Books of 2009

I'm a reading convert.  When I was growing up, I probably read five books total, including the ones I did school book reports on without reading them.  In college I was forced to read, and the same in seminary.  Over the last 20 years, I've picked up the pace and read much more and much faster.  I tend to read several books at once; some I complete, others not.  In 2009, I read a lot.  As the year comes to a close, I want to share a few of my top reads this year.  They're not in top-to-bottom order - they were all good reads.

1. Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate by Jerry Bridges.  This book came recommended by a friend who refused to recommend books to others for ten years.  He broke his silence with me, and I'm glad.
2. Finally Alive by John Piper.  This was deep, scary-good, and hope-filled.
3. Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection and the Mission of the Church by N. T. Wright.  This was, for me, one that disturbed me, inspired me, challenged me, and forced me to rethink my thoughts about heaven and the Kingdom of God.  
4. Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Your Ministry by Ruth Haley Barton and Leighton Ford.  This was given to me by my friend Kevin Korver.  I read it in a couple days.  It was very encouraging for me at just the right time.
5. Portrait of Calvin by T.H.L. Parker.  This was the third time for me to gobble up this clear and concise overview of John Calvin.  Thanks to John Piper's prompting, it was redone this past year.
6. John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine and Doxology by Various Contributors and Burk Parsons.  This is one of the best overall teaching books on John Calvin because each chapter was written by an expert in their field concerning John Calvin.
7. Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion by Kevin De Young and Ted Cluck.  It made my list because it had a few great insights to defend the church, and because I am inspired by Kevin De Young and his deep love for biblical, Reformed theology.

I can't guarantee that reading these books will be the same experience for you.  Maybe your experience will be different - let me know!