A new year means a new count for the book log. Here’s a rundown of the 8 books I read in January. This month’s list includes two books written by friends of mine. Check them out! The 2025 book total begins at 8. Happy reading!

(I must always clarify that I read many books with which I disagree. I learn the most by reading things that do not represent my position.)

Ross is the definition of a good friend and the embodiment of a pastor‘s heart. He always greets me with a large smile and an even bigger hug. He cares for people. He supports, challenges, and encourages. I often say, “I want to be like Ross when I grow up.”

In His Image came out a few weeks ago. Before it was released, Ross gave me a call and offered to send me the book in PDF form. He wanted feedback to make it better. I gladly read the book over the weekend, but I had no comments that could improve it.

This book began as a treatise for his church, First Baptist Church of Marble Falls, Texas. It was intended to guide his church’s study regarding women’s roles in ministry. Every page drips with Ross‘s desire to know the Scripture and his desire to lead his church into Christlikeness. It is good for this work to now reach a broader audience.

In His Image supports woman in leadership roles and defends how this position is not a slippery slope into liberalism. Ross makes his case through scriptural analysis of six issues. Those who support women in ministry will be encouraged by this helpful and concise argument. Those who don’t support women in ministry will be encouraged by the proper explanation of the egalitarian position.

Reclaiming Quiet: Cultivating a Life of Holy Attention by Sarah Clarkson

Last year I read Clarkson’s This Beautiful Truth. It was poignant and literately powerful and happily led me to jump into this volume. Reclaiming Quiet is Clarkson’s memoir detailing her battle against screen addiction. She argues that quiet is not for specialist or the ultra disciplined. Rather, quiet is our inner native land, the place to which we turn to find God already waiting, calling us beloved, and drawing us homeward into a life of holy and joyous attention. Every sentence is a well-developed and carefully crafted. It blessed me.

Surprised by the Trinity: Discovering More of the Love of God by Jamey Miller

This is the second book on the list written by a friend of mine! Jamey and I were in the same cohort during our doctor of ministry days at Truett Seminary at Baylor University. This book stems from his culminating project. I had the pleasure of hearing Jamey’s early formation of argumentation. So much fun to see it in book form years later.

This book is personal and pastoral. You get a glimpse of Jamey’s journey into a fuller understanding of the relational love of God. You also get to see how delighting in the Trinity has real world implications for Christian faith, pastoral ministry, and the life of the church. It is a great introduction to Trinitarian theology.

Sacred Pace: Four Steps to Hearing God and Aligning Yourself with His Will by Terry Looper

I read this book a few years ago at the recommendation of a church member. I returned to it in attempt to find some life-producing rhythms in the new year.

Looper is the founder of Texon LP and has served as the organizations president and chief executive officer for 30 years. Yet, in his mid 30s, Looper was a multimillionaire fast tracking toward even greater entrepreneurial success. Then one day, his fast lane came to a screeching halt. In a crisis, he found God and a godly change of pace. This book details the journey and offers four steps to follow.

The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction by Justin Whitmel Earley

Earley is a mergers and acquisitions lawyer. Can’t you tell by the name? I picked this volume up in an effort to read about Sabbath for a commentary I was writing on the book of Nehemiah. But I was gripped by the whole thing.

Earley shares his method for healthy spiritual growth. He offers up four daily and four weekly habits. The daily habits are kneeling prayer three times a day, one meal with others, one hour with phone off, and scripture before phone. The weekly habits are one hour of conversation with a friend, curate media to four hours, fast from something for 24 hours, and Sabbath. Helpful. Downright helpful.

Limping with God: Jacob & the Old Testament Guide to Messy Discipleship by Chad Bird

I’ve benefited in many ways from Chad Bird. Last year I read his book Christ the Key and I have also been helped by his library of online videos. Youtube is great.

Limping with God is a tour of the Old Testament with Jacob as the guide. The focus is discipleship but I was blessed most by Bird’s weaving a thread to connect various portions of the Old Testament into a beautiful tapestry.

Flood and Fury: Old Testament Violence and the Shalom of God by Matthew Lynch

I discovered this book through Lynch being interviewed by Gavin Orland. It is a serious attempt to deal with violence in the Old Testament. Lynch specifically looks at the flood and the Canaanite conquest to offer a way forward which requires neither softening nor ignoring the most troubling aspects of these stories. He covers misogyny, racism, nationalism, and more. It’s a tad academic but more than readable and helpful. A few twist and turns in the book made me twist and turn but I think it would be helpful for anyone grappling with these issues.