Category: Review

My Top Book Recommendations from 2024

A few years ago, I started an ongoing list of the books I read each year. I was surprised to learn that, on average, I read about 100 books each year. I know that sounds like a lot, but I don’t watch sports and I don’t have kids so there you go. Anyway, here are the top ten books I recommend from my reading in 2024. They are in no particular order of preference. I hope you find them helpful.

(Disclaimer: Please know that just because I read and enjoyed these books doesn’t mean I agree with the lifestyles or agendas of the authors. I just liked and learned from the books.)

Unbowed: A Memoir by Wangari Maathai – I found this book in Nairobi while on a trip to Kenya. It is an autobiography of Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan social, environmental, and political activist who founded the Green Belt Movement and won a Nobel Peace prize.

The Next Worship: Glorifying God in a Diverse World by Sandra Maria Van Postal – This book is about the growing trend of multicultural worship across the United States and around the world. Tremendous insight from a well read practitioner.

Teaching Across Cultures: Contextualizing Education for Global Mission by James E. Plueddemann – I know, the name is a handful in and of itself, but I found this textbook, which I read for a seminar, to be incredibly insightful for anyone leading in cross cultural teaching.

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder – As a child, my family loved the Little House series starring Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert. After all of these years, I found this a fun book for escape reading.

King: A Life by Jonathan Eig – Don’t let the size of this book intimidate you. It is well worth the read. This biography gave me a broader perspective of and a deeper appreciation for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey – A friend recommended this book to me this past year, but I was hesitant to read it until I found it in a Little Free Library. It has great perspective on emotional healing. I love that the book moves the reader from asking people, “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”

Future Church: Seven Laws of Real Church Growth by Will Mancini and Cory Hartman – Ok, I have to admit, I didn’t want to like this book. Even though I don’t agree with everything written within regarding the church, I have gleaned so much from it over this past year. If you are involved in church leadership, this is an excellent read.

Right Color Wrong Culture: A Leadership Fable by Bryan Loritts – This book is a must read for anyone involved in multicultural or multiethnic church leadership. I heard Bryan Loritts speak at a conference after I read the book. I recommend the book and Bryan as a speaker.

High Road Leadership: Bringing People Together in a World that Divides by John C. Maxwell – I wish this book would have been required reading across the United States before this past presidential election. It’s one of the best leadership books I’ve ever read on bringing divided people together.

Not In It To Win It by Andy Stanley – I learn important lessons everytime I read something by Andy Stanley, even if I don’t always agree with him. This book helps the reader focus on what’s important, which by the way, isn’t always about winning.

Bonus – Karma by Boy George – Ok, I know what you’re thinking. Boy George? Yeah, I know, but I actually enjoyed this memoir by the artist and former lead singer of Culture Club. I found his narrative to be a good commentary with good insight on the culture of our day. Here’s a tip, if you have Spotify audiobooks, listen to it for further insight.

Happy reading.

Image courtesy of Drew Coffman

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“Like”

Are you ever confused by the texting “like” function?

I am.  

Sometimes it means the text is “liked” but often it is just an acknowledgement of what has been sent. 

A few months ago, I texted “I think I have Covid” to a friend (or former friend). He clicked like. 

😑 I guess I should be glad he didn’t click “love” which is a thing now.

I guess someone “loves” a text if they either truly “love” it, really “like” it, “like” it more than a regular “like,” or are overly emotional in general about acknowledging text messages.

Both “like” and “love” functions do quickly express emotions. However, if we’re all honest here, sometimes a “like” is just a short, curt answer meaning, “Ok, thanks, now shut up?”

“Likes” seem to have become a thing on social media. Society, even pastors and church leaders, seem bound by the approval generated by “likes.” On Facebook, the “like” is a thumbs up, on Instagram and TikTok, it’s a heart. Maybe it should be called “Insecuritygram.” 

