Life and Faith

Tag: Books

  • J.I. Packer – An Evangelical Life by Leland Ryken

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    Jon
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    I first came across J.I. Packer and his writings while I was at university, which was some 20 years ago. And since then Packer has been influential in my faith, particularly through numerous popular volumes that currently sit on my bookshelves. Over the years I’ve found him to be a stabilising and assuring voice on…

  • My Top Books of 2022

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    Jon
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    If you’re a regular reader of this blog then you’ll know books play a key role in my weekly, monthly, and yearly rhythm. I have numerous books going at once. I am surrounded by books in my office. If I’m not reading then I don’t think I’m living a particularly healthy or helpful life. And…

  • 3 Specific Reading Reflections

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    Jon
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    Reading is an important building block in my life. It’s part of my relaxation and leisure time, it’s part of my role as a pastor, it’s part of my development both personally and professionally. Reading, forever and a day, has always been part of my life and I can’t really think of a time when…

  • My Top Books of 2021

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    Jon
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    I’ll be honest. I’m not particularly satisfied with the balance of my reading this year. Sure, I well and truly went over my goal of 26 books for the year, but the balance of authors and topics just wasn’t right. If I was to analyse it I would say that I didn’t have enough ‘old’…

  • My Top Books for 2020

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    Jon
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    I’m getting in early this year by releasing my list of top reads a few weeks before we see the back of 2020. For the last six years I’ve posted about what I’ve read each year and I might as well continue the tradition into a seventh.  I’m not sure whether it was because of…

  • Published: Choosing Love by Heidi Johnston

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    Jon
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    After a long absence I had a book review published at TGCA recently. I wasn’t really the intended audience of Choosing Love by Heidi Johnston, however it was still worth the read. It would be particularly helpful for parents to talk through with their daughters, or a youth ministry leader with their youth group or…

  • My Top Books of 2019

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    Jon
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    Well, it’s that time of year folks. The unveiling of the top books I’ve read for 2019. Exciting, isn’t it?! Continuing my long-standing tradition of pretentiously blogging a list of books I read and rated highly, I submit my 2019 edition to you. Oh, and here’s the previous years if you wish to read those…

  • Published: A Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry by Michael McGarry

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    Jon
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    A friend of mine from the USA, Mike McGarry, recently published this great book, A Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry. It’s an excellent read, and a much needed contribution on the theological foundations for youth ministry. I reviewed the book and had the review published at TGCA. You can read the whole thing here. You…

  • Published: The Power of Two by Danny Hunt

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    Jon
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    My friend and colleague, Danny Hunt, recently wrote a book about being a second-chair leader. That is, a leader that has a boss. It’s a short book but packed with wisdom and reflection from his 30-plus years of experience in church leadership. It is aimed mainly at those who are involved in church life, but…

  • Published: Gay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill Perry

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    Jon
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    I recently read the book Gay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill Perry. It’s a book I’d highly recommend. And it is a book I found time to write a reflection on to better process some of the content. As it happens, I’ve had that reflection published as a book review at The Gospel Coalition…