Concise booklist

Renovation of the Heart, Dallas Willard
A New Kind of Christian, Brian McLaren
Seeing God by Gerald McDermott
The Life You’ve Always Wanted, John Ortberg

Chuck Swindoll, Esther: A Woman of Strength and Dignity (Word 1997). This book provides insight into the life of a godly woman who used her beauty and intelligence to save lives. Esther is one of a series of books on people in the Bible; others include Moses, David, and Joseph. You will be amazed at what you learn about these admirable heroes.

Terry W. Glaspey, Children of a Greater God (Harvest House 1995). This book provides an excellent examination of the role that parents can play in helping to develop their children's moral imagination.

Dan DeHaan, The God You Can Know (Moody 1982). I came across this book several summers ago and I found its language captivating. It presented such a clear picture of God and His character. A great book that challenges the mind and refreshes the heart.

Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game; Speaker for the Dead (Tor). Card has established himself as one of the more readable and interesting writers of speculative fiction—he's also one of the more thoughtful. Ender's Game is a gripping page-turner that doesn't require you to check your intellect at the door. Speaker for the Dead brilliantly considers the implications of multi-cultural evangelism in a way few of us have ever imagined.

Robert Hudnut, Call Waiting: How to Hear God Speak (IVP 1999). The author describes how to listen to God by reviewing stories from Scripture of those who heard God speak to them. For the big decisions and the daily choices, these men and women trusted God to provide direction in their lives. When God spoke, they were listening. Hudnut describes different ways we might hear God's call today—during times of stress. Short chapters are ideal for devotional reading.

Misty Bernall, She Said Yes: The Unlikely Martyrdom of Cassie Bernall (Plough/Word 1999). Written by the mother of slain Littleton, Colorado student, Cassie Bernall, whose last words were an affirmation of her belief in God. A chronicle of a daughter's journey from adolescent turmoil to finding faith in an age of doubt, the book draws on reminiscences of Cassie and others impacted by Cassie's life and tragic death.