My love language is “Words of Affirmation.” I admit that I smile when I see my posts being “liked,” especially by lots of people. I love seeing hearts and thumbs up emojis. Just like the rest of the world, I post and then check my posts to see how many people “like” what I’ve said. On the outside, I’m nodding my approval of their approval of my words. On the inside, I’m screaming, “They like me, they really, really like me!”

What we often don’t realize is that chasing after “likes” can be so devastating to our own self worth. We don’t realize that we’re setting ourselves up to be disappointed. 

Louie Giglio writes, “If we live for people’s approval, we will die by their rejection.” 

I think he’s right. If it would have been a social media post or text, I would have liked it. 

👍❤️

*Image courtesy of Jackson Sophat

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Olympic Dreams

So here’s one more thing to consider when evaluating the 2024 Olympics… the absence of pickleball. 

Yeah, I know. I’m disappointed as well. 

If you’re like me, you turned around and noticed that suddenly, people everywhere were playing this unusual game. According to APP, the Association of Pickleball Professionals, 19% of adult Americans played pickleball at least once from August 2022 to August 2023. The report didn’t share how many of them gave up after their first match. 

Where did pickleball originate? I’m glad you asked. Retirepedia reports that pickleball began when three dads from Bainbridge Island, Washington invented a new game to amuse their children. They lowered a badminton net, tried a wiffle ball but settled on a Cosom Fun Ball. They created paddles from plywood from a neighbor’s shed. Legend has it that a dog named Pickles used to steal the game ball so they named the game after him. Others claim the game creators combined various sports into one which reminded them of a pickle boat crew where participants are selected from the unchosen oarsmen of other boats. My theory is that they first played the game using a pickle for the ball. Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion. 

Speaking of opinions on Pickleball, Bill Gates once shared, “Everyone from the super young to the super old can take part. It takes minutes to learn the basics, games are short, and all you need is a net, paddle, and ball to get started. It doesn’t take much skill to hit the ball, either, because it doesn’t move as fast as a tennis ball. The best thing about Pickleball, however, is that it’s just super fun.” 

Even though I often ignore the ramblings of PC users, Gates does seem to have a point about Pickleball. It is now played in over 60 countries around the world. However, despite its growing popularity, Pickleball is seen more as a recreational sport and its global recognition still leaves something to be desired. This may be why it’s not a current Olympic sport.

Will pickleball make it to the 2028 Olympics? Probably not. What about 2032 or 2036? Only time will tell. Maybe if it didn’t have such a stupid name…

*Image courtesy of Amada Ma

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55 and up

So, I recently turned 55, the legal speed limit in many areas. 

To celebrate, I decided to buy two new pairs of Levi’s, the jeans of my youth. However, my high school Levi’s were 501’s with the button fly. At my current age, that sounded dangerous somehow. So since I’m 55, I searched for Levi’s 550’s. Doing so seemed easier than researching the meanings of the jean numbers.

Buying “new” jeans at my age means a visit to my favorite thrift store which gives an even further discount to customers 55 and up (hence, my favorite). To my surprise, the first pair of jeans on the rack were Levi’s 550’s in my size. I know what you’re thinking. How could the jeans be “new” if I purchased them from a thrift store? I’m cheap, ok? Shut up.

However, there was only one pair of 550’s at the thrift store, so I went to a department store in search of a bargain. To protect the store’s identity, let’s call them J.C. Dollar’s. 

Once inside, I headed straight for the 80% off racks. I knew exactly how to find them because I’m old. You might be familiar with the discount racks at J.C.’s – they give a “discounted” price on long sleeve flannel shirts and woolen coats to customers in southern Louisiana in June. However, I also found a pair of Levi’s 550’s on the rack identical to my thrift store find. I say “Identical” meaning they were both blue. 

After trying them on, I walked to the counter with my 80% off discounted jeans. The clerk scanned my jeans and said, “With tax, that will be $32.57.” 

“Oh, I’m sorry,” I said as if I should be apologizing. “But those were on the 80% off rack.”

“Yes,” she replied, “Those jeans were originally $85.”

“$85?!” I gasped. “That’s a lot for jeans!”

