It has been said you can tell a lot about a man by the company he keeps. I believe that is also true about the books that he reads. I have spent hours with these men through their writings and am the better man for it. Most of these books I have read multiple times. That is significant in that there are millions of books in the world, and only so many hours in which to read them. Because our time is limited, I have determined to read only the good ones. These books have spoken to me deeply, they have enriched my life and stirred my soul. I trust they will do the same for you. If not, put them aside and find others that do.
I read regularly and encourage you to do the same. One discipline Carrie and I put at the top of our list is to read the Bible daily. We believe the Bible is the most important piece of literature ever written, divinely inspired and given to us as a gift from God. At the beginning of every year, we find a daily reading plan that will take us through the Bible within the upcoming year. We have been doing this for many years now and it never grows old. Many times we pick up a new translation or chose a different plan from the preceding year to bring fresh voice and perspective.
Additionally, I typically find myself reading in multiple other books at the same time, looking for insight, wisdom, inspiration and beauty. The particular books I am recommending to you have remained in my heart and mind. I keep them close by as I know I will want to read them once again in whole or in part. Here are a few thoughts as to why.
The Ragamuffin Gospel and Abba’s Child, by Brennan Manning
Without question, Brennan Manning is my favorite author. I have read every book he has written, most of them multiple times. I could have placed many other of his works on this list including, The Wisdom of Tenderness and Ruthless Trust, all of them worthy reads. However, for sake of simplicity, if you read these two books, you will get a good dose of what Brennan has to offer.
A dear friend gave me Abba’s Child one Christmas. Through the next few years and continuing today, God has used Brennan’s words to breathe life into my spiritual journey as much or more than any other single individual I can name. He is a gifted writer, but it is his unflinching honesty and transparency that speak so deeply to me. He has passed now, but while he was with us I had the privilege of going to two different spiritual retreats that he led. His words were every bit as powerful in person as they are in his writings. If you only read two books on my list read these.
Running on Empty, by Fil Anderson
What first attracted me to this book was the title. I can relate to the idea of running on empty in many areas of my life including my spiritual journey. What sold me on the book was the forward by Brennan Manning. Running on Empty is Fil’s story of spending years working for God and having great success while his interior life was depleted and devoid of the connection to God he so desperately wanted. It is a story all too common in our Christian journey. Fil is a southern gentlemen with a huge heart. His writing is filled with compassion and tenderness and you will feel his care for your soul as you read.
What I didn’t know when I picked up Fil’s book, is that I would later have the privilege of walking with him in friendship and what a delight that friendship has been. I first met Fil when he was the special guest at a Spiritual Retreat I hosted for our community. Fil is a friend to many, a spiritual guide and director for individuals and groups as well as helping lead organizations. You will find his voice refreshing, encouraging, comforting and welcoming. Again, I could just as easily have placed his second book on this list, Breaking the Rules: Trading Performance for Intimacy with God.
Waking the Dead, by John Eldredge
I am sure you are familiar with the works of John Eldredge. John’s prominence came through his best selling book, Wild at Heart. He has written many other fantastic books as well. I am recommending John to you and all his writings as I believe you will find them helpful on your journey. I am recommending this book in particular as it is directed at the most important issue of our lives, our hearts. The title says it all, Waking the Dead, The Glory of a Heart Fully Alive. John opens the book with what has now become a favorite quote of mine; “The glory of God is man fully alive.”- St. Irenaeus. There is nothing more important than the condition of your heart. As Solomon wrote, “Above all else guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.”
Run with the Horses, by Eugene Peterson
This book holds a special place in my heart. On the day of my 50th birthday a few years ago, I took the day off from work and was sitting on my back porch enjoying the morning. In my daily Bible reading it just so happened that I finished the final chapter in the book of Jeremiah. I thought about how much I enjoyed reading through Jeremiah. So many of my favorite scriptures are found there including Carrie’s and my very favorite, “Call upon Me and I will answer you and show you great and awesome things that you don’t know.” (Jeremiah 33:3). As I was thinking of my birthday celebration ahead, celebrating with my family and the significance of my 50th year, I decided to ask my Heavenly Father for a gift. I simply asked if He had a birthday gift for me. Immediately, I knew what the gift was, the book of Jeremiah. I have read a few books that Eugene Peterson had written. I especially appreciate his modern translation of scripture entitled The Message. I recalled that he had written on the book of Jeremiah. I searched for the book and discovered Run with the Horses, The Quest for Life at it’s Best. Needless to say, I was not disappointed and as you can see, it made it into my top 10.
The Echo Within, by Robert Benson
A simple and small book beautifully written by Robert Benson. Robert grew up around the publishing business and you can tell that writing is in his soul. He doesn’t take things at face value but looks for deeper meaning and therefore his words have a haunting and longing to them. He has encountered bumps and bruises along his journey and writes from a place of honesty and transparency. I really enjoyed this gem of a book and I hope you will too. The subtitle is Finding Your True Calling and who doesn’t want to do that.
Open Heart, by Elie Wiesel
If you have never read anything by Elie Wiesel, please do. He was a Holocaust survivor who carried the burden of surviving and helped the world to remember the horrors of that disgrace upon our world. In this small but powerful book, which happens to be his last book written before he passed, he looks back over his life with reflection. Another of his works I recommend is the book Night, which chronicles his experience in the Holocaust. What these books provide is a bigger perspective and view of life.
Let Your Life Speak, by Parker Palmer
This is another small but powerful book recommended to me by Fil Anderson. I in turn pass on the recommendation to you. It’s subtitle is Listening for the Voice of Vocation, which is descriptive of what you will find inside. Parker Palmer is a decorated educator, writer, and speaker who comes from the Quaker tradition. He encourages us that the word vocation derives from the word voice. As we slow down and listen for the voice that calls us, it will sound a lot like our own voice. As we listen and wait, the “way will open.”
Messy Spirituality, by Mike Yaconelli
This is such a great book. John Mason, a good friend of mine and a fantastic author and speaker recommended this book to me and it instantly became one of my favorites. Mike was an unconventional guy who saw the world in an unconventional fashion. He loved Jesus and his church, but not all the religious trappings. He addresses most of them head on in this book and I found it to be encouraging and refreshing. If you need a dose of religious detox, give it a try.
Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl
Finally, last but not least is this small book by Viktor Frankl. This is in the vein of the writings of Elie Wiesel. Viktor was also a survivor of the Holocaust. In this book he describes his harrowing experience at Auschwitz, but with the powerful hope and truth that no matter how dire one’s circumstances, no one can take the ultimate freedom away from you, the freedom to choose.
C. S. Lewis