January 2010
Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers
by Christian Smith

This is one of the most intriguing books I've read in years. It's the first systematic sociological study on the spirituality of teenagers ever conducted. And the findings are sometimes startling. It's good reminder of what works in youth ministry (strong parental involvement, strong and involved student programs, good adult relationships, etc) and what doesn't (flashy programming, watered down theology, etc.) There are scary conclusions as well. Like the fact that many of the students growing up in solid church backgrounds are nevertheless unable to articulate the gospel. Instead the authors find that most teenagers have adopted a "moralistic, therapeutic deism," though they wouldn't call it that. This book is a wake up call to anyone working with students. Don't assume you know what's going on or that it was just like when you were growing up, or like it was even 10 years ago. This book (and it's sequel, more on that at a later time) is a must read.

November 2009
Counterfeit Gods
by Timothy Keller

Tim Keller is emerging as one of the most grounded yet relevant voices in the church today. I have yet to be disappointed in his books and his new one is no exception. This one is a quick read so if you're not in the habit of reading books this one won't kill you but will definitely challenge you. Keller examines the many ways we are just as idolatrous as the Israelites of old in that we are looking to anything and everything to give us meaning in life when we can only find that Christ in life. If you find yourself disappointed in life and can't see, to figure out why you should read this book. You will be surprised at how insightful it is and how hopeful you will become after reading it. Check this one out now!

October 2009
The Screwtape Letters
by C. S. Lewis

What's October without a few devils? My litereary hero returns to the front page once again to give us a sneak peek into a demon's mind. How do you tempt a human? What works? What doesn't? Through a fictional romp Lewis cuts to the heart of what really keeps us temped and far from God. Even if you've read this one give it another go. This is one of those books that every time you read it something new will pop out at you. You can't go wrong with this classic!

September 2009Disappointment With God
by Philip Yancey

This is a topic I hear about a lot but no one seems to want to talk about out loud. There are going to be times in your life when God is a bit confusing. Sometimes you'll even find yourself mad at God or at the very least disappointed. What are we supposed to do in such times? Many of us simply stop talking to God. Yancey instead thoughtfully walks us through this period of our lives and shows us how to survive. Yancey has always been good at leading us to great insight while not being too preachy and here is his tour de force. This could be my favorite Yancey book. Read it!

June/July 2009

The Practice of the Presence of God
by Brother Lawrence

Here's a oldie but goodie you should definitely read. And when I say oldie I mean about 400 years old. Brother Lawrence was a dishwasher in a monastery yet ended up contributing more to everyone's spiritual life than all the other monks. His whole idea was that you don't just talk to God at certain times and then try to be good everywhere else. Instead he tried to live in God's presence in everything he did: work, play, church, everything. And it worked. reading something from such a different time also helps us understand that the way we live isn't normal. Our culture isn't right simply because it's here. It's a good reminder that we need to allow Christ to define us within our culture instead of letting the culture define Christ in us. Read this book!

The Great Divorce
by C. S. Lewis

For those of you who don't know, this is my favorite bok of all time. It shows up periodically as my featured book and as it hasn't been up this year I thought I would recommend it yet again to you. Now, a warning. This book is weird at first. You have to get off the bus before you stop reading. I know that makes absolutely no sense to yo, but it will. Maybe. If you read it. It's kind of like watching the first half of The Matrix. You're just kind of confused and then you go "OOOOOOOooooohhhhh." Only this time your vision of life will b

ESV Study Bible
by God(Bible) and a lot of very smart people (notes)

I got this for Christmas and I have to say I'm completely impressed. If you're looking fora new Bible, a study Bible, or just a good Bible period I'd reccommend this one. Why? 1) The ESV (that's English Standard Version) is a fabulous translation. It's an "essentially literal" translation which means it's a very accurate translation of the original texts while still being very readable. Contrast this to the NIV which is a "thought for thought" translation. While I love the NIV and preach from the NIV, this translation has the advantage of being more accurate but just as understandable and readable. 2)The Study notes are amazing. These are not simple facts, they truly walk you through the theology of the Bible and help you see patterns and important concepts. 3) The articles and added materials are very helpful. Far from being filler at the back of the book they answer real questions like "How did we get the Bible?" 4) When you buy the ESV you get a free online version as well. Can't beat that! So take some of that Christmas money you haven't blown yet and invest in your spiritual growth this year!

