By Request

Was asked for a list of authors/books that have influenced me... here it is:

Authors:
-Rich Mullins (see his Release magazine articles at http://www.kidbrothers.net/)
-Brennan Manning: 'The Ragamuffin Gospel' (life changing book for me), Ruthless Trust, 'Relentless Tenderness' and many more - looking forward to reading the new one 'The Importance of Being Foolish;
-Mike Mason: 'the mystery of marriage', 'the gospel according to Job', 'the furniture of heaven', 'practicing the presence of people'
-G.K. Chesterton: 'Orthodoxy'
-Frederick Buechner: 'Telling the Truth: The gospel as comedy, tragedy & fairy tale', 'the son of laughter'
-Anne Lammott: 'Bird by Bird', 'Travelling Mercies'
-Madeline L'Engle: 'Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith 7 Art'
- Marcello DiCinto: 'Harmattan: wind across west africa' - the one I just finished. Absolutely beautiful book & yeah, I felt soooooo bummed finishing the book... I so desperately wanted to hear more of Marcello's stories....
-Jennifer Grant: 'Making Light of Tragedy' - a collection of short stories... this book was exquisite... I didn't understand 1/2 of what she was talking about, but her writing is so delicious... like some sinfully rich desert...
-Jewel Kilcher: 'A night without armour'
-Emily Dickenson: random poems
-Gary Smith: 'Radical Compassion: Finding Christ in the heart of the Poor' - an essential book if you want to catch the heartbeat of loving street people
-Ben Pasley: 'Enter the Worship Circle'
-Lloyd Alexander's series: 'the book of three', 'the black cauldron', 'the castle of Llyr', 'Taran Wanderer' & 'The High king' - read these when I was 11/12 & it's the 1st books that I've cried while reading (but not the last)
-The bible: once you catch the 'big picture' instead of focusing on just little spots, verse by verse, it's a gorgeous piece of literature whose stories have woven themselves into my story & vice versa...

Songwriters:
-Rich Mullins
-Bruce Cockburn
-Bill Mallonee of Vigilantes of Love
-Don & Lori Chaffer (of Waterdeep)
-Andrew Peterson
-Andrew Osenga
-Derek Webb (formerly of Caedmon's Call)
-Nichole Nordeman
-Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace
-Nicky Mehta
-Jewel

and lots of others.