I’ve recently read a couple of books - which is good going for me! I’ve found that train journeys and sleepy Lake District towns are productive times for reading… some more reading awaits as it seems a productive use of my summer…

I started reading ‘Don’t waste your life’ just after Word Alive, was a customary book shop purchase in Skeggy (shove it in the hand of parents as they are buying some). Anyway, John Piper is really addressing the question of our purpose in life, where we invest our time, money, gifts, skills, our future, our whole lives??

A guy called Frank Turk describes this book as “the best apologetics book for unbelieving teens”, I think he’s right but it extends beyond that, in fact it’s a call for all those who have breath in them to see and acknowledge the glory of Jesus and to give their lives to his service. More specifically this is the best challenge to be distinctive in the secular work place that I have read, being realistic, and not simply saying ‘preach the gospel to your work colleagues’, which is usually unhelpful and unrealistic.

My only criticism of Piper’s writings is you feel he stresses the point too much sometimes - “God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in him”… “Worship is the fuel and goal of missions”… I think his ‘taglines’ like these are great, helpful, true and memorable, but just occasionally you feel he’s not able to articulate his points in any other way - so every now and then you feel like he’s writing exactly the same thing!

Nevertheless, this book is a well-written, passionate call to serve Jesus, to give your life to his glory. In the last chapter Piper gives a personal call to consider missionary work. I think this book confirmed and reinforced the aim of my life, to serve Jesus and consider the call to full-time gospel ministry.

‘The Radical Reformission’ is written by Mark Driscoll (and published by Zondervan), it’s £9 on Amazon, he’s also written ‘Confessions of a Reformission Rev’. Driscoll is pastor of Mars Hill Church, in Seattle, and leader of the Acts29 church planting network. If you haven’t come across Driscoll, then stop reading my pathetic blog, go and read his, and download some of his sermons. In particular there is a sermon he has preached titled “Reformission” in which he covers some of the themes in this book.

Anyway, the thrust of the introduction is to say that since we live in a post-Christian culture, mission isn’t just something that happens overseas, but starts just down the road. In the same way that overseas missionaries have to learn about the language and culture of where they are going, so we need to understand and engage with ours. The sub-title for the book is ‘reaching out without selling out’, describing his church as ‘theologically conservative’ yet ‘culturally liberal’. Driscoll has kept the main thing the main thing, but is radical, sometimes risque when it comes to the how, the practical steps in the goal of introducing people to Jesus.

Driscoll as ever is witty and sarcastic, I particularly enjoyed his list (over a page) of his prejudices, repenting against his hatred of boy bands and Canadians - my favourite chapter title is “The sin of Light Beer” - sounds silly, but is a serious attack on a culture of self-righteousness. Would highly recommend. Driscoll has lots of answers and examples from his ministry, though the basics are the same, it’s very American, this book will require some thought as to how we can do mission in our culture.

Have just started reading ‘Battles Christians Face’, by Vaughan Roberts which is looking like another little gem, also picked up a few bargains at the camp bookstall - Desiring God for £7! After BCF I think I shall read a copy of ‘The enemy within’ which I picked up, was recommended at Word Alive, so should be good!