A week of reading

This past week on vacation, I had the opportunity to read five books. I wanted to share with you something I learned from each book.

Raising Boys to Be Like Jesus by Sharon Norris Elliott
I was reminded of the importance of relationships. Throughout this book, the author consistently focused on the importance of character in the midst of relationships. Whether it was his relationship with his mother, his father, or others he encountered, we see an integrity and character that we all should strive for in our lives.

Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom
Faith is more than belief; faith is action. Whether it’s a Rabbi who dedicated his entire life to one community in New Jersey, or a drug dealer and convict turned pastor, who pours his life into a ministry to the homeless in Detroit, faith is something we must live out. I was reminded that God works through the most unlikely people and faith is more about God than it is about us.

A Brief History of the Future by Jacques Attali
History repeats itself. Never before has this fact been so reinforced as it was in this book. As the author reviewed history and speculated about the next century or so, his insights (some of which are already unfolding) reminded me that history is cyclical. There is much to learn about our future by examining our past.

A Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall & Denver Moore
Prejudice is alive and well I our country. While things are improving, people still judge others by the way they look. Whether it’s skin color, clothing, or the way we speak, we often jump to conclusions about someone before we get to know them. In this book, I was reminded that some of God’s greatest blessings come from our diversity and willingness to listen to those unlike us. As a rich art dealer and a homeless man develop a rich, warm relationship, God is able to work in incredible ways.

For One More Day by Mitch Albom
You never know the last time you will talk to someone you love. Life takes strange twists and throws us curveballs. We should cherish every moment and treat it like it could be our last. Life is too short to waste time and relationships are too valuable to neglect.

This was a diverse stack of books, but each challenged me in a different way to live life more fully. May God call you to do the same.

shine!
Jason