A brief summary of what I’m currently reading or have recently finished, why I read it, and whether I’d recommend it. Although really, it’d have to be truly terrible for me to bother writing about a book I wouldn’t recommend……
A Higher Call (Adam Makos) – The WWII account of a US bomber pilot, and the German fighter pilot who escorted him and his severely damaged plane out of German airspace to relative safety. It covers each man’s background and early war experiences, and also recounts how they met in person after the war. I always appreciate a good war story that focuses more on the people and less on the violence, and this is one that retains that focus admirably.
The Heart and the Fist (Eric Greitens) – The memoir of a humanitarian Rhodes scholar who came to the realization that while the world needs people to come in and pick up the pieces after tragedy and disaster have struck, it also needs people willing to engage and protect using violent means. He then became a Navy SEAL. This is the story of how his outlook changed, the training he went through, and some of his experiences as a SEAL.
Gray Matters (Brett McCracken) – There are some areas of black and white, not just for humanity in general, but particularly for Christians. The vast majority of life, though, involves the issues in between, the gray space. Brett McCracken offers some helpful guidance on how to navigate the space between legalism and liberty as it pertains to film/TV, music, food, and alcohol. More than any other conversation I’ve ever had or any other book/article/blog I’ve ever read or any talk I’ve ever heard, this made me carefully consider and rethink my habits and mindsets in these areas. It’s a convicting but not condemning read, and well worth the time.
A Chance to Die (Elisabeth Elliot) – This biography of Amy Carmichael, famed missionary to India, has been on my to-be-read list for well over 2 years, and on my shelf as well. Although it’s quite in depth, it’s not overly dense or bogged down with excessive detail. I found myself convicted and encouraged over and over again by Carmichael’s dedication and trust in the Lord to see her through.
So there you have it: 4 books I’m reading right now or have recently finished. If you’ve read any of these (or decide to after reading this post), drop me a note and let me know what you thought of them! And let me know what you’re reading right now too.
The Gray Matters by Brett McCracken looks fascinating. I looked up his website and previewed the book. I agree that the Christian community has “changed” in its acceptance of things that 40 years ago it wouldn’t. I am glad that you said the author is convicting and not condemning in his book. Thanks for your insight!