Each month our pastors recommend a book to consider in your spiritual journey. Here is a history of their recommendations.
February 2012
Visionary Marriage by Dr Rob and Amy Rienow
This month’s Resource is the book Visionary Marriage by Dr Rob and Amy Rienow.
Certainly, there are a lot of great resources on marriage and family that are available for the discerning Christian, but I have been especially struck by this resource and its’ ability to inspire the believer to think differently about the purpose and intent of their marriage, i.e. to embrace the God-sized vision for Christian marriages. In this book, Rob and Amy address key issues that face every marriage like: Spiritual Oneness; How to Encourage One Another in the Faith; Allowing your Marriage to Spiritually Transform You; and my favorite chapter – The Power of Purpose. So, whether you are just now planning to get married or you have been married for a number of decades (or somewhere in between), I encourage you to pick up the February Resource of the Month and let it inspire you to embrace the God-sized vision for your marriage. Get your copy at the Information Table on Sunday, or click here.
January 2012
Personal Faith Public Policy – Harry R. Jackson Jr. & Tony Perkins
January will begin a busy time in the world of American politics as the nation will once again prepare to go to the polls this November in a general election. In addition to the primary elections held throughout the year, the population of the United States will vote in the federal election in November to elect our president, one third of the United States Senate, and the entire House of Representatives. In addition, there will be eleven gubernatorial elections throughout the states, as well as the election of eighty-six of the nation’s ninety-nine state legislatures. In a free and democratic nation, we as Americans are afforded an opportunity not available all around the world – to select those who will lead our communities, states, and nation. This is both a high honor, and as a follower of Christ, a great responsibility. This book is excellent resource that will assist you in thinking critically about the candidates that you support, promote, and vote for. Personal Faith, Public Policy is co-authored by Harry R. Jackson and Tony Perkins, two men who share the same commitment to Christ and yet many times come to differing conclusions about the candidates and political parties they have chosen to support.
Personal Faith, Public Policy will cause you to consider those urgent issues that a follower of Christ should be concerned about in the American political arena. I found this to be a book that stretched my thinking and at times made me feel uncomfortable. It’s a book that caused me to think hard and to pray seeking God’s leading and direction for me in this important arena. This book may not answer all of your questions, but it will without a doubt get you thinking about critical issues facing our nation and the response that God would have for each of us that seek to honor and obey Him in every area of our lives.
To purchase your copy of Personal Faith and Public Policy, click here.
December 2011
God Came Near – Max Lucado
Max Lucado, one of the best-known Christian writers today, has an amazing ability to bring every text of Scripture to life. One of Max’s books that does this so well is his book God Came Near, which I feel is perfect for this Christmas season. Taking four key phrases from the Gospel of John, Max opens up the amazing reality of God coming in the flesh that Christmas day some two thousand years ago. Please consider picking up a copy of this excellent resource and allow yourself the opportunity to meditate on the incarnation of Christ all through the month. You’ll be blessed for having done so. To purchase your copy of God Came Near, click here.
November 2011
God’s Pursuit of Man – A.W. Tozer
The author of this month’s Resource of the Month states in the preface of his book, “The only book that should ever be written is the one that flows up from the heart, forced out by the inward pressure.” While many authors have the ability to write one or two good books, few have so much stewing within their heart and mind to write many, many excellent resources. One of those men is A.W. Tozer. As the author to over fifty books, Tozer has been used greatly through his writings to encourage generations of believers in their walks with Christ. Here’s a quote from this inspiring book: “The Lord cannot fully bless a man until He has first conquered him. The degree of blessing enjoyed by any man will correspond exactly with the completeness of God’s victory over him. His hope lay in his own defeat. Only the conquered can know true blessedness.” To purchase your copy of God’s Pursuit of Man, click here.
October 2011
Just Walk Across the Room – Bill Hybels
This is not just another book on an evangelistic method, but rather a book that will encourage you to look at the way you live your life differently. It is a book that will encourage you to live life, and all of the interactions of your day, with the purpose of being used by God to see others come to know Him as well. This book will inspire and equip you to share your faith with others and my prayer is that it will have the same effect on you as it did on me, that is a greater care and concern for the lost around me. To purchase your copy of Just Walk Across the Room, click here.
September 2011
Revolution in World Missions – K.P. Yohannan
K.P. Yohannan is an articulate speaker and writer. He’s also a missionary with a lot of experience and passion. As you read real life stories of the gospel expanding into India, you’ll be encouraged about missions around the world and in your own community. To purchase your copy of Revolution in World Missions, click here.
August 2011
All of Grace – C.H. Spurgeon
All of Grace is an amazing little book compiled from the sermons of the great English preacher Charles Spurgeon. This book will take you through the pages of the Book of Romans as Spurgeon teaches on such topics as: justification, deliverance from sin, and grace through faith. One chapter (God Justifieth the Ungodly) was especially impactful for me, proven by the fact that I highlighted nearly every word of this chapter. I’m not sure I can convey how much of an impact this little book has had on my life as words like ‘awesome’, ‘amazing’, and ‘excellent’ all seem woefully inadequate. I strongly recommend you pick up a copy of All of Grace and take some time this month to meditate on the grace of God.
