Lifebites.org
 
RECOMMENDED BOOKS AND CDS:
 
 
Book Alert
 
The reason there is a plethora of books on the subject of prayer, both on Christian and secular book seller’s lists, is that it's such an important subject; one which we should all review often. However, in my humble but accurate opinion (Yes my tongue is in my cheek!) there are some that stand out from the good group. When God Doesn’t Answer Your Prayer by Jerry Sittser is one example. Whether you've been in the Body of Christ for long or simply find yourself on a spiritual quest, prayer is the one subject that entices us all. Prayer is the aperture through which we touch God and experience His touch. But what if He doesn't seem to answer? What if we do our part in prayer, but it seems like God isn't doing His? What if our prayer seems in line with God's will and consistent with Jesus’ teaching, but God still doesn’t answer? These are some of the questions Mr. Sittser is bold enough to ask, and he encourages us to approach prayer differently. The cool thing is that this book emerged from his own experience when God didn’t seem to answer and a terrible tragedy occurred. Wrestling with these tough questions from the armchair is much different than the morgue. This kind of experience gets one way past the clichés and pat answers we often hear and sadly too often repeat when tragedy strikes. One can tell that this man lives what he preaches. Have you every wondered how someone avoids long term bitterness and anger at God? Read this book and you’ll know. Relevant. Authentic. Good scholarship. Well-written. Highly recommended! Buy this book from Buy.com!
 
 
 
If you care about people you’ve got to get this book. Is it deep? Well, not exactly, but its truth is engaging and of extreme importance. The stories are touching and true. Will it encourage you? Yes. Rick is a great teacher that God uses to move people from where they are to where they need to be. His experience in planting Imago Die Community in Portland Oregon’s downtown district – a place where you will find people in the margins – has given him credibility to write a book of this nature, and many experiences from which to draw to present his thesis. His thesis is that God came to earth in the person of Jesus and landed in the margins, the forgotten places. He did it on purpose, to find you and me. I love Rick’s heart! And, He came in through the body of an unwed teenage girl – “The story has scandal written all over it.” Rick grabbed my attention right off by describing something very familiar that we all take for granted, the margins. “The margins are those clear spaces along the edge of the page where the words keep spilling off … the places occupied by people who go unnoticed, misfits who seldom figure in when the mainline world defines and esteems itself.” Rick brings a lesson on theology by weaving a story and coming back to the metaphor of the margins. But this is the right kind of theology: theology about God in the language of the crowds and through the picture of the untamed love of God for all people. As long as I’ve been in the ministry, nothing touches my heart for God more than to watch Him reach into the margins as Rick has defined it, and save just one more life, like mine and Shelley’s and my friend Kenny, Jim and Robin, and Janice, and Susan, and Lyndee, and Kevin, and Jenna, and Tyler, and Nate and…. Get this book if you love people and love the work of God to the people in your world. If Jesus aimed at the margins, shouldn't we? Don’t let them slip off the page... Buy this book from Buy.com!
 
 
Desiring God by John Piper
 
Meditations of A Christian Hedonist
The great business of life is to glorify God by enjoying him forever. Discord between duty and delight doesn't exist: delight is our duty. Piper stuns us again and again with things we saw in the Bible, but never dared to believe. Join him on this dangerous quest for maximum joy in God. But beware, it may cost you your life. Never mind - "the steadfast love of the Lord is better than life" (Psalm 63:3). Buy this book from Buy.com!
 
 
Finding the Will of God by Bruce Waltke
 
Old Book, Solid Wisdom: Yes, an eleven year old book is considered ‘old’ in the good ol’ USA, the place where there is a 17-month expiration date on your pocket PC, desktop computer and especially your cell phone. But in rethinking some of the books that the Lord used to shape me this last decade, this one is a ringer. Dr. Waltke has done good biblical work to demystify and ‘de-mythify’ (new word here at TPC) the search for God’s will. Many of us have long ago stopped walking in the truth of God’s Word and instead have adopted a sort of “drop-the-Bible-and-see-what-verse it-opens-up-to” kind of mythical approach when trying to determine the Lord’s will over our relationships, jobs, careers, ministries, and even for some, what diets they should entertain (God help us!). Others of us have engaged in a devout attempt at finding where you fit in the kingdom of God and wonder how much harder you need to pray to find God’s will for your life.  Praying is always good, but Dr. Waltke walks us through the practical guidance of Scripture on the subject in a very uncomplicated fashion. His advice begins with the profound benefit of walking closely with the Lord Jesus and being conformed to His likeness. Get this book if you’re in such a search. (Reviewed by Rod Shockley) Buy this book from Buy.com!
 
