MusicBuilds-San Diego, CA

What a summer! Let’s see, not only did I read some great books, but I also saw Third Day perform four times over the last few months. The last book that I read for the club was Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne. I did not post a review but not only is it classic literature but also a pretty darn good adventure story.

What I really want to say though is that my family and I had a great Third Day summer, going to shows, meeting the guys, meeting new friends and growing in our faith.

Mark, my daughter was just so thrilled that you remembered her name and she is still wearing the t-shirt you guys signed for her. To see her joy in meeting her favorite band is prize enough for me. Thanks for a great summer!

I am reading all the time and to have some fun with it I have decided to join Mark Lee’s summer reading club.

Week 8:
The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau. After seeing the trailer for the upcoming movie, my daughter bought this book and I was intrigued by its premise. That being, Ember, an ancient underground city which has always been illuminated by an impressive array of glittering lights. However, when the lights begin to fail, two teenagers must find a way to keep them on before they’re plunged into darkness forever. And the darkness in Ember, is pitch black. They cannot see anything. Any blackout is a frightening experience. The book is children’s literature and is written in that manner. But it was still highly enjoyable and painted an amazing picture of this world of Ember. I think any adult can appreciate the tale it tells. The haunting setting and breathless action of this novel will have kids clamoring for the sequel.

Week 6 & 7:
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Wow! What an amazing story. This is a story about friendship, loyalty, cruelty, longing for acceptance, redemption and survival—themes that touch all humanity. It’s about a young boy, Amir, growing up in 1970’s Afghanistan and his journey from there to the United States and into manhood. It’s about fathers and sons who we see longing for a father’s approval, betraying a best friend, and acceptance of a wife who is stained in a way that most Afghan men would shun. Though set in Afghanistan, the story could be set in any culture because it deals with issues that are universal. The characters were very real to me and the book was hard to put down. Along with the characters, I lived the hope, the sadness, the desperation, the shame and the redemption they experience. Especially Amir, as I sympathized with him, cheered for him and felt angry at him. Definitely one of the best books I have read in a long time. Highly, highly recommended.

What’s So Amazing About Grace? by Philip Yancy. Continuing with the Grace theme of last week, I liked this just a bit more then Ragamuffin Gospel. Yancy puts it well: “When I think about God, I hold up that image of the lovesick father…”. God is a just and mighty God, full of righteous anger. But He is also a lovesick father, yearning for even one of His children to come home. One of Yancy’s main points is that Grace is God’s love in action. But what does it look like? He uses amazing stories of grace to show us. He shares stories such as: a prostitute’s opinion of the church; a family that has passed on “ungrace” from generation to generation; a run-away teenager. For me, these stories demonstrate God’s unconditional love and grace. I encourage you to read the whole book, but if are pressed for time at least read Chapter Four “A Lovesick Father”. With a box of tissue by your side.

Week 4 & 5:
The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning. Being a ragamuffin par excellence this book really connected with me. I was left with that there’s nothing we can do that will make God love us more, and nothing we can do that will make God love us less. Something I have always struggled with. Perhaps these familiar words say it best:
I have loved you from the beginning
Long before you knew my name
Even though you’ve broken my heart
I’ll love you just the same
I’ll love you anyway

Week 3:
Surprised by Joy:The Shape of My Early Life by C.S. Lewis. This is an autobiography by Lewis in which he chronicles the events of his childhood, schooldays, the trenches of WWI and his days at Oxford. He experienced a traditional Christian childhood of Northern Ireland but events in his life led him to become an atheist. He eventually “reasons” himself back to as he says, “a confident Christianity” while at Oxford. The reason I started to read this book is because I have had the same type of experiences that shaped Lewis’ spiritual life. Losing a mother at a young age, military, spiritual doubts, and eventually strong Christian belief. So it had particular interest for me. I love history, and the book also provides a historical picture of the early 1900’s by way of Lewis’ retelling of his life.

Week 2:
1776, by David McCullough. Really enjoyed this book. Yes, it is a book about the Revolutionary War and the history behind it. But to me this is a book about true leadership. We have all heard about the myths and legends of George Washington but his portrayal of a true American hero is made so clear here. To hold together a ragtag army, ready to give up, desert, with no provisions, failures, it shows his devotion to the foundation of our country and is a testimony to his leadership ability.

Faith of My Fathers by John McCain. Got this book for Father’s Day. No matter what your political beliefs are, this book should be read by all. It’s about an American family’s duty to our country. McCain describes the influences of both his grandfather and father (both wartime Navy admirals) and how they shaped his character, courage, and perseverance. Traits that would ultimately help him survive his ordeal as an American POW in Vietnam. If you want to know more about a possible future president, start here.

Week 1:
The Reformation: How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World, by Stephen J. Nichols. Though Martin Luther stands at the center of the Reformation, he does not stand alone. This book examines the other main participants of the Reformation that spanned two centuries. It does it by drawing the reader into the life and times of the characters and how they affected the change in the life of the church—change that is ongoing. It teaches this without being boring. Read it, you will enjoy it.
Week 0:
Gates of Fire, by Steven Pressfield. Presents a stark, shocking and yes, graphic portrayal of the Spartan battle at Thermopylae. However, it is much more than warfare. Spartan courage, loyalty, society and love of family are mingled with the horror of battle. Great storytelling but not for the faint of heart!

Wild at Heart, by John Eldredge. A friend recommended Wild at Heart by John Eldredge to me. For me, this was not a bad book, but not a good book either. Yes, there are differences between men and women. Just not as universally defined as Eldredge claims. I don’t always have the desire to slay dragons for the damsel in distress. And that does not make me less of a man. I guess it is just the laid back surfer in me.