What We Are Reading and Listening To
April 2018
We are excited to introduce a new monthly feature: “Staff Picks.” This is a place for all the folks you know and love at Signal Pres to let you know what’s been on their desks and nightstands recently, and what they have been listening to lately.
These are things that have shaped how we think about the Christian life, faithfulness to Jesus in the world, and resources that are simply so good that we wanted to share. We’ll have book copies for sale in Woodward Hall on Sunday morning (cash and check), and it’s possible we might schedule a one-off “book club” gathering to talk about what we liked about it. If you are interested in a book club, contact Joey. Check out this month’s picks below!
Scott’s Choice:
HERON RIVER
by Hugh Cook – $15 Woodward Hall
“I don’t really remember how I found this book, but I know that I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I finished it. The novel begins with the account of a young boy, Adam, falling in a well – an accident that leads to lifelong physical challenges. From there, the story follows Adam and 4 other people who live in his town, painting a compelling picture of the way that his fall (and redemption) effect the lives of those around him. Hugh Cook does a fantastic job making the reader really consider the brokenness of the world around us through characters, a story and a writing style that I found completely captivating.”
Andy’s Choice:
COLLECTED POEMS OF R.S. THOMAS
by R.S. Thomas – $7 Woodward Hall
“A friend of Robin’s and mine gave me a volume of his poems 20 years ago – I remember skimming it at the time. But in 2017 I decided to read more poetry and so I dove back in – just 1-2 at a time – I found them beautiful, spare, evocative pictures of Welsh country life. But I was also reading Martin Laird’s book “Into the Silent Land” about contemplative prayer, and he quoted liberally from Thomas’ poetry regarding the ministry of silence and prayer. I resumed reading to Thomas with different eyes, and read through the rest, thinking: “here is a man whose long labor in ministry, prayer, and humble service have a ton to teach me if I am willing to be present and pay attention.” I commend them to you – read slowly, savor, and pay attention.”
Camille’s Choice:
JESUS THE KING
by Tim Keller – $15 Woodward Hall
“The whole story of the world – and how we fit into it – is most clearly understood through a careful, direct look at the story of Jesus. In Jesus the King, Tim Keller walks us through the gospel of Mark teaching through Jesus’s words and actions how beautifully his life makes sense of ours. As you read & study you’ll discover that Mark’s account of Jesus’s life is presented to us in two acts: his _identity_ as King over all things (Mark 1-8) and his _purpose_ in dying on the cross (Mark 9-16). As you dig in you’ll see that Jesus is unpredictable yet reliable, gentle yet powerful, authoritative yet humble, human yet divine. I trust that through this book you’ll find Jesus to be worthy of your attention as you consider the significance of his life in your own.
Jesus the King can be used for personal study or within the context of a small group. For further recommendations you should talk to any one of the awesome 8th graders in the picture as they too have all read and studied the book alongside me for the past 10 weeks!”
Allison’s Choice:
INHERITANCE
by Audrey Assad – $10 iTunes