I like to read… but only certain things. Some love reading fiction and just have to read the latest bestsellers that are out. I enjoy reading books that deal with theology, ministry, and the trends of the culture.
In 3+ days, I will be heading out to Trinidad with 38 copies of “Spirit Empowered Preaching,” one copy of the ESV Study Bible for the Trinidadian pastors. But what I find myself truly concerned about is not what clothes to wear, but what books to take on the trip. The nature of the pastorate at this point along with me being at the writing stage of my DMin project does not always allow me to do a lot of leisurely reading. Fiction is out of the question (although it’s not a huge loss for me–I just have a hard time losing myself in something not in reality).
I have to make sure that with my five-hour flight from Houston to Port of Spain, Trinidad and back, plus a 5 1/2 hour layover in Houston. It’s following the mandate of Ephesians 5: “making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Eph 5:16).
So, I have decided to get reacquainted with an old friend, read a new book, and read up about a new ministry. So here is the list of books I shall be reading:
- “Spurgeon: Prince of Preachers” — a biography by Lewis Drummond
- “Lectures To My Students” by C.H. Spurgeon
- “Why Small Groups?” by C.J. Mahaney
- “Seeing With New Eyes” by David Powlison or Instruments in the Redeemers Hands by Paul Tripp
- Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church by Michael Horton
- The New Modern Reformation magazine dealing with Christ in the Postmodern Culture
- Articles from Answers in Genesis, in preparation for the “Creation” sermon series in February.
I’m loading up my iPod with some sermons by Alistair Begg, Ken Ham, Don Whitney, Tim Keller, plus a boatload of Sovereign Grace Music, Christafari, Dave Brubeck, among others.
Pray that I would use this time away from phones, e-mail, computers, etc., to really connect with my Lord and Savior.
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