November/December 2008

Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer
by C. S. Lewis

This is one of Jack's lesser known works but is extremely insightful. He himself declares that books that instruct us on how to pray never seem to truly meet us where we are in our own prayer life. But being able to enter into a discussion on prayer would be more helpful. Hence this collection of a series of letters between Lewis and a friend concerning the topic of prayer. I like this book because it gives us true insight into the life of someone who took prayer seriously without feeling like that same person is condemning us for our sometimes lackluster prayer lives. Now it's Lewis, so it can be heady at times, but if you put the work in the reward is definitely worth it!.

June/July 2008
Celebration of Discipline
by Richard Foster

This book has appeared in the Featured list before, but more encounters with pseudo-worship in the recent past as well as some great examples of the real thing has brought this back to mind. If you have ever wondered what worship really is all about, this book is a must. Now granted, this is not devotioanl reading. It's more of a studied approach to what worship is, how it functions in society, and how should we go about it. I have said this before about this book: It doesn't have all the right answers (in my humble opinion) but it is asking all the right questions. Questions no one is even bothering to think about, much less truly address. We are already in danger of allowing worship in our culture to sink to the level of sound-bite spirituality. Books like this will get you back on track. Invest in your own spiritual depth and get this book! If you are a worship leader, I hereby command you to go and buy it for your own good. No questions asked. You can thank me later.

I got to be honest, gang, I'm not much for the sappy love stories. Yes, I'm sure Redeeming Love is great. But It's just not my cup of tea (or rather, my large endlessly refilled glass of tea which is my favorite.) But it's February and there's no getting around the subject. So, a love story unlike any you've ever read. This is one of Lewis' more overlooked masterpieces. Admittedly, I was a little baffled by it on my first read through. I spent most of the book wondering why a believer wrote this book about a Greek god and seeming pagan worship. It wasn't until the end things began to click. Leave it to old Jack to come in the back door and clock you upside the head! This book is beautifully written, psychologically rich, and will make you think deeply about what love really is and how it can be perverted in our minds. Check it out. Send me an email when you're done and tell me what you think!

Well it's Januray which means it's time for resolutions we don't plan on keeping! But for those of you who are truly trying to turn over a new leaf this year in your spiritual life, there is no better helper than Richard Foster. Foster holds one of the very few spots on my "Really Good Living Authors" list. He has that rare ability to talk about very deep things in very plain language that makes you wonder "now why didn't I see that?" This is one of his lesser known works, but I've been rereading it lately and it's yet again kicking me in the face. So if you're in the mood for a good face kicking and your copy of Mortal Kombat is lost in your closet somewhere, you should pick this one up. I dare you to implement any one of his suggestions. That's right, I dare you. What are you going to do about it?

I know, I know, not a very Christmas-y title. But this book has me thinking so I needed to share it with you. (Thanks to Kerry Ray for putting me onto this one. And there, you finally made the website, happy?) This is the latest book from the Barna group who have always set the bar for statistics about what's really going on in Christianity. These guys are never very good at theology, but their research is impeccable and eye-opening. In this book you'll find out what people outside Christianity really think about us. Some things will be expected: they think we're hypocritical. Other results will be more shocking: They don't care all that much that we're hypocritical. They're angry about a lot of other things. What things? Go read this book and you'll see. But if you're doing ministry like you did just 10 years ago you're behind the times. Things have changed. People have changed. We have changed. Be prepared to rethink some things.

How's that for a comprehensive title? This is one of the more intriguing books I have ever read. Nicholi is a Harvard professor who set out to see what a debate between these two notable figures would have looked like. Though not truly contemporaries both men have had a profound impact on our culture. But Nicholi goes further than simply banging their thoughts against one another. he also examines their lives and compares those as well. How did the philosophy of both Lewis and Freud affect their daily life? And whose life showed more joy, intellect, productivity, and just plain life? If you're wondering about God at all, this is a great place to begin thinking about the major issues of life as they affected two world-shaking minds.

