Life with God

I have read four books this summer that dealt with the topic of how life looks like with God in the picture.

What does being emotionally healthy mean? What are spiritual disciplines? Are they applicable for everyone? These questions and more were raised in the following books...

Death by Suburb by David Goetz



I found this book incredibly insightful. I think this book does a great job of revealing the impact on how certain suburban ideas affect us more than we think. For instance... "I feel perfectly righteous in storming off in the middle of a soccer game when my daughter doesn't get to play. There's so much more at stake than soccer." The author talks about how simple games and children become our immorality symbols to show off to our neighbor. He always hits the nail on the head when he talks about our consumeristic drive for the "cooler church, the more biblical pastor..." Goetz presents a fair critique of the suburbs without completely abandoning the idea or trying to "escape" it.

He points out that growth happens in relationships that don't allow you to bail. Even when your feelings are hurt, you stay.

Contrarians Guide to Knowing God (Spirituality For the Rest of Us) by Larry Osborne



Did anyone ever tell you that you need to read more to know God better? (funny, since it could be said that's what I am doing). Osborne argues that your relationship with God is just that, a relationship. If reading doesn't work for you, then stop. If praying for hours doesn't work, then stop.

Other topics include: how accountability groups don't work, how results and success or failures are not good indicators for your life.

And one of the most helpful chapters... You don't have to be a super-christian. God's goal for you is not for you to become the guy with all christian t-shirts, moving to India, and listening to christian music all the time.

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero



You wouldn't be waisting your time reading this, but sometimes it's too idealistic and not very practical. But even in it's more idealistic chapters, it makes you aware of things like 1) how family history affects you today, 2) how long months of suffering and confusion indeed have purpose...

Desiring God by John Piper



Raises the questions:

What would our lives look like if God was valued above everything else? Includes topics such as worship, money, marriage, scripture, suffering, community.

One of the better books I've read in awhile.

There you have it. Interested in spirituality? What are the implications of living life with God? This is a good start.