On Sunday I talked about
the role that reading can play in our spiritual growth. I love to
read and tend to have several books going at a time. They are a
source of a lot of new ideas, a place I find encouragement as an
apprentice and a way I come to understand God better. Of course,
our first source for strength as we grow should always be the Bible.
Many of us use the NIV. It’s very readable and most NIV
Bible’s have other study helps and notes that help you get the most
from the Scriptures. Regardless of which version you use, make
sure it’s a translation that uses modern English that you can read
comfortably and understand readily. The most important thing is
that you get something out of it! Not which version you use.
(Don’t forget that Bible reading should always begin with prayer –
your understanding is deepened immeasurably by the power of the Holy
Spirit).
One of the conversations
on our on-line K-Group is recommended readings that we are sharing with
one another. Over the last few weeks I’ve recommended quite a
few resources to you and today I want to recommend a few more.
The devotional books I
mentioned a few weeks ago were:
The
Psalms, Historic Creeds, Sacred Readings, The Trinity
All four by Kenneth Boa (Nav Press,
2000).
A
Guide to Prayer for All God’s People by Upper Room Books.
My
Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers
The
Upper Room by Upper Room Ministries. On-line at www.upperroom.
org.
Here are some other books
you might want to check out as you begin your adventure in Christian
reading.
Classics from Early
Christian Writers
The Long Dark Night of
the Soul by St. John
of the Cross.
Practicing the Presence
of God by Brother Lawrence.
The Confessions
by Augustine of Hippo.
Classics from Later
Christian Writers
The Cost of Discipleship
by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
The Sacred Romance
by John Eldredge.
Celebration of
Discipline by Richard Foster.
Mere Christianity
by C.S. Lewis.
The Ragamuffin Gospel
by Brennan Manning.
The Life of the Beloved
by Henri Nouwen.
The Pursuit of God
by A.W. Tozer.
Messy Spirituality
by Mike Yaconelli
Biographies
The
Hiding Place
by Corrie Ten Boom.
Tramp for the Lord
by Corrie Ten Boom.
God’s Smuggler
by Brother Andrew.
Through Gates of
Splendor by Elizabeth Elliot
Here I Stand: A Life of
Martin Luther by Roland Bainton
John Wesley
by Francis J. McConnell
I know. I know.
That’s a lot of books. And that’s just a sampling of what’s
out there. Pick one! Any of these books will
be rewarding and you’ll be glad you got started. Fill your mind
with the things of God and the stories of the people of God. Feed
your brain the Good Stuff
Godspeed,
Pastor John