Current Christian book you are reading and what you feel about it

[Johnnie]

I have taken on the Sermons of Jonathan Edwards on 1 Cor 13. It is not a book but could be as that chapter is the central theme of his preaching on the book and the greater in length. I find it corresponds very nicely with Kierkegaard longer treatment Works of Love. That is more challenging and with greater passion in conduct but Edwards makes it a practice to relate it to Faith and Righteousness than mere conduct and character. Both are excellent and should be read by every serious Christian.

[Elaine]

I'm rereading The celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster.My copy is so old the pages are yellow and curling at the edges ! Its a great combination of inspiration and encouragement, the biblical reasons for doing things like prayer, study, fasting etc and [my favorite bit] practical suggestions on how to get started.

[Nicole]

Plan B: What Do You Do When God Doesn't Show Up the Way You Thought He Would? by Pete Wilson

I really liked this book. Wilson is so genuine and his thoughts really rang true to me. He shares true stories of others struggles, or "Plan B's" as he calls them. Some of his own stories that he told made me laugh. But what I really appreciated it that he took stories from the Bible and presented them in a way that people can relate to in their present trials. I gave it 4 stars.

[Nicole]

When God Doesn't Make Sense by James C. Dobson. I learned a lot from this book. A great read.

[Gerald - Christy]

Our Book Don't Waste the Storm 2nd Edition E-Book version is currently FREE at Amazon.com The special will end tonight, July 7, 2012. If you or someone you know, are going through a life storm, this book is a great tool to get you or them get through this time in your life.

[Janette]

I just read
I was a bit disappointed...

[Emily]

Johnnie wrote: "I hope to start [bookcover:In the Garden of Beasts: Love Terror and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin]. My wife recently read it and could not stop talking about it. What happens to a nation ..."

Just finished Eric Metaxas' Bonhoeffer, and was deeply stirred by it. Your take on The Garden of Beasts sounds similar. Nazism is synonymous with Darwinism, and what happened during Hitler's Third Reich is steadily happening here. Really challenging to think, "what is the response of the righteous?"Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy

[Cindy]

I have read "Steal Away" by, Linda Hall. A female Private Investigator has been hired by a Pastor of a multimillion dollar Ministry he,and his sons have created. His wife has been deemed dead by a boating accident which leaves the reader wanting to not put the book down. Set in Maine and Canada. This book showed me
to believe in myself as God wants me to.

[Nicole]

Started Shattered Dreams: God's Unexpected Path to Joy. Getting a lot from it already.

[James]

It is the view of Franciscan writer and university lecturer Susan R. Pitchford that “God’s great desire is to reunite exiled souls with himself. So he plants within us a terminal case of homesickness, of hiraeth, a nostalgia for a homeland we lost sight of long ago. Our desire is like an inner compass, whose needle always points toward God. The problem is somewhere along the way our compass got broken, and we forgot where our home is, or even that we had one.” For some people like me, developing unity with God, the center of all that is both seen and unseen, got very dark. I recommend her book God in the Dark: Suffering and Desire in the Spiritual Life, a sublime and relatively new book. Let me know what you think. TIA

[Emily]

Re-reading Bill Johnson's When Heaven Invades Earth. Really challenging me personally to contend for more of His presence and power. We're really lagging here in the West, and I so desire to see the church in America walking in the same fullness that so many other nations are enjoying. When Heaven Invades Earth: A Practical Guide to a Life of Miracles

[Janette]

Just Started . Looked good. Hopefully it is :)

[Niting]

I am reading What's So Amazing about Grace?. Its pretty good till now and am almost halfway through. It talks about how Christians often live a life of ungrace(a word he uses) and what living in Grace actually means. He cites a lot of examples around the world on how Grace has changed peoples' views and their lives as well.

[Rod]

I'm almost done reading Angels, Satan and Demons by Robert Lightner

Great stuff. He's a buddy of Chuck Swindoll, so you know this isn't over-dramatic, demon possessed, exorcism nonsense that hollywood and modern faith-healers would have us believe (or just buy into).
This is just great Bible scripture theology. The truth of the matter...and that's freaky and dangerous enough.

[Taz]

I am reading two books that have become very important to me and my relationship with Christ. First "Stronger Dads, Better Sons" by Rick Johnson. This books brings to light the amazing connection between a father and son and also points out how a man must accept this role not only for the betterment of his son(s) but society in general. This is a topic that has been on my mind for a while now and reading this book verifies a lot of my beliefs and it encourages me to stand on my convictions and follow the path God has laid before me as a man, a father and a husband. The second book is "Moses:Steps to a life of Faith" by Bob Saffrin. This books shows the many details of Moses's time in the desert which led to the amazing story most are familiar with. Both these books put the "details" of living life for Christ right in your face in a way that convicts and encourages at the same time. I am blessed that God has brought both these books into my life. I am thankful that God saw fit to allow these authors to publish the wisdom found in their pages.

