Each week (give or take one or two here and there) I share three things I like – It could be a book, a movie, a podcast, an album, a photo, an article, a restaurant, a food item, a beverage, or anything else I simply enjoy and think you might too. You can find a whole pile of things, especially books, I like and recommend HERE.
1) Being the first one up in the house
I have been a dad for over 20 years, which means I have had about 20 years to discover numerous character flaws and propensities for unpleasantness in myself. One of these is that I am not very kind first thing in the morning if I enter the day at the same time as others. The flip (and more positive) side of this is that I actually do love mornings–just not people in the mornings. So for the last fifteen years or so I have set an early alarm in order to get up, get caffeine, and get in my Bible before I see other humans in my household. Some promote this kind of activity as “discipline” and “self-mastery.” I promote it as “decency” and “living in harmony with one another” because, quite frankly, I need coffee and the Holy Spirit first thing in the morning–with no interruptions–to be a decent father and husband. And after 15 years, this habit has become deeply enjoyable. I love the quiet. I love seeing the sun rise. I love (and have a deep reliance on) black coffee. I love that I am now able to anticipate rather than dread the sound of feet on the floor elsewhere in the house. And more days than not I love being in the Word.
2) 40 Questions About the Trinity by Matthew Y. Emerson and R. Lucas Stamps
Most of us have more than forty questions about the Trinity, if we can even figure out how to articulate the ones we have. This book hits all the big ones in a clear, organized, thorough manner. It is academically supported and informed but not so intellectual as to be unhelpful to a normal thoughtful Christian. Emerson and Stamps are deeply and thoroughly biblical. They address the intricate and important history of the doctrine of the Trinity in the church. They go into the deep theological realms and the more practical, every day ones too with questions like “are there any good analogies for the Trinity” and “what is the best way to teach the Trinity?” I picked this up as a resource to help me teach on the Trinity, and it has been invaluable. It is an ideal reference tool for any teacher or preacher or just for any Christian who finds themselves tied in knots over the mysteries of what is an essential Christian doctrine.
3) “Short Skirt/Long Jacket” by Cake
My middle daughter has fallen in love with angsty, moody 90s and early 2000s music (which I strongly endorse and am also amused by), so recently introduced her to Cake. This song, one several fantastic tunes they put out, is a classic. What I hadn’t realized is how clever and hilarious the music video is. This is fantastic.
(And as an aside: I propose that this song is, in fact, a Proverbs 31 anthem.)
