Lent Suggestions

Good reading

In the weeks before Easter Day, what many Christians call the season of Lent, many people choose to give up something (like alcohol or chocolate or TV) and spend the money and/or time they save to help others or create more space for God. Some choose to take on something new that will be good for them and their relationship with God, and this can include reading a book. And so I've been asked by The Link team to suggest a few “Lent books” – but, I have to add, these are good books for any time of the year.

First up is Rob Bell and Dan Golden's Jesus wants to save Christians (Zondervan, 2008). This is a provocative and challenging book which looks at what the whole Bible story has to say to those of us living in a comfortable (albeit credit-crunched) culture. I think you will come to the Bible with refreshed vision once you have read this book. If you've enjoyed any of Bell's Nooma talks, you'll like this.

Then there' s a book which I've only just begun to read for myself – John Ortberg's When the Game Is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box (Zondervan, 2007). Ortberg uses the metaphor of “the game of life” to ask what are we doing with the only life that will be given us? It's punchy, often funny, and perfect to be read in short segments.

Autobiographies are often an inspirational read, and if you've never read Jackie Pullinger's Chasing the Dragon (Hodder, revised ed, 2006), I'd urge you to do so. The book tells of her journey into Hong Kong's notorious Walled City, bringing Jesus' love and healing to many caught up in a vicious world of drugs and vice. Once you've read it, you might never be the same again!

Not just because he's our bishop, I'd also recommend Stephen Cottrell's brief book, Do nothing to change your life (Church House, 2007). A book to read slowly and use as a basis for prayer and reflection, an antidote to the frantic busyness that can dominate our lives.

Finally, you could consider spending time slowly reading through part of the Bible. A good way to do that is to use one of the 'for everyone' series written by Tom Wright (eg, Mark for Everyone (SPCK, 2001)). In each volume Wright translates a short passage of a New Testament book then gives a commentary with application to life. Ideal for daily reading.