Being Intentional in 2025

Dear COAH,

As we start 2025, let us be more intentional in what has our attention. A lot of people have a top ten list, but I have 5 books I enjoyed reading in 2024 that I would like to recommend and encourage you to take a look. There is no particular order.

1. A Praying Church: Becoming a People of Hope in a Discouraging World  by Paul Millar

   • There is power in prayer, and when believers gather to pray together, powerful things happen. This is a book our COAH officers will read and study together in 2025, to see the importance and need for our church to pray. I hope and pray that in 2025 we will become more of a praying church. 

2. The Lord of Psalm 23 by David Gibson

   • I read this book in preparation for Early Morning Prayer back in May. Many of us are familiar and probably memories Psalm 23, so do we need to read a book about Psalm 23. As I read this short book, I become more appreciative of Psalm 23 and understand why this wonderful Psalm holds such a special place in many people’s hearts.

3. The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

   • This is a non-Christian book, but a book I would recommend to parents (especially young parents). It addresses the rising rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide in our society. The impact of social media and technology that has on our children. 

   • Here is a good review of the book: https://www.challies.com/book-reviews/the-great-rewiring-of-childhood/

   • Honorable mention: 

     1. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain 

     2. Quiet Power: The Secret Strengths of Introverts (for teens) by Susan Cain. 

   • If you are an introvert or your children is an introvert, these two books provide good insights. I would recommend Quiet Power for teens who are introverts. It would be best if they read the book themselves.

4. On the Christian Life: New Translation by John Calvin 

   • This is a very brief book, a portion of the Reformer’s magnum, opus, Institutes of the Christian Religion.  It answers the question, “What does it mean to live faithfully as a Christian.” It is a book that you can read and reread, that will guide you to grow in your faith. 

5. The Great Story and the Great Commission: Participating in the Biblical Drama of Mission by Christopher J. H. Wright.

   • This is a book Rev. Song had the pastoral staff read as our annual book study. I read it twice because it was extremely helpful to see the grand narrative of the Bible and to understand who we are and what we must do as God’s people. 

These are some books I would like to recommend, and here are some other resources to help you be more intentional being engaged in God’s Word.

1. Bible Reading Plan Generator

2. Tim Challies’ article on “12 interesting ways to read your Bible in 2025”

3. ESV reading plans

4. Devotionals recommend by Tim Challies

Let’s be intentional in determining what has our attention in 2025. 

Blessings,

Pastor Kyu Park