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Life Application Study Bible NLT, Large Print
The Life Application Study Bible is today’s #1-selling study Bible, containing notes that not only explain difficult passages and give information on Bible life and times, but also go a step further to show you how to “take it personally,” speaking to every situation and circumstance of your life! It’s the one Bible resource that incorporates today’s top scholarship in answering your real-life questions and includes nearly 10,000 Life Application notes and features designed to help readers apply God’s truth to everyday life. Now available in this new Large Print.
These are books that I have personally read and recommend. I know how valuable your time is and I would not recommend a book if I didn’t believe it could have an impact on you. If you are interested in being the church then these are must reads.
Mud and the Masterpiece: Seeing Yourself and Others through the Eyes of Jesus
by John Burke
The reason “sinners” ran from the religious, yet ran to Jesus had everything to do with his heart’s attitude toward people. They could sense Jesus was for them–not against them. Unlike the Pharisees, who could only see the mud of sin, Jesus saw a masterpiece under the mud that was so valuable, he was willing to give his life to restore messy people to the original work of art he created them to be. Combining an engaging study of Jesus’s encounters with imperfect people with inspiring stories of ordinary Christians having Christlike impact, this insightful book encourages readers to see the masterpiece beneath the mud in everyone. It shows how to align our hearts with the heart of God and our actions with the interactions of Jesus in order to show God’s love to a hurting, broken world.
Renegade: Your Faith Isn’t Meant to Be Safe
by Vince Antonucci
How does one live for God? Really live for God, in a way that provides both intimacy with him and yet adventure in this world? And how does one live for God in a culture that gives him a nod and a wink, but truly worships everything but him? And most importantly, what impact could a life, truly on fire for God, have on this world? Through an insightful and penetrating look at scriptural examples, Renegade challenges readers to live radical lives for God in a culture diametrically opposed to him. Author Vince Antonucci encourages readers to reconsider what it means to live for God, teaches them how to cultivate a real relationship with him, and then equips them to discover their unique calling. For all those times we feel like we’re running on empty, Antonucci provides encouragement and inspiration for readers to live out a risky, renegade faith.
Guerrilla Lovers: Changing the World with Revolutionary Compassion
by Vince Antonucci
Everyone is trying to change the world. Bono, Brad Pitt, Al Gore, Oprah, Bill Gates. Whether it’s bringing justice to Darfur, fighting global warming, building schools, or rebuilding cities, people are flocking to causes bigger than themselves like never before. They are dissatisfied with the status quo and are sacrificing their time and money to change it. God’s people should be at the forefront of this movement. But we’re not.
Vince Antonucci challenges believers to take part in changing the world and shows them how to do it, answering the big questions like: How do we live out God’s message of faith, hope, and love? How do we become agents of change in our own communities? How do we introduce people to the God who can change them? Antonucci says we can do all these things by adopting the strategy Jesus used: become guerrilla lovers. Just as a small group of people who deliver surprise attacks in close proximity can change the course of a war, they can change the course of love in this world. With engaging true stories of everyday guerrilla lovers, Antonucci inspires readers to wage war on complacency and surprise the people around them with acts of love.
Soul Revolution: How Imperfect People Become All God Intended
by John Burke
You’ve heard it all before. The promises for a better life get tiresome after awhile, because you know they don’t deliver. However, they do touch on a profound and inescapable truth. You were created to live your life out of a rewarding, richly textured relationship with God and others—and deep down, you long to experience that kind of life. But how? Are you willing to devote sixty days to finding out? Soul Revolution may be one of the most important books you’ll ever read. In it, author and pastor John Burke guides you on a journey of experiential discovery. Called the ’60-60 Experiment,’ it has already made a profound impact on thousands who have discovered what it means to actually ‘do life’ with God.
The Bondage Breaker: Overcoming Negative Thoughts, Irrational Feelings, Habitual Sin
by Neil T. Anderson
Featuring a new introduction and cover, Anderson’s bestselling book The Bondage Breaker leads you away from the shadows and shackles in your life and toward the freedom that comes when you: Realize you have the right to be free. Confront the power of Satan. Fight the temptation to do it your way. Trade deception for grace. Affirm your identity in Christ
Anderson ultimately helps you break negative thought patterns, control irrational feelings, and break out of the bondage of sinful behavior. If you’re struggling, discover how to embrace the promise of Jesus to win the spiritual battles confronting you.
Not a Fan: Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus
by Kyle Idleman
Are you a follower of Jesus? Don’t answer too quickly. In fact, you may want to read this book before you answer at all. Consider it a ‘Define the Relationship’ conversation to determine exactly where you stand. You may indeed be a passionate, fully devoted follower of Jesus. Or, you may be just a fan who admires Jesus but isn’t ready to let him cramp your style. Then again, maybe you’re not into Jesus, period. In any case, don’t take the question-Are you a follower of Jesus?-lightly. Some people don’t know what they’ve said yes to and other people don’t realize what they’ve said no to, says Pastor Kyle Idleman. But Jesus is ready to clearly define the relationship he wants with his followers. Not a Fan calls you to consider the demands and rewards of being a true disciple. With frankness sprinkled with humor, Idleman invites you to live the way Jesus lived, love the way he loved, pray the way he prayed, and never give up living for the One who gave his all for you.