To purchase your copy of All of Grace, click here.
July 2011
Radical – David Platt
In Radical, David Platt challenges us to consider how we may have manipulated the gospel to fit our cultural preferences. He shows what Jesus actually said about being his disciple–then invites us to believe and obey what we’ve heard.
To purchase your copy of Radical, click here.
June 2011
The Man God Uses – Henry and Tom Blackaby
The Man God Uses is an excellent book on what it means to be the type of person that God desires to use. In this book, the authors explain the character qualities necessary of a person that God can use, as well as the process whereby God shapes and refines a person that is to be used by Him. Each chapter of this book concludes with a valuable “Think About-Pray About” section to help the reader process the material, as well as a section of questions for small groups to consider at the end of the book. God has used this book greatly in my life and I have given it away numerous times to others that were seeking to discover if God could use them. The answer is “yes” and this book will show you how. I highly recommend this resource.
To purchase your copy of The Man God Uses, click here.
May 2011
On Being a Servant of God – Warren Wiersbe
Serving God is a wonderful thing if we understand what it is and how Goddoes it through us. Ministering for Jesus Christ can be as uplifting as hanggliding or it can be burdensome or boring. Warren Wiersbe tells us how to bedistributors of God’s grace instead of trying to be manufacturers of it.
To purchase your copy of On Being a Servant of God, click here.
April 2011
The Case for the Resurrection – Lee Strobel
The Case for the Resurrection, a ninety-six-page booklet from bestselling author Lee Strobel, provides new evidence that shines a fresh light on the Bible’s most important story—the resurrection. The Easter holiday season is a time when millions of people are looking for engaging ways to bring the Easter story to life. This small but powerful booklet will become required Easter reading for you year after year.
To purchase your copy of The Case for the Resurrection, click here.
March 2011
Crazy Love – by Francis Chan
If you’re interested in revitalizing your spiritual walk with the Lord, Crazy Love will help you do just that. Francis Chan demonstrates practical ways to throw off luke warm religiosity and embraces full-on, passionate love for God.
To purchase your copy of Crazy Love, click here.
February 2011
Why Grace Changes Everything – by Chuck Smith
Why Grace Changes Everything is a simple book with the simple message that it is by the grace of God that we come to faith and by that same grace that we remain by faith. I have read and re-read this book many times and enjoy being reminded that I stand right before God not because of my works of righteousness, but because of the work of Christ on the cross. Even as I most recently re-read the book, I was moved to exclaim “God, you are just so good.” If you want to be free from the tendency of viewing your relationship with God as “If I do good deeds God will be pleased with me…” then this is the book for you.
To purchase your copy of Why Grace Changes Everything, click here.
January 2011
A Tale of Three Kings – by Gene Edwards
Gene Edwards has written an excellent book to help the reader evaluate the handling of pain in life when mistreated by other people. We all experience hurt and pain and we all have a choice about how to respond to it. This book compares the responses of David, Solomon, and Absolom. It’s an easy read with a powerful message.
To purchase your copy of A Tale of Three Kings, click here.
December 2010
Could the Rapture Happen Today? – by Mark Hitchcock
Numerous books have been written on the Rapture of the church, but few are as thorough and concise as Mark Hitchcock’s Could the Rapture Happen Today?. In this book, Hitchcock sets out to establish what God’s Word says about the Rapture and its timing in relation to the coming Tribulation period. Hitchcock clearly nails his stated goal of writing a book that would “serve as a plain, clear, simple, thorough guide that explains the biblical teaching on the Rapture.”This book is divided neatly into four parts. It is well-researched and supported, and clearly written in laymen’s terms. The four parts of the book are:
The Truth of the Rapture (What is it?)The Timing of the Rapture (When will it occur in relation to the Tribulation?)Questions about the Rapture (ten questions commonly asked by people like you and me)The Teaching of the Rapture for Today (how the truth of the Rapture should affect our daily lives).
This book is an excellent companion to our study of the Book of Revelation and will invaluably help you to understand the scriptural support for the imminent return of Jesus Christ for His church.
To purchase your copy of Could the Rapture Happen Today?, click here.
November 2010
Screwtape Letters – by C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis is perhaps one of the finest minds of 20th century Christianity, having been defined by many as ‘the greatest Christian mind of our age”. As a theologian and professor at Oxford University, Lewis taught English for nearly 30 years. In addition to his work as a lecturer and teacher, Lewis devoted much of his available time to writing, having written scores of books. Lewis’s works have been translated into more than 30 languages and have sold millions of copies.
Best known for his Chronicles of Narnia series and Mere Christianity, Lewis sought to stir the spirit of a man through his mind. The Screwtape Letters, written in 1942 is one such book. Written from the perspective of a ‘senior demon’ (Screwtape) extolling wisdom to his young nephew, in it, Screwtape explains how to make a Christian turn from God. Through the book, we are able to see the errors that man is prone to and if we read carefully enough, we can learn through this book how to avoid the usual pitfalls so common to many Christians.
I first read this book in 1990 and have recently finished reading it again. It is an easy read (4 page chapters) and especially beneficial when you take your time with it. If you do, you will not be disappointed with the many ways God uses it to teach you.
To purchase your copy of The Screwtape Letters, click here.