In his book “UnChristian” the premise of the book and research is what this ... as
a guide, Max Lucado walks us through a helpful inventory of our burdens.
Suggested Reading General Reading UnChristian – by David Kinnaman David is the president of The Barna Group, which serves the needs of the church by offering statistics and research on current cultural and spiritual trends. In his book “UnChristian” the premise of the book and research is what this generation really thinks about Christianity and the church…and let me tell you, the statistics are very alarming.
In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day – by Mark Batterson This entire book comes from two verses found in 2 Samuel 23:20-21. Do you live life defensively or offensively? What do we do when opportunities come our way? Do we grab those opportunities by the horns or do we let them go by and not engage them? Mark’s book is all about taking risks for God’s glory…it’s a challenge to live out the abundant life that Jesus talks about in John 10:10.
Too Busy Not to Pray – Bill Hybels Written by the pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, Bill Hybels realizes hundreds of people have busy schedules. Yet in his own life he has made the hard discovery that prayer doesn’t happen on the run. He decided he was too busy not to pray. The ideas in this practical book can help us to learn to slow down to be with God as well.
Traveling Light – Max Lucado This book teaches you how to release the burdens you were never intended to bear. Using the text of Psalm 23 as a guide, Max Lucado walks us through a helpful inventory of our burdens.
A Love Worth Giving – Max Lucado God loves you! Powerfully. Passionately. Others have promised and failed. But God has promised and succeeded. He loves you with an unfailing love. And His love – if you let it – can fill you and leave you with a love worth giving. In the Grip of Grace – Max Lucado Using his own considerable storytelling powers, Lucado relates the biblical principles found in Romans to the stories of ordinary people like his father to fashion inspirational interpretations of the book of Romans for everyday life. Admitting that Romans is often difficult for Christians to read because of its focus on God's wrath and God's punishment of human sinfulness, Lucado translates and interprets the biblical texts to demonstrate that God's righteousness and justice are merely indicators of the mercy and loving-kindness inherent in God's grace. He Still Moves Stones – Max Lucado Why does the Bible contain so many stories of hurting people? Though their situations vary, their conditions don't. They have nowhere to turn. Yet before their eyes stands a never-say-die Galilean who majors in stepping in when everyone else steps out. Lucado reminds us that the purpose of these portraits isn't to tell us what Jesus did-but rather to remind us what Jesus still does.
In the Eye of the Storm – Max Lucado Come face-to-face with Jesus when He experienced more stress than any other day of his life aside from his crucifixion. Before the morning became evening, he has reason to weep, run, shout, curse, praise, and doubt. If you know what it means to be caught in life's storms…if you've ever ridden the roller coaster of sorrow and celebration…if you've ever wondered if God in heaven can relate to you on earth, then this book will encourage and inspire you. The Vision of His Glory – Anne Graham Lotz Sharing her passion for God’s Word, Anne Graham Lotz, the daughter of Billy Graham, will lead you step by step through John’s glorious eyewitness account of God’s plan for our future.
The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate – Gary Chapman People express and receive love in different ways. Dr. Chapman identifies these as the five languages of love: quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service and physical touch. In this book you will find a couple’s guide to help you work as a team. Before you know it, you’ll learn to speak and understand the unique languages of love and effectively express your love as well as feel truly loved in return. Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? - Rick Warren This book will help you understand God's amazing plan for you - both here and now, and for eternity. This personal 40-day spiritual journey will transform your answer to life's most important question: What on earth am I here for? Knowing God's purpose will reduce your stress, focus your energy, simplify your decisions, give meaning to your life and, most important, prepare you for eternity. The Purpose-Driven Life is a blueprint for a lifestyle based on God's eternal purposes, not cultural values. It is a book of hope and challenge that you will read and re-read.