Building a Discipling Culture
by Mike Breen
There is a discipleship crisis in the Western church. Many Christians may come to a worship service, join a small group or even tithe, but few have the kind of transformed lives we read about in Scripture. If we made disciples like Jesus made them, we wouldn’t have a problem finding leaders or seeing new people come to faith. Building a Discipling Culture is the product of 25+ years of hands-on discipleship practice — developed in a post-Christian context, tackling how to make the types of missional disciples Jesus spoke of.
When Helping Hurts: Alleviating Poverty Without Hurting the Poor. . .and Yourself
by Brian Fikkert and Steve Corbett
Churches and individual Christians typically have faulty assumptions about the causes of poverty, resulting in the use of strategies that do considerable harm to poor people and themselves. Don’t let this happen to you, your ministry or ministries you help fund! A must read for anyone who works with the poor or in missions, When Helping Hurts provides foundational concepts, clearly articulated general principles and relevant applications. The result is an effective and holistic ministry to the poor, not a truncated gospel.”Initial thoughts” at the beginning of chapters and “reflection questions and excercises” at the end of chapters assist greatly in learning and applying the material. A situation is assessed for whether relief, rehabilitation, or development is the best response to a situation. Efforts are characterized by an “asset based” approach rather than a “needs based” approach. Short term mission efforts are addressed and economic development strategies appropriate for North American and international contexts are presented, including microenterprise development.
It: How Churches and Leaders Can Get It and Keep It
by Craig Groeschel
When Craig Groeschel founded LifeChurch.tv, the congregation met in a borrowed two-car garage, with ratty furnishings and faulty audiovisual equipment. But people were drawn there, sensing a powerful, life-changing force Groeschel calls ‘It.’ What is It, and how can you and your ministry get — and keep — It? Combining in-your-face honesty with off-the-wall humor, Groeschel — one of today’s most innovative church leaders — provides profile interviews with Mark Driscoll, Perry Noble, Tim Stevens, Mark Batterson, Jud Wilhite, and Dino Rizzo. This book tells how any believer can obtain It, get It back, and guard It.
WikiChurch: Making discipleship engaging, empowering, and viral
by Steve Murrell
Most Christians agree that discipleship is important, even essential for Christian maturity; few understand biblical principles and even fewer apply a biblical process when it comes to discipleship. Discipleship isn’t complicated, but it can at times be difficult. The difficulty lies in applying the following four principles to your specific context. Simply put, here’s how anyone—young or old, male or female, pastor or entrepreneur—can make disciples.
Evangelism Outside the Box: New Ways to Help People Experience the Good News
by Rick Richardson
It used to be that providing clear evidence for the resurrection of Jesus or the reliability of the Bible was a pretty effective way to reach people with the Good News. But today, many folks think all truth is relative, even our historical and scientific data about Christianity. So how can we reach them? We need new ways of telling people the old, old story. We need to look again at our usual mental habits if we want to reach people who have a brand new mindset of their own. We need to get outside the box of ideas and practices that are sacred to us but are not sacred to God. That’s what Rick Richardson’s book is all about.
WEIRD: Because Normal Isn’t Working
by Craig Groeschel
Normal people are stressed, overwhelmed, and exhausted. Many of their relationships are, at best, strained and, in most cases, just surviving. Even though we live in one of the most prosperous places on earth, normal is still living paycheck to paycheck and never getting ahead. In our oversexed world, lust, premarital sex, guilt, and shame are far more common than purity, virginity, and a healthy married sex life. And when it comes to God, the majority believe in him, but the teachings of scripture rarely make it into their everyday lives. Simply put, normal isn’t working. Groeschel’s WEIRD views will help you break free from the norm to lead a radically abnormal (and endlessly more fulfilling) life.
Don’t Waste Your Life
by John Piper
Most people spend their lives on trivial diversions, seeking to gain comfort and pleasure for themselves. But Jesus said, “Whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” If the path to God-exalting joy and purpose is to “lose” your life rather than to waste it, then this Group Study Edition and the other components in the newly designed Don’t Waste Your Life Group Study Kit are essential.
The Barbarian Way
by Erwin Raphael McManus
Erwin McManus wasn’t raised in a Christian home, so when he came to Christ as a college student, he didn’t know the rules of the “religious club.” He didn’t do well in Shakespeare courses, so he didn’t really understand the KJV Bible he was given either. But he did understand that prayer was a conversation, and he learned to talk to God and wait for answers. Erwin’s way was passionate and rough around the edges – a sincere, barbaric journey to Christ. Barbaric Christians see Jesus differently than civilized Christians. They see disciples differently, and they see Christ’s mission differently. The Barbarian Way is a call to escape “civilized” Christianity and become original, powerful, untamed Christians – just as Christ intended.
