Previous Post – New Books To Read

With 2010 upon us, I wanted to look back at this year of blogging.  While it has marked the most significant slow-down for me in respect to online writing, it has also been one of the most significant years in my life.  The following are a few key posts from past year that I want to reflect back on.  Also be sure to read & answer the question at the bottom of the post.  Happy New Year!

• The Good News: Blog Series: While not posted on my blog, this is my contribution to JR Woodward’s series.  It is important to me on two counts.  First, it will appear as a chapter in a new book called “Viral Hope: Good News for the Urbs & the Burbs (& Everything In Between)”.  Second, and more importantly, it tells the story of my experience of watching my friend Andrew take his own life.  He was one of three friends of mine to commit suicide this year.  I’ll be writing about that very soon.
• Preach The Gospel At All Times.: This article was in response to Mark Galli’s critique of the oft quoted & wrongly attributed “Preach the Gospel at all times.  When necessary use words”.  This is, perhaps, the piece I feel most passionate about writing this year.  I would highly encourage you to take some time and consider the challenge on what it means to be His witnesses to the world.
• Embracing the Powerlessness of the Cross: This post is one that I was deeply moved to write, but fearful that it would be misunderstood.  I am still not confident that I achieved that goal, but it continues to challenge me and our community to live beyond identities of victimization.  While we do not deny injustice, rather we place an primacy on the equalizing embrace of the Cross of Christ.
• Introverts In The Church – An Interview: Without question, this has been the most read post I have written in several years- and with good reason!  Not because of the merits of my writing, but because of the critically important nature of the book and its message.  This remains on the top of my must-read list to anyone who asks.  Check it out here: “Introverts In The Church” at Amazon.
• Beyond Venting: Confession As Spiritual Discipline: This was a rewrite of an older post I did on the same topic.  The need for us to learn the difference between violent venting and restorative confession is critical.  I added this post to the list because, in many ways, it is an atypical article for me, but one I am very proud of.
• Why We Love: A Monastic Parable: Last but not least is this little parable I wrote, inspired by some of the writings of Jon Sweeney.  I read it regularly to myself as a reminder that our call to love God and others is not pragmatic.  I hope you enjoy it!

Finally, in closing, I want to pose a question to you:

What would you like me to write about in 2010?

Tags: blog, Missional, New Year

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 31st, 2009 at 12:24 pm and is filed under Community, Justice, Missional, St. Francis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.