Books to Read

    Books to Read    >    Living the Christian Life

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The Art of Pastoring
by David Hansen
Yes, it's written specifically for pastors, but there is much value here for anyone involved in ministry. Honest and practical look at how we can be like Jesus to others.

 
Blue Like Jazz
by Donald Miller
Funny, light-hearted and sometimes profound analysis of Christian spirituality, from the perspective of someone disillusioned by much of what has become common in evangelicalism.

 
The Christian Life
by Sinclair B. Ferguson
Classic overview of what is involved in living the Christian life, written in Ferguson's characteristically rich and challenging style.

 
Christian: Take Heart!
by Tom Wells
Debunks the view that some Christians are less filled with the Holy Spirit than others. Very encouraging call to believe what the Bible claims is true about those who belong to Christ.

The Consolations of Imperfection: Learning to Appreciate Life's Limitations

by Donald McCullough

This book is a great encouragement to anyone who has ever felt stymied by weakness, inadequacy and failure. In other words, this book is for everyone. McCullough describes the various limitations of money, sex, knowledge, relationships, achievement, romance, public approval and others, and then shows us how those limitations can actually be opportunities for wonderful blessings. This idea is most powerfully captured in the Gospel, where Jesus Christ entered into the limitation of death so that we could triumph over it by his power.

 
The Discipline of Grace
by Jerry Bridges
Shows how the Gospel of grace should drive all of our efforts to obey God, and that grace and good works are not mutually exclusive. Points the Christian to the Gospel for all of his/her efforts to please God.

 
The Divine Conspiracy
by Dallas Willard
Brings new a fresh insights to Jesus' sermon on the mount, profoundly teaching what it means to live right-side up in a world that is upside down. Some of Willard's theological assumptions are questionable, but this book is a stimulating challenge to kingdom living.

 
How to be Good in a World Gone Bad
by James S. Spiegel
New Life elder Jim Spiegel calls Christians to seriously pursue a life of virtue by focusing on 22 different traits that characterize human character as God intended it. Among the virtues are those you would expect, such as humility, kindness and love, but also featured are other traits not commonly understood as virtues, such as creativity and wit. This is a thoughtful, convicting and well-written book that could be considered a manual for good living.

 
Making Room
by Christine D. Pohl
Remembers the heritage of hospitality throughout history and offers practical helps for pursuing hospitality today, particularly to the poor and to strangers.

 
Real Love for Real Life
by Andi Ashworth
Affirms the value and importance of homemaking, along with the importance of using our homes to provide love, service, and care to others.

 
The Screwtape Letters
by C.S. Lewis
Lewis seems to crawl into the hearts and minds of everyone who has ever lived by nailing the self-centered motives that drive so much of what we do.

 
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
by Donald S. Whitney
Challenging overview of the disciplines God has provided for us to grow in holiness. The subjects discussed should find a regular place in every Christian's life.

 
Transforming Grace
by Jerry Bridges
Shows how the free grace of the Gospel not only bring us salvation, but keeps us saved by providing the motivation we need to pursue holiness.