“Yes, Sir,” she smirked as if I had just offered to pay with S & H green stamps. “Jeans have gone up in price, uh, recently.” 

“Wait a minute,” I said. “If these jeans are 80% off of $85, wouldn’t they be $17 before tax?”

“Sir,” she replied with a look that said shut up and pay, “Those jeans were on the wrong rack. They are discounted but not a full 80%. Now, there’s a line, so tell me, do you still want them?”

“Yes,” I answered in the voice of someone who has a stack of AARP invitation letters next to his chair, “But it’s entirely unheard of!”

Anyway, I’m headed back to the thrift store next week. Here’s to being 55 and up.

*Photo courtesy of Ashkan Forouzani

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Rockstar?

I was in high school when I first heard Twisted Sister’s I Wanna Rock. It brought images of Dee Snyder, Eddie Van Halen, and Quiet Riot. As many times as I heard the song, I never thought of Dolly Parton. 

Dolly Parton, the country singer, composer, author, actress, and theme park owner, has recently released her long awaited album titled Rockstar. Back in 2022, Parton was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She almost declined because she had never recorded rock music. Fortunately, she accepted and promised to release a collection of rock songs. 

Recently, that collection, aptly named Rockstar, was released. I listened to the entire Deluxe album over the past three days, which is saying something because the deluxe edition on Spotify includes 39 songs and is just three minutes shy of being three hours long. 

Several years ago, Dolly Parton blew me away when I visited Dollywood. I was expecting it to be hokey. Instead, it was awesome. The same is true of Rockstar.

Dolly has a few original songs on the album including World On Fire (click here to listen). The song has a strong beat, great guitar lines, and strong lyrics (Leave it to Dolly to sing about God in one verse and a politician’s derriere in the next). Dolly also partners with some iconic rock stars including Sting, Steve Perry, John Fogarty, Kid Rock, Steven Tyler, Stevie Nicks, Peter Frampton, Joan Jett, Chris Stapleton, Pink, Brandi Carlile, Kevin Cronin, Elton John, Melissa Etheridge, Rob Halford, Simon Le Bon, Linda Perry, Emmylou Harris, Sheryl Crow, Pat Benatar, Michael McDonald, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, and a few more to produce nearly three dozen quality covers. 

That’s a lot.

As I began the album on Spotify, I figured I would be skipping some of the songs, but instead, I was compelled to hear Dolly Parton perform classic songs like Free Bird, Every Breath You Take, and Purple Rain. Curiosity caused me to check out this album. Solid music with great vocals and powerful guitar riffs kept me listening. 

But what impressed me most about the album was that this amount of quality songs was recorded and released by a performer who is 78 years old. To me, that should be inspiring to anyone who desires to continue producing any kind of content, making a difference, and being awesome as they get older.

Well done, Dolly.

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The Ancient Christmas Eve Carol

The original author of O Come, O Come Emmanuel is unknown, but it was most likely an 8th or 9th century monk or nun. Roughly 1000 years later, an Anglican priest named John Mason Neale discovered the song while reading Psalterium Cationum Catholicorum, an ancient book of Latin poetry and music. 

Neale lived in the Madeira Islands near the continent of Africa, where he had started an orphanage, a school for girls, and a ministry to reclaim prostitutes. He spoke many languages, including Latin, and was able to translate O Come, O Come Emmanuel into English. He first played and sang it for the people he served, who were considered the lowest of society. It was so well received that Neale included the song in his 1851 collection titled Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences.

The song is written as if you are in the first century and you are awaiting the actual birth of the Messiah. An anticipation is there for what Jesus would bring. The original Latin text contains seven antiphons (verses) which work together to help the reader or singer focus on the coming Christmas. Most modern versions do not include all seven and rarely in the same order as the original. Here are those verses in order and their related meanings:

  • O Sapentia (Wisdom)
  • O Adonai (Hebrew for God)
  • O Radix Jesse (Root of Jesse) 
  • O Clavis David (Key of David)
  • O Oriens (Dayspring)
  • O Rex genitium (King of the Gentiles)
  • O Emmanuel (God with Us)

You can see from the order above that the 8th and 9th century Christians who declared these verses sang them in the opposite order than most people today. Back then, they wouldn’t sing the “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” verse until Christmas Eve. They did this because it was the fulfillment of the song and of the expectation of the Messiah. 

