We believe that understanding and applying God’s Word is vital to the Christian life. It is certainly important to read and study the Bible, but it is also helpful to read solid Christian books so we can grow in our faith. Each month the Pastor will recommend a book that would be beneficial for you.
Our Fall Season Book, Sharing the Gospel with Ease by Thom Rainer, is a helpful guide that discusses issues like why it is so difficult to share the greatest news in the world, and gives ways to respond gracefully to common objections from people. It’s a wonderful book for all of us who struggle when trying to share our faith. In this book, Thom Rainer explores what makes so many Christians hesitant to talk about the greatest news the world has ever heard. There are real obstacles, challenges, and fears, but God is bigger and stronger than these hurdles. His compassion extends to all who wander, and He wants to show them His love through the lives of His people. Get a copy on Christianbook or Amazon.
The book of the month for December 2022 and January 2023 is Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines by David Mathis. Three seemingly unremarkable principles shape and strengthen the Christian life: listening to God’s voice, speaking to him in prayer, and joining with his people as the church. Though often viewed as normal and routine, the everyday “habits of grace” we cultivate give us access to these God-designed channels through which his live and power flow–including the greatest joy of all: knowing and enjoying Jesus. There is not a Christian in the world who has mastered the spiritual disciplines. In fact, the more we grow in grace, the more we realize how little we know of hearing from God, speaking to God, and meditating on God. Our maturity reveals our inadequacy. Habits of Grace is a powerful guide to the spiritual disciplines. It offers basic instructions to new believers while bringing fresh encouragement to those who have walked with the Lord for many years. Get a copy on Christianbook or Amazon.
The book of the month for November 2022 is More Than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell. Skeptic Josh McDowell thought Christians were out of their minds. He ridiculed and insulted them, then decided to combat them with his own thorough research to disprove the claims of Jesus Christ. To his surprise, he discovered that the evidence suggested exactly the opposite – that Jesus, instead of being simply a first-century Hebrew carpenter, truly was the God he claimed to be. Since its original publication, More Than a Carpenter has sold over 15 million copies and changed countless lives. Now, in this revised and updated edition, Josh is joined by his son, Sean, as they tackle the questions that today’s generation continues to ask: “Can I be spiritual without believing in God?” “How can I make sure that my life counts for something?” “Is it really possible to know anything for sure about God or Jesus?” Read the story, weigh the facts, experience his love and then watch what happens. Get a copy on Josh.org or Amazon.
The book of the month for October 2022 is Seasons of Sorrow: The Pain of Loss and the Comfort of God by Tim Challies. An honest look at grief and fears, faith and hope. Combining personal narrative, sound theology, and beautiful writing, this is a book for anyone who has loved and lost. Seasons of Sorrow will benefit both those that are working through sorrow or those comforting others. See how God is sovereign over loss and that he is good in loss. Discover how you can pass through times of grief while keeping your faith. Learn how biblical doctrine can work itself out even in life’s most difficult situations. Understand how it is possible to love God more after loss than you loved him before. Get a copy on Westminster Bookstore or Amazon.
The book of the month for September 2022 is Gospel-Powered Parenting: How the Gospel Shapes and Transforms Parenting by William P. Farley. “How can I hope to be an effective parent today when attack on the family are stronger than ever before?” The answer, says Farley, is the gospel. Parents who claim the gospel as their own have an enormous effect on their marriage, their integrity, and their love for their children. Keeping the gospel at the forefront of every aspect of marriage helps parents fear God, sensitizes them to sin, motivates them to enter their children’s world, and causes them to preach the beauty of the gospel to their children through their marriage. Get a copy on Christianbook or Amazon.
