As we enter into summertime, around Christchurch it is traditionally book reading emphasis season, especially for our youth. Paul said, "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine" (I Timothy 4:12, 13). After the great old apostle gives the admonition to be a good example as a young person and tells us of the behavior that becomes holiness, he then proceeds to say, “…give attendance to reading….” It’s a subtle, but definite message - the way to be encouraged in our discipleship is to read profitable materials. In other words, first and foremost, read the Bible and after that good books.
A few months ago I received an honor when I was informed that I was the designated “Pastor of The Month” by our local Grapevine Books. I don’t say this only because we are neighbors, I seriously believe Grapevine is one of the finest bookstores in the country offering the best of the new books and a great variety of the old classic standards of the Victorian, Puritan and early church writings. Daryl of Grapevine asked me to make a list of the ten most influential books that I could recommend. I did my best to keep it down to ten, but I could not stop short of thirty-one books that have influenced me and changed my life. I added one more since giving him the list. Often times I am asked by minister friends around the world what books helped shape, mold and guide me. Along with the traditional list of classics available at the information booth, I am adding this special list of books that personally mean so much to your pastor. Remember young people, we shall be having a “Reader’s Reward” for those who read three great books this summer.
What a blessing to read. It takes you places you’ve never been. You have the privilege to initiate through reading a bonding of the mind with great thinkers of the past. A good book can stir up your faith, give you ideas for life-change, and enhance your overall mental attitude. The following are some of the most influential books that I recommend:
The Suffering Saviour Meditations on the Last Days of Christ
By: F. W. Krummacher Moody-Press, Chicago, 1947
The Shadow of The Broad Brim The Life of Charles Haddon Spurgeon Heir of the Puritans
By: Richard Ellsworth Day The Judson Press, 1934 *recently reprinted by Crown Christian Publications, Powell, TN
All of Grace
By: C. H. Spurgeon Moody & Pilfeim
*try to read it in Spurgeon’s Victorian/Puritan English, there has been an update to modern English.
The Holy Spirit Who He Is, and What He Does
By: R. A. Torrey Fleming H. Revell
Why Revival Tarries
By: Leonard Ravenhill Bethany Fellowship
The Pursuit of God
By: A. W. Tozer Christian Publications, Inc. Harrisburg, PA
The Knowledge of The Holy
By: A.W. Tozer Christian Publications, Inc. Harrisburg, PA
In His Steps
By: Charles M. Sheldon Grosset & Dunlap
George Muller of Bristol
By: Arthur T. Pierson Revell
David Brainerd, Beloved Yankee
By: David Wynbeek Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
The Real Billy Sunday
By: Elijah P. Brown Larry Harrison, Christian Book Gallery
The Works of Thomas Brooks, (6 volumes) for a great sample: Heaven on Earth
By: Thomas Brooks The Banner of Truth
The Pilgrim’s Progress
By: John Bunyon
Charles G. Finney An Autobiography Flemming H. Revell
Stonewall Jackson
By: James I. Robertson Macmillan Publishing
Screwtape Letters
By: C. S. Lewis Macmillan Publishing
The Cross
By: D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Crossway
Revival
By: D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Crossway
Studies In The Sermon on The Mount
By: D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
The Applause of Heaven
By: Max Lucado Word
The Beatitudes
By: Thomas Watson The Banner of Truth
The Ten Commandments
By: Thomas Watson The Banner of Truth
The Mystery of Providence
By: John Flavel The Banner of Truth
R. E. Lee
By: Douglas Southall Freeman Charles Scribner’s & Sons
Autobiography of Peter Cartwright
By: Charles L. Wallis (Edited) Abingdon Press
E. M. Bounds On Prayer
By: E. M. Bounds Whitaker House (among many others)
(All of his books, now in one volume - if possible get original edition, not un--dated English)
The Shepherd of The Hills
By: Harold Bell Wright Bethany, most recent publisher
George Whitefield, The Life and Times of the great Evangelist of the 18th Century Revival
By: Arnold A. Dallimore The Banner of Truth (and at one time) Crossway
Prayer, Asking and Receiving
By: John R. Rice Sword of The Lord Publishers, 1942
Mornings On Horseback (the world of the Young Theodore Roosevelt)
By: David McCullough Simon & Schuster
Rhapsody in Black, The Live Story of John Jasper
By: Richard Ellsworth Day Judson Press
- Pastor Pope -