My 2012 Reading List

One of my goals for 2012 was to read 36 books (three a month). As of today, I’ve read 29 and am working through three others. As with 2011, I received courtesy copies in exchange for “honest reviews” for many of them. I’ve noted those accordingly.

My favorites (in no particular order):

• Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. (Kindle). It took me four months but was definitely worth the time. The recently released film is also worth the time.
• The Preacher and the Presidents: Billy Graham in the White House by Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy. (Kindle). Excellent journalistic analysis of Billy Graham’s interactions and influence with U.S. Presidents over seven decades.

Read more »

My prayer for Sandy Hook

Father, I pray for the families of Sandy Hook. I pray You will be with them in their grief. I know, Lord, that You are close to them because You promise to be close to the broken hearted. I pray that those who know You will cling to You and that those who don’t will turn to You. For all of them, Lord, I pray that You will heal their broken hearts and bind their wounds.

Read more »

Review of "Breakfast with Bonhoeffer" by Jon Walker

Breakfast with Bonhoeffer

By Jon Walker

Rating: 5 Stars

Review: One of my favorite books of the year, “Breakfast with Bonhoeffer” is the story of one man’s struggle to navigate family, financial and emotional hardship in the face of economic downturn, job loss, divorce and mental illness. Honest and often heart-wrenching his stories may leave those desiring simplistic answers to life’s most difficult questions feeling uncomfortable. 

Read more »

Where was God in Newtown?

The senseless tragedy that rocked Newtown, Conn., last week shook us all. An equally horrific but less deadly tragedy in China on Friday left 22 children and one adult injured by a knife wielding man who attacked them at the gate of an elementary school in the village of Chengping in central Henan province.

Like many, I am overwhelmed with grief by the senselessness of these tragedies. Explanations and analyses seem pointless. Words fail. Yet, I’ve struggled through the weekend with every news report, aching for mommas and daddies, grandpas and grandmas, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters whose lives were forever changed last Friday.

Read more »