Reading between the lines

Salvos Online continues a new weekly column – Three Books. Today’s guest bookworm is Major Donna Todd, who is the Faith Communities Development Secretary in Queensland. We asked Donna three book-related questions:

Besides the gospels and Psalms, which is your favourite book in the Bible and why?

It’s most definitely the book of Acts. I love the story of how the early church was birthed, its challenges, structure, effectiveness, obstacles and, most importantly, the arrival of the Holy Spirit. The boldness of the early Christians is so challenging. They were sold out to the message and prepared to give everything to follow Jesus. They were led by the Holy Spirit and saw incredible things happen. They hadn’t planned to start churches the way we experience church today. Rather, they sought to live radically counter-cultural lives and so began a movement, which allowed the exciting and life-changing message of Jesus to spread.

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Besides the Bible, what is a Christian book that has strongly influenced your faith?

Recently, it would be The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer, which challenged me to consider my priorities and the speed at which I sometimes approach life. Although I aim to have some good spiritual rhythms in my life, this book really encouraged me to look at these more. I backed this book up by then reading Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson, which is all about listening and following the Holy Spirit and moving out of what’s comfortable and predictable. So good, and I believe these books tie together well.

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What is a secular book that has revealed to you a Christian message or theme?

I’ve just been sitting on this question and wracking my brain, and I have to admit I’m struggling to come up with an answer. I haven’t read many of the greats who write novels with Christian messages or themes. When I read for leisure, I read for pleasure. It’s pure escapism. Recently, I read a fabulous series called The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley. It’s an epic series with eight books that traces the lives and histories of seven adopted sisters and their much-loved father. The author sadly passed away as she was writing the final book, and her son finished it for her. Each book tells the life of one of the sisters and explores the background story of her family history and what led her to be adopted. Absolutely captivating and sensational. You’ll need a few months to read through this series, but so worth it.