The following is a listing of books and products mentioned throughout the pages of the Jesse Lee Project. This first part of this page represents my recommendations based upon what I am currently reading or listening too today. The second portion of this page represents items referenced in posts throughout the site.
In the spirit of full disclosure, when you click through any of the links on this site and purchase one of the listed titles, a small amount of your purchase price is returned to the Jesse Lee Project from Amazon. In the spirit of what these pages are all about any monies received through clicks on this site will be used directed towards the annual Miles for Mission 5k Fundraiser for Imagine No Malaria (Details available here) or to offset any related charges for maintaining this account. To go directly to the Amazon page for the item listed, just click on the title itself.
What Is On My Desk…
As a huge history buff, I recently discovered the book Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. Hillenbrand, also the author of Seabiscuit, does a phenomenal job of relaying the true story of Louie Zamperini. During the early part of World War II, Louie, a former troublemaker turned Olympian runner, takes part in a routine mission aboard a bomber over the Pacific. His plane crashes, and Hillebrand takes us through Louie’s weeks aboard a rubber dingy, through his time at POW camps throughout Japan, his release, and his post war trauma of moving beyond his experiences.
The book at well over 500 pages is thick with stories and accounts of his life, and when I first picked it up, I was unable to put it down. So much so, that I ended up buying the audio version to listen to as I ran or travelled to work. I am convinced that if there is an audio book to listen to rather than a paper version this is it. It is a powerfully written book, whose power clearly comes across in its skillful narration. Best of all, is the powerful and surprising message that hits the reader/listener in the final chapters of the book. A MUST READ!
The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
As I was packing for my recent trip to Florida, I snagged my well worn copy of this book off its shelf and absent mindedly tossed it into my carryon. As I have read it countless times – so much so that one copy is so beat and marked up- its hard to imagine it’s still a worthwhile read worthy of the limited space in my luggage. Yet, in the end the book is certainly worth reading a dozen times more times.
The Ragamuffin Gospel, is a great reminder of God’s Grace. Too often it seems that the message of the contemporary church is built around the mistaken impression of God that in the end we are not good enough, and that we must earn God’s favor. Manning, in a very raw manner, corrects the impression. This book is Manning’s reminder that God loves us despite our brokenness. It’s almost as if through this book Manning shoves us off the mountaintop we (as a church) have put ourselves. In the end, if there is are books that speak to my own theology this is indeed one of them. For those who struggle with the mainline messages that are so prevalent from the religious elite (i.e.: punishment, judgment, orthodoxy, etc.) this is a more simple and direct message, which in effect, opens the eyes of the reader to what I believe was the radical, life changing message of Jesus. At least the Jesus that I embrace.
The Powers that Be; A Theology for a New Millennium, By Walter Wink
As this is very fresh on my Kindle, the jury is still out. I do intend to write a review when I can spend some time to digest what I am discovering about Walter Wink. Dr. Wink has been pastor, professor, and peace fellow with the United States Institute of Peace. He has written a dozen books and lead countless seminars. All the while, he was never on my radar. That was until just recently.
His bio came to me in the form of an insulting email I received from a reader who believed my theology is the reason that “so many go to hell”. The email was a result of a question I asked a group of online fundamental believers. In response to an every growing hate filled rhetoric, I asked a simple question about how so much judgment is reconciled with the radical and inclusive love presented in the Gospel. I did expect heated response (my pursuit of them is almost a hobby!), but never did I expect the direct and at times threatening email stream. In one of the kinder emails, a reader told me that although “he loved me as a brother” that I will “rot in hell” for the social gospel that he believed I embraced. He told me to “leave the church to true believers” taking my “walter winky theology” with me.
As I digested his ever so useful critique, I also started to ask Who’s Walter Wink? In a cursury review of Wink online, I discovered a very controversial figure in the church who seems to forever draw the anger of the far right. At the same time, I see a theologian and pastor who is trying to refocus the church towards nonviolence, love, radical inclusion, and Grace. He calls out the judgment and broken or backwards theology of many in the church, and uses it as a starting point for discussion. As I dive into this book, I find myself going to bed with a statement or comment from Wink bouncing about in my head. As I said the jury is out, but he is certainly proving to be a challenging read. I cant wait to take all his ideas and come to my own conclusion on whether being called “walter winky” is a good or a bad thing.
Seth Glier’s The Trouble With People
A couple of weeks ago, my daughter’s 8th grade class held a benefit concert to help raise money for a class trip; the pinnacle of the Waldorf School experience in Keene. As chance would have it, a parent in her class is very active in the music community in New England (and perhaps beyond), and he had a special tie to this young artist. Through those connections, we were able to arrange Seth to perform for a small crowd at the school. From Shelburne Falls, Mass, Seth is a 22 year old with a voice that is some odd combination of early Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen and Paul Simon. Hearing him perform in his unique storytelling approach, I became an instant fan. Within a few days, I have purchased two of his albums off Itunes, and I am looking forward to the next time I can see him perform. You certainly need to check him out.
Recently Mentioned Books, Items, Music…
Books:
- Please Stop Laughing At Me, by Jodee Blanco – A personal story of overcoming bullying.
- Organic Leadership, by Niel Cole – A fresh look at techniques for growing the church.
- A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens – No introduction or overview needed…simply a classic.
- 127 Hours: Between a Rock and a Hard Place -by Aron Ralston – Awesome story of survival and strength in adversity.
Other Media:
- Forrest Gump - Up there with the likes of Star Wars, and the Godfather as one of my favorite all time movies.
- Janis Joplin’s Greatest Hits, by Janis Joplin – A tortured victim of school yard bullying.
- Back to Black – Amy Winehouse – The late Amy Winehouse’s best collection of music clearly displaying the talent that was lost at her passing.
