Apologies for the slow pace of blogging this week. I've been a little under the weather since last weekend and have the added blessing of some extra responsibilities at work that should hopefully subside a bit. But one bit of good personal cheer to report is a few new holiday additions to the bookshelf. Seems I had a little holiday joy spread by way of a bonus, so the following items were added to my shopping list:

» "Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?" by Philip Yancey was always next on my shopping list anyway.
» "Ruthless Trust: The Ragamuffin's Path to God" by Brennan Manning ... just to continue my affinity for Manning's writing.
» "Discovering God's Will Study Guide" by Andy Stanley ... Apparently, this is the next study item for Koinonia. Haven't seen this around the bookstore yet, but I figured for $10, I'll get a jumpstart on things.

The sickness of it all is that I'm presently in the middle of three entirely different books, though close to wrapping up Eldredge's "The Way of the Wild Heart" this weekend. Oh, and I'm kinda in the mood for adding one of those big, weighty subject-matter books like maybe something by Dallas Willard or Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I spent one slow weekend afternoon at the bookstore looking through a Dallas Willard book and it didn't quite hook me then and there. But I think I owe it to myself for one more shot at that. Depending on how the work schedule keeps me from breezing through those books, I'm thinking the next round is going to require something from Jim Cymbala and/or Louie Giglio.

I'm still on a massive hunt for new music, though. Sorta tempted by a 2004 release by Charity Von that's sorta new to me. The music isn't entirely my cup of joe, but the voice is hard to beat. And, of course, I can always revert to my current default, which is a 2003 release by Erin O'Donnell which has been tempting me since sampling it at the bookstore. Still, nothing on that list is particularly new, so much as it's just new-to-me.

Haven't heard anything yet on how the Koinonia Christmas gathering went. I'm bracing for tonight's performance of "The Gift," so I'll have plenty to brag about when I get home afterwards.

Till then ...

SIDENOTE: Max Lucado has one additional book recommendation ... "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn.

FR: What books (Christian and/or secular) are you reading these days?

ML: I’m really enjoying Randy Alcorn’s book, HEAVEN. This work deserves a spot on every Bible teacher’s shelf.