 
Jesus Mean and Wild by Mark Galli
 
I bought this book just for the title! And because I preached a short series on the fear of the Lord and recognized by own poor picture of the true Jesus of the New Testament. Behind this intriguing title, Mark Galli presents the “not always safe but good” side of Jesus. The current Church may be neurotically nice, but is frankly performing way below her purpose in the world. Yet she seems persistent in painting a nice, sort of sleepy, Disney-character-Jesus. Recognizing the danger of this picture, Galli, views Jesus all over again as He is portrayed in Mark’s Gospel and finds an altogether different Jesus who often makes us feel “decidedly uncomfortable.” He doesn’t side-step His militancy, but instead teaches us to see His true love, as the Hero calling a people fit for heaven. You start the book wanting to jump in Jesus’ lap, but wondering if He might just stand up just as you do! You will end the book feeling safe behind the only Hero worthy of following. Christ’s love is unexpected, unexplainable, and difficult, “but it is in this persistent fearsome, untamed, love that we can find true joy.” (Reviewed by Rod Shockley) Buy this book from Buy.com!
 
 
My Utmost for His Highest (Updated Edition) by Oswald Chambers
 
Today's youth want to live "on the edge"--and that's where Oswald Chambers wrote My Utmost for His Highest. The classic devotional, calling for radical Christianity, is a perfect match for today's teens seeking a real, vital faith. This exciting promotional edition features Jim Reimann's modernized text of My Utmost for His Highest, helpful Scripture and subject indexes, and a cool, youth oriented cover. Best of all, it's priced at only $4.99--the lowest price ever--to introduce tens of thousands of young people to a devotional that can truly change their lives. Buy this book from Buy.com!
 
 
 
 
 
 
NKJV on CD (read by Eric Martin)
 
Here is the newest, word-for-word rendition of the popular New King James Version Bible, read by award-winning narrator Eric Martin. The CDs come packaged in an attractive padded case with zipper closure. Buy this CD Bible set from Buy.com!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
 
Miller's fresh and original voice may change the way Christians view the status quo of faith and build a bridge to seekers who believe that organized religion doesn't meet their needs. In BLUE LIKE JAZZ, Don Miller chronicles his journey toward a Christian life, in short essays that provide him with the opportunity to examine and experience basic principles in an open, honest, and engaging manner. Without attacking conventional Christianity or churches, Miller writes of his earlier religious practices, which eventually left him unfulfilled and unhappy. Miller gave it a second chance, and there is an innocent, alternative tone to his attempt to know what he feels without feeling that he knows. But there is also rigor and struggle, as he rejects simple platitudes from both the left and the right, and as he searches for the spirituality that is...BLUE LIKE JAZZ. Click here to buy this book from Buy.com!
 
 
 
 
Many Christians have bought into the lie that we are worthy of God’s love only when our lives are going well. But when life begins to fall through the cracks and embarrassing sins threaten to reveal our less-than-perfect identity, we scramble to keep up a good front to present to the world -- and God. Manning encourages readers to let go of the impostor lifestyle and freely accept our belovedness as a child of the heavenly Father. For personal reflection, this expanded version includes a discussion guide written by the author. Click here to buy this book from Buy.com!
 
What should I read and why?
If you appreciate a good book, you already know that many incredible works never make it to the Best Seller’s list. Neither is it true that we should only read recently published works, as if the marketing geniuses are the only ones who can discern our reading appetites and needs. Public opinion is just that – opinion. So, when looking for wisdom, I recommend reading books in one of the following categories: First read stuff by old, dead people. Their wisdom is proven. The reason you can still find them is that their works have staying power. Second, read books by people who have truly experienced what they've written. Experience is always richer than opinion. Third, read for pure enjoyment. God made us creative and gave us an appreciation for the creativity of others. If you love words and how they're arranged, then read for the creative appreciation. Fourth, read whatever you want to read! One of my mentors often reminded me to lead well, but always remember that "people are going to do whatever they're going to do." 
 
Below you’ll find a list of books, audio CDs and music CDs that will both uplift and challenge you in your spiritual journey toward knowing and experiencing God more. We’ve provided links to Buy.com’s website where we’ve found the best-priced books anywhere on the web with very few exceptions.
 
If you go through our links below, Buy.com will give TPC 5% on each book purchase. So as we save you money on your future book purchases, you will also be supporting TPC’s ministry. (NOTE: Most books have free shipping on orders over $25.)
More books will be added regularly so keep checking back!