To Get You Through The Night

So here are some recommendations for you all out there who are looking for something new to listen too or read. This is what I have been conversing with lately.

Music:

What's Going On?- Marvin Gaye
Gaye's most spiritual album. Full of praises and laments to God. Innovative and experimental, but still connected to Gaye's gospel roots.

More Than This- Jon Abel
Full disclosure. I don't typically like to spend alot of time listening to praise and worship music, outside of church. Often it seems very homogenous and way too slick. But, Jon is a personal friend whom I believe in. So after final review: this is a great album. Catchy with great lyrics, and Jon has a great voice. There is alot of craftsmanship in these well thought out and often profound songs. They are worship songs from a fresh and honest perspective.

Infiniment- Jacques Brel
I learned about this crooner from a recent trip to Brussels. I don't understand what he is singing in French, but it sounds down right cool. You could call him the French Frank Sinatra, with a tobacco etched smooth voice.

Books:

Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving in a Culture Stripped of Grace-Miroslav Volf
One of the deepest and most profound expositions of the Chrisitan life in light of God's grace. How much God loves us and forgives us, and how we are to respond to it. This book will challenge you and encourage you. It is an essential read for any Christian, or anyone interested in Christianity.

Fever Pitch- Nick Hornby
Hilarious and poignant memoir for those of us who have a strong connection, fanaticism, or debilitating psychosis, for a sporting team. He loves Arsenal (a London soccer team) but for anyone else, just substitute the Cowboys, Spurs, Longhorns, or Red Sox. Women read this to understand us silly men better