I don’t want to burst anyone’s high perception of me, but I’m
not an intellectual giant. I was a stellar student in grade school, but when I
hit junior high and the courses became more advanced, my grades drifted toward
average and my attention became more focused on the fields of athletics. Then I quickly hit the ceiling in my athletic
career as well. Oh, well ….
I divulged all that to prepare you for what I’m about to
share with you so your expectations won’t be so high. Below is a list of books (besides the Bible - that's a given) that have had a deep
impact on my life in regards to my spiritual walk, my professional career, and
in helping me wrestle with the greatest challenge in my life - the lifelong,
life threatening condition that my son, Jacob, dealt with and which ultimately
resulted in his death at the tender age of 21.
Let me assure you that I have read more than these books but
I wouldn't describe myself as a voracious reader. In fact, reading is way down on my list of
things I like to do. You will readily
recognize that when you look at my list. There are no literary giants or no ageless classics
on my list. I have tried to read some of
those from time to time and on rare occasions I have actually succeeded in
completing one but I was usually thankful that I didn't face a quiz on the
content because my head was still wading through the fog of words. But before you brand me a Neanderthal, I am
happy to admit that when I do succumb to reading, either as a pastime or to
seek some knowledge or wisdom, I have been greatly rewarded and I say to
myself, ‘I need to do more of this!’
So there have been many books that have inspired me,
informed me, challenged me, angered me, forced me to think (I can hear your comments) and have brought me closer to God. But these
particular books always seem to rise to the top when I’m asked to create my
favorites list. So here goes, in no certain
order (except the last one), this is my list:
A. Books that helped me develop my spiritual
walk with God
Experiencing God by
Henry Blackaby (http://www.lifeway.com/Product/experiencing-god-revised-P005123828
)
This classic helped me to understand that there was a
difference between knowing information about God and truly seeking to walk with
Him and seeing Him at work around me and then joining Him there.
The Mind of Christ
by T.W. Hunt (http://www.lifeway.com/Product/the-mind-of-christ-P001069699
)
This book took me deep into a favorite passage of mine,
Philippians 2:5: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” His chapters on Jesus’ Gethsemane prayer and
his death on the cross shook me to the core.
The Purpose Driven
Life by Rick Warren (http://www.lifeway.com/Product/the-purpose-driven-life-P005611842
)
This book helped me to synthesize a plan for seeing my
purpose in life and keeping that purpose in focus.
B. Books that helped develop my professional
effectiveness
The Growth Spiral
by Andy Anderson (http://www.amazon.com/Growth-Spiral-Step---Step-Calculating/dp/080543013X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1415336943&sr=8-2&keywords=the+growth+spiral
)
This book, more than any seminary class, helped me, as I started
out in my education ministry, to understand what the ingredients were that it
took to grow a Sunday School and a church. And Andy did say that little can be
accomplished unless it is done under God’s leadership.
You Can Double Your
Class in Two Years or Less by Josh Hunt (http://www.amazon.com/Double-Your-Class-Years-Less/dp/0764420194/ref=pd_sim_b_2 )
I loved Josh’s fresh, sometimes ‘did he really say that?’
approach to how to organically grow a Bible study group.
Getting Naked by
Patrick Lencioni
The title alone scored points with me … but this narrative
has solidified how I am to do my work in my current avenue of ministry.
C. Books that helped me grapple with the tough
issues in life
Both of these books came in a period of time when my wife,
Karen, and I were facing life and death issues with the health of our son,
Jacob. Philip Yancey quickly became a
favorite author of mine and I have devoured every book he has written. In
addition to the two significant ones below, these have also left an imprint on
me: Prayer, Does it make Any Difference?
- Soul Survivor - Church? Why Bother? - What’s so Amazing about Grace? - The Bible Jesus Read - What
Good is God?
Where is God When It
Hurts? by Philip Yancey (http://www.lifeway.com/Product/where-is-god-when-it-hurts-P001063931
)
This book helped me to see the value in pain.
