your-seat crescendos, please meet Mr. Jimmy Gnecco and the band Ours.

Mercy: Dancing to the Death of an Imaginary Enemy by Ours
Same band as above, but at their best. Spiritually insightful and challenging. Songs from this album have saved my life. Literally.

Under the Iron Sea by Keane
Simply rocks and makes your soul feel good.

Kurr by Amiina
For fans of Sigur Ros, sans the icelandishgibberlyrics.

Takk by Sigur Ros
My personal favorite Sigur Ros album, with the icelandishgibberlyrics.

The Swell Season by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
Debut album following the soundtrack and Irish indie flick Once. Must have.

Live from Union Chapel by Damien Rice
Another Irish raw folk songwriter.

Greatest Hits by Edith Piaf
La Vie en Rose – France’s “the sparrow.” Because everyone needs a little early-20th century French music. The biographical movie on her life is quite amazing too.