The book of the month for August 2022 is He Is Not Ashamed: The Staggering Love of Christ for His People by Erik Raymond. Christians belong to God’s own family. This promise is difficult for some people to believe, and even for some believers to remember in their day-to-day struggles with shame or regret. But it’s repeated throughout the Bible, reflected in Christ’s genealogy, and true of the church today; God’s family is filled with broken people whose stories are a testament to his staggering love. In He Is Not Ashamed, Erik Raymond takes a close look at the “family portrait” of God―filled with imperfect people throughout Scripture―and shows that God is not repelled by anyone’s shameful past, but delights to redeem and receive those who believe in him. Studying Hebrews 2:11 and other passages in both the Old and New Testaments, Raymond shows that Jesus’s heart is bent toward those who have an embarrassing history, feel far from God, or struggle with sin. By studying God’s abounding love for undeserving people, Christians learn to accept his grace and confidently embrace their place in God’s family portrait. Get a copy on Crossway or Amazon.
The book of the month for July 2022 is Getting Over Yourself: Trading Believe-in-Yourself Religion for Christ-Centered Christianity by Dean Inserra. Is trying to be “the best you” actually ruining you? From “living your best life” to “self-actualizing”, “finding your destiny”, and “waiting on the best to come”, the contemporary messages of the world exhort us to believe that we are promised and entitled the biggest and best life can possibly offer. But is that actually what Jesus promises? Is that even close to the message of the gospel? Getting Over Yourself is a call for Christians to reject these hollow messages of personal prosperity and to return to the humble truths of the gospel. You’ll learn how to identify this insidious, popular theology in culture and churches, and examine its devastating effects. And, perhaps most importantly, you’ll learn how to combat it with gospel truth that leads to the abundant life Jesus actually desires for his people. Discover the beauty in losing yourself – and ultimately in gaining him. Get a copy on Moody Publishers or Amazon.
The book of the month for June 2022 is The Glory of Heaven: The Truth About Heaven, Angels, and Eternal Life by John MacArthur. If you’re going to call it “home” for eternity, don’t you want to know what it’s like? Our pictures of heaven range from comical to curious, mystical to fictitious, with bits of biblical truth thrown in. But if heaven is our future, and we are to be living with an eternal mind-set in the present, a Hollywood scriptwriter’s interpretation of the afterlife just won’t suffice. Quite simply, we need to know more about what lies ahead for the sake of what lies in front of us today. Pastor John MacArthur takes us through the pages of Scripture, exploring the wonders of heaven and the truth about angels and eternal life while addressing current debates and issues. Get a copy on Christianbook or Amazon.
The book of the month for May 2022 is Five Half–Truths: Addressing the Most Common Misconceptions of Christianity by Flip Michaels. There are many types of lies, but perhaps the most dangerous and deceptive of all is the half-truth. A manipulative distortion of truth, it sounds convincing but is destructively distant from what is true. Flip Michaels tackles five half-truths that are commonly used as arguments against the validity of the Bible, Christianity, God, Christ and faith. He clearly and engagingly unveils the whole truth and explains why understanding the whole meaning is crucial. These five truths are:The Bible was written by men and inspired by God. All religions are the same, except Christianity. God is love and holy, holy, holy. Jesus is truly a man and truly God. Our good deeds matter when preceded by faith. A useful evangelistic tool, a helpful clarification for new believers or a valuable reminder for those who have been believers for a long time. Get a copy on Christianbook or Amazon.
The book of the month for April 2022 is Heaven How I Got Here: The Story of the Thief on the Cross by Colin Smith. What if you woke up one morning knowing that it was your last day on earth? That’s what happened to the thief on the cross, who died a few feet from Jesus. Heaven, How I Got Here is his story, told in his own words, as he looks back from Heaven on the day that changed his eternity, and the faith that can change yours. Colin Smith takes a fresh approach to a sometimes troubling topic. Instead of describing heavenly details like the people you’ll meet, the things you’ll do, or the appearance of the Holy Spirit, Smith writes from the heavenly vantage point of the person closest to Jesus as he died on the cross: the thief at his side who would come to believe. Get a copy on Unlocking the Bible or Amazon.
The book of the month for January and February 2022 is The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. This is not a devotional classic; it is a dangerous tale. One of the most widely read books of all time, this adventure reveals John Bunyan’s intense grasp of the Scriptures. Penned while in prison for refusing to compromise the gospel, The Pilgrim’s Progress is a guide for the journey from death to life. The times have changed, but the landmarks and adversaries are very much the same. The Pilgrim’s Progress is a call to the high stakes of every Christian’s journey. Don’t pick it up expecting quaint amusement; it is a story of the undeniable truth, great cost, and overwhelming joy of the gospel. Get a copy on Moody Publishers or Amazon.