Disappointment with
God by Philip Yancey (http://www.lifeway.com/Product/disappointment-with-god-P001064030
)
This book addressed the questions I often shouted out: Why is God unfair? Why is He silent? Why is
He hidden? And sometimes I still
shout them.
But my all time favorite book that has helped me understand
my relationship with God and his call on my life is ….
Lessons from a Sheep
Dog by Phillip Keller (http://www.lifeway.com/Product/lessons-from-a-sheep-dog-P001072354
)
Maybe it’s because I am a huge dog lover, but this little
book that contains the true story in Keller’s life helped to illustrate to me
what I was created to do and what my relationship to God is all about. The chapter where he illustrates the
importance of obeying the command to stay while the shepherd leaves for another
task has slapped me upside the head on numerous occasions.
In closing, I remind you that I never presumed to be a world
class reader. I often joke (and it’s a
sad commentary) that most of my reading is in the sports section. I readily recognize that I have denied myself
an entire universe of mentors that could help me in my need for growth, wisdom,
and understanding.
But I do value what I have learned from these books and how
they have shaped me in my spiritual and professional life (along with the host
of other books that I’ve read). You may
have already read all of these, but if not, I encourage you to try them
out. Hopefully, you’ll be blessed and
changed in a way like I have.
THINGS YOU MIGHT
BE INTERESTED IN ….
FOR
EDUCATION MINISTRY LEADERS: GBACE Annual Conference, January
22, 2015 - http://www.gbace.org/annual-conference.html
FOR
BIBLE STUDY LEADERS: Gospel-Centered Teaching Conference with
Trevin Wax, January 24, 2015 (for those using The Gospel Project Bible study
resource) - http://gabaptistsundayschool.org/gospel-centered-teaching-conference-january-24-2015/
FOR
BIBLE STUDY LEADERSHIP: 2015-18 Plans for The Gospel Project unveiled – A Chronological
Journey for all ages! - http://www.gospelproject.com/2015-2018/
FOR
LEADERS USING EXPLORE THE BIBLE: Free helps for lesson preparation and teaching
tips for leaders in adult, student, and kids age group ministries - http://www.ministrygrid.com/web/explorethebible
FOR
LEADERS USING BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE: Free helps for lesson
preparation and teaching tips for leaders in adult, student, and kids age group
ministries -http://www.ministrygrid.com/web/biblestudiesforlife
FOR
LEADERS USING THE GOSPEL PROJECT: Free helps for lesson preparation and teaching
tips for leaders in adult, student, and kids age group ministries - http://www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject
FOR
FAMILY MINISTRY: Building a Family Legacy by Dr. James Dobson - http://www.lifeway.com/n/product-family/building-a-family-legacy
FOR
SMALL GROUP MINISTRY: 3 Childcare Options for Small Groups by Rick
Howerton - http://www.lifeway.com/groupministry/2014/10/20/3-childcare-options-for-small-groups/
FOR
BIBLE STUDY RESOURCES: Download the new LifeWay catalog - http://www.lifeway.com/n/publisher/lifeway-christian-resources
FOR CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: 3 Tips for Speaking to an Audience of Kids - http://www.lifeway.com/kidsministry/2014/06/26/3-tips-for-speaking-to-an-audience-of-kids/?emid=lcurtis-LWKnewsletter-20140716
FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: D’Now resources - http://www.lifeway.com/n/merchandised-landing-page/DiscipleNow?intcmp=DnowSearch-MTX-Button-ViewAll-20130227
FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: LifeWay Girls Conference, Nashville, TN,
February 20-21, 2015 - http://www.lifeway.com/Event/Student-Event-LifeWay-Girls-Conference-Nashville-TN
FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Sermon on the Mount by Jen Wilkin - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/the-sermon-on-the-mount-leader-kit-p005644877
FOR WOMEN’S
MINISTRY: Breathe by
Priscilla Shirer - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Breathe?emid=BL-Product-BSI-Breathe-20141014
