Books with notes

http://www.perpetuallearner.com/favorite_books.htm

Favorite Christian books:

Celebration of the Disciplines by Richard Foster Classic book about the spiritual disciplines. Foster is a great thinker/writer and points out very clearly the significance and practicalities of discipleship in our everyday walk. The chapter on "Worship" is awesome. Click here for Book Notes

Resident Aliens by Stanley Hauerwas & William Willimon Accountability to the Gospel rather than conformity to the culture. Click here for Book Notes

The Life You've Always Wanted by John Ortberg...great book about the spiritual disciplines. Christianity is all about human transformation, progressively becoming more like Christ each day. Click here for Book Notes

Devotional Classics by Richard Foster Selected readings from the greatest Christian thinkers and writers throughout history. This book will give you a taste of authors like: C.S.Lewis, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Henri Nouwen, John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, Martin Luther and many more. Check out articles by Richard Foster and others @ www.renovare.org

A New Kind of Christian by Brian McLaren Extremely thought provoking book that challenges our modern view of Christianity. The book is a fictional dialogue between a conservative evangelical and a somewhat liberal post modernist. This quote is a great summary of the essence of the book: "It seems we see the Bible through whatever lens we get from our culture." Click here for Book Notes

Desiring God by John Piper Excellent book about enjoying God and becoming a Christian Hedonist. Click her for Book Notes Check out some of his articles @ www.desiringgod.org

Humility by Andrew Murray Time tested classic on a subject sure to convict all of us. Click here for Book Notes

The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges I have often struggled to completely understand the balance between discipline/personal holiness on one hand and God's mercy/grace on the other. This book helps me to strike a balance between them. It is only because of God's empowering grace that we can ever dare to dream about becoming more like Jesus. Click here for Book Notes

Disappointment with God by Philip Yancey Answers to 3 tough questions: Is God Unfair?, Is God Silent? Is God Hidden? The book answers these questions by looking at an overview of the entire Bible (Old Testament and New Testament). Book Notes

The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges Challenging book about our quest for the pursuit of holiness. Click here for Book Notes

Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper Convicting book about how most of us Christians in America live for comfort, pleasure and and perhaps try to avoid sin. This book challenges us to live and die boasting in the cross of Christ and making the glory of God our singular passion. The wasted life is a life without passion for God. Click here for Book Notes

A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson Meaty book with great insights on the Christian life is a long journey of continual transformation. I really enjoy his writing style. Book Notes

The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard Transformation requires two parts: God's grace and our responsibility to the spiritual disciplines. Book Notes

Follow Me by Jan David Hettinga Clearly defines what it means to be a fully devoted disciple of Christ. Hard hitting, truth telling, convicting book. Book Notes

Experiencing God by Blackaby & King Excellent book about understanding God's will for your life. Emphasizes daily obedience and joining God where He is already at work around us. Our relationship with God should be experiential because God chooses to do His work through His people. www.henryblackaby.com Click here for Book Notes

Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas The author lists 9 different ways that people are uniquely designed to worship God. Some are intellectuals and have a bias toward mental stimulation while others are into nature and worship God through enjoying His creation. The book has an assessment tool to determine your spiritual bent related to these 9 characteristics www.garythomas.com . Click here for Book Notes and the Assessment Tool

If You Want to Get Out of the Boat You Have to Walk on Water by John Ortberg Good book about busting out of our comfort zone to serve God whole heartedly. Click here for Book Notes

The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer This is not a real easy read but it is well worth the effort. Theme: Cheap grace is grace without discipleship. We are called to pursue costly grace which is radical obedience in following Christ.

The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A. Kempis Excellent classic devotional written in the 1400's. Some say this is the most important Christian book next to the Bible. I loved the continuous themes of holiness and humility.

The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel Excellent analysis of the 5 biggest doubts about Christianity (suffering, Jesus is the only way, creation and origin of life, etc.) Lee used to be a the Legal Editor for the Chicago Tribune and he plays the devil's advocate role in interviewing the experts on these tough doubts about our faith.

Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis Great insight into how demons tempt us in our every day lives. Often the best way to learn something is by study it's opposite. Click here for Book Notes

Ishbane Conspiracy by Randy Alcorn Modern day Screwtape Letters story. Blends a fictional plot with the letters of the demons who are tempting the people. This is a must read for any parents with teenagers. Click here for Book Notes

Foulgrin's Letters by Randy Alcorn Similar to the above book.

So, What Do You Think by Keith Drury Provocative essays for Christians who think. Gutsy writer who gives his thoughts on a variety of controversial Christian issues. Some great essays on Calvinism vs. Arminianism. www.indwes.edu/tuesday

Loving God up Close by Calvin Miller Good book about the role the Holy Spirit plays in the believer's life. Book Notes

Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning I bought the book after learning that it was Rich Mullins all time favorite book. Great book about grace and understanding that "the church is not a museum for saints but a hospital for sinners." www.brennanmanning.com

Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald Great book on spiritual discipline and managing your time to glory of God. ww.gordonmacdonald.com Click here for Book Notes

Margin by Richard Swenson Margin according to the author is the space between our load and our limit. We need to purposefully build margin into 4 aspects of our lives: Financial, Emotional, Physical and Time.