The book of the month for November and December 2021 is Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers by Dane C. Ortlund. Christians can easily feel that Jesus is perpetually disappointed and frustrated, maybe even close to giving up on them. They know what Christ has done for them—but who is he? How does he feel about his people amid all their sins and failures? In Matthew 11, Jesus describes himself as “gentle and lowly in heart,” longing for his people to find rest in him. This book reflects on his words, diving deep into Bible passages that speak of Christ’s affections for sinners and encouraging believers as they journey, weary and faltering, toward heaven. Get a copy on Crossway or Amazon.
The book of the month for September and October 2021 is The Simplest Way to Change the World: Biblical Hospitality as a Way of Life by by Dustin Willis and Brandon Clements. Deep down, every Christian wants to make a difference. But for many of us, the years come and go and we never do. The good news is: change can be as simple as opening your front door. The Simplest Way to Change the World is about biblical hospitality and its power for the gospel. Since people will sooner enter a living room than a church, hospitality is a natural and effective way to build relationships for Christ. You’ll learn: How the home can be a hub for community, how hospitality leads to joy, purpose, and belonging, how it grows families to love the things of God, how it’s not about being the perfect host, and how to be hospitable regardless of your living space. Get a copy on Christianbook or Amazon.
The book of the month for July and August 2021 is We Will Not Be Silenced: Responding Courageously to Our Culture’s Assualt on Christianity by Erwin Lutzer. Each day, you watch America turn further from Christian values and the core principles of liberty. It’s frustrating to feel you can’t assert biblical truth without facing condemnation, and fearful to witness outrage and victimhood replace respect and reason. Amidst this dissent, how can you not only stay rooted in your own faith, but continue publicly testifying for Jesus? In We Will Not Be Silenced, Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer prepares you to live out your convictions against a growing tide of hostility. Gain a better understanding of nonbelievers’ legitimate hurts and concerns regarding issues like racism, sexism, and poverty—and identify the toxic responses secular culture disguises as solutions. In the process, you’ll see how you can show compassion and gentleness to those outside of the faith without affirming their beliefs. We Will Not Be Silenced will ready you to move beyond fear and boldly accept the challenge of representing Christ to a watching world that needs Him now more than ever before. Get a copy on Christianbook or Amazon.
The book of the month for June 2021 is Discipling: How to Help Others Follow Jesus by Mark Dever. In this concise guide, pastor Mark Dever outlines the who, what, where, when, why, and how of discipling―helping others follow Jesus. Following the pattern found in Scripture, this book explains how disciple-making relationships should function in the context of the local church, teaching us how to cultivate a culture of discipling as a normal part of our everyday lives. This book is part of the 9Marks: Building Healthy Churches series. Mark Dever (PhD, Cambridge University) is the senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC, and president of 9Marks (9Marks.org). Dever has authored over a dozen books and speaks at conferences nationwide. He lives with his wife, Connie, and they have two adult children. Get a copy on Christianbook or Amazon.
The book of the month for May 2021 is Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots by J.C. Ryle. Holiness is a comprehensive overview of the Christian life. Personal holiness is rooted in who we are in Christ–new creations–before anything we do. Our thoughts and actions are to be holy. God commanded His children to imitate Him. Our Father is holy, therefore we must bear the family resemblance in thought and deed. We grow in holiness as we devote ourselves to Christ, meditate on Scripture, and rely on the Holy Spirit to use Scripture to make us more like Christ. Sanctification is the process on growing in holiness–likeness to the character of Christ. Get a copy on Banner of Truth or Amazon.
