To Be a Christian Mystic or a Man of God? #LeadersAreReaders March 2026

I remember reading Richard Foster’s Sanctuary of the Soul (2011) on a flight from KLIA2 to KIA. At first, I was drawn to the subject of meditative prayer, partly because of the positive influence of Foster’s Celebration of Discipline. However, halfway through the book, I began to feel that most of the Bible verses were explained in a rather mystical way (I should've known... also, I'm not a fan of 'Desert Fathers,' too much quotes). Although I finished the book before landing and gained some helpful insights on prayer in general, I realized that the author’s approach to spirituality does not quite suit my temperament and personality.

Perhaps this is also because I have come to understand Scripture more deeply and have become more discerning about certain aspects of meditative prayer. Still, I find some of the ideas intriguing, such as meditation and prayer, the concept of descending with the mind into the heart to behold the divine, the idea of a “safe space” where the spirit is free to breathe and the heart is secure, the notion of self-love as turning inward for healing and protection, and the emphasis on stillness as a way of reconnecting with the soul. To be honest, I am not entirely sure how to practice most of these.

On the other hand, David Pawson’s Men of God (2020) is very compelling. In fact, I find all of Dr. Pawson’s books helpful. In this work, he addresses the crisis of masculinity in both the church and society. He argues that many churches function like lifeboats, prioritizing women and children, while men are often disengaged, creating a gap in spiritual leadership. His contrast between modern perspectives and biblical principles is striking, especially his emphasis that God calls men to be active as warriors, leaders, and followers of Christ. This message is deeply needed today. The way Pawson presents his arguments is both persuasive and heartfelt, reflecting a genuine concern for men to become men of God. This is a subject I care deeply about as well, namely biblical manhood. As he writes, “I make no apology for saying that I believe the strength of any church is in its men.” I wholeheartedly agree 💯#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

No Article.... #LeadersAreReaders February 2026

I forgot to share… I only managed to finish one book 😅 In February, I was busy reading lots of reference books for preaching, teaching, and Bible studies 📖 #ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

The Joy of Not Finishing Books #LeadersAreReaders January 2026

I used to push myself to finish every book I started because I felt guilty stopping halfway. I tried to finish Yuval Noah Harari’s Nexus, James Patterson’s Private Games, and Martin Lings’ biography of Muhammad (BM), among others, but I eventually lost the drive to continue. Instead of enjoying the process, reading became a burden. But reading James Colley’s article in The Guardian (30 Nov 2018) a few years ago helped me rethink that pressure.

He points out that there simply isn’t enough time in a lifetime to read every book. That means each moment I spend forcing myself through a book I’m not connecting with is a moment lost from reading something that might truly move me. Most of us know that feeling. You are hundreds of pages in, you do not care about the characters, and you keep flipping to the back just to see how many pages are left. Colley argues that this reflects sunk cost thinking. Because we have already invested time, we do not want to “waste” it, even if the book is no longer rewarding.

What struck me most was how freeing it felt to see putting down a book not as defeat, but as a choice. Letting go of a book I do not enjoy means clearing space for one that brings joy, insight, or connection. It is a small act of self-honesty and that is valuable not only in reading, but in life ❤️#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Mentored by the Books I Read, by the Authors I Never Met #LeadersAreReaders December 2025

J. Oswald Sanders, in his book Spiritual Leadership (revised, 2017), writes: “If people are known by the company they keep, so also their character is reflected in the books they read. A leader’s reading is the outward expression of their inner hunger and aspirations. The vast number of titles pouring from the presses today makes discriminating choice essential. We can afford to read only the best, only that which invigorates our mission. Our reading should be regulated by who we are and what we intend to accomplish.” Sanders reminds us that what we choose to read both reveals and shapes who we are, especially for those called to lead. In a world flooded with information, intentional and discerning reading is not a luxury but a responsibility, as it profoundly influences our convictions, clarity, and calling.

Since mentoring can be understood as one life empowering another, I have always regarded certain authors as some of my most influential mentors. Though I never met them personally, their lives and insights came alive in my study as I spent countless hours reading their works, eager to learn and grow. Authors who have deeply shaped me include J. I. Packer (Knowing God), John Piper (Don’t Waste Your Life), John MacArthur (Ashamed of the Gospel), Adrian Rogers (Unveiling the End Times in Our Time), Oswald Smith (The Challenge of Missions), John Stott (The Message of 2 Timothy), Michael Heiser (The Unseen Realm), Anthony Robbins (Awaken the Giant Within), Jim Rohn (The Art of Exceptional Living), John Maxwell (The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership), and C. S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia), among others.

In addition, biographies of heroes of the faith such as Charles Spurgeon, John Sung, and William Tyndale have also been a great help to me, as their lives and testimonies continue to instruct, inspire, and strengthen my walk with the LORD. As Sanders so aptly puts it, “The leader should read to have fellowship with great minds. Through books, we hold communion with the greatest spiritual leaders of the ages" 💯#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

Read my monthly articles on reading HERE 🔗 https://legasitv.blogspot.com/search/label/Book%20Review?m=1

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.