This past Sunday, I talked about our first Core Value at Harvest, Hunger for God. Hunger for God - to love Him, to please Him, to know Him - must be our 'Central Life Passion' as believers. It is the foundation that everything else is built on.
One of the many ways that I talked about cultivating hunger for God is through reading Christian Classics. When the embers of devotion in our hearts grow dim, 'hanging out' with great and rich saints of ages past can fan the flame of our hearts.
Here are my top 5 personal favorites. Each of these books has impacted me deeply at points in my Christian life:
1. My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers. Without question, the one devotional book I go back to again and again. Chambers says more in 3 short paragraphs each day than most of us say in a lifetime. This man knew Christ and his writing reflects it.
My Utmost for His Highest: Updated Edition: Oswald Chambers: 9780929239576: Amazon.com: Books
2, The Pursuit of God by AW Tozer. Tozer was a prophet with his pen. His words go deep, stirring the heart for God. Again, short, pregant with weightiness.
The Pursuit of God: A. W. Tozer: 9781557427533: Amazon.com: Books
3. Practicing The Presence of God by Br. Lawrence. This book, very short, was written by a lowly monk several centuries ago. It is the best thing I have ever read on abiding in Christ in the midst of the chaos and business of life. Fantastic and one you will go to again and again.
The Practice of the Presence of God: Brother Lawrence: 9781481052672: Amazon.com: Books
4. Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyon. Every Christian should be required to read this book after they come to Christ. Period. Written in the 1600s, it still as relevant. At many points when I first read it, I would put it down and just laugh and how dead on the money and timeless this parable is. Easy read that you will keep in mind for a lifetime.
The Pilgrim's Progress: John Bunyan: 9781481912082: Amazon.com: Books
5. What's So Amazing About Grace? by Phillip Yancey. Though written only 30 years ago, this book should be considered a classic. I read it at a strategic point in my walk with Christ and it was a revelation of grace I had never understood. I have since reread it and each time I love grace all over again.
What's So Amazing About Grace?: Philip Yancey: 9780310245650: Amazon.com: Books
Hope you order all of these and read them over the next year. Each will awaken your heart to fresh hunger for God.
Grace,
PB
Thank you for your favorite Christian classic reading list. I have purchased and downloaded to my smart phone #1,3,and 5. I like to keep good reading materials handy to turn to when challenges arise. We are very much enjoying the Harest ministry having visited for the first time on Easter Sunday. I am going to be baptized next Sunday!
Posted by: Karen | April 22, 2013 at 10:39 AM
Great post and list! Did I ever tell you I admire you Bob.
Posted by: Bob Holmes | February 11, 2013 at 09:38 AM