TOP BOOKS OF 2016

In, as ever, no particular order (other than the rough order I read them in):

• Sigrid Undset, Kristin Lavransdatter
• Jonathan Grant, Divine Sex: A Compelling Vision for Christian Relationships in a Hypersexualized Age
• Mark Edmundson, Why Teach? In Defense of Real Education 
• Hanya Yanagihara, A Little Life
• Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoung, Glittering Vices: A New Look at the Seven Deadly Sins and Their Remedies
• Tim Winton, Scisson [Especially the story: A Blow, a kiss]
• Penelope Lively,  Ammonites and Leaping Fish: A Life in Time
• Godfrey Hodgson, JFK and LBJ: The Last Two Great Presidents
• Belden C Lane, Ravished by Beauty: The Surprising Legacy of Reformed Spirituality
• Henri JM Nouwen, Love, Henri: Letters on the Spiritual Life

PARENTS

'To this day, being able to "take advantage" of someone is the measure in my mind of having a parent.'

JD Vance, Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, p.104.

ALL OUR DESIRES REALISED IN HIM

'Thank you so much for the expression of your desire and hope.

You know already that the young, attractive, affectionate, caring, intelligent, spiritual and socially conscious gay man has only one name: God!'

Henri JM Nouwen, Love, Henri, p.343.

THE POWER OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

'The most beautiful fruit of accepting God's unconditional love for us is that it allows us to share that unconditional love with others. Indeed, strange as it may sound, we can become like God for others. It becomes possible to love without demanding love in return. That is the marvelous possibility of the children of God. They are free to love. It is a strong, energetic, vital and very active love. It is not a sentimental, all approving and always agreeing love. It even can be a confronting love. But it is unconditional.'

Henri JM Nouwen, Love, Henri, p.340.

OUR PERMANENT IDENTITY IN CHRIST

'Our first and most important spiritual task is to claim that unconditional love of God for ourselves. We have to dare to say 'Whether I feel it or not, whether I comprehend it or not, I know with a spiritual knowledge that I am God's beloved child, and nobody can take that divine childhood away from me.''

Henri JM Nouwen, Love, Henri, p.340.

BLESSED ARE THE POOR

'There was a time when I really wanted to help the poor, the sick and the broken, but to do it as one who was wealthy, healthy and strong. Now I see more and more how it is exactly through my weakness and brokenness that I minister to others. I am increasingly aware of the fact that Jesus does not say, 'Blessed are those who help the poor' but 'Blessed are the poor.' For me, this means that I have to come in touch with my own poverty to discover there the blessings of God and to minister from that place to others.'

Henri JM Nouwen, Love, Henri, p.281.

BODIES MATTER

'Spirit and Body cannot be separated. That is what the incarnation and resurrection is all about. But what a struggle! Some destroyed their bodies through self-castigation, others through unrestricted sensuality. Jesus loved the whole person body, mind and soul. But how to purify our passions while remaining passionate? I feel we need to keep thinking about these things. There remains so much hidden pain in so many hearts.'

Henri JM Nouwen, Love, Henri, p.249.

KNOWING GOD

'Doctrines and structures are basically nothing but the fences around the garden where we can meet God.'

Henri JM Nouwen, Love, Henri, p.235.

LIVING THE BIBLE

'I trust the Word of the Bible, and I want that Word to become, more and more, flesh in me. Maybe the question is not so much to read the Bible often but to let the Bible read me and reveal me to myself.'

Henri JM Nouwen, Love, Henri, p.220.

CHANGE COMES THROUGH LOOKING TO JESUS

'The more we look into ourselves and try to figure ourselves out, the more we become entangled in our own imperfections. Indeed, we cannot save ourelves. Only Jesus can save us. That is why it is so important to remove your inner eye away from the complexities of your own heart towards the pure but broken heart of Jesus. Looking at Him and His immense mercy will give you the ability to accept your own imperfections and to really let yourself be cared for by the mercy and love of Jesus.'

Henri JM Nouwen, Love, Henri, p.204.