The Grace & Truth Paradox by Randy Alcorn Great book that helps us to understand how desperately we need grace and how earnestly we should pursue truth. "Any concept of grace that makes us feel more comfortable sinning is not biblical grace". Check out his website @ www.epm.org

The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren This book contains 40 short chapters to be read one per day for 40 days. Covers the basics A-Z about becoming a Christian, growing in Maturity/Discipleship, growing in Service/Ministry, growing in Stewardship, growing in Witnessing/Evangelism. www.purposedrivenlife.com Click here for Book Notes

The Balanced Life by Alan Loy McGinnis One of the best books I have read related to cultivating self discipline. I borrowed the name of this website and the tag line of this website from a quote out of this book. Click here for Book Notes

Hard to Believe by John MacArthur Extremely convicting book about the cost of discipleship. "The true gospel is a call to self-denial not self-fulfillment." Click here for Book Notes

You and Your Network by Fred Smith A hard to find book written in the 70's by a successful Christian businessman. This book taught me the value of finding and learning from Heroes, Role Models and Mentors. You can order the book from www.executivebooks.com

The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn... 15% of everything Christ said relates to money. This is the single best book I have read on the subject of stewardship. Don't read it unless you want to be challenged and convicted. Check out some of Randy's great articles @ www.epm.org One of my all-time favorite websites.

Too Busy Not Too Pray by Bill Hybels This book inspired me to begin a spiritual journal and the habit of writing out my prayer list and even writing out my prayers. www.willowcreek.org

Wild at Heart by John Eldredge Challenges men to go hard after what they are passionate about in life. "Most men live lives of quiet desperation." Thoreau www.ransomedheart.com Click here for Book Notes

Knowing God by J.I. Packer One of the all-time Christian classics. Not a real light read.

Lifestyle Evangelism by Joe Aldrich The essence of this book is that effective evangelism is all about building strong, geniuine relationships before you attempt to share your faith. "The average Christian has no non-Christian friends after knowing the Lord for only two years." Click here for Book Notes

Loving God by Chuck Colson What does it mean to love God? Chuck does a good job of answering this question with great stories. Check out his website @ www.breakpoint.org

Success, Motivation, and the Scriptures by William Cook Great book for understanding the Christian perspective for success and motivation. This book was highly recommended by Charlie "Tremendous" Jones @ www.executivebooks.com

The 7 Laws of the Teacher by Howard Hendricks Terrific book for adult SS teachers and Bible study leaders. Gives valuable insight into what it really takes to influence students to change behavior. Click here for Book Notes

Mere Christianity by C.S.Lewis #1 selling Christian book of all time. The best case for the essentials of Christianity in print.

Turning Points by Mark Noll Defines the authors opinion of the 12 most decisive turning points in Christian History.

Bibles, Devotionals & Commentaries:

The Message by Eugene Peterson A very contemporary translation of the Bible. It gives you a fresh perspective on reading God's word.

What The Bible Is All About by Henrietta Mears Commentary on the entire Bible chapter by chapter. Teaches us how the Bible is one book, one history and one story. Explains how Jesus is revealed in the Old Testament and explains the main themes of the Bible.

Understanding the Bible by John Stott Great insights to understanding the major themes of the Old & New Testaments.

My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers #1 devotional book ever. Very deep insights into God's word.

Books about the Church:

Younger Evangelicals by Robert Webber This book does a marvelous job of outlining the history of the Christian church in the last 100 years. Leads you into the current thinking of the post modern generation.

Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren Teaches Biblical principles for how Rick grew his Church from 0 to 15,000 in 10 years. Check out his site @ www.pastors.com

An Unstoppable Force by Erwin Raphael McManus Good book about vision for the post modern church. Click here for Book Notes

Roaring Lambs by Bob Briner Powerful book that discusses the idea that Christians have very little impact on shaping culture. "What I'm calling for is a radically different way of thinking about our world. Instead of running from it, we need to rush into it. And instead of just hanging outside the fringes of our culture, we need to be right smack dab in the middle of it." Check out the website @ www.roaring-lambs.org Click here for Book Notes

Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala Teaches us that Church growth/revival is not about marketing it is about passionate prayer and seeking God's will.

The Body by Chuck Colson Defines the identity of the Body of Christ.

Famine in the Land by Steven Lawson The author makes a case for the need for more truth preached from the pulpits in churches across America. He believes most churches today are guilty of watering down the gospel to make it more attractive to the masses. Click here for Book Notes

Parables:

Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan The 2nd most popular Christian book ever sold, of course the Bible is #1. Fictional book that describes the incredible journey and spiritual warfare we go through as Christians on our way to the Kingdom of Heaven.

In His Steps by Charles Sheldon What if everyone continually lived their life by first asking..."what would Jesus do?" Great fictional story that has a powerful lesson.

Joshua by Joseph Girzone Great fictional story that takes a look at how our culture would react to Jesus if he visited us today. Probably much like the Pharisees did in His days on earth.

The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino Like all of Og's books this is a fictional story with an awesome message about Christ. I have read all of Og's books and this one is my favorite.

Books about Books:

How to Read a Christian Book by David McKenna A guide to selecting and reading Christian books as a Christian discipline. This book has many great lists of the most popular Christian books by topic; biography, church history, devotion and prayer, spiritual discipline, theology, evangelism, family, marriage, parenting, Christian living, etc.

Indelible Ink by Scott Larsen 22 prominent Christian leaders share the books that were most influential in shaping their lives and why. Check out www.indelink.com for more info.

The Books You Read (Devotional and Business Editions) by Charles T Jones A book about books. Many famous leaders note their most influential books and summaries about their favorite books. These books can only be found @ www.executivebooks.com