My Top 12 Books of 2012

Here is a list of the best twelve books I read in 2012. They made the list because (a) I read them in 2012 and (b) I enjoyed them or (c) they were significantly helpful in some way. What were your top reads in 2012?


  1. Jesus: A Theography -  Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola
  2. Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World - Bob Goff
  3. One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are - Ann Voskamp
  4. Beauty in the Desert: Discover Deeper Intimacy with God Through the Model of the Tabernacle - Eddie Broussard
  5. Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation -  Ellis, Joseph J
  6. Steve Jobs - Walter Isaacson
  7. Untamed: Reactivating a Missional Form of Discipleship - Hirsch, Alan, Hirsch, Debra
  8. In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership - Henri J. M. Nouwen
  9. Advancing the Gospel: Colossians - Mike Treneer
  10. Evernote: The unofficial guide to capturing everything and getting things done. 2nd Edition - Daniel Gold
  11. Making Waves - Doug Nuenke
  12. 50 People Every Christian Should Know: Learning from Spiritual Giants of the Faith - Warren W. Wiersbe

Position, Title, and Authority

“and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year”
(John 18:13 NIV)

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”
(Hebrews 4:14–15)

“So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, but He who said to Him, “YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU”;”
(Hebrews 5:5)


It is interesting that in the book of John and among commentators there is much discussion of who the high priest was when Jesus was arrested. Most commentator say that Caiaphas held the office of high priest at that time, but that his father-in-law, Annas had formerly held that office and still continued to exercise its authority.

And yet the during the whole farce of a process, the real high priest was the one on trial. Yet Jesus had laid aside His office of authority in order to live life as the Son of Man.

I must be very careful when talks turn to "authority" and "submission" and titles. These things do exist, but they are not what is important in the sight of God. Jesus is the ultimate authority and all real authority must be derived from Him, not from the constructs of man. Jesus is the real army branch director, the real seattle metro leader, and any other "position of authority" that I may be placed in. I only have any real authority as I act in harmony with what Jesus would do in that role.