The 5 Best Books I Read in 2019
Pastors traffic daily in books. Of course, we preach the Book and as such, it should lead any list. But beyond that, we are on an endless search for other books that will encourage and equip us in ministry.
Our limited time and a never-ending stream of books (Ecc.12:12) requires us to be discerning in our reading. It’s no wonder that one topic that always makes the list in a pastors’ “think tank” group I attend once a year is, “What are the best books you’ve read?”
Taking a cue from that, here’s my list for the five best books I read in 2019.
The Unseen Realm by Michael Heiser
This book is a spiritual game-changer. Like Elisha’s servant, you’ll have your eyes opened to truths you’ve missed in the Bible that have been there all along. You’ll find yourself saying, “How is it possible that I had never seen this before?”
I’m not exaggerating when I say that this book changed my understanding of God, the Bible, and spiritual warfare. Interestingly, it also took me to a whole new level of appreciation for God’s marvelous redemptive plan and elevated my worship of the One who was so committed to it.
“My goal is simple. When you open your Bible, I want you to see it like the ancient Israelites or 1st century Jews saw it, to perceive and consider it as they would have. I want their supernatural worldview in your head.”
Irresistible by Andy Stanley
Andy Stanley’s premise is that once upon a time there existed a version of our faith that was irresistible. Yet, over time, the gospel that Jesus lived and shared became muddied.
I found myself both nodding my head and shaking my head as I read this book. The jury is still out in the courtroom of my mind as to whether I buy Stanley’s premise. But the issues he surfaces deserve careful study…and probably a reread.
(from a Chinese believer) “Why doesn’t everyone in America go to church? I had no idea how to respond. How do you explain thousands of empty churches to a young lady who would ride two hours to attend church in another town?
I don’t remember how I responded. But I haven’t forgotten her question. It’s bothered me ever since.
So why doesn’t everybody in America go to church. Why is the church so resistible? Jesus wasn’t. Once upon a time, his church wasn’t either.”
The Hope Quotient by Ray Johnston
We’ve heard a lot about Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and Emotional Intelligence (EQ), but Ray Johnston makes a compelling point that one of the greatest needs for a leader is his/her Hope Quotient (HQ). Filled with powerful biblical illustrations and compelling human- interest stories, I found this book to be thoroughly enjoyable.
I was given this book by a friend as we were launching DDM. It was just the right word for me in that season of change and uncertainty. It helped me find the keys to allowing hope to thrive and dreams to fly.
“When people lose hope, they lose their ability to dream for the future. Despair replaces joy. Fear replaces faith. Anxiety replaces prayer. Insecurity replaces confidence. Tomorrow’s dreams are replaced by nightmares. It’s a lousy way to live.”
Eternity Is Now In Session by John Ortberg
This book contrasts two ways of thinking about Jesus’ gospel. The most common version is thought to involve how people ensure they will go to heaven when they die. The other understanding is that the gospel announces the availability of life under God’s reign and power now.
The first version tends to produce consumers of Jesus’ merit. The second tends to produce disciples of Jesus’ Way.
As Ortberg unpacked the implications of this, my sense of discipleship was redefined and my call to mission was reinforced. And it gave me some needed vocabulary to share with others.
“Most of us think of eternity as something that begins after we die. However, Jesus didn’t talk about eternity that way. In fact, He defined it with great precision as a qualitative life that one can have here and now as well as then and there.”
In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson
Subtitled, How to Survive and Thrive When Opportunity Roars, this book made an indelible imprint on my heart. Batterson offers invaluable advice on how to dream really big dreams and then how to live those dreams out in a powerful way.
Based upon an obscure text (2 Samuel 23:20-21) the case is made that we are offered many God-ordained opportunities that often come disguised as man-eating lions. I found myself freshly energized to dream bigger dreams, pray bigger prayers, and take bigger risks
The greatest opportunities are still the scariest lions. Impossible odds set the stage for amazing miracles. And to the Infinite, all finites are equal. Live your life in a way that is worth telling stories about. Chase the lion!
So there you have it! I’m sure that I will return to all of these heavily underlined books in the years ahead. But I’m also looking forward to reading some new ones.
Let me encourage you to do the same in this new year. Why not set a goal of reading at least five books? I’m confident that you will benefit both personally and professionally.
Perhaps you might have some suggestions for me. Use the comment section below to offer your best reads.
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