Homeward Bound

Happy New Year faithful readers of the blog! I am thankful to everyone who reads my content, even as I am not able to post as frequently as I would like to. I did not read as much as I would have liked in 2019 either. Time constraints and some lack of discipline on my part have definitely contributed to this. Nevertheless, I did read some good books. Here is my annual top ten books I read in 2019. 10.  The General vs. The President - H. W. Brands This year I did some historical reading on the era immediately following WW-II and some key events that occurred in the Truman presidency. This book takes a look at two very different leaders (Truman and MacArthur) with very different styles. A clash ensues with global ramifications. A good study, full of practical leadership tips on dealing with difficult people, taking responsibility for decisions, and the sorts of people to surround yourself in the event you find yourself in power. 9.  Great Expectations - Charles Dicken

Last week our Bible Study had fun discussing the topic of prayer and whether the plan of God is "fixed" or "open". We are reading  Celebrating the Disciplines  by Richard Foster  which is a bit mystical and Quaker in its theology. I will say I enjoy reading something that is a bit out of my usual swim lane. Theologically I am hardly a cesationist , and I welcome learning about how we can experience greater intimacy with God and hear His voice. I believe there is a very real aspect of the Christian life that is experiential. So far, I do not have an issue with too many of Foster’s methods. The theology, however, I have found to be problematic at certain points. There was one line in his chapter on prayer where he stated God is continually changing His mind as His children pray: " the Bible stresses so forcefully the openness of our universe that, in an anthropomorphism hard for modern ears, it speaks of God constantly changing his mind in accord with his unc