A Year In Review: Book Reading List 2024

The year 2024 came with its own surprising twists and unexpected events. Early on, I transitioned from one job to a series of consulting roles until I landed what seemed to be a stable position—but only time will tell. Throughout this major professional shift, my family grew as my wife and I welcomed our fourth son. This new addition to our family brought unexpected demands on our time, more than I had bargained for. Raising four boys is no easy feat, especially when two of them have strong-willed personalities.

Despite the increased family responsibilities, I managed to continue some of my usual activities. I attended some of our weekly Bible Study with the Living Word Association (LWA) and made an effort, though limited, to fulfill my role as a Catechist for confirmation classes at my parish. Though these two commitments took a backseat, two other activities took center stage throughout the year. First, I continued joining Father Raphael and Tigana in offering a monthly Bible Study in our local parishes focused on the Gospel of St. Mark. Second, we launched a series of spiritual journeys for an ecumenical audience (both Catholics and Protestants) with a special emphasis on Charismatic gifts. This latter initiative gained remarkable momentum, growing from an initial 21 participants in 2023 to a regular gathering of 40+ attendees each month.

In addition to the monthly spiritual journey, which began in July 2024, two major retreats were conducted with guest speakers from South Africa: Br. Nesbert, Sr. Olivia, and Dr. Thierry L. Both retreats, one in June and the other in November, provided profound spiritual experiences. Unlike the 2023 event, where we played a supporting role while our guest speakers led the prayers for healing and the in-filling of the Holy Spirit (a term used in Charismatic circles to describe a profound encounter with God's love, often accompanied by physical manifestations in those receiving prayer), this time, we actively involved the participants in praying for one another. Many powerful testimonies emerged from these spiritual gatherings. People shared stories of physical healing, emotional liberation, and spiritual renewal. Some close friends who had embarked on this journey with me, seeking a greater manifestation of the Holy Spirit, were overjoyed to witness the Lord answering their longing in unexpected way.

As I do each year, I am sharing my reading list of books I was able to complete. However, I noticed a significant drop in my reading this year due to my increasingly demanding schedule. This year, and possibly going forward, I will drop the scaling I used to give to my readings:

Catholic Authors:

1. The Signs of His Coming: An Examination of the Olivet Discourse from a Preterist Perspective by David J. Palm

2. Healing - Revised and Expanded (The Bestselling Classic) by Francis MacNutt

3. Hostile Witnesses: How the Historic Enemies of the Church Prove Christianity by Gary Michuta

Protestant Authors:

1. The Quest for the Radical Middle: A History of the Vineyard by Dr. Bill Jackson

2. Nine O'Clock in the Morning by Dennis J. Bennett

3. Angels Are for Real: Inspiring, True Stories and Biblical Answers by Judith MacNutt

4. Understanding Spiritual Gifts: A Comprehensive Guide by Sam Storm

Miscellaneous Books:

1. Testing Prayer: Science and Healing by Candy Gunther Brown (Harvard University Press)

As I look forward to the new year 2025, I do so with hope, praying that it will be better than the last, all for the glory of God the Father.

"I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus." - Philippians 1:6 (NABRE)