Welcome back to our interview with Carlos Contreras (Juárez, Mexico). Read part one of the interview here.

Carlos, please describe your morning devotions. What time do you wake up in the morning? How much time do you spend reading, meditating, praying, etc.? What are you presently reading?

I usually wake up at around 6:15 a.m. but since I am not a morning person I usually exercise or shower first while listening to a great sermon on one of the podcasts I am subscribed to. Then I spend between 30 to 45 minutes reading my Bible and praying. Every morning I read a Psalm to start my devotions and pray through it. Then I read a section of Scripture which currently would be in the gospels. I finish with a time of intercession.

What book(s) are you currently reading in these three categories: (a) for your soul, (b) for pastoral ministry, or (c) for personal enjoyment?

For my soul I have greatly enjoyed Because He Loves Me by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick (I believe next to your book and Jerry Bridges’ The Gospel for Real Life it’s one of the best resources on living the gospel centered life).

For pastoral ministry I am currently reading The Reason for God by Tim Keller (an excellent help in understanding what people may be thinking as we attempt to reach them) and Jesus Ascended by Gerrit Scott Dawson (I was very interested in some of his thoughts by a couple of quotes that Elyse includes in her book).

I have enjoyed for years reading good contemporary Latin American literature (it also helps me to preserve my Spanish since most of my reading is in English) and I also enjoy classical Russian literature.

Apart from Scripture, what book do you most frequently re-read and why?

Here are my all-time favorites:

Knowing God by J.I. Packer, because it pointed me to the majesty of God by a man who knows God.

The Cross of Christ by Stott, because it first introduced me to the meaning of the cross. This book changed my life; it helped me understand the gospel.

The Life of God in the Soul of Man by Henry Scougal, because it helped stir true passion and desire for God.

Sin and Temptation by John Owen. Amazingly this was one of the most liberating books I have ever read. It truly is an indispensable tool in dealing with sin.

Holiness by Grace by Bryan Chapell. This book helped me a great deal to understand growing in holiness without falling into legalism.

Lost in the Middle by Paul Tripp. I believe this has been the best book I have read on grace and biblical counseling, maybe because I read it when I was in my forties and was facing some significant regrets.

When you finish a book, what system have you developed in order to remember and reference that book in the future?

I always use a yellow highlighter and because of that have been able to remember pretty closely the location of a particular quote.

If you could study under any theologian in church history (excluding those men in Scripture), who would it be and why?

I love to imagine I could be admitted to the T4G Seminary and study under the men that have influenced my life the most: Mahaney, Dever, Piper, MacArthur, Sproul, Mohler and Duncan and hope they could have as guest teachers Packer, Stott, Grudem, Carson, Bridges, Bullmore, and Purswell. What more could I ask?

Join us next time for the third and final part of the interview with Carlos.