The book of the month for April 2021 is Corporate Worship: How the Church Gathers as God’s People by Matt Merker. What Is the Role of Corporate Worship in the Church? Christians worship God at church every week, but many don’t know exactly what worship is or why they do it. For some, it’s a warm-up for the sermon. For others, it’s a ‘me-and-Jesus’ moment. What is the biblically informed way to view corporate worship? In this book, Matt Merker shows that corporate worship is the gathering of God’s people by his grace, for his glory, for their good, and before a watching world. He offers biblical insights and practical suggestions for making worship what it truly is meant to be: a foretaste of God’s people worshiping together for eternity in the new creation. Get a copy on Westminster Books or Amazon.
The book of the month for March 2021 is A Way With Words:Using Our Online Conversations for Good by Daniel Darling. Social media was made to bring us together. But few things have driven us further apart. Sadly, many Christians are fueling online incivility. Others, exhausted by perpetual outrage and shame-filled from constant comparison, are leaving social media altogether. So, how should Christians behave in this digital age? Is there a better way? Daniel Darling believes we need an approach that applies biblical wisdom to our engagement with social media, an approach that neither retreats from modern technology nor ignores the harmful ways in which Christians often engage publicly. In short, he believes that we can and should use our online conversations for good. Get a copy on Christianbook or Amazon.
The book of the month for February 2021 is Overcoming Bitterness: Moving From Life’s Greatest Hurts to a Life Filled With Joy by Stephen Viars. Bitterness is a destructive poison, yet we all struggle with it sometimes due to circumstances our sovereign God has allowed. In a world full of struggle, we must take care that difficult circumstances do not feed a bitter spirit within us. In this honest and hopeful book, pastor and counselor Stephen Viars shows you how to avoid the pitfalls of a bitter heart as you walk through our fallen world. When we learn to process bitterness biblically and effectively, we can move from life’s greatest hurts to a life filled with joy. Get a copy on Baker Book House or Amazon.
The book of the month for January 2021 is You’ll Get Through This: Hope and Help for Your Turbulent Times by Max Lucado. Though these unprecedented and challenging times may bring a load of uncertainty and fear that feels too heavy to bear, God gives us this promise: You’ll get through this. In You’ll Get Through This, pastor and New York Times bestselling author, Max Lucado offers sweet assurance, “Deliverance is to the Bible what jazz music is to Mardi Gras: bold, brassy, and everywhere.” Whether you find yourself in the pit of financial downturn, job loss, health crisis, or relationship stresses, God has a plan and a pathway forward for you. Max reminds readers God doesn’t promise that getting through trials will be quick or painless. That certainly wasn’t the case for Joseph who was tossed in a pit by his brothers, sold into slavery, wrongfully imprisoned, forgotten and dismissed, but God ultimately used the intended evil against Joseph for a greater purpose. In this book, Max will help you: Find comfort that you are God’s child and God cares deeply for you. Remember that God is near you and has never left you. Take courage that God will restore even the most painful circumstances and use them for good. With the compassion of a pastor, the heart of a storyteller, and the joy of one who has seen what God can do, Max explores the story of Joseph and the truth of Genesis 50:20. What Satan intends for evil, God redeems for good. Get a copy on MaxLucado.com or Amazon.
The book of the month for December 2020 is The Case for Christmas: A Journalist Investigates the Identity of the Child in the Manger by Lee Strobel. Who was in the manger that first Christmas morning? Some say he would become a great moral leader. Others, a social critic. Still others view Jesus as a profound philosopher, a rabbi, a feminist, a prophet, and more. Many are convinced he was the divine Son of God. Who was he really? And how can you know for sure? Consulting experts on the Bible, archaeology, and messianic prophecy, award-winning legal journalist Lee Strobel searches out the true identity of the child in the manger. If Jesus really was God in the flesh, then there ought to be credible evidence, including: Eyewitness Evidence – Can the biographies of Jesus be trusted? Scientific Evidence – What does archaeology reveal? Profile Evidence – Did Jesus fulfill the attributes of God? Fingerprint Evidence – Did Jesus uniquely match the identity of the Messiah? The Case for Christmas invites readers to consider why Christmas matters in the first place. Somewhere beyond the traditions of the holiday lies the truth. This little book is perfect as a gift or for use in ministry during the Christmas season or any other time of the year. Get a copy on Christianbook or Amazon.