My top 5 reads of 2012:
5. Normal Christianity by Jonathan Welton
This book, more than any other, revealed to me what a normal Christian life should look like…that Jesus is the example of what our lives should look like not only in certain areas, but in all of life. It means love, forgiveness, turning the other cheek as well as miracles, signs and wonders. Presence and power. Everything He did…we should be doing. The life He live is the life we can live….the normal Christian life.
4. Intercessory Prayer by Dutch Sheets
There was so much meat in this book, I could read every year and probably will. It challenged and convicted me on what intercession means…..God partnering with me to bring about His will. I was overwhelmed when I considered how God is looking for intercessors and the ramifications when He finds no one. I realized anew how prayer can actually change God’s mind….and how sometimes His will will not be accomplished without our prayers.
3. A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards
This is a very recent read, but it’s freshness is not why it makes the list. I saw in it my tendencies to be more like King Saul than King David. At first sight, the spears dropped from my hands in horror. This book was, in essence, another nail in the coffin of my desire to defend myself.
2. In Christ’s Image study by Francis Frangipane
Wow! is all I can say about this discipleship study, even though I haven’t finished it. The first section on Christlikeness challenged me like little else. I was doing this section at the same time as reading my #1 book of the year. Between the two of them, my life-particularly my approach to conflict and relationships-has radically changed. Defending myself, the need to be right, and arguing my point relentlessly have almost disappeared. Compassion, mercy and love have replaced judgment.
1. Dealing with the Rejection and Praise of Men by Bob Sorge
I cannot say enough about this book. It has impacted me probably more than any book aside from the Bible. It is small, but powerful! I will be reading it several times a year, I believe. It made me realize how hindered my walk is…how ineffective and powerless I am when I do not handle rejection and praise correctly. I cannot hear His voice when I am listening to yours. I will not be so ready to obey His voice when I am seeking your praise or avoiding your rejection. I also learned that when I no longer allow the praise of men to feed my soul…the rejection of men will cease to rend my heart.
