Tips For Enjoying the Journey
“This is what I have seen to be good: it is fitting to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of the life God gives us; for this is our lot. Likewise all to whom God gives wealth and possessions and whom he enables to enjoy them, and to accept their lot and find enjoyment in their toil—this is the gift of God. For they will scarcely brood over the days of their lives, because God keeps them occupied with the joy of their hearts.”
Therefore I offer this blog as the first of many in order to help you find enjoyment amongst the toil of the few days of your life.
The Biggest Story - ABC by Kevin DeYoung & Don Clark
This has been a favorite family book over the past year. Of course, if you are older than 3 it might be a bit elementary, but it gets at the point that the greatest story ever told is that of how Yahweh has worked in our world. And the title accurately reflects my thoughts about what makes a book good: books are good in the sense that they reflect the ultimate story of what God has done for us through His son Jesus.
The Complete Leatherstocking Tales by James Fenimore Cooper
We all need to delve into the world of fiction from time to time to bring color to our oft dark world. James Fenimore Cooper has given us such classics as Deerslayer and The Last of the Mohicans – both contained in Vol 1 of The Complete Leatherstocking Tales. Besides being just plain-good reading, Cooper also gives us a model of a humble and honorable Christian man in the character of Deerslayer/Hawkeye who does his best to follow God’s commands in his own space and time.
Donal Grant by George MacDonald
Much like Cooper did with Hawkeye, George MacDonald does with his characters in Donal Grant: he supplies us with wonderful Christian characters to emulate today. For my money, however, MacDonald supplies the best Christian character in all of fiction with the humble cobbler Anerew. I won’t give anymore away other than to say Donal Grant is certainly worth your time at some point in your life.
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
Could there be anything better than to read a story about a shipwreck, survival on a deserted (?) island, running from cannibals, and true faith in Christ in one book?!?! Nope. Buy the book and read it asap.
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
Yeah yeah yeah, I can already hear the criticism “Tim just included this one because he wants to make it seem like he read a long book.” That could be true, but let me just say this about Tolstoy’s War and Peace – when I finished reading it I was overwhelmed by the thought that I could’ve died before I had the chance to read it and that would’ve been a real loss for me. For my money it’s the best book ever written.
Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington
Save for the Bible, I’m not sure there’s a better antidote to the present madness than for everyone to buy Booker T. Washington’s autobiography. He tells the story of being born into slavery, being freed from slavery, pursuing hard work, education, personal responsibility, and then bearing so much fruit from his efforts that he impacted the lives of millions of men and women around the world. The world would be a very different place had Booker not lived in it. Praise be to God Almighty for giving this man so many gifts.
Basic Economics by Thomas Sowell
A generation of Americans owe Thomas Sowell a debt of gratitude for teaching them how to think. I’m one such American. Sowell was the first person that taught me how to think, not just what to think. Don’t be put off by the title of the book, it’s a time-tested, super accessible book on how to understand economics. There’s no way you read this book and don’t call me immediately after to thank me for recommending it. Once you do that, I’ve got 20 other Sowell books to recommend. He’s the grandpa we all want.
Overcoming Sin and Temptation by John Owen
Do you sin? If so, this book is for you. Besides scripture, I don’t know of another book that does more work to kill sin in the lives of believers. Owen was a Puritan writer who took seriously the work it takes to kill sin in our lives. He teaches his readers how to fight sin actively using the Word of God. His small book contains such gems as “Not to be daily mortifying sin is to sin against the goodness, kindness, wisdom, grace, and love of God, who has furnished us with a principle of doing it.” And “Let not that man think he makes any progress in holiness who walks not over the bellies of his lusts. He who does not kill sin in his way takes no steps toward his journey’s end.”
The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
If you are a Christian who hasn’t read The Pilgrim’s Progress, stop what you are doing right now, go out to that one book store that survives, and buy the book! Then take a leave of absence from your work, make a pot of coffee, and find a comfortable spot in your house and read this book. You can thank me later. It’s a classic for a reason folks! Do it. YOLO.
Happy reading!