BOOKS
Francis Fukuyama The End of History and the Last Man
I have wanted to read this book for years. If a person can get the gist of End of History and Sam Huntington's Clash of Civilizations you'd have a pretty good understanding of what's happening in the world, why it's happening, and where it might be going.
Jacqueline Novogratz The Blue Sweater
A beautiful story by a pioneer in the empowerment of women through social entrepreneurship. There are plenty of thinkers, I want to hear from the doers- this book filled me with hope.
Bible: The Gospels and Acts
My focus this year was on the relationship of Jesus and the Father in the Gospels and the relationship of the Church and the Holy Spirit in Acts. This book just keeps getting better.
Clay Shirkey Here Comes Everybody
I have an ongoing fascination with movements- this book is as good as any if you want to understand how communications technology is changing EVERYTHING
Andres Duany Suburban Nation
Written by the father of "new urbanism," and the man who designed Carlton Landing. There are a bunch of holes in "new urbanism" but generally, "I'm in!"
Cory Doctorow Little Brother
If Shirkey is too heady, here is a fun novel about the same subject- the bonus is that it is written from the perspective of a teenager so it's an insightful look into the culture of the next generation
Peter Block Community: The Structure of Belonging
Evidence that the secular community often understands and applies the biblical principles of community building better than the Church.
Robert Lupton Compassion, Justice, and the Christian Life
Here's a Christian who gets it and has been doing it. The new manual for Christian community transformation. All of my urban transformation friends were talking about this book this year (and Amy Newberry got to have breakfast with him!)
Jonathon Kozol Amazing Grace
Another book that I wanted to read for years. It is a graphic description of life in the worst neighborhood in the country in the mid-90's from the perspective of the people who live there. Now my friends the Biddys and the Pattersons both live near the area about which this book was written (Washington Heights and Harlem). This book made me love people more.Henry Drummond The City Without a Church
This may end up being on my "top 10" all-time list. A beautiful, concise, biblical argument for city transformation as a major expression of "Kingdom come."
MOVIES
Last Chance Harvey w/ Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson
The last of about six movies I saw on planes to and from China. I had forgotten how moving it is to see amazing actors tell a great story. I was moved by this piece of art.
The Blind Side
Yes- I cried all through it- it's the racial deal for me.
Avatar
Another piece of art that moved me not by the story or acting but by the sheer technology of it. IMAX 3D may be the only "in theatre" movies I see in the future.
War Dance
Again, it's the racial thing. Reality and hope.
Saints and Soldiers
Surprised me- a great film about leadership, community, and mission.Good Hair
Again...THEMES
Humility
In America you are defined not by your family name, your gender, class or caste- you are defined by your vocation. I started 2009 carrying five business cards, fumbling through the question "what do you do? a.k.a. what are you worth?". I am a man who loves Jesus and I am a family man. Sometimes I get to build communities. At the end of '09 I'm really content with that.
Community Building
What do Church, New Urbanism, Sustainable Agriculture, Social Entrepreneurship, empowering women, and Young Life have in common? Community building.
City Transformation through Church
Relationships with young Church leaders is a treasure the Lord let me continue to invest in '09. Tim Ulrich, Ben Nockles, Brad and Mirella Watson, Eric Mixon, Graham Ripple and many others were ongoing joy, then I was blessed with new ones like the Bandys, Eddie Coates, Matt Lowery, Ray Sanders and the Newberrys- I could cry right now I feel so outrageously privileged.
Social Entrepreneurship
It's really happening and it's called Bloom. Neil Boyd, David Ridgeway, Su Crawford and Kami Humphreys are world-changers and I get to hang with them. 80,000 women will be empowered in the next 7 years- Lagos here we come!
Racism
I used to believe that Islam was the greatest barrier to "Kingdom come" in our generation but it's not, it's racism- that's the bugger bear. Racial reconciliation isn't "a" thing, it's "the" thing and it is definitely the fire that continues to grow in my heart.
Transition
Dave Helm says the journey is the destination- right on. Was my heart softer toward God and toward people in 2009 than it was in 2008? Yep.
Family
Time with Stacy and the kids is my treasure of 2009. We made up for some lost time in the most fun ways- family became "lightweight, low-maintenance" again- love it.
Rich Mullins Radio
The Weepies Radio
Nickel Creek Radio
Flowy Alt-Pop (based on the We Are Scientists song After Hours from the Nick & Nora’s Infinite Playlist soundtrack)
Death Cab for Cutie Radio
TECHNOLOGIES
Iphone
If you don't think this is the best tech tool you've ever had it means you don't have one yet. It is the tech hub of my schedule, networks, and critical information. It "saved" me many times this year.
Garmin 305
Became my go-to gadget for training. Like most gadgets, you just have to take the time to know how to make it work for you.
I love organizational tools- this one is awesome- once again- if you know how to use it.
I was against this place when I first heard of it- now I feel so honored to help build it. It will be the most special place in Oklahoma- at least for the people who spend time there. It will be a place of vision, healing, connection, and community.
The Grove Park Inn and Asheville
Has become our "Lost Valley Ranch" of the east- the place that feels like home. I could spend lots of time in Asheville given the time and mulah.
Low Country South Carolina
Has our favorite food, architecture, culture, and now many of our favorite people (Breens and Cockrams).
Lake Arcadia- Edmond
Discovered mountain-biking this year with Jake. Also discovered trail running so this has become a special place.
China
Finally- and it didn't disappoint. Now I get it.
Year of Africa and Pacific Northwest to come?
Will it be 2010 for Africa? Which country? Countries? And what about the Pac Northwest esp Portland? I'm connected at the heart to the Watsons, so it's inevitable that wherever they are will be a special place for me.
SONGS
This year I wasn't drawn to that touch-feely indie-folky emo crap (which I love:)), it was the year of the anthem- what Stacy calls "ooo-shaka" songs
I Run to You Lady Antebellum
Fans Kings of Leon
I Gotta Feeling The Black Eyed Peas
I'll Go Crazy if I Don't Go Crazy Tonight U2
I Want to Know You Phillip Rice
How He Loves David Crowder
Viva La Vida Coldplay
Revelation Song Kari Jobe
Breathe on Me Todd Fields
Favorite of the year, right up there with some of Charlie Hall's songs as an all-time favorite that says a lot about what I want to be about. Forever, you are the God of my story, write every line for your glory, breathe on me
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