Here is a beginning list (and it is only a beginning!) of books we have found inspiring or helpful. Or both, which is even better! We are currently putting together a more complete list, organized (can you believe it?) by topic. This really isn’t fair--there are so many great authors
and so many great books. By listing these we run the risk of offending others or implying these are, somehow, better. Nope. We just took a quick look across our shelves and thought, "What would I want my friends to read?" That’s all.
Addiction & Grace
by Gerald G. May, M.D.
May has been very helpful in explaining the psychology, physiology, and spiritual nature of our addictions. It's a compassionate, thoughtful, and
hope filled treatment of an issue we all battle.
Bold Love
by Dan Allender and Dr. Tremper Longman III
The ultimate expression of our maturity is in how we relate to others, particularly to those we find difficult to love. This book is pretty disruptive in challenging how we relate to that wide assortment of characters that fill our lives.
Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy, and Fairytale
by Frederick Buechner
Buechner is a novelist who's written some gems on the spiritual life. This little book explores our lives and the story of God in a beautiful,
compassionate way, using everything from King Lear to The Wizard of Oz. One of our favorites! (So--is it tragedy, comedy, or fairy tale? If we told you
ahead of time it would ruin the story).
Mere Christianity
by C.S. Lewis
Lewis was, perhaps, one of the greatest writers and thinkers of the twentieth century. This is his famous classic on the basic ideas of Christianity
without all that goofy church stuff (thus, the "mere" Christianity). A brilliant book.
Orthodoxy
by G.K. Chesterton
Another brilliant writer and profound thinker, Chesterton understands the Story quite well. Clever, witty, deeply moving. One of our favorite lines of his is, "Poets do not go mad, but chess players do." In other words, a purely analytical approach to life will leave you desperate, while a poetic or
heart-filled approach can bring you the answers you seek.
The Chronicles of Narnia
by C.S. Lewis
Lewis' fairy tale series has become a classic allegory for the Christian life. It is both charming and insightful, rich and profound. Somehow, the
truths of the Bible seem more accessible through these stories. A must-read, sometime in your life.
Pilgrim's Progress
by John Bunyan
Written while in prison for taking a stand for
religious liberty, Bunyan's story of one man's
mythic journey to find immortal life has become a
classic. There's a reason this little allegory has
remained a favorite since it's publication in 1678.
Despite the hundreds of years between us, it speaks
deeply to our own journeys with many needed warnings
and encouragements.
The God Who is There
by Francis Schaeffer
This book is for the much more philosophically-oriented reader who is wrestling with questions about God's existence and how he
communicates to man.
Traveling Mercies
by Anne Lamott
Speaking of unconventional, Lamott is a brutally
honest and compassionate writer who describes her
"reluctant" journey to faith in Jesus Christ. No
religion here, just a true account of a soul being
found by God. Sometimes very edgy, but that's why we
like it.
The Pursuit of God
by A.W. Tozer
Remember, there is a great difference between
knowing about God and truly knowing God. A lot of
books and speakers out there talk about God. Tozer
knew him well, and this is our favorite book by him.
A short, but penetrating read. Okay, it's life
changing.
Diary of an Old Soul
by George MacDonald
A Scottish poet and pastor from the 19th
century, MacDonald was a man who knew God more
intimately than just about anybody we've ever read.
This is a beautiful and deeply inspiring book. We
read it every year.
To Be Told
by Dan Allender
Dan is a very wise and insightful counselor who has
spent his life helping people understand their story
and find one worth living in. We think this is his
best book yet.
The Alchemist
by Paulo Coelho
A delightful fable of one boy's journey to find his
"personal legend." Part Christian, part Muslim, the
story shimmers with truths about what it's like to
take this journey in search of your role in the
Story.
The Imitation of Christ
by Thomas A' Kempis
This little classic from the 1400s is a timeless
look at the inner life of the friend of God. Maybe a
bit severe at times, still, A' Kempis understands
the life of the heart given over to God. A great
book.
Victory Over the Darkness and The Bondage Breaker
by Neil Anderson
Two very practical books on spiritual warfare... and how to win it!
The Way of the Heart
by Henri Nouwen
A simple book on the power of solitude and
silence and prayer--the gifts of "the desert
fathers" to us--and how they help heal our hearts.
Pensees
by Blaise Pascal
An amazing collection of thoughts (notes for a
book he did not finish before he died) on the
spiritual life and the heart of mankind. Really
profound, it shaped The Journey of Desire. Try and
find the edition by Fount Classics.
Hearing God - Developing a Conversational Relationship with God
by Dallas Willard
One of the best books we've read on--well, just
what it says. Learning to hear God. He's still
speaking to his people, by the way. And it's so good
to hear from him.
Lament for a Son
by Nicolas Wolterstorf
The best book we've found on the grieving process.
Raw, and honest, but without the anger of A Grief
Observed.
The Lord of the Rings
by J.R.R. Tolkien
kay - we had to mention it. We use the films in
nearly every conference, but the books are way
better. A mythic look into your life, and why it is
the way it is, and how you must live.
Inside Out
by Larry Crabb
A book that shook our world when it first came
out--a fabulous look into your own inner world. And
the inner world of others.
How the Irish Saved Civilization
by Thomas Cahill
Not only because it's a fascinating moment in
Christian history (and the history of the world) but
because we think it's a remarkable parallel to our
own times: a collapsing culture, a dead church, and
suddenly, the resurgence of the Gospel of the heart
through a passionate and warrior-like people.
