Merry Christmas!

With Christmas so close and 2011 to follow in a week, I thought I would just take this time to wish all of you lovely readers and writers a very wonderful and 'merry' Christmas. (Isn't 'merry' a funny word? What other context do we ever use that word?)

Every year this time I usually come up with my list of 'best books' of 2010. I read tons of fiction. That goes without saying! And so, for this blog I thought I would mention four NONfiction books which have meant a lot to me this year, and why:

1. Last Christmas I received a copy of Everything Must Change by Brian McLaren. I read it with an eye to the need for our message and thinking to reach this first generation of people who were raised without any kind of knowledge of God.

2. Wayne Jacobsen's book He Loves Me was like a breath of fresh air. There is nothing I can do to make God love me more, and there is nothing I can do to make God love me less. All he wants is me, not what I can 'do' for him.

3. Our small group studied through Holy Curiosity by Winn Collier. This is an amazing book which tackles all the tough issues that we all grapple with - even if we don't admit it out loud. He talks about doubt and feeling abandoned by God. And as I make my way through this Christian life and journey, usually on the knife-edge between doubt and faith, it was refreshing to realize that other Christians have struggled with major issues as well. A good book for small group study - if you happen to be looking for one.

4. Last August Ruth Haley Barton was the keynote speaker at our denomination's annual convention. I bought her book, Sacred Rhythms and it is amazing! It's all about listening to God and carving out times and spaces to be with him.

With Christmas just a few days away, I recommend all of these books to buy for friends!

Talk to you all in 2011!

Linda Hall