The original Latin text creates a reverse acrostic which is not fulfilled or seen until the last verse is sung. When the ancient worshipers finally sang this verse on Christmas Eve, the reverse acrostic was solved for all the see. The message it proclaimed was “I shall be with you tomorrow.”

Click Here to Hear “O Come, O Come Emmanuel sung by Maverick City

*Image courtesy of Kelly Sekkema

**This is a repost from Dec 13, 2022 by request

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Manger Throne, a New Classic

All across the nation and around the world, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. However, it many houses of worship, even those with the best decorations, it doesn’t yet sound much like Christmas. There are many reasons for this (and I’ll write more in future posts) but one reason is that the sound and feel of many Christmas carols and songs are often quite different from many modern worship songs. Christmas carols are filled with nostalgia and wonder, yet many are written in mysterious sounding keys with varying time signatures and often have hard to understand lyrics. On the other hand, worship songs are often written in straightforward time signatures with predictable (I mean that in a good way) lyrics and (dare I say it) easier to play keys. 

It is possible to have the best of both worlds, but like many good things, it takes some effort. That’s why I’m always pleased to hear new Christmas worship songs that are strong musically and lyrically and quite frankly, work well for powerful worship experiences. One of my new favorites is the new Christmas anthem Manger Throne, written by Jonathan Smith and Tony Wood and released by Phil Wickham. 

Here’s what Wickham recently shared with CCM magazine: “More than a Christmas song, this is a worship song… Every Christmas season, when I take the time to think on it, I am amazed in a greater way of the moment when Creator stepped into creation. God in human flesh. Heaven walking on earth. Everything about how Jesus came was different than what we would have expected, and also far better. He met us right in our humanity.” 

Check out Manger Throne at one of the links below. 

*Click here for the official music video 

**Click here for the lyric video 

***Click here for ccm article mentioned in the post.

Merry Christmas!

*Image courtesy of ProChurch Tools

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Buc-ee’s…

Next time you’re headed to Gulf Shores, Alabama and find yourself with several hours to spare, check out Buc-ee’s off I-10 at the Robertsdale exit. I was searching for just the right words to adequately describe Buc-ee’s, so I asked Siri who pronounced it as “Buc-eeeeeeee’s” and gave me directions to Bucky’s taxidermy in Loosas Armpit, Manitoba. My Google phone app came to the rescue and offered a description. It says Buc-ee’s is “a chain of convenience stores for snacks and drinks, plus eclectic T-shirts and knickknacks.”

Way off, Google. Especially since visiting Buc-ee’s is sort of like using Google for the first time – an endless supply of ways to blow your money and waste your time while seemingly having an ok time.  

Let’s take an imaginary tour of this gas station theme park named after a giant rodent. First, you start seeing Buc-ee’s billboards about 750 miles before you arrive (exaggerated). They’ll have cute sayings on them like “Only 123 miles away, you can hold it,” “Jerky, one of the five basic food groups,” and “Restrooms so clean we put mints in the urinals” (not exaggerated).

When you finally arrive at the exit, the traffic line is backed up to the interstate. (Who do they think they are, Chick Fila?) It may take 15 minutes or so to follow the leader up the ramp, around their employee parking field, past their field of Tesla charging stations, and through the bumper-to-bumper traffic until you make it to one of their 200-300 gas pumps. (Not joking, the last time I filled up, I was at pump 250. I desperately wanted to pay inside just to say “Yes, $25 on pump #250.”)