The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living As If He Doesn’t Exist
by Craig Groeschel
‘The more I looked, the more I found Christian Atheists everywhere.’ Former Christian Atheist Craig Groeschel knows his subject all too well. After over a decade of successful ministry, he had to make a painful self admission: although he believed in God, he was leading his church like God didn’t exist. To Christians and non-Christians alike, to the churched and the unchurched, the journey leading up to Groeschel’s admission and the journey that follows–from his family and his upbringing to the lackluster and even diametrically opposed expressions of faith he encountered–will look and sound like the story of their own lives.
Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream
by David Platt
In Radical, David Platt challenges‚ you to consider with an open heart how we have manipulated the gospel to fit our cultural preferences. He shows what Jesus actually said about being his disciple–then invites you to believe and obey what you have heard. And he tells the dramatic story of what is happening as a “successful” suburban church decides to get serious about the gospel according to Jesus.
Servolution
by Dino Rizzo
In Servolution, Dino Rizzo shares the story of his relentless pursuit of ways to bless the lost, poor, and hurting people of his community in Jesus’ name. You’ll be amazed and inspired by the incredible ways God has used Healing Place Church to meet the needs of thousands of people. Each chapter includes practical suggestions and resources for use in any church.
Revolution
by George Barna
by Tyndale House Publishers
Millions of believers have stopped going to church…and chosen to be the church instead. Research by renowned pollster George Barna points to a hidden Revolution-one that will impact every Christian believer in America. Millions of committed Christ-followers, dissatisfied with the church experience, have stopped attending on Sunday mornings. Why are they leaving? Where are they going? And what does this mean for the future of the church?
Compassion, Justice and the Christian Life: Rethinking Ministry to the Poor
by Robert D. Lupton
by Regal Books
This book is identifies our lack of the church in our “community”. It also addresses the need for our teachers, city leaders, etc. to live and work in their own communities. How we can empower those in need to earn the hand-outs so that we can help them improve their lives.
Living Dangerously: Seven Keys to Intentional Discipleship
by Shawn D. Anderson
by Wipf & Stock Publishers
This book makes it clear that God called us to become disciples and to make disciples. Not to just sit in church until our time is up but to Love God, Love Others and carry the message.
Grow Your Church from the Outside in: Understanding the Unchurched and How to Reach Them
by George Barna
by Regal Books
Another fantastic book from the Barna Group. How to get outside the church doors and reach those that are church damaged and show them a new vision of Christianity. Incredible statistics that should move you outside.
Simple Church: Returning to God’s Process for Making Disciples
by Thom S. Rainer
by B&H Books
Good book about how to simplify your church. When too many programs are too much. Explains how a vibrant church moves people horizontally to grow spiritually and become disciples.
unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity… and Why It Matters
by David Kinnaman
by Baker Books
Incredible and credible book about what the un-Christian thinks about Christians. Written by the President of the leading Christian research organization The Barna Group. The data doesn’t lie about the “make-over” we Christians need to do. Visit http://www.barna.org and check out their research.
The Way of Jesus: Re-Forming Spiritual Communities in a Post-Church Age
by Toby Jones
by Resource Publications
Awesome book about what the future of “Church” will look like. Toby Jones is spot on in this book about why people are fleeing the church yet searching for God. Read about Toby at http://www.booksandbridges.com or visit his blog at http://faith4tomorrow.blogspot.com
Same Kind of Different As Me: A Modern-Day Slave, an International Art Dealer, and the Unlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together
by Ron Hall
by Thomas Nelson
Great book about an affluent couple that comes alongside a homeless man and builds a relationship that will inspire you.
What Every Church Member Should Know about Poverty
by Bill Ehlig
by aha! Process, Inc.
If your church congregation wants to get involved with the poor or those living on the margins this is a must have book. You will learn about the “hidden rules” of poverty.
Not Just a One-Night Stand: Ministry with the Homeless
by John Flowers
by Discipleship Resources
Fantastic book about a church that learned the only way to be a hand-up instead of a hand-out was to build long-term lasting relationships with those living in poverty and on the margins.
Enough DVD with Leader Guide: Discovering Joy through Simplicity and Generosity
by Adam Hamilton
by Abingdon Press
Great tips on how we should be looking at “stuff and money”. To learn more about Adam Hamilton visit http://www.adamhamilton.cokesbury.com
No Perfect People Allowed: Creating a Come-as-You-Are Culture in the Church
by John Burke
by Zondervan
This book is written by the pastor of Gateway Church in Austin, Texas. It is designed for those that want to become leaders within their church but I think it’s a good read for anyone that wants to learn how to meet people where they are in life. Visit Gateway at http://www.gatewaychurch.com
The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical
by Shane Claiborne
by Zondervan
This is by far my favorite all-time book. It’s about a guy who decribes finding God among the poor. It’s all about intentional living. To learn more about Shane Claiborne visit his website at http://www.thesimpleway.org
