The World is Watching Now!

The events in Iran over the past few weeks have shed light on a new day in the story of humanity. Through the use of social networking sites such as Twitter and Youtube anyone with a cell phone can send mass messages or videos within seconds. Now, I know governments can block internet sites and interrupt cell communication, but people are smart. They can get around these blockades. They have been doing it everyday in Iran.

I am hopeful this freedom of information will cause these cruel dictators to realize that what used to be done in secret can now be broadcast around the world by anyone. They no longer have the kind of control over communication and image they once enjoyed. The world is now watching!

"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;

I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth."
Isaiah 42:16

Reading List

If you're anything like me, you have a stack of books that you would like to read, but somehow you just never get around to reading. Today, June 1, I will begin a journey to read all of the books in "my stack". I am committing myself to reading all of these books before I purchase yet another book. The sad part is, this list isn't even exhaustive. I still a few more books at home to add to this list, but those will just have to wait.

I will read each of these books and do a short review as a blog post. So, if you see me in the coming months, ask me how my reading list is going. Hopefully I will have an mental review handy of a book I just completed. If I tell you I haven't finished a book in the past few days, call me a slacker and tell me to get going!

Here's the list divided into categories:


Leadership

Blink by Malcom Gladwell
Outliners by Malcom Gladwell
The Tipping Point by Malcom Gladwell
Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels
Leading Congregational Change by Jim Herrington, et al.
7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Developing the Leader Within You by John Maxwell
Effective Church Leadership by Kennon L. Callahan
The Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren


Spiritual Development

What Matters Most by Doug Fields
Crazy Love by Francis Chan
Understanding God's Will by Kyle Lake
Every Man's Battle by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker
The Sacred Way by Tony Jones


Rebellious Church People Stuff

A Generous Orthodoxy by Brian McLaren
Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell
Ancient-Future Faith by Robert Webber
Unchristian by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons
Adventures in Missing The Point by Brian McLaren and Tony Campolo


Student Ministry

Hurt by Chap Clark
Sustainable Youth Ministry by Mark Devries
Soul Searching by Christian Smith
Soul Shaper by Tony Jones
4 Views of Youth Ministry and the Church by Mark Senter, et al.
Getting Students to Show Up by Jonahan McKee
Speaking to Teenagers by Doug Fields and Duffy Robbins
Deep Justice in a Broken World by Chap Clark and Kara Powell


Casual Reading

Searching For God Knows What by Donald Miller
Through Painted Deserts by Donald Miller
The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman
Rich Mullins: His Life and Legacy by James Smith
Post-Rapture Radio by Russell Rathbun
Final Salute by Jim Sheeler