After pumping gas and parking in southern Egypt, you check your step counter and begin making your way across the parking lot. Before entering the “convenience store,” you are forced by your peers to stop and take a selfie with the statue of Buc-ee the friendly beaver. You smile because you have to, take the shot and move inside past the rows of “snacks and drinks,” and wait in line once again for some of the cleanest restrooms in convenience store history. All joking aside, they are pretty impressive. These restrooms are so clean you almost forget you’re in a mall posing as a convenience store/gas station/Tesla charging station. 

Afterward, you squeeze through the crowds and check out the snacks. Buc-ee’s is famous for their breakfast tacos, beef jerky, barbecue, chicken jerky, gummies, turkey jerky, beaver nuggets, elk jerky, klobasneks (I don’t know either), Bohemian recipe Garlic beef jerky, meat and cheese cups, Bohemian Rhapsody Garlic beef jerky, Sizzlin’ saltines, deli sandwiches, trail mix jerky, Beaver chips, Buc-ee’s Nug-ee’s, pralines, double fudge brownie jerky, and banana pudding. And that’s just on aisle one. 

Then of course you have to buy either a Buc-ee’s t-shirt, a disposable cooler, some hunting gear, any type of home decor, or update your life insurance (when you start to doubt you’ll ever make it out alive). Then, you finally walk across the parking lot once again to your car, where you wait in line to get out of the parking lot, get back on the interstate, and realize you already have to use the bathroom again.

All joking aside, if you’ve never visited Buc-ee’s, it is worth the experience, just try to go when it’s not so crowded, like 5:30am on a Tuesday. 😊

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The Lose It App at the One Year Mark

I did it! Well, more or less.

As of yesterday, I have officially been using the Lose It App for one year. In that time, I’ve lost and kept off 42 lbs. I’ve also wanted to throw my phone into Lake Pontchartrain 27 times, not because the app has done something wrong or malfunctioned, but because I get tired of being disciplined.

Weight loss is hard work and I’m not talking about entering the foods I eat. I mean the decision after decision to not eat something when I really want it. I mean the decision to exercise at least three times each week. I mean the extra steps I take when I really want to veg out in front of the tv. I mean the decisions to skip dinner when I’ve already used up my calories for the day.

It’s been a long year of hard work (with a little bit of cheating) but all in all, I’m glad I decided to use Lose It. It’s been a disciplined route to weight loss without pills, without shots, without surgery, and without anything weird. Just tracking diet and exercise with a longterm goal in mind.

It works, so I renewed it yesterday for another year.

Thanks Lose It.

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Lose It App After 6 Months

Six months ago, I started using the paid version of the Lose It App.

As of this month (December 2022), I’ve lost 34 lbs with no surgery, no medication, and no supplements.

Here’s how it works: 

  • First – I track my food intake. I type in my food or scan its barcode. If the food is not included in the app, I can add it using its real, or estimated, caloric information. 
  • Second – I stick to my calorie budget (mostly). When I started my account, I entered my height, age, current weight, and goal weight. The app shared how long it will take for me to reach my goal weight IF I follow my personalized daily calorie budget. Currently, I’m scheduled to reach my goal weight by mid-March 2023. (We’ll see)
  • Third – I enter my daily exercise. When I exercise, not only am I raising my metabolism, but I earn extra calories which are added to my daily budget. My steps app is connected to my Lose It App. After 7500 steps, I can earn extra calories. 

With the Lose It App, I can eat whatever I want as long as I enter my calories. I’ve discovered that when I track my calories that I tend to eat rather than drink my calories, drink more water, and make healthier choices simply because I have to enter what I eat. Also, when I make healthier choices, I get to eat more (which I like). Fortunately for my weight loss and unfortunately for my taste buds, as I lose more weight, my daily caloric allowance lessens. At first, I was upset about this, but now I understand because I’ve continued to lose weight.

I usually weigh once a week on Friday morning. Then, sometime during that day, I give myself a weekly treat (but I still keep track of its caloric information). 

Have you had success using Lose It or another weight loss system?

If so, good for you. Let me know about your journey in the comments section.

*Photo courtesy of Samuel Ramos

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