Here are some books that have impacted me, and might be a worthy read for you.

• The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer.

This theology is hard to read at first, but when you get used to the really long sentences and words you might not know, Tozer puts into words faith, and how we feel about our relationship to God, in a way  so sensitive and alarmingly true. It’ll do that, “yeah me too! me too!” thing to you.

It’ll have you underlining the whole book, wishing you could remember it all. Lots of “aha” moments.

(terrible cover, epic book. and short too!)

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• I once was lost: What Postmodern Skeptics Taught Us About Their Path to Jesus

Referred to me by a staffworker, and close friend, a year after a traumatic experience in how the Body can sometimes be following God in more faith when they are hanging out with all sorts of people. and don’t look so Jesus-y. Mostly about how people are all on some sort of path of faith, and how to interact best with someone depending on what “level” of faith they have. Great relational evangelism book.

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• The Reason for God by Timothy Keller

Weak but still convincing apologetics. Compared to the great theologians and Christian thinkers (think C.S. Lewis and Tozer) his arguments are shallow, and sometimes avoid actually answering the question. However, he raises some great points I would have never thought of.

Also, when I think about it, his audience is young skeptics, so he can’t get too heavy theologically. His job is to plant the idea that God might certainly exist, and that its quite natural indeed. And he succeeds.

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• Irresistible Revolution: Living as an ordinary radical by Shane Claiborne

This book turned around my whole thinking about money, community, sacrifice, church, and activism. Shook me up, and refused to let me settle back down into my comfortable life. Still wrestling.

Be wary of his theology however.

A must read for any Christian.  and brace yourself.

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• Under the Overpass: A Journey of Faith on the Streets of America by Mike Yankoski

Two guys graduate college, and drop everything (everything everything) and become homeless. Why? To see if they really do trust God to provide for them. This is the story of their journey of panhandling, sleeping on sidewalk grates, and how it changed their relationship with God. And, also how crappy Christians are to the poor. Wakes you up, that maybe all we really need IS Jesus.

Easy read. Hard lesson.

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• Out of the Saltshaker and into the world: evangelism as a way of life.       The best evangelism book I’ve ever read. She tells it how it is. We’re afraid to talk to people about Jesus. But thats what our whole lives are about! Great encounters, and how Becky was able to share the gospel. Because, if we’re the salt of the earth, we can’t just keep it in the shaker! I recommend this to anyone.
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• Growing Your Faith by Giving it Away by York Moore
  

So this is an InterVarsity Press book, by an evangelist York Moore, who is a very inspiring guy. Its his stories about different places and situations when he shared the gospel, how he trusted God, and the amazing things it taught him. I am blessed that I could live those situations out, seeing whats possible with a bit of courage and a humble heart.

Another easy read, that afterward nags you to change.

http://www.tellthestory.net/

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• Habitudes: Images that Form Leadership Habits and Attitudes by Dr. Tim Elmore

This is a series, there are 4. Each page is a beautiful image full bleed on both sides, with a leadership lesson. Dr. Elmore gives practical biblical guidance paired with unforgettable metaphors, examples, and inspiring stories.

Besides absolutely loving the book design, the lessons are easy to read and helpful for reference at any time. Alot of what I have learned about leadership stems from a few core “Habitudes”

Be a thermostat not a thermometer! (set social atmosphere, not reflect it) Be a river not a flood! ( rivers are focused and powerful, floods are spread thin and destructive. Focus on a few things, instead of overwhelming yourself with many things)

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• C.S. Lewis

Pretty much every theology or apologetic book from C.S. Lewis will leave you feeling smarter, and more heavily convinced of all of God’s awesomeness.

Particularly influential; Mere Christianity, The Problem of Pain, The Screwtape Letters(fiction)

Not really a fan of the narnia books, but thats just because I don’t really want to waste my time with things that are nowhere near believable (fantasy genre).

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• Love is an Orientation: Elevating the Conversation with the Gay Community by Andrew Marin

Would have never picked this book up on my own. But I learned alot about how Christians treat the gay community, and what we can be doing WAY better to not hinder the free gift of the grace of Jesus Christ to anyone. Its easy to see now, that Christians want gays to change, and yet give no chance for gays to come to know Jesus!

Its time to think again about what we say and do, and how we handle relationships with our gay friends. Marin doesn’t have an opinion one way or the other, after spending years ministering to the gay community, and so he doesn’t push any one thought. He leaves you more confused at the end of the book then you were at the beginning, but with a deeper, more secure compassion for the core message of Christianity, and that it remains, available to all.