An updated list...

Awhile ago I posted several books I was currently reading, mostly because I was bored and had nothing exciting to post. But I decided last night that I felt like updating my blog with what I've been reading/listening to lately...myspace lets you post those things but I don't use myspace for the blog, so I decided to carry that over to here....and because I know you all care oh so much about what I am reading through right now...

My new favorite CD is Lifesong by Casting Crowns--their lyrics are incredibly powerful, and this CD has re-reminded me how much I loved their first CD so I have brought that out again. Their songs speak so strongly about our identity in Christ and their new song Praise You in the Storm has become my new theme song and inspired the theme for my new bathroom :o)

This past week I broke out one of my old favorite books that I've read many times--Leota's Garden by Francine Rivers. It's a wonderful story about family dynamics, God's grace, and following your passions--a great mindless read for when I'm having a long week!

Last summer I read The Brothers K by David James Duncan and even though the book is long an it took me forever to get through, I loved it. Pastor Dan quotes it often in sermons and has talked about it a lot, and he's never recommended a book I didn't like, so I thought I'd give it a chance. It was amazing--theology, baseball, community, family and a coming-of-age story all in one. I laughed so hard sometimes I couldn't stop and other moments found me with tears that wouldn't stop--it is an amazing book. SO, I decided that since it is such a rich story I would re-read it this summer...it might take awhile, but it will be worth it!

This book by Marva Dawn (an amazing author who has written a lot about the church community and the worship-wars that are ravaging our churches today) is one I found when writing my final paper last quarter and it is probably one of my new favorite books about ministry--it puts so many of my thoughts in words and was an incredibly inspiring book to read--it reminded me why I care about chidren's ministry so much!

And because I know you will all want to join me in the world of New Testament exegesis, I'm reading a handbook for students and pastors--honestly though, I just started exegetical methods this week and already I am in love with it, despite the fact that it is insanely difficult (yeah my Greek isn't quite as wonderful as it should be!). I think I'm officially a nerd, but my exegesis assignment the other night was to spend a LOT of time with Philippians and translate part of it and the amount of stuff I realized from this one assignment was amazing--it's a totally different way of reading scripture and it is pretty incredible---now if only I could remember all the Greek I was supposed to have learned!