“According To Plan” – Graeme Goldsworthy
I read “According To Plan” in the Fall of 2007. It helped me mentally bridge the Old and New Testaments, allowing me understand more fully God’s redemptive plan for mankind. Through the process of history, God has gradually unfolded His redemptive plan to mankind. Goldsworthy walks though the bible, connecting the dots of how certain key biblical events correlate with the overarching purpose found within God’s Word – redeeming sinful man. “According To Plan” will help you see the Bible as one unit, pointing to Christ at every point. It also helped me understand more fully a truth that I already knew; that the Word of God is all about Jesus because Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1).
The Red Sea Rules – Robert Morgan
The Red Sea Rules by Robert Morgan has been my favorite book so far in 2014. It discusses life principles for dealing with difficult seasons of life. I highly recommend this book to any and every believer.
“Delighted In God” – Roger Steer
This is the biography of one of my heroes George Mueller. Mueller lived in England in the 1800’s and is remembered for his amazing prayer life. This book will help you understand the depth of prayer, and reveal that intimate prayer with God is a resource that most Christians do not tap into as they should.
“Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian Life ” – Donald Whitney
Dr. Donald Whitney, professor at Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, wrote one of the best books on the spiritual disciplines that I have ever read. He covers topics like prayer, Bible study, scripture memorization, journaling, etc. This book got me through some really dark times in my life back in the Fall of 2008. One other interesting note; I served as Youth Minister at Dr. Donald Whitney’s home church, Calvary Baptist Church in Osceola, Arkansas in the late 1990’s. His mother Mrs. Dollie was a member there, and still is to this day.
“The Valley of Vision”
Every year, I choose a new daily devotional. For 2011, I read “The Valley of Vision.” It is a collection of puritan prayers from great men of God from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. These written prayers have been encouraging, and refreshing to my soul. If you are looking for a good devotional, check it out.
“Mere Christianity” – C.S. Lewis
Life changing book…not much left I can really say. When you read it, get alone in the woods and retreat from society for a few hours. My spot was Pinson Mounds in August 2010.
“Taste And See” – John Piper
This was my devotional reading for 2010. Food for the pantry of the soul. It is a must read.
“Glorifying God” – Thomas Watson
Christians need to be reading books by dead guys from 400 years ago…It is good for the soul. Feed on the writings of our Puritan brothers.
“Voices From the Past”
Oh the depth in this great collection of devotional thoughts from theologians of yesteryear! It’s deep. But remember, deep waters are always worth exploring; for only in the deep can one find the most precious spiritual treasures -treasures that only lie in depths and recesses of God’s Word.
I live in Cullman County myself. I was looking at church websites and came across this blog. I am of the same opinion, everyone should read the Puritans. They truly understood how God should be worshipped. I read Valley of Vision through twice each year. Grace for Today by Don Fortner is a good devotional, too.
Jeffery, thanks for sharing! I will ck out Don Fortner!