Christian Nonfiction Lovers Book Club discussion
Let's Talk Nonfiction Books!
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What Christian nonfiction book are you reading and how do you feel about it so far?
message 51:
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Nicole
(new)
Jul 07, 2012 07:15AM
Finished When God Doesn't Make Sense by James C. Dobson. Another great read. Dobson is so wise. I highly recommend it.
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This is my third James book. Her style is simple and engaging. I don't usually enjoy devotionals but this one is good so far!
Love all the current reads... just curious to know what you're thinking.
Finished :Shattered Dreams: God's Unexpected Path to Joy by Larry Crabb Excellent! 5 stars. This book spoke volumes to me. The author's thoughts made so much sense to me. I can't express how much this book consoled and helped me.
Into the Deep: One Man's Story of How Tragedy Took His Family But Could Not Take His Faith by Robert T. Rogers. Another great read. 4 stars. So inspiring in the midsts of such devastating tragedy. I cried as I read this Christian brother's story. A must read for everyone!
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.
I am currently reading Handle with Prayer by Dr. Charles Stanley. I was afraid it might be the same old information about how to pray, when to pray, etc, but I've learned so much from it. I don't necessarily agree with everything that he says in the book, but for the most part, I do. It's helping me to see prayer in an entirely new light.
Reading -No small snakes, its OK, we will see
Reading blessing or curse by Derek Prince...
Jeff wrote: "John MacArthur's "Hard To Believe". Talks about the true message of the gospel and how some will not hear or receive it because of the high cost and sacrifice it requires. a biblically solid book"That sounds like a good read Jeff, thanks for the tip.
I agree. I just finished Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change by Paul David Tripp I thought it was good.
Interesting how many of the 1970s classics are still being read and discussed like "Run Baby Run" by Nicky Cruz, "Cross and the Switchblade" by David Wilkerson, "The Hiding Place" by Corrie Tannbaun and even books by Derek Prince. There were very few Christian books on the market in the seventies and everyone read the same books. We grew up in the spirit feeding on these books along with the Bible. I'm happy to see so many people are still listing them and commenting on them. Incidentally, Dave Wilkerson died in a car crash last year and his son took over his ministry. My book "Chapter 29 Revisited" is a rewrite and update of my testimony book that was originally written in 1976. Now Christian fiction seems to have taken the place of Christian testimonies. Lots of Christian books on the market but very few testimony books around these days.
Personally I love to read the 1970's classics (and older). I am current reading a Derek Prince.I am not much of a fiction reader, well, I should say... not a romance reader. I DO love testimony books, real life stories, and I have read quite a few over the past years. I especially love testimonies from Jewish and Arab people coming to Jesus. I can never get enough of hearing that :)
My husband and I are volunteers with Teen Challenge worldwide. As a matter of fact we will be traveling to Slovakia tomorrow to attend a Europe Teen Challenge Directors meeting.
I am wondering if you know Mike and Kay Zello who are very active in Teen Challenge. I know that Mike was actually the head of Teen Challenge for number of years. We have also been involved with Teen Challenge on a local level when we were pastoring in Laurel, Maryland. The boys would come and use our gym and often share a week night meetings. Mike was local in the Washington area then. I'm anxious to know if you know Mike and Kay. They are some of the most dedicated disciples I have ever known. Glad to hear that you love testimony books, because that's what "Chapter 29 Revisited" is---a good old fashioned testimony book! Sounds like we have a lot in common.
Sorry, but I do not know them, they work for global TC. http://www.globaltc.org/html/mike_zel...You can check out our weblog if you have time, one day, and see the teen Challenges we are in contact with.
Yes, I believe we have a lot in common :)
I have put your book on my wish list.
greetings,
It is my prayer that you have a wonderful trip. We have traveled to a lot of places in the world but never to Slovakia. Interestingly enough, we have never gone to Russia or any of that area. Our primary ministry is in India with also extensive ministry in Niger, West Africa and Peru. But we have done a lot of preaching in Europe--especially Norway, Germany and England....but touching in to a lot of other countries for a day or two of ministry. India is my great love. I call it my spiritual home. We have great respect for the work of Teen Challenge and have seen so many lives changed completely. Be safe on your travels. Blessings!
I started The Way of a Pilgrim. I am about 10% into it. It is raising some interesting points. Have others read this book? Thoughts? Impressions? I would also appreciate other recommendations for the next book to read.
Freedom of a ChristianI just finished reading one of the best books I have ever read. It is TWO WARS WE MUST NOT LOSE, by Bill Hecht. He is an eighty year old Lutheran minister who has been a lobbyist in Washington D.C. for forty years. He has known seven presidents and been friends with five. He argues that the two wars we must not lose are the culture war, and the war against radical Islam. He claims that either will destroy the fabric of our culture.
As I thought on the contents of the book, I thought about the freedom of a Christian, and how these two enemies are assaulting that freedom. Christianity is a religion that cannot be forced on anyone. This is because of the Christian understanding of the nature of God. God does not want us to love and worship him out of fear. He wants us to love and worship him out of an understanding of his love for us. God created us for a purpose. Our purpose for existing is to love, serve, and worship God. We cannot truly love a God that forces us to love Him. True love is something that is not taken by force but given by choice. Everything we have comes as a gift from God. Even the faith we possess is a gift from God. How does the Christian truly worship God? It is by allowing the love of God to flow through them to others. This is difficult for us to do because of human nature. Our nature is that we are selfish and self centered. Each of us tends to believe that the world revolves around us. As Christians we are commanded to love our enemies and pray for those who mistreat us. Christian freedom requires restraint. We must not do things that harm others. That is where the Ten Commandments come into play. Violating any of the Ten Commandments harm others and ourselves. A nation where the people follow the Ten Commandments prospers because the people have internal restraints that keep them from harming others.
The purpose of the culture war is to eliminate these internal restrains and destroy freedom and prosperity so that the government can be replaced by Socialism and eventually Communism. Under Communism there is no god other than man. Men in authority then have complete control. They force everyone to do what they believe is best for the state as a whole. Individual freedom is gone. Since the proper application of Christian doctrine gives individual freedom, Christianity must be eliminated for Communism to dominate.
Allah, the god of Islam, commanded his prophet, Mohamed, to spread his religion through military conquest. Mohamed instructed his followers to gain followers through force. He told them that after they had militarily gained absolute control over the enemies of Allah; they should place their head on a chopping block, stand over them with sword raised, and ask them two questions. "Do you confess that Allah is the only god, and that Mohamed is his prophet." If they refuse to make that confession, Mohamed instructed his followers to immediately behead the infidel.
Both Communism and Islam limit freedom of religion and speech. Both prevent the free spread of the Christian religion. It is the freedom given by the Christian religion, and the restraint and guidance given by the Ten Commandments, that leads to national prosperity. The more people are restrained by internal personal beliefs the less a government has to do. There are always people that refuse to control their own behavior. It is the proper function of government to prevent such people from harming others and punishing criminals for their bad behavior.
Both of these adversaries seek to overcome the United States. They both consider the United States their greatest obstacle to world domination. Christian freedom is their greatest enemy.
Charles R. Fuqua
Author of God's Law - The Only Political Solution
GodsLawFor America.com
CharlesRFuqua@gmail.com
Finished a quick read Dating God: Live and Love in the Way of St. Francis. Good stuff but very elementary. Ideal for teenagers. 2 stars
I am almost to the halfway point of The Way of a Pilgrim and I am enjoying it. My adult son who is several states away and I are reading it as part of our small "book club." It is about a pilgrim who is in search of greater intimacy with Christ. He learns the "Jesus Prayer" as he works to pray without ceasing and shares his experiences with this type of prayer with those he meets. Very interesting. At times I feel as if the story is making this type of prayer the spiritual goal, instead of seeing it as a means to communicate with God. I struggle when one sees spiritual disciplines as a way to gain supernatural power. Not to say that God can't supernaturally intercede on our behalf, he certainly can. Just that the use of a discipline doesn't "make" that happen---we can't force God's hand with its use.
This point may not be the intent of the author---esp since I am only about 40% done. I, however, am curious to see how the story ends.
Kerry wrote: "I started The Way of a Pilgrim. I am about 10% into it. It is raising some interesting points. Have others read this book? Thoughts? Impressions? I would also appreciate other recommendations for..."
Never heard of it, someone else in the group maybe??
Kerry wrote: "I am almost to the halfway point of The Way of a Pilgrim and I am enjoying it. My adult son who is several states away and I are reading it as part of our small "book club." It is about a pilgrim w..."Interesting, Kerry. I agree with your thoughts. I look forward to hearing more about it when you finish it.
Well, for one thing Don, I love his Message translation!
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.
Nicole - I think that you would probably like my book "Chapter 29 Revisited" very much. From the few comments that you just made about in your discussion about the book you just read by Elizabeth George, I think that you would find a lot of "spiritual ideas" in my book that would encourage you in your Christian walk. The book is on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle. If you want anymore information about the book, check out the page or contact me. Blessings! Jean Chapter 29 Revisited
I have been reading "Having a Mary Spirit" by Joanna Weaver. Its an older book that I got from a used book store back in June and I like the book but the chapters are on the long side so I try to read one chapter a night before bed. I am trying to spread my wings and try new authors that write non-fiction.
Anne - If you are trying new authors that write non-fiction why not try my book, "Chapter 29 Revisited," which is the non-fiction (it's all true) story of how I met Jesus forty years ago, how my life was changed and what I'm doing for the Lord today. I think you would enjoy reading it. Incidentally, most of the chapters are short and to the point. Chapter 29 Revisited
I am reading Simple Church by Thom S Rainer. It is highly rated on Amazon so I had hoped it would have the power of Not a Fan and Radical. I'm 1/3 into it and it almost makes me sick to my stomach. Though probably of interest to those in the pastoral field it seems to make the church into a successful business organization. Though I would hope that is not the goal prayer, Bible study, and the leading of the Holy Spirit seems to be replaced with effective business principles.
Oh Carol, that sounds disturbing. I have Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream on my TBR. Have you read The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical? It's AWESOME!
I started A Place of Healing: Wrestling with the Mysteries of Suffering, Pain, and God's Sovereignty by Joni Eareckson Tada. All I can say is WOW!
Carol - So much of the church is now a business establishment. So many pastors seem to spend much more time on their computers than they do with face to face contact with people. I hate calling a church phone number and receiving a recording instead of having the phone answered by a real caring person. Times are changing and so is the church. So much technology and marketing of the church now. And so much competition between churches. Even the music has become so complex that the average person can no longer sing the melody. The worship teams are now so skilled that they sound like a recording. The simplicity of the gospel is being lost. I can say this because my husband and I pastored a large charismatic church from 1978 to 1998. We have watched the changes creep into the church. I haven't read the book you read, but I am well aware of the changes and the "importance" of a church being a successful business organization. There is very little interest in Bible study (I am a Bible teacher), but much interest in "How To" teaching. The church we attend now doesn't even have a Christmas Eve service and the church office is closed from December 20th to January 2nd except for one (instead of two) Sunday morning service. So sad. I grieve over what I see happening. What you are reading about though is mainly happening in the larger churches--mega churches. Smaller churches don't seem to be as caught up in all the business and busyness. We need to have a fresh move of God in America that will bring back a spirit of holiness and turn our eyes away from ourselves and back onto God. Probably you would like my book "Chapter 29 Revisited" which focuses on loving and serving Jesus as an individual. Blessings!
My cup runneth over with all the Godly advice that Nick Vujicic gives in his book "Life Without Limits; Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life".
I just finished The Chair by James Rubart. This was a good read, not too many twists in the plot, but amazing story of redemption, grace, and forgiveness.
I am reading, "The Kingdom of God is Within You" by Leo Tolstoy. The discourse about Christian nonviolence is interesting and provides solid arguments for nonviolent resistance. With only 20% read, I look forward to discovering how this will develop.
I've just finished Passport Through Darkness by Kimberly Smith. It was an uncomfortable read for me but brought to my attention the horrible situation in Sudan and allowed me to see God rescue many because of Kimberly's willingness to go.I've also recently finished God's Double Agent by Bob Fu and Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Quresh, both of which were very interesting taking me into cultures I know very little about and seeing how God reaches in to change lives. Both are worthy reads.
I just read Killing Jesus: A History by Bill O'Reilly. I think the book is good overall, with many interesting perspectives about the reality of the crucifixion of Christ. I had read Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever, the first book by O'Reilly in this genre, and it was much better. I think the author was challenged by the lack of facts outside of the Biblical accounts of Jesus' death, compared to Lincoln's which was much more recent and well documented. I wonder if others have read "Killing Jesus" and what they thought?
A dozen chapters through Thief of Glory and I am hooked. Sigmund Brouwer's writing really draws me in. Recommended.
I have just started reading Cracking Your Church's Culture Code: Seven Keys to Unleashing Vision and Inspiration by Samuel Chand. It was recommended by my Bishop for those in leadership positions. So far, so good.
I'm reading "Pilgrim's Regress" by C.S. Lewis, and I love it. It's an allegory, similar, of course, to "Pilgrim's Progress," but Lewis tells his own spiritual journey story through it. He has a subtle sense of humor, which is fun to catch, and his points kind of sneak of on the reader. I like that. One sentence comments at the top of each page summarize what's really going on to help readers keep track.
You are what you love: The spiritual power of habit by James K.A. SmithExcellent so far! Will really make you consider your motives in life.
I'm reading "Choosing to SEE" by Mary Beth Chapman. It's just the book I need to be reading at this time.
Janet wrote: "I'm reading "Pilgrim's Regress" by C.S. Lewis, and I love it. It's an allegory, similar, of course, to "Pilgrim's Progress," but Lewis tells his own spiritual journey story through it. He has a sub..."Thanks for sharing, somehow after reading Lewis for the last 10 years, I've never heard of this!!! I love anything where he shows a bit of himself in, in the midst of the cerebral. A Grief Observed where he talks about the death of his wife is probably my favorite of his, for that reason.
Jeff wrote: "now I am reading "Inside Out" by Dr.Larry Crabb and really enjoying it.Inside Out"Great Book, really challenged and changed me.
JT
I'm working on Boghossian's Manual for Creating Atheists (so far not impressed), but that one is on my list, maybe next.
i'm reading The holy spirit by Billy Graham- very good.An in depth look into what the holy spirit and what he does. The Holy Spirit: Activating God's Power in Your Life
Currently, I am reading, People of the Lie, by M. Scott Peck. Even though this was written over 30 years ago, the topic remains particularly relevant for today's society, perhaps even more so than when it was first released. We are living in a time when people of the lie have become normalized. The lie is evil, therefore, be aware and search for truth in all circumstances.
I finished the book and video series from Priscilla Shirer, The Armor of God. It is very insightful!
You're invited to join me in a book discussion of C.S. Lewis's Till We Have Faces. We're just getting started and will continue until early March:https://michelemorin.wordpress.com/20...
Christian Nonfiction Lovers Book Club
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Cotton Mather (other topics)
Bill O'Reilly (other topics)
Joni Eareckson Tada (other topics)
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