Book of the Month: January

This year I aim to devote time each week to intentionally reading. More specifically, reading books that mature my relationship with Christ and cause me to fall more in love with Him. At the end of every month my goal is to blog about my book of the month!

January's choice:

Last year some time I had read the first of David Platt's books entitled Radical. If you have not already done so, I highly recommend you take the time to read this book. However, be forewarned that it is not a book for the faint of heart. At times you may have to put it down to be able to digest the meaty truths of Scripture that Platt discusses. Great, challenging book.

Having read his first book I asked for his second book, pictured above, from my soon-to-be in-laws for Christmas. I was delighted to receive it during our Christmas gift exchange in Missouri. While Radical focuses more on the individual life of every believer, Radical Together takes a look at the body of Christ as a whole and how it should be acting and operating if it truly believes God's Word to be Way the Truth and the Life. Platt challenges the church to re-evaluate the way it spends its time, money and resources and align them more with fulfilling the Great Commission

For where I am in my life now this was a very challenging and motivating book for me. One that I will probably read frequently in my life. As Zach and I prepare to begin our lives together we are daily faced with the questions such as "Where is God leading us?" "What may he desire for us to sacrifice?" "Are we fully willing to give up the things He asks us to give up for the sake of furthering His Kingdom?" Can't say that we have the answers to these questions yet. But I do know that with each passing day our desire to serve Him fully grows. I know that we want to be no where else than in the center of His will.

There is so much more to say about this book, but Platt does a pretty good job. So go buy a copy, rent it from the library or steal it from a friend. Just read it. You won't be sorry.

Near the end of the book Platt talks about his short term trip to the Sudan. The threats of death and danger for those on the trip came from every direction, including one they weren't aware of- snakes. He talks about his dependence on the Lord during his stay in the Sudan...

"Everywhere we went, I was on the lookout. I would go to bed at night praying that God would wake me in the morning, and then I would wake up thanking him for bringing me through the night.... Everywhere and at all times I was aware of my need for Him, and I lived in constant dependence upon him and in desperation for him. I am convinced this is the way the Christian life is intended to be lived and our churches to be led. Let's be honest. As long as church consists of normal routines and Christianity consists of nominal devotion with little risk, little sacrifice, and little abandonment, then we can do this on our own. But what happens when we give ourselves to something that is far greater than what we can accomplish on our own? What happens when we dare to believe that God desires to use every one of our lives and every one of our churches to bring about kingdom advancements to the ends of the earth? We will find ourselves around every corner and at every moment dependent on his power and desperate for his grace as we devote ourselves to his purpose."

What could the Lord be calling us to? I can't wait to find out.