[Gretchen]

I'm reading Perilous Shadows by Nike Chillemi. I read the first two in the series and loved them. This one is a bit of a psychological murder mystery. A lot of the characters have secrets. The heroine has the most secrets and is a very stubborn young lady.

[Nicole]

Jim wrote: "It is the view of Franciscan writer and university lecturer Susan R. Pitchford that “God’s great desire is to reunite exiled souls with himself. So he plants within us a terminal case of homesickne..."

How funny Jim, I read this back in June. I mentioned it in Message 161. I really got a lot from this book. I would also strongly recommend it to others.

[Nicole]

Niting wrote: "I am reading What's So Amazing about Grace?. Its pretty good till now and am almost halfway through. It talks about how Christians often live a life of ungrace(a word he uses) and what living in Gr..."

I love Philip Yancey. He is my favorite Christian author, and What's So Amazing about Grace? is one of my favorites by him.

[Niting]

Nicole wrote: "Niting wrote: "I am reading What's So Amazing about Grace?. Its pretty good till now and am almost halfway through. It talks about how Christians often live a life of ungrace(a word he uses) and wh..."

Hey Nicole! What are some other good books by him? I am planning to read Where is God when it hurts soon. And any similar authors that you know?

Thanks!

[Nicole]

I have read:
Disappointment with God: Three Questions No One Asks Aloud
Where Is God When It Hurts?
What's So Amazing about Grace?
What Good Is God?: In Search of a Faith That Matters
Soul Survivor: How Thirteen Unlikely Mentors Helped My Faith Survive the Church

They were all good, but my favorites are Soul Survivor: How Thirteen Unlikely Mentors Helped My Faith Survive the Church and What's So Amazing about Grace?

As far as other authors, I like the little I have read of Henri Nouwen. Of course there is CS Lewis too who I eventually want to read more of.

[Emily]

Have you read The Jesus I Never Knew? It's another great book by Yancey.

[Niting]

Aah. Its not been long since I came to Christ - just about over 4 months now - so whatever my profile says is all I have read :) I have read Mere Christianity and The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. What's So Amazing about Grace? is my first by Yancey. Will definitely check out the books mentioned by you guys.

Thanks!

[Elaine]

Wow Niitting you've jumped in with both feet havn't you? Reading spiritual books has been one of the mainways God has helped me grow in faith .You have a great journey ahead of you :)

[Niting]

Haha. Yeah I came to this faith because of reading, praying and a friend :) Do let me know if you any suggestions for me as well :) I am making a personal reading list.

[Nicole]

Welcome to the family, Niting! We rejoice with the angels that you have come into the kingdom!!! Praise the Lord!!!

[Nicole]

2 other books I would recommend:

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan

Letters to Marc About Jesus: Living a Spiritual Life in a Material World by Henri J.M. Nouwen

[Zorin]

Currently i'm reading a book by Edward T Welch, titled "When Man Considered Big and God Considered Small." It's a Therapeutic Theology that aims to teach its readers that almost all of our actions, unconsciously actually based on fear of man and that's what makes things so ungratifying.

Anyway hello.. it's my first comment here.. I was a catholic once... pleased if i can make contributions here ^^

[Niting]

Nicole, Elaine and Emily - thanks a lot for the suggestions :)

Quizzle - Never heard of Therapeutic Theology :-o Seems interesting!

[TheKeyAuthor]

The Key? is now available as a free eBook download.

I have discussed its religious credentials in the topic Proof that God exists or a random series of events?

[Rod]

Just started Erwin Lutzer's

very interesting. Especially after reading Metaxas' BONHOEFFER. Basically it's about how Hitler attempted to be Germany's Messiah. And millions of desperate people fell for it - as well as the church.

[Niting]

Starting off with Loren Cunninghams's Is That Really You, God?: Hearing the Voice of God today! Hope I get some time off work to read it regularly :)

[Rod]

Just finished reading Stephen Tomkins biography of John Wesley: John Wesley: A Biography

A very disturbing book. I went to a Bible College that taught courses on Wesley and his adventures and thoughts. I never bothered to actually take those courses - now I'm glad I didn't.

This book convinced me that Wesley was a nutjob. Just running on poor theology and shifting emotions and passions. I have no idea why people think highly of him. His life was a pathetic mess of Charismania and bad relations. Thankfully we have Charles Spurgeon and George Whitefield to look up to.

