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We put together a selection of poetry and a list of our favorite books. We hope you enjoy them! Book Archive
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| Top 25 Favorites | Favorite Authors |
| Fertilizer for Deep Growth | Fantasy & Science Fiction |
| Inspiration | Biographies |
ALL Time Top 25 Favorites!
Click on any underlined title for a short description
| The Great Divorce | The Practice of the Presence of God | Hinds Feet On High Places |
| Spiritual Burnout | Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret | Grace Works |
| John Wimber | The Essential C.S. Lewis | Joshua |
| Gaal The Conqueror | Power Healing | The Final Quest |
| Wild At Heart | Leadership, Management & 5 Essentials... | Perelandra |
| Good Morning Holy Spirit | Mere Christianity (Section 4) | In The Grip Of Grace |
| The Song | Escape From Christendom | A Tale Of Three Kings |
| The Screwtape Letters | I Was Wrong | There Were Two Trees In The Garden |
Favorite Authors
| JOHN WHITE | FRANK PERETTI | C.S. LEWIS |
| The Archives of Anthropos | This Present Darkness | The Great Divorce |
| The Sword Bearer | Piercing The Darkness | Mere Christianity: Section 4 |
| The Tower of Gebura | Prophet | The Screwtape Letters |
| The Iron Scepter | The Oath | Out of the Silent Planet |
| Gaal The Conqueor* | Perelandra | |
| That Hideous Strength | ||
| MALCOLM SMITH | JIM BAAKER | HANNAH HURNARD |
| Spiritual Burnout | I Was Wrong | Hinds Feet On High Places |
Fantasy & Science Fiction
| Perelandra | Gaal the Conqueror | The Last Battle |
| The Hobbit | The Paradise War | Piercing the Darkness |
| Dream Thief | The Sword Bearer | A Swiftly Tilting Planet |
| That Hideous Strength | The Dawn Treader | Out of the Silent Planet |
Fertilizer for Deep Growth
| The Essential C.S. Lewis | Spiritual Burnout | Grace Works |
| Knowing God | The Pursuit of God | There were 2 Trees in the Garden |
| In the Grip of Grace | Good Morning Holy Spirit | The Weight of Glory |
| When the Spirit Comes in Power | Ever Increasing Faith | The Life of the Beloved |
| A Grief Observed | The Screwtape Letters | The Necessity of Prayer |
| The Release of the Spirit | The Normal Christian Life | Tortured for Christ |
| Power Healing | Growing in the Prophetic | Undeceptions |
| The Three Battlegrounds | Leadership, Management and..... | Future Grace |
| God Meant it for Good | The Blood | A Gentle Thunder |
Inspiration
| Hinds Feet on High Places | The Practice of the Presence of God | Joshua |
| The Song | Power Evangelism | Why Geese Fly Farther than Eagles |
| Power and Praise |
Biographies
| Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret | John Wimber | Long Walk to Freedom |
| Autobiography of Martin Luther King | Daughter of Destiny | Tramp for the Lord |
| Power Encounters | Wigglesworth: the Secret of his Power | Bruchko |
Gaal The Conqueror
by John White
In this exceptional book Jesus takes the name of Gaal in an imaginary land called Anthropos. John White probes the issues of power and trust in God through the two lives of John and Elenor. There are many surprising turns in this book. It vividly portrays WHY we need to trust Jesus!
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The Great Divorce
by C.S. Lewis
This short book is a fantastic journey into a place where men and women wrestle with themselves, angels and their inner most dialogue which they themselves rarely hear or listen to. The men and women appear as mere phantoms compared to the real-ness of the heavenly realm and those that they meet there. Lewis looks at amazing things in our human nature using this 'story.' If you have never read Lewis, this is a great place to start. And if you have read Lewis, you can't miss this one.
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The Practice of the Presence of God
by Brother Lawrence
Brother Lawrence was a member of an order in the 1600s. He was a simple man that wanted to know and love Jesus. He struggled with his own failures, sinfulness and weakness only to find that God was there for him daily. Brother Lawrence tried to find God is all of his daily MUNDANE work: cooking the food, cleaning the pots and pan, going to market and taking care of his other chores. This tiny book is merely a collection of his letters written to friends. He never dreamed they would be published. For all of us in our increasingly busy lives, brother Lawrence shows us a way to Redeem the busyness of our activities by doing the WITH Jesus.
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A Tale of Three Kings
by Gene Edwards
This is another small book written on the life of 3 Kings: King Saul, King David, and King Absalom. It deeply looks at the temptations to attack others back when they attack you. Or is there another way? Do you become what you hate? Or do you follow David who followed God and become glorious? It is written almost like poetry. The chapters are small and the words are few, but the effect is deep. Very though provoking!
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Joshua
by Joseph Girzone
What would Jesus be like if he showed up today, in your town? Joseph Girzone pictures a Jesus who lives on the outskirts of town in a seeming mid-west area. He is a carpenter, has time for the children but also has the deep simple wisdom of Jesus of the Bible that allows Him to address the bigger issues of life in the 20th century. The best part of this book is that you get a sense for Jesus' personality... how he relates to people. You get the sense that He enjoys the common people around Him... just like Jesus did in the gospels when he hung out with the everyday people..... and even the tax collectors. It is a wonderfully encouraging book that will help you relate to the person of Jesus rather than just the doctrine about Jesus!
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Wild At Heart
by John Eldridge
This is an excellent boy about the adventure and wonder of being a man (and seeing and understanding the adventure / wonder in women). How do you sum up an incredible book? He talks about wildness and Jesus all in the same breath. Who are we really? What was Jesus, really? The incredible but deep issues of a man's heart are talked about. Risks and adventure are pondered because that is what makes a lot of men really come alive. However, it is not just one kind of adventure that he is talking about. Loving a woman is a risk and an adventure (if it is done with passion) that is a lot different that the risk and adventure of outdoor backpacking. The daily grind can kill if you aren't pursuing your passions as a man. But it is also learning which passions to reject (because they would destroy you) and which you can and should cultivate!
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Spiritual Burnout
by Malcom Smith
Malcom just delves into what kills in religion and what gives life. He look at how the Good News of God's love and commitment to us can be turned into condemnation if talked about wrongly. Or else it can be the encouragement and challenge that can breed joyful life. Condemnation or Conviction? Fear and Guilt or Encouragement and Challenge?
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Grace Works
by Dudley Hall
Dudley does a great job of looking at Grace in a Healthy Perspective. He rejects the heavy Do Better message mixed with the gospel, and reminds us of the real Good News that Jesus preached and lived. He also rejects "cheap grace" which is an abuse of real grace. This book is incredible and liberating. Dudley helps you regain your perspective to see what God has done for us in Jesus and get our eyes off ourselves as we try to keep the Law to gain acceptance with God. Are your eyes on Jesus and you are growing in loving others? Or are your eyes on yourself as you relentlessly and joylessly try to keep the commandments? Dudley asserts that if you keep your eyes on Jesus and ABIDE in Him you will bear MORE fruit and inherently keep the commandments better (out of love) than if you focus on the Law and your own abilities to keep the commandments.
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Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret
by Hudson Taylor
This is the amazing story of Hudson Taylor being invited by God to go to China and live the reality of Jesus in front of a nation of people who had virtually NO contact with Jesus. He has amazing triumphs and heart breaking looses. He begins the book just learning to trust God daily for his daily needs in England before He attempts to follow Jesus to China and trust Him for direction and provision there. He is very practical about this and encourages others to do the same. This is a very encouraging missionary history. It is also wonderful because Hudson does not try to bring "Western Culture" along with his presentation of Jesus. He is one of the first who lives as the Chinese lived and enter their culture.
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Hinds Feet on High Places
by Hannah Hurnard
Hanna develops a great analogy of following Jesus through the ups and downs, joy's and despair of life. She is a character in her own story called Much Afraid. Her evil cousins the Fearings, are trying to keep her from following the Shepherd, who is obviously Jesus. The Shepherd knows all about the Fearings. However He also knows how to help Much Afraid to really grow. Sometimes he appears immediately and crushes the Fearings. At other times He allows Much Afraid to struggle some and trust Him because she grows more and more as she uses what she learns! Wonderfully encouraging and challenging all at once. This allegory is a parallels to Hannah Hurnard's real life as a youth and an adult!
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Power Healing
by John Wimber
John dives right into the subject of healing and immediately supports the assertion that God does heal today. With a multitude of scripture references and real life encounters he presents his case. The whole focus of this book is Jesus' Kingdom and scripture. Hope and encouragement are the natural outcomes. John also grapples with the issue of why all people are not healed. He references Jesus' own ministry to explain this. If your faith seems 'intellectual' or 'non-personal' you will love this book. John clearly shows how God is ACTIVE today.
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John Wimber
by Carol Wimber
Carol gives a non-professional and highly personal account of her husband John Wimber, the Vineyard, and their history. Carol describes the beginning years of the Vineyard as a home group, their affiliation with the Quakers, and as a Calvary Chapel church plant. Later she briefly talks about the Prophetic ear and Toronto. She then spends the majority of the book on John's struggle and success against cancer. Ultimately she recounts his death of a stroke. Carol stays focused on Jesus the whole way. You feel their successes and defeats, when people praised them and when they attacked them. It is an easy read that draws you along quickly. One is almost incapable of putting it down.
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The Essential C.S. Lewis
Edited by Lyle W. Dorsett
This is a compilation of many of C.S. Lewis' works. The editor only includes about 4 complete works for sake of space, but includes so many of the richest and most impacting sections of Lewis' books. Lewis' stunning ability to write heart level theology (thinking about God) is clear as you see the many different styles he uses - Analogy, Children's Stories, Theology, Poetry and Science Fiction. In many different written formats Lewis draws us one picture of the Good Character of God as seen in Jesus after another. Tons of great spiritual food is here for the taking!
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Perelandra
by C. S. Lewis
Lewis weaves deep truth into a Science Fiction story that is deeply thought provoking and entertaining. Ransom is a rather ordinary man who is transported to an alien world and encounters a 2 beings of a newly created race who will choose the destiny of their descendants. Perelandra is a fresh world full of innocence and wisdom. Sometimes it takes a picture or painting to communicate truth because words are too narrow and hollow. Such is the case here. Of the 7 times I have read this book, the last reading is always the best. A true book is better each successive reading that the first reading.
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Leadership, Management and the 5 Essentials for Success
by Rick Joyner
Rick writes a very practical book discussing the differences between Leadership and Management. Far from pitting the two against each other he illustrates how they must be married together to make a truly successful enterprise: whether business or ministry. Several historical excerpts back up his analysis, in addition to his own experience. Thought provoking, practical and inspirational.
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In the Grip of Grace
by Max Lucado
Max spends some time looking at God's Grace verses our own striving to earn the acceptance that is already ours in Jesus! If you have not read Max's books (there are many of them) get ready for some insight, daily bread, and encouragement. It seems like I need to read one every 6 months to keep my focus on Jesus! In all of his books (almost) there is a short story in each chapter. Usually a real account of someone's life. Time and time again you see how God wants us to partner with what He is doing in our lives without us doing ALL of the work. He wants us involved but not trying to control the process, active but not "in charge" of our own healing process because He is in charge - and only Jesus can do it right! Max does a great job of this.
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The Final Quest
by Rick Joyner
Rick publishes a series of dreams and visions that he had in the late 80s and early 90s. Five of these fit together to form The Final Quest. This is not a book for the casual reader. These dreams and visions are intense and often disturbing at first until you begin to see the overall picture of this book. Chapter 1 & 2 fit together as a graphic picture of the spiritual battle we walk through everyday. Complete with accusation and thanksgiving, encouragement and depression Rick tell what he has seen. Chapter 3 focuses on the Cross of Jesus in a wonderfully intense and poignant way. Chapter 5 stands on it own as Jesus supposedly talks to Rick about many things. Chapter 4 considers the Judgment seat of Christ. Honestly, I can only say one thing about this book. I have had to pick it up and put it down over the course of 5 years. I have read it at least 5 times. You have to chew on it and spend time with Jesus to understand it. This book, as with all prophesy, is not on an even level with the Bible. It may not be perfectly true in all parts. No book is except the Bible. But there is so much wisdom and humility to be gained by reading this book. If you don't accept it blindly, which we shouldn't with any vision, dream or prophesy, but weight the words with frequent conversation with Jesus.... you will reap such a mother-lode of wisdom you cannot help but apply it!
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Good Morning Holy Spirit
by Benny Hinn
Although this book has been highly criticized, there is a wonderful intimacy to be found with the Holy Spirit here. It is also evident that Benny Hinn does not have perfect doctrine, but who does? Any of us? If you are not too critical or proud you may discover a wonderful fellowship with Holy Spirit that is possible. He is present.... will we respond to Him? The Holy Spirit is the 3rd member of the trinity, but we often don't regard Him as a person! Isn't that incredible that we can do that to God? Mostly people think of Holy Spirit as 'energy' or the 'Spirit' of God. And He certainly is The Spirit of God. However, He is truly a PERSON! Do you want to discover and respond to Him as such or just stick with preconceived notions that do not have much Biblical basis? You will find an abundance of Scriptural basis here. Often I ask myself and others, "What is so PERSONAL about your or my ' Personal Relationship with Jesus?' How do you relate to God? Do you 'hear' and communicate with Jesus? How does the depth of your other relationships (and all the various dimensions) parallel your relationship with God? Father, Son and Spirit. Do you relate to you other friends, family, spouse and children in many ways (emotional, mental, physical) but only relate to God in one or two ways? This book is an invitation to know Him. It is personal. See what you think.
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Mere Christianity (and Especially Chapter or Book 4 - i.e. the last of the four sections of the book)
by C.S. Lewis
Lewis does a remarkable job of covering basic Christianity. The book is like a wave for me... it builds at the beginning, get's very cut and dry in the middle and then crescendo's at the end.... Honestly, if you have never read it or not read it recently, read the Book 4: "Beyond Personality" - it is amazing.... I think I will start this section again tonight. This part puts the Heart and Soul of Jesus right out there for anyone to experience.... if you ever get confused about life - read this section and remember who He is and who you are all over again!
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Escape from Christendom
by Robert Burnell
You may have to find this book included in a small book that is really 3 books put together and published under the title of Vision of the Harvest by Rick Joyner. Nevertheless, this book is worth searching for. It is an allegory of Christian culture that is epitomized by a place called Christian City. Around this city a prophet walks to beckon disillusioned Christians into the desert to respond, seek and depend on God! The allegory is powerful and true! Again.... this is another book that needs to be read every year to gain perspective and re-sight our target - Jesus alone - and nothing else is the goal!
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The Song
by Calvin Miller
The Song is basically poetry... although, what do I know about poetry? It is written with a few words on each page and gives you a picture of Jesus as The Singer who woos us to life! He sings of great joy and deep suffering that draws us away from the machinery of daily passionless life to Himself. Responding to His song is life, but it goes against the culture that we live in. But in the end don't we know that life is pointless if we don't sing His song?
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I Was Wrong
by Jim Baker
As we all know, Jim Baker fell. Here he recounts the madness and temptations that popularity and ministry can bring. He get's real honest about his humanity. He wrestles with God and people. The honesty and brokenness in this book is incredible. Talk about getting lifted to the skies and then thrown to the ground.... but we all have the seeds of pride and impatience that can do the same in our lives. Jim's humility is really refreshing. He paints a graphic picture of the competition between leaders that parallels the disciples arguing about "who is the greatest" that even occurs for the 3rd time.... right after Jesus has told them He will be crucified. I think he paints a picture of our own hearts - if we were given as much power and position as he had, we might likewise be exposed. It is disgusting to see our human nature and what we are capable of... but in the end, if we, like Jim, are open and honest..... that is where real life begins.
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The Screwtape Letters
by C.S. Lewis
Lewis poses a series of conversations between two demons assigned to damning a human soul. While this sounds terrifying, the resultant conversations are shrewd and insightful regarding how easily we are manipulated by the least thought, circumstance or event. The book also clearly shows how God works in us to draw us further and further out of the influence of the devil. As you read the head demon teaching the younger apprentice how to tempt the human, you quickly relate to how you have been influenced by these kinds of thoughts or events rather than staying focused on Jesus and loving others. It is truly fascinating!
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There Were Two Trees in the Garden
by Rick Joyner
Rick takes a brilliant stab at considering the difference between the two trees that were in the center of the garden in which Adam and Eve were created and lived. The one is The Knowledge of Good and Evil. The other is simply The Tree of Life. In today's culture you can instantly see how highly we value raw Knowledge. But what about life and relationship. Rick traces the influences of these two trees through the Bible. The Law is aggressively discussed. What is it for? Why did God create it? How do people relate to Him? What is true faith? Once again, get ready to chew aggressively as you digest what will take years to understand and apply. Knowledge can be obtained quickly, but understanding is only accomplished by the one who puts knowledge into action.
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