Top Books from 2011

I love to read.  Here are the top five books I read in 2011 that I’d recommend to you:

Redemption by Mike Wilkerson
The subtitle sums it up well: “Freed by Jesus from the Idols We Worship and the Wounds We Carry.”  Using the book of Exodus, Wilkerson shows us how we can be redeemed from our idols and wounds.  Biblical, challenging, and applicable.  Highly recommended.

Jonathan Edwards: A Life by George Marsden
I have been reading biographies on Jonathan Edwards.  This one is 640 pages.  If you want to learn about Edwards, this is the place to go.

Fresh Encounters by Daniel Henderson
This book transformed my view of corporate prayer and gave me a burden to see more prayer in the church.  Prayer meetings don’t have to be boring laundry lists.  Prayer meetings should be fresh encounters with God.  Read this book, and then pass it on.

Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave by Edward T. Welch
I read this book for a sermon series I was doing.  It is filled with good gospel-powered teaching.  If you are struggling with an addiction, get a friend and work through this book together.  If you are not struggling with an addiction, read this book to help others, and to help immunize yourself.

Redeeming Singleness by Barry Danylak
I read this book for another sermon series.  Danylak traces singleness throughout the Bible.  It is a fascinating Biblical study.  Recommended for anyone who is single or knows someone who is single.  You may never look at singleness in the same way again.

Book Look: Transforming Grace

Transforming Grace – Jerry Bridges

I have recently finished reading this book again.  It was my third time through.  Some authors write their own ideas and attach a few Bible verses.  Others start with Bible verses and move to their own ideas.  Few write immersed in Scripture like Bridges does.  In this book, Bridges gives us an in-depth Bible study on God’s grace.  He covers God’s grace in saving us from our sins, his grace that makes us holy, his grace that enables us to serve, and his grace in the midst of trials.  In the context of this blog, it is God’s grace that both enables and motivates us for three passion living.  So grace is an important reality for us to know more and live in more. If you haven’t read this book, pick it up!  If you have have, you might find it useful like I did to read it again.