This is one of the most encouraging books I’ve ever read. In “Psalm 23: The Song of a Passionate Heart,” author David Roper takes you beyond the words of this familiar Psalm and shows so much more about the loving, caring nature of God. This book will comfort and challenge you, but more importantly, help you appreciate the incredible love of Jesus, our Good Shepherd. It’s a relatively short book, but you’ll want to take your time pondering Roper’s phenomenal insights. I thank God for how this book has ministered to me and others with whom I’ve shared it. I hope you’ll have a chance soon to “pick up and read.”

 

Tim Keller‘s “The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness” will only take an hour to read, but it is powerful. For guys like me whose egos care entirely too much about what people think about them, this is a good book to liberate you from self-absorption. Most importantly, it will help you calibrate your perception of yourself in light of who God is and what He says about you.

 

Many people considered Malcolm Muggeridge to be the next C.S. Lewis in terms of Christian thinkers/writers. The former journalist, MI6 spy, and broadcaster writes about his life with depth, honesty and transparency — much like Augustine did in his “Confessions.” This book was originally titled, “Confessions of a 20th Century Pilgrim,” but was later changed to “Conversion.” It’s Muggeridge’s reflections of his entire 84-year life, from his admission of marital infidelity to suicidal thoughts to a blunt analysis of the futility of politics as a solution to the world’s problems. In short, it’s about the power of Christ in transforming a life once viewed as wasted to one fit for eternal use.

 

Jesus said the most important commandment is to love God, but the second one is equally important — to love your neighbor. This is easier said than done for many of us, but this delightful book by Kristin Schell will help you get to know and love those in your neighborhood with authenticity and intentionality. “The Turquoise Table” is a practical guide on how to engage the people living in the houses all around you… people you’ve seen but whose names you don’t know. By offering simple hospitality from your own front yard, you will be amazed at how perfect strangers can become great friends. This book will transform the way you interact with others so that you really can be the “fragrance of Christ” where you live.