Jonathan Joiner

Writer. Reader. Average tweeter.

[Jonathan Joiner @JonathanJoiner]

Book No. 153: "Talking to Strangers" by @Gladwell. Every time I get the privilege to sit at the figurative table with Gladwell, I walk away with changed perspectives. This book is IMPERATIVE to understanding why we interact with strangers the way we do, & how we can do it better.

[Jonathan Joiner @JonathanJoiner]

@kimboklaer I wanted to laugh, but there was no haha button.

[Jonathan Joiner @JonathanJoiner]

Book No. 152: “Paul: A Biography” by N.T. Wright. This thing was a mammoth, but very cool to be grounded in the context and reality of the man Saul of Tarsus. When you get a bigger perspective of his real world, it brings rich meaning to his words—words I’ve read my entire life.

[Jonathan Joiner @JonathanJoiner]

Book No. 151: “On Writing” by @StephenKing. This is one of the best books I’ve EVER read. If you’re an aspiring writer in ANY way, don’t push another key until you read through this. It has changed the way I write, motivating me to constantly pursue the next level. 10/10

[Jonathan Joiner @JonathanJoiner]

Book No. 150: “Lethal White” by Robert Galbraith. This was such a well-done detective story. Every mystery weaves together into one fascinating plot. Rowling is one of the most eloquent modern authors out there. My favorite Strike novel so far.

[Jonathan Joiner @JonathanJoiner]

Book No. 150: “Dreaming with God” by Bill Johnson. A FASCINATING read filled with down-to-earth theology about the Holy Spirit. Although I might not fully support every statement in the book, it opened my eyes to new perspectives of how God can and wants to interact with us.

[Jonathan Joiner @JonathanJoiner]

Book No. 149: “The Road Back to You” by Cron and Stabile. The enneagram really has been the most helpful personality guideline I’ve come across. Understanding my motives and what traps I’m likely to fall into has helped me realize how to become a better version of me.

[Jonathan Joiner @JonathanJoiner]

Book No. 148: “Lasting Impact” by Carey Nieuwhof. Very few people know how to think through church leadership as well as Nieuwhof. I particularly liked his insights on the future of the church & how we can navigate the current seismic cultural shift to be even more effective.

[Jonathan Joiner @JonathanJoiner]

Book No. 147: “Lead Like a Shepherd” by Larry Osbourne. This was an insightful study on 1 Peter 5:2-4 and how the analogy of a shepherd actually fleshes out in the real world as modeled by the Great Shepherd’s leadership. Highly recommend for any Christian leader.

[Jonathan Joiner @JonathanJoiner]

Book No. 146: "Letters to the Church" by Francis Chan. This book was a fascinating take on a different model of church as we know it. My guess is that modern Christianity is going to tend toward this model over the next two or three decades. But who knows what God has planned!?

[Jonathan Joiner @JonathanJoiner]

Book No. 145: “Grown-Up Faith” by @KevinMyersPK. If you are someone who is plagued by questions like, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” or “Are heaven and hell real?” please read this book. It addresses ten of life’s biggest questions, the questions we’re all asking.

[Jonathan Joiner @JonathanJoiner]

“[T]he value of a life is always measured by how much of it was given away.” -@AndyStanley

Not how much we gain for ourselves, but how much we give ourselves away.

[Jonathan Joiner @JonathanJoiner]

Book No. 144: “The King Jesus Gospel” by Scot McKnight. This book was pretty repetitive (which he even admits at the beginning). Honestly, the second to last chapter is great—I feel like I could have gotten everything I needed from that one chapter.

[Jonathan Joiner @JonathanJoiner]

Book No. 143: “Irresistible” by @AndyStanley. I’m serious, I’ve been through this book 3 times since I got it mid-Dec. I look at people differently now—understanding why & what it is to actually love the “one anothers” around me: you love & serve God by loving & serving people.

[Judah Smith @judahsmith]

Christians aren’t different in terms of WHAT we go through, but HOW we go through it. #TrustInGod

[Jonathan Joiner @JonathanJoiner]

Book No. 142: “Irresistible” by @AndyStanley. I found this book so significant, I went through it a second time and have already embarked on the third pass. It’s life- and faith-altering for me. If you read it, let me know; I’d love to discuss what you get out of it!

[Andy Stanley @AndyStanley]

The controversy swirling around Irresistible is fueled by folks who haven’t actually read it but are confident they know what’s in it. Jesus unleashed something NEW. A new covenant, a new command and a new movement, the Church!

[Jonathan Joiner @JonathanJoiner]

Book No. 141: “Irresistible” by @AndyStanley. This may be one of the most important books I’ve ever read. Honestly life-changing. If you’re a Christian, a non-Christian, or a post-Christian (walked away from faith), PLEASE read this book!

[Jonathan Joiner @JonathanJoiner]

Book No. 140: “Jobs” by Walter Isaacson. I truly incredible look into a man who changed the world. There’s a lot to learn from his leadership, both what TO do and what NOT to do. Fascinating and in-depth. Recommended.

[Kevin Queen @kevinqueen]

Joseph didn’t plan on Mary being pregnant, or the rumors flying around Nazareth, or adopting his oldest child, or becoming a refugee in Egypt, or raising the Messiah. You can have the Kingdom or you can have your plans, but you can’t have both.