S.H.A.P.E.: Find and Fulfill Your Unique Purposes in Life - Erik Rees Erik Rees helps you discover God’s unique purpose for your life based on the way God has shaped you. He made you marvelously unique for a reason. Tap into that reason and into the secrets of your own deeply personal makeup - the remarkable ensemble of passions, talents, experiences, temperament, and other components that work together to make you who you are - and you’ll discover the path to a life of unimagined purpose, impact, and fulfillment. In this eye-opening, empowering, and liberating book, Rees shows you how to uncover God’s most powerful and effective means of advancing his kingdom on earth: your own irreplaceable, richly detailed personal design. Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis This book brings together Lewis's legendary radio broadcast talks in which he set out simply 'to explain and defend the belief that has been common to nearly all Christians at all times'. Rejecting the boundaries that divide Christianity's many denominations, 'Mere Christianity' is Lewis's term for the essential Christian message--the theological core on which diverse Christian traditions can stand together. Concentric Circles of Concern - W. Oscar Thompson In this stylish re-issue of W. Oscar Thompson's classic book on evangelism, Thompson shows Christians how to spread the love and good news of Christ by building and repairing personal relationships. Too often the only kind of evangelism encouraged is the preaching to strangers, anonymous crowds, and foreign countries. This book hits readers where they live, teaching them that the most effective way to witness is through a simple plan of meeting the needs of close family first, then friends, and then all others.
The Case for Faith: A Journalist Investigates the Toughest Objections to Christianity - Lee Strobel The Case for Christ finds the author investigating the nettlesome issues and doubts of the heart that threaten faith. Eight major topics are addressed including doubt, the problem of pain, and the existence of evil. The Case for Christ: A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus - Lee Strobel Using the dramatic scenario of an investigative journalist pursuing a hot story, Lee Strobel uses his experience as a reporter for the CHICAGO TRIBUNE to interview experts from the fields of science, philosophy, and history in an attempt to force the truth about Jesus Christ and Christianity out into the open.
The Case for a Creator: A Journalist Investigates the New Scientific Evidence That Points Toward God - Lee Strobel An award-winning journalist and author reexamines the theories that once led him away from God as he investigates the latest scientific discoveries to see whether they form a solid basis for believing in God.
Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives Richard A. Swenson Dr. Swenson's groundbreaking prescription against the dangers of overloaded living. This bestselling book offers guidelines for healthy living so people can live balanced lives.
Reading for Women Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World – Joanna Weaver With her fresh approach to the familiar Bible story, Joanna Weaver shows how all of us – Mary and Marthas alike – can draw closer to our Lord: deepening our devotion, strengthening our service and doing both with less stress and greater joy. Bad Girls of the Bible and Really Bad Girls of the Bible – Liz Curtis Higgs Both of these books are for all women – from former bad girls who need to be reminded we’re truly forgiven to veteran good girls who long to understand those still searching for answers.
To Live is Christ: Embracing the Passion of Paul – Beth Moore A spiritual odyssey through the life of one of Christianity’s most fervent journeymen and one of Christ’s most passionate followers, the apostle Paul.
Breaking Free: Making Liberty in Christ a Reality in Life – Beth Moore Take this journey to discover true Christian freedom – the abundant life God intends for every believer – by identifying spiritual strongholds and removing all obstacles that hinder you from enjoying all the benefits of a relationship with God. Learn to make freedom in Christ a daily reality through the truth of God’s Word – truth that will set us free.
The Power of a Praying Wife – Stormie Omartian Every woman who desires a closer relationship with her husband will appreciate this refreshing look at the power of prayer in marriage. Along with real-life illustrations, Stormie also includes sample prayers and “power tools” – verses that inspire and encourage – to help wives rest in the assurance of God’s wonderful promises of restoration, renewal and growth in marriage.
Reading for Men The Man in the Mirror: Solving the 24 Problems Men Face – Patrick M. Morley This book is recommended for Christian men who are tired of just “going through the motions” spiritually and are ready to experience the rich, meaningful and abundant life available to true and faithful followers of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Power of a Praying Husband – Stormie Omartian In this book you’ll find the excitement and hope that come from inviting the God who hears and answers prayer into your marriage. Even in situations full of hurt, He can do far beyond what you imagine – He can do the impossible!
Reading for Parents The Power of a Praying Parent – Stormie Omartian Learn how to turn to the Father and place every detail of your child’s life in his loving and capable hands. Whether your child is three or thirty-three, it’s never too late to discover the joy that comes from being a part of God’s work in your child’s life. The Five Love Languages of Children – Gary Chapman & Ross Campbell Discover your child’s primary language: quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service and physical touch – and learn what you can do to effectively convey unconditional feelings of respect, affection and commitment that will resonate through your child’s soul. Boundaries with Kids – Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend The help you need for raising your kids to take responsibility for their actions, attitudes and emotions. Through this book you will learn the ins and outs of establishing boundaries in your parenting and of instilling the kind of character in your children that will help them lead balanced, productive and fulfilling adult lives. Becoming Spiritual Soulmates With Your Child – Robert & Debra Bruce This book underscores the role of Christian parents in a society that has replaced traditional extended families – the historic source of spiritual training – with a transient, disjointed lifestyle. Parents have to make up for the loss by taking the lead in shaping children’s spiritual development. Bringing Up Boys – Dr. James Dobson Dr. Dobson tackles many different questions specifically about boys and offers advice and encouragement based on a firm foundation of biblical principles. This is a must-read for parents, teachers, social workers, youth leaders, counselors – anyone involved in the challenge of turning boys into good men.
The New Strong-Willed Child – Dr. James Dobson Challenging as they are to raise, strong-willed children can grow up to be men and women of strong character – if lovingly guided with understanding and the right kind of discipline. In this newly revised book, Dr. Dobson offers practical how-tos on raising one of these little powerhouses, drawing on up-to-date research and years of experience advising families. Traveling a Pilgrim’s Path: Preparing Your Child to Navigate the Journey to Faith – Craig & Janet Parshall An essential road map for parents longing to give their children clear guidelines for life’s journey. Drawing from the classic wisdom of John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, Craig and Janet Parshall give you on-target strategies and hundreds of practical ideas for showing your children how to make wise moral choices. This book will help you prepare your children to successfully navigate life with a steady sense of godly direction.
Devotional / Bible Studies My Utmost for His Highest - Oswald Chambers This classic Christian devotional, with its rich spiritual insights and life-changing perspectives, still rings true today. While the "times" may have changed, the insights Chambers offers haven't. it looks at many important topics and is sized for portability. Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God - Henry Blackaby Through personal and group study, you will learn how to recognize when God is speaking to you. What's more, this book helps Christians understand the importance of His timing and how to respond obediently. The result of this obedience is a fresh and exciting spiritual walk. Are you ready to begin Experiencing God at work through you?
Baptist- / Church-related Reading The Baptist Heritage: Four Centuries of Baptist Witness - Leon McBeth A definitive, fresh interpretation of Baptist history. Based on primary source research, the book combines the best features of chronological and topical history to bring alive the story of Baptists around the world. Purpose Driven Church: Growth Without Compromising Your Message and Mission - Rick Warren This groundbreaking book offers a biblical yet practical strategy that will empower churches to minister in the 21st century. After testing and refining these concepts for fifteen years, Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church, shares the five-part growth strategy he developed. It gives a step-by-step process that will cause your church to grow warmer through ministry, and larger through evangelism. Ten Best Practices to Make Your Sunday School Work - Ken Hemphill, Bill Taylor It takes more than the right curriculum to make your Sunday School work. This general leadership resource provides valuable insights on the foundational role Sunday School must play in evangelism and discipleship. As it outlines 10 specific actions your church can take to effectively implement this strategy, the interactive format enables leaders to begin applying these principles immediately. A vital resource for churches of all sizes and styles, this 250-page text examines the latest trends in ministry design while offering practical helps for smaller churches. Includes a use plan for study by a small group of Sunday School leaders or individually.
