Hi. I’m Ken Jones, and this is A Classic State of Mind, with a Word About … Reading

We live in what could be called a frenetic and confusing world. One of the ways I try to stay on track with my life, especially in the midst of so much uncertainty, political rhetoric, slant, spin, news (fake and otherwise) … is by reading.

My library in my home office is pretty thinned out, now, because I’ve given many of them away. I do keep certain treasured books by authors I collect or particularly enjoy. I do like the feel of holding a real book in my hands and sitting by our wood stove, or some lovely lake or stream, or even relaxing on my back deck and listening to our twenty-five or so spotted sheep call to one another, early in the morning. But, quite honestly, much of my library now is on my iPad.

In past years, I’m afraid I frustrated my wife at times, by cluttering the back seat of our car or the trunk of our car with a sort of ‘travelling library, so I could grab a book when I had a few moments. But I’ve discovered that I can carry a wide variety of books around with me, and when I have a few moments waiting in a doctor’s office, or waiting for my wife who is shopping, I can escape the daze and spend time in ebooks. I love the convenience.

So, what do I read, (besides the Bible, which is my daily practice)?

Right now, sitting on the ‘bookshelf’ in my iPad, I’m working on the following:

I just finished a book by Keith Anderson: “Reading Your Life’s Story” a book on spiritual mentoring I really enjoyed.

I’m also reading “The Cycle of Grace: Living in Sacred Balance” by Trevor Hudson and Jerry Haas. A wonderful work about the components of a grace-focused life.

And one of my very favorite writers, Walter Wangerin has written a beautiful book of stories, titled: “Wounds Are Where Light Enters: Stories of God’s Intrusive Grace”

Not all my eBooks are particularly spiritual or Christian.

“The Mind Hunter” — by John Douglas. A book about the FBI profiling unit.
“12 Rules for Life” — by Jordan B. Peterson
“The Haunts of Cruelty” — A novel by my friend, R. G. Ryan

Also reading … “How to Write a Sentence” by Stanley Fish; “365 Days with Self-Discipline” by Martin Meadows; “An American Childhood” by Annie Dillard;  and, “All Over But the Shoutin” by Rick Bragg.

I have dozens of books on my iPad that I haven’t even started yet. And some that I started and gave up on. No matter. I’m reading. If you’re not in the habit of picking up a book, or accessing a book in some electronic device, just an encouragement: Why not start?

Don’t ‘like to read?’ Well, … you made it this far into my little window on the radio. Perhaps you just haven’t found the right format. If not a book you actually read, perhaps a book you listen to while someone else reads it? Don’t give up. And of course, don’t neglect reading The Book, God’s Word. Nothing will improve your outlook, your life, your very soul more than a daily walk through the pages of scripture.

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