[Nicole]

I finished Knowing God by J.I. Packer. Very good book. I gave it 4 stars. Packer goes down deep to the heart of Christianity and what it means to live knowing the Lord. Its quite lengthy, so it is not a book that you will breeze through. It is repetitious at times, but I think it was necessary to drive home the points the author was trying to make. I had many revelations throughout. Packer is effective in pointing out how much God wants to have a close and continual relationship with His people. If you are wanting to go deeper in your walk with the Lord, add this to your to read pile.

[Kel]

I'm currently reading Holiness: The Heart God Purifies by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I'm only to the second chapter but I'm quite enjoying it. I have a desire for purity, and holiness is not a subject a lot of Christians touch on- I love it! :)

[David]

I am currently rereading one of my favorite C. S. Lewis books: The Great divorce. If you've not checked it out, you really ought to. It's very cool.

Also, I've been thinking about a George Macdonald book called Little Christmas, because we read it every year in November in my family. That's a nice story with some cool encouragement towards grace and compassion.

[Debbie]

I am currently reading "The Reason for God:Belief in an Age of Skepticism" by Timothy Keller. So far it does not disappoint, Tim Keller's writing in combination with The Bible, shows clarity and God-given wisdom. Looking forward to what God has for me to glean from this teaching.

[Emily]

Just finished reading Imparting the Blessing to Your Children: Your Biblical Heritage. It was a rich, powerful read - not too long. I'd highly recommend it to anyone, especially if you have children/grandchildren. Imparting blessing is a way to invoke God's action and power in someone's life, and I appreciated the author's examples of how when nothing else worked, from reward to punishment to alter certain patterns of behavior, blessing won out.

[Sadé Jasmín]

I'm reading David Wilkerson's "The Cross and the Switchblade" and all I keep saying is, Wow! What a remarkable story!!! Can't put it down. =)

[Emily]

Sadé, I just wrote a review for that...it had a major impact on me when I first read it as a middle-schooler many years ago! (If you haven't already read it, Nicky Cruz's Run Baby Run is worth reading, and tells Nicky's full personal testimony)

[J.S.]

I'm nearly finished reading Erin Healy's House of Mercy, and I am absolutely loving it! I think it is her best novel to date; very emotional and gripping, to say the least.

[Nicole]

Emily wrote: "Sadé, I just wrote a review for that...it had a major impact on me when I first read it as a middle-schooler many years ago! (If you haven't already read it, Nicky Cruz's Run Baby Run is worth rea..."

I read both too and loved them!!! So inspiring.

[Jocelyn]

I am reading , it is a really good story so far

[Aimee]

I am reading Karen Kingsbury's Waiting for Morning. It is Book One of her Forever Faithful series. So far, I am liking it.

I just finished Coming Home by Kingsbury. It ties all of her books about the Baxter's together. I agree with others about how it ended, but it was also part of God's will.

[Nicole]

I have read the first in the series, Aimee. At some point would like to finish them out.

[Kerry]

Sadé wrote: "I'm reading David Wilkerson's "The Cross and the Switchblade" and all I keep saying is, Wow! What a remarkable story!!! Can't put it down. =)"

I read that book years ago. I remember loving it too!


Currently I am reading The Way of a Pilgrim and am about 10% the way in.

[Rod]

I just finished Borders of the Heart by Chris Fabry. A fun Christian action (shoot em up) modern western with drug dealing terrorists. It was better than it sounds. :D

[Nicole]

I finished Loving God with All Your Mind by Elizabeth George. Although the author presented solid truth, it was very repetitive through the whole thing. I did receieve from it though. The author really drove home 2 ideas to me: Don't worry about tomorrow and God is sovereign over everything that happens to us-good or bad.

[Melody]

Ive just started reading Ben Hur: A tale of the Christ. Its fiction of course but Im enjoying it for the most part. Im mainly reading this because Im a member of the books->movies group so once Im finished I will be watching the original movie (maybe the 2010 version as well).

The only problem I have with the book so far is that the author is under the impression that Jews and Romans during that time all spoke King James Bible English. Which is absurd and annoying to read. However I also remember this book was written by an old white guy (probably affiliated with the Church of England) during the 1800s when that version of bible was prominent, so I'll forgive that misconception considering the context it was written.

[Emily]

haha, too funny, Melody!

I am currently reading Derek Prince on Experiencing Gods Power. He's one of my favorite Bible teachers because of his simple, lucid style that is at the same, pioneering and powerful.

[Christie]

Today I finished Appointment at Christmas Bay, a Kindle book I picked up for free. GREAT STORY! A light read about a non-believer finding the Lord after He miraculously healed her. Her struggles with this new faith reminded me how important it is to reach out to new believers. Lots of encouragement in this one....