You'd think we hear too much about sex in our culture so why recommend a book about it? Because the church has done an abysmal job of teaching joyfully and forcefully on this topic. God's ideas on this subject are rich, helpful, life-enhancing, and above all authoritative. Thus Rob weighs in and tries to help us see that this is not the taboo subject to be avoided but a necessary topic everyone should understand from a spiritual perspective. You're not going to get stats on STDs and pregnancy here. Instead you'll see some of the many ways that our sexuality is intimately tied to our spirituality and vice versa. Trying to divorce them is to invite pain, misery and ruin into all of your relationships. If you've never thought about any of this get this book. I don't think Rob goes nearly far enough, but his exploration here will definitely start you in the right direction. And he's a great accessible writer. Go get this book!

One of the things I'm trying to do on sabbatical is just spend time with God. But sometimes that's not as easy as it sounds is it? So I look to godly menand women who have wlaked with God to help lead me. If you'd like a little help yourself you should check out this this resource. Richard Foster (Celebration of Discipline) started the Renovare group years ago to help people find renawal and a deeper walk with Christ. With Dallas Willard and others pooling their collective wisdom this is a valuable wealth of instruction. This isn't a book per se, but more of a guide with activities and exercises to help you along in your quiet time. If your times with God have been a little dry, try this one out.

This one has appeared on the front page before, but I've decided that this book is my new manifesto. Willard is bound and determined to save us from an unproductive faith and we all need to listen to his wisdom. I can't tell you how many times I've read passages from this book and thought "Exactly! Why couldn't I say it that well?" You definitely need to pick this one up. Now, I'll be honest, this is a tougher read (he's a philosophy prof at USC) but he's not unreadable. I'm telling you, this is one of the most thought provoking and practical books on discipleship out there. Don't settle for watered down faith! Get on board and join the Conspiracy!

So it's May and the odds of me prompting you to read something heavy are slim to none. So how about a spy novel? Chesterton was a unique individual with an irrespressible personality and a rapier mind. His contributions to Christian literature are vast, rich, and incredibly insightful. Think of hin like an earlier C. S. Lewis. So it's interesting to find him writing what seems to be a fanciful spy novel. But watch out, there just might be some truth hiding under the bizarre adventures in this one. If you need something light to get you through exam month, pick this one up. You won't be disappointed.

You cannot get enough of Uncle Andrew. I've recommended this book before, but as I'm rereading it for about the 5th time I thought I'd remind you yet again. I love this book. it's in my Top 5 books list and will remain there indefinitely. If you are in need of a devotional you can't get much better than this. Murray exhaustively tackles Jesus' metaphor of the vine and branches as a picture of how to have a vital relationship with God. He explores questions such as "How do you abide in Christ with a full time job?" It's practical, heartfelt, Scriptural, and relevant. Pretty good for a South African Missionary from a few centuries ago. Get this book. Get it now. No right now. No, you don't need to go back to YouTube. Do it now! Leave your computer running, I'll be fine.

In honor of Valentine's Day (or in spite of of it, whichever you choose. I'm equally indifferent to either the joy or bitterness directed towards this so-called Holiday) I recommend another of Lewis' treasures. here we find out the four greek words for love (storge, phileo, eros, and agape) and how each plays a different role in our lives. Love may seem like a straightforward concept to you, but with keen insight Lewis shows us the nuances and particularities of each. Now, here's the great part. If you'd rather hear the book than read it, this is the only of Lewis' books recorded by the author himself! If you've ever wondered what he sounded like, here's your chance. Of course anything in a British accent sounds smarter, but you can't beat lewis himself explaining these things. A must for any Lewis fan. Here's the link to buy the audiobook.

You will not find a book on worship with a better title than this one. Period. Marva Dawn is a small woman who packs a big punch. In my personal favorite book on this subject Dawn deconstructs the culture to help us understand that if we will simply live as worshipping believers we will fulfill the greatest needs of our time. Instead of trying to figure out if hymns or choruses are the way to go she transcends these surface debates and tackles the heart of why we worship. Once this foundation is laid her conclusions, while sometimes surprising to modern ears, have a much deeper ring of truth than what we are used to hearing. I have been continually frustrated by worship leaders in the last few years so as a peace offering to anyone involved in leading worship I offer this advice: read this book!

The older I get the more I realize that the holidays are not fun for everyone. Not by a longshot. (To be honest, it's not my favorite time of year either.) So whether it's the holidays or some other personal crisis I offer this one by my other favorite author, Philip Yancey. This books sits in my top 5 list as well and for good reason. This is Yancey's finest work in my opinion. Here Yancey tackles three questions we will all face sooner or later: Is God Silent? Is God Hidden? Is God Unfair? You can ask these in private or out loud, but if you're living in the real world you'll ask them. Yancey isn't preachy, which is good since that's the last thing disappointed people need. But he also brings a unique perspective to Scripture that is holistic and honest. It's also needed. You should read this book if you're disappointed. You should also read this if you're not so you can find out what not so say when dealing with those that are. Make this a must read.

So it's the Christmas season and I'm feeling generous so you get two picks this month. I start with an amazing gift you will have to read to believe. Perelandra has been #2 on my favorite books list for a while but it's making a pitch for #1. This is the second in Lewis's Space Trilogy, but don't let the fact that this is science fiction scare you away. I just reread this one for the 6th time and it continues to amaze, confound, dazzle, and inspire me. Every time. Books just don't do that these days. READ THIS BOOK. You might want to read the first in the series, Out of the Silent Planet, which is a good book in it's own right. It's short and fun and you'll enjoy it, but you don't necessarily have to read it to get Perelandra. I'm telling you, don't miss this one.

As Lewis said, you can't say enough about the value of old books. So here's my pitch for getting this book into your hands pronto. Written by an old puritan (don't let that word scare you, it doesn't mean what you think it means), this 31 day devotional guides us to knowing Christ in an intimate way on a daily basis.  For all those who have said that really walking with Christ is either impossible, or at best too hard, this book is a must.  Murray leads us through how to abide in Christ every day, reminding us that Christ is the one who not only makes this possible, but even wants this for you. Each time I read it I gain new insight.  Definitely one of the top 5 books I have read. If you are needing a kick start to having a consistent quiet time, this book will definitely help. Now, off to the store, quickly.

You may remember that Yancey held the front page just a couple of months ago. But I couldn't resist giving it back once I began his new book on Prayer. This is by far Yancey's best book in years. He's gut level honest and talks about all the frustrations we have with prayer but feel unspiritual for feeling. He also asks the tough questions in regards to prayer: Does prayer change us, or God, or both? The answers may surprise you or not, but regardless you will walk away with an honest look at prayer and some comfort and confidence in this journey that is our walk with God. Personally I have found this book to be an amazing comfort and motivator to dive deeper and more honestly into my communication with God. If you have trouble praying at all you should pick this one up. And if you've never read Yancey before (or any Christian book for that matter) don't worry. He's very readable. I promise. Check it out.

September 2006
The Screwtape Letters

by C. S. Lewis

August 2006
The Jesus I Never Knew

by Philip Yancey

June/July 2006
The Divine Conspiracy
Discovering Our Hidden Life in God
by Dallas Willard

May 2006
Eat This Book
by Eugene Peterson

April 2006
Celebration of Discipline
by Richard Foster

March 2006
Velvet Elvis
by Rob Bell

February 2006
Wisdom Hunter
by Randall Arthur

January 2006
The Present Future
by Reggie McNeal

January 2006
Into the Depths of God
by Calvin Miller

I'm rereading this one and am again floored by Miller's ability to accurately and poetically describe the Christian journey. If you're feeling a bit dry in your spiritual life then Calvin would like to be your big brother who throws you into the deep end. His pull-no-punches style is coupled with rich imagery to open a door into a deeper experience with God. And being a master storyteller Miller never lets the book get mired in mere principles. Instead he peppers his prose with real life stories which gives the book a personal feel that further helps you grasp the concepts he tackles here. This is a call to a fuller experience of Christ, one that we would all do well to heed.

December 2005
The Great Divorce
by C. S. Lewis

This is my favorite book of all time.  In this short fantasy novel Lewis explores what Heaven and Hell may really be like.  But the real thrust of the book tries to answer the question, “ Why do people reject God?” “There are only two kinds of people in the end: Those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’ All that are in Hell choose it.  Without that self –choice there could be no Hell.”