TOP FIVE Christian Books from 2011

Not written in 2011 - read in 2011

The Prodigal God - Timothy Keller
Brilliant pastor-author Keller turns the Biblical parable of the prodigal son inside out and upside down and in doing so makes it speak afresh.

The Hole in Our Gospel - Richard Stearns
Remember - the hole is in OUR gospel - because we have stopped caring for the poor and downtrodden around the world. The President of World Vision powerfully makes the case to find a need and meet it both at home and around the world.

Radical - David Platt
The best in the growing number of books that call the contemporary church in America to a 'no holds barred' faith that will rediscover New Testament radical abandonment to God. Strong stuff!

Today We Are Rich - Tim Sanders
Upbeat positive thinking author hits home with a down to earth retelling of his Grandmother's homespun wisdom. The prologue alone is priceless.

The Little Book of Hours: Praying with the Community of Jesus
Fantastic little collection of prayers and readings that have become my lifeline - especially when travelling.

The Radical Challenge

This summer I read the book Radical by Dr. David Platt. It rocked my world! I was inspired again by the reality that Christianity just doesn't work at anything less than full devotion.

Whenever I am functioning at anything less than 'all out' in my walk with Christ - things start to fall apart. I get discouraged way too easily. I am distracted by 'lesser things'.

So I decided to digest the message of Radical a while before saying too much about it to the congregation I serve. Someone once warned me against Pastoral Spiritual Bulimia. PSB happens when I don't digest something God is feeding me but instead barf it up immediately on someone else. Yuck!

After about two months of thoughtful prayer I served up some Radical ideas on Sunday last. The positive response was very encouraging. I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that I was speaking out of a deep place inside and not just repeating someone else's good ideas. I think.

Upward and onward
GHT