Books for February

These are the books I read this month.

A War of Loves: The Unexpected Story of a Gay Activist Discovering Jesus by David Bennett.  Someone recommended this book and it was already in my "to be read" pile.  His story is captivating and he is a great storyteller.  Bennett has an amazing testimony of salvation.  He starts off as side A (affirming of living a gay lifestyle) but God slowly transforms his thinking and he is now side B (believes in the traditional Biblical definition of marriage) and celibate.  I appreciated his very positive and uplifting view of celibacy.  I also appreciated his candor about his temptations, struggles, and successes.

My favorite quote: "When Jesus Christ is relegated to a hobby for middle-class families and not allowed to be the Lord of our entire lives, we are bound to destroy the witness of his gospel.  What the Western church needs is a new identity that recognizes that Jesus isn't just a peripheral interest.  He's the center of everything."

Unwanted: How Sexual Brokenness Reveals Our Way to Healing by Jay Stringer.  I heard him on this podcast first.  His book was also already in my "to be read" pile.  This book is not about SSA.  It is about any and all sexual brokenness but specifically pornography.  Stringer says we must look into our desires to see our brokenness and what it says about us before we can find true healing.  The book is divided into three sections: "How did I get here?", "Why do I stay?", and "How do I get out of here?".  In "How did I get here?" he explores dysfunctional family dynamics, abandonment, triangulation, trauma, abuse and how these things can set us up for unhealthy sexual desires.  In "Why do I stay?" he discusses the cycle of unwanted sexual behavior and how our souls are impacted by this cycle.  In "How do I get out of here?", Stringer focuses not on accountability but rather on healing relationships.  Each chapter in the first two sections ends with questions to reflect on.  These are like free therapy!  I found the book to be easy to read and understand, deeply thought-provoking, and full of grace and hope.

My favorite quote: "Pondering what freedom is for invites you to shift your focus from fixing yourself to an ability to dream redemption for a soul steeped in shame.  If your hope is not moving your story into greater passion and comfort, your desire for freedom is too small."

Also, I watched this sermon by J.D. Greear recently.  It was suggested by a friend and it was well worth my time.  Great theology and insight into homosexuality and the Bible.