Read a Book This Summer

As part of our community focus on fanning the flame, the coordinators are asking every member of the community to read an inspiring and/or informative Christian book this summer. For some people, this will be as easy as falling off a log; for others, it will be a challenge. Below is a list of books (in alphabetical order) recommended by the coordinators and senior women leaders. Feel free to pick one of these, or any good, inspirational, and/or informative Christian book that strikes your fancy, but please read a book this summer.
2 Peter 1: 5 "Giving all diligence, add to your…virtue knowledge."

The Attributes of God, by Arthur W. Pink (recommended by Nancy Giles)
This book made the rounds in community years ago, but it's definitely a Keeper! It has one chapter each, on 17 of God's Attributes, such as: The Knowledge of God, The Supremacy of God, The Patience of God... Each chapter is about 3-5 pages long, but very thought provoking. You could easily spend several sittings on one chapter. This book is hard to find, but can be purchased through Barnes and Noble on-line www.bn.com 

Devotional Classics, Edited by Richard Foster & James Smith (recommended by Tom Giles)
This book features readings from : Augustine of Hippo, Bernard of Clairvaux, Francis of Assisi, Julian of Norwich, Martin Luther, Dietrich Bonheoffer, Thomas a' Kempis, 52 articles in all from Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant authors. Each reading is accompanied by an introduction and meditation by Richard Foster, a reading from scripture, discussion questions and individual/group exercises. Available from www.amazon.com and www.renovare.org 

Disappointment with God, by Philip Yancey (recommended by Jan Munk)
“Is God unfair? Is God silent? Is God hidden?” Yancey does a good job of dealing with small and big disappointments and how they can lead to crises of faith. He is frank about how God sometimes seems to let us down and remains silent when we are desperate for an answer. For anyone who struggles like the disciples on the road to Emmaus with the “we had hoped…” issue, this is a helpful book and a fairly easy read. “If we insist on visible proofs from God, we may well prepare the way for a permanent state of disappointment. True faith does not so much attempt to manipulate God to do our will as it does to position us to do his will.”

Finishing Strong, by Steve Farrar (recommended by Mike Luea)
Author Steve Farrar has good news for the average man: it doesn't matter if you've had a great start in the Christian life, or a rough one. It doesn't matter if you've stumbled time and again, or even fallen flat on your face. What matters most in this all-important race of life is how you finish. According to Farrar, the man who hangs in there for the long haul with his wife, his kids, and his Lord is an exception these days. To persevere—to finish strong—you need to fan the flame, repent, and stay open to the strength, grace, and gifting of the Holy Spirit.

God's Smuggler, by Brother Andrew (recommended by Marcia Dinolfo)
This is a true story of Brother Andrew’s conversion and call to go behind the iron curtain to smuggle Bibles into communist countries that denied religious freedom. It tells of many faith building incidents in Br. Andrew’s life and mission and describes an active relationship and trust in the Lord. The 2001 version has a new epilogue that carries his story into the new millennium with an account of Andrews work in the "closed" societies of Islam: his new frontier.

Heresies and How to Avoid Them, edited by Quash & Ward (recommended by Jerry Munk)
How is Jesus Christ fully and completely God? How is He fully and completely human? In attempting to answer these questions fundamental to the Christian faith, a lot of people have gotten the answers wrong. By looking at the wrong answers, however, we can grow, develop, and clarify our understanding of the faith “which was once for all delivered to the saints.” Twelve authors from a variety of Christian traditions (Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox) each write a chapter addressing a major heresy. It sounds daunting, but the book is actually quite enjoyable—and inspiring. A good introduction to the topic.

My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers (recommended by Debbie Putnam)
A daily devotional compiled from lectures given by Oswald Chambers, a Scottish minister in the early 1900's. It is chocked full of discipleship messages for those who want to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. With a reading for each day of the year, it is easily picked up and read. This book has provided much material for discussions with my teenage children. Each received copies when they entered high school, and found the uncompromising truth contained to be both challenging and faith-building. Our favorite version is the modern translation with each day's scripture verse completely written out.

Reason to Rejoice, by Ray Stedman (recommended by Sandy Darga)
This book is a study on the book of Romans. The Lord has been telling us to studying His word, this book helps me to do just that. Stedman is inspiring as well as challenging. this book is also hard to find, but can be purchased on-line at www.amazon.com 

Uncle Tom's Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe (recommended by Rick Comstock)
This is an inspirational book because it shows people in trying circumstances following the Lord (or finding Him). Every chapter provides tangible insight into being a Christian and the teaching of Jesus Christ. The book is similar in genre to the saints and martyrs, given the terrible suffering of American slaves, and depicts deepening conversion to Christ. It also has insights into the interior struggle with evil and temptation. I especially recommend this book to home-schooling families as both an inspirational Christian book and a glimpse into a terrible time in our country's history. It is especially worthwhile when considering how to stay close to the Lord and serve Him in times of persecution and loss.

The Victory of Reason, by Rodney Stark (Recommended by Paul Dinolfo)
The Victory of Reason advances a revolutionary viewpoint: that Christianity and its related institutions are responsible for the most significant intellectual, political, scientific, and economic breakthroughs of the past millennium. Among the world's great religions, Christianity alone embraced logic and deductive thinking as the path towards enlightenment, freedom and progress. In this sweeping, multifaceted survey, Stark takes readers from the Old World to the New, overturning centuries of prejudiced scholarship as well as the antireligious bias of our time.

Warrior Chicks, by Holly Wagner (Recommended by Kim Smith)
Sisters, as you deal with life's daily struggles, including the world, the flesh, and the devil, are you a whiner or a warrior? Do you wish to find your inner warrior princess? This book is a fast read! You will learn what a warrior chick looks like, how she talks, how she lives her life. Lots of personal and biblical examples. This book is guaranteed to inspire and motivate!

Some other Books to Consider

The following books are available from Tabor House, the book store and publisher of the Sword of the Spirit. You can purchase these books on-line at www.taborpub.com or at our community book table.

Charismatic Spirituality, by Stephen Clark
Steve Clark uses scripture and his years of pastoral experience to describe how the Holy Spirit operates in the church and the individual to redeem humanity and renew God's people. He provides practical help, carefully guiding readers to an understanding of the reality of the Holy Spirit and to an appreciation of what the action and the power of the Spirit can mean in the life of the individual Christian.

Growing in Faith and Knowing God's Will, by Stephen Clark
These books, first published in 1972 and 1974, are once again available in this new edition. Faith is not just a gift we receive at the beginning of our Christian life. Whenever we want to see God act we need faith. God has a plan for our life, but how do we know what He wants us to do? A good book to help one "fan the flame."

Life in the Spirit Seminar for Children, by Jerry Munk
Take your child through the Life in the Spirit Seminar this summer. This book provides the same seminar we have given for almost 40 years, but in child-sized bites. Being baptized in the Holy Spirit helps our children to fully participate in the worship of our charismatic community and equips them to fight the good fight of the faith in their day-to-day walk with Jesus Christ.