Christian Readers discussion

I am looking for new books to read. What is the best christian book you have read in your life? or what are some good books that you have read this year?

Hi Ronnesha,

I checked out some you've already read - My Utmost for His Highest is a good one!

The best book I read this past year (and one of the best ever) is Healing through Deliverance. Horrobin is a great Bible teacher, and the book is about so much more than healing and deliverance. It was an eye-opener, but profoundly touched me in what Christ has saved us from. (It's a thick book, though - but once I got into it, I couldn't put it down).

Shaping History Through Prayer And Fasting by Derek Prince is another great one that will challenge and inspire your walk. Actually, anything by the late Derek Prince is highly recommended - he is my favorite Bible teacher.

Restoring the Ministry of Jesus is also fantastic and will ignite your faith.

If you are interested in Revelation and end-time teaching, the best book I've read on that is The Day of the Lord: The Book of Revelation Revealed

The Secret Place: Passionately Pursuing His Presence is about a burned-out pastor who decided to stop going through the motions and get serious about meeting with God in his devotions. What happened was mind-boggling.

Happy reading - if I think of any others, I'll let you know!

My all time favorite book is "The Reformed Pastor" by R. Baxter. I know that book isn't for everyone. So, I would also add the following: the book that has had the most impact on my Christian beliefs is "Putting Amazing Back Into Grace" by M. Horton, and the two books I have enjoyed the most were "Desiring God" John Piper and "Knowing God" J.I. Packer. I hope this helps!

Are we talking fiction or nonfiction?

Good question: i'm thinking...

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant and Heaven by Randy Alcorn are two of my favorite christian books.
I see you have The Shack and The Secret Life of Bees on your to read list. They are on my favorites list as well.

Finding, "the way" at a gasoline service station (born again) and received the Holy Ghost or Spirit that came through the windshield of a 1959 Ford Thunderbird they might as well lock up Saint Peters. The Pope said he was the chief sinner, and that is true. "Mutton's Decadence" by Mickey R Mullen would get you to heaven but who is interested in that. [https://www.createspace.com/4612897]
In the book is the way I found the way, and it reads few will find the way.

The God Who is There by Francis Schaeffer.

"The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom is one of the best books I've ever read, Christian or secular. The Christian allegory, "The Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan is also wonderful.

I have lots of C.S. Lewis books on my TBR list; to think that this man went from atheist to one of the best Christian apologists that has ever lived is mind-boggling.

Unspoken Sermons by George MacDonald. If you have read C S Lewis, you will find that many of his most "original" theological ideas came from reading MacDonald's work, including fiction and non-fiction

Best book: Her daughter's Dream by Francine Rivers. Ms.River's nailed the "Spirit of Christ". Specifically, there was a scene the author write about and in summation,The character was a mess and her dream/ supernatural experience( it's been awhile) Christ came to her and did not condemn her for her sins, yet poured His love onto her as well as claiming this wayward child His. No book has touched me as profoundly with the truth about Christ. This book mentioned is a dual set of "Marta's Legacy" by Rivers and is second within her series. Anything by Rivers is quality truth and a hands on insight into the true character of Christ and God.

The Last Word: Beyond the Bible Wars by N.T. Wright was a watershed of understanding for me.

The Bible!!

16 Rev.: The preachers take the King James Bible of 1611 literally, but Jesus said it is written allegorically or in parables. Who can understand the Bible then? You will find the clue in Ezekiel 36:26-25-27 is the explanation of what it means to be born again and receive the Spirit or Holy Ghost. Than you will understand what your reading about. If a person preaches the Gospel you will be hated by (all) men. To live you will have to find a job, at Burger King. Can you see Billy Graham, Joel Olsteen, Jake, or Rev. Salvatore flipping burgers? If they did their chances would be much greater being saved and understanding the parables.

In reference to Mickey, I admit, I laughed. To clarify: Not a cynical one of course, but an amen one.
The reason why Jesus taught in parables is in my opinion two reasons:one, only those who are His understand the message . His Spirit isn't in them. They will never get it. No matter how much of an erudite and lover of The Lord you have. Unless the Holy Spirit prompts you, it will be in vain or works. When Jesus was brought to provide an answer to the charges against him, He said it is pointless when you won't understand. I learned a lesson that day.
Two: He ( Jesus) is smart. He never condemned but used an indirect way to point out flagrant sin, through parables or using other gentler means.

Great question: Right off the top of my head was the book that had the biggest influence on my spiritual growth...Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. I also really enjoy any book written by Dutch Sheets too. He writes a lot about intercessory prayer.

18 Lisa: If Jesus never spoke in parables the KJB of 1611 would have never been written down. Jesus had it easy but I have to tell it like it is, or explain the parables, and that is when it gets dicy. One of the ways to know Paul was a false prophet is it reads how much they loved Paul and he loved them. If you preach the parables it reads (all) men will hate you and I believe that to be true.

It is hard to be gentile explaining the parables. You have to receive the Holy Spirit (Ghost) before it can prompt you. Jesus never needed the born again experience but He did need the Holy Spirit and He received it when He was baptized by John, when He took his first breath out of the water. It went in his mouth and down His throat. It never, "lighting on him" as it reads in St Matthew 3:16. I received the Spirit 30 days after being born again, or my heart that I was born with was replaced. It went in my mouth. St Matthew 20:23 Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: Ezekiel 36:26-25-27 Ezekiel never wrote it in sequence because the Holy Ghost is only for those that are (born again) in this dispensation.

A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers. It's the second book in the Mark of the Lion Series. I love how Marcus goes hunting for the Christian God to express his anger at Haddassah's death and ends up becoming a believer.

Mickey:St. Matthew ? Catholic ?
I am a born again believer baptized in water and in spirit. My comment was capricious and I realized this is " about the best Christian book".
All I believe, and unfortunately I can not connect on my iPhone to respