Books that are good resources

There are a lot of books out there today.  Most books I am not quick to recommend.   When I find one that is excellent and solid, I will recommend it.

Discipleship/Growth in Christ

Desiring God by John Piper         This is a challenging book for some to read, but it is solid.  It may be a book that one reads a few chapters at a time over time.  It is a modern classic.

The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges This is a great book about walking with Christ in the light of his gospel daily. We tend to live thinking we have got it all together or shrinking in guilt all of the time. This book continually points back to Scripture to encourage a dependent walk in the reality of His grace.

Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris Need a challenge to do the impossible? This book is written by two teenage boys for teenagers but is a great read for anyone who needs inspiration to get off their duff and make a difference in the world–Yes you!

Do I Know God?  by Tullian Tchividjian       This book is a great book for someone who has just come into relationship with Christ or a group that has believers and non-believers.  He writes in a conversational tone that examines ways people assume that they know God and encourages the disciplines to grow in a fellowship with Christ.  As a maturing believer, I found it to be a good book for me and a good resource for others.  He describes difficult concepts in simple ways.

Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper    Piper pokes holes in the walls of our comfortable Christian culture like no other writer today.  This is a great book to challenge one’s  heart, attitudes and daily life in order to awaken hearts to the urgency of this life in Christ.

Respectable Sins:  Confronting the Sins we Tolerate  by Jerry Bridges     Anyone who has read my blog knows that I really like this book.  Bridges challenges us in our personal holiness and leaves no stone unturned.  I think EVERYBODY needs to read and reread this book.  He offers a Biblical perspective on sin and grace, and He helps the reader examine their hearts and move toward growth.

The PAPA Prayer by Larry Crabb     This is a good book about relational prayer that also asks the reader to examine their hearts.  I love the fact that this book challenges the way we pray and attempt to manipulate the Father instead of listening to His heart and knowing and acknowledging Him for who He is.  I have participated in and led this in a small group setting, and it works.

What Jesus Demands from the World by John Piper     Piper looks at the gospels to see the direct commands from Christ.  This challenges one’s comfort in daily life and obedience.  This book could be used as a weekly or daily devotional.

Foxes Book of Martyrs   This book traces those who died for the sake of Christ’s name.  Oh, what an encouragement and challenge to persevere no matter the cost!

Worldview
Total Truth by Nancy Pearcy     This is a solid book examining Biblical/Christian worldview.  Most Christians do not have a united worldview that is based on the truth of God’s word.  This books looks at philosophy and how our worldview is formed.  It is an excellent resource.

Fiction
Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
Wow. This is a must read for every follower of Christ. Bunyan wrote this while in prison for preaching the gospel. This is so laden with scripture, and it speaks to the journey of life following Christ so vividly. It is an allegory, and it will encourage you.
 
Current Topics
Why We Are Not Emergent (by two guys who should be)
The Emergent Church, their ideology and “theology” is rising everyday. It is good to be informed of the historical and theological underpinings and the reasonings for the formation of this sect of evangelical Christianity. The authors mix scholarship and pop culture references. It is weirdly enough, an enjoyable and very informative read. If you work in ministry, are a college student or young adult, or are trying to keep abreast of false teaching out there, you need to check this out. I even used it for my beach read.

Biographies

Harry Truman by David McCullough

John Adams by David McCullough

The biography series from John Piper (includes Augustine, John Newton, Charles Simeon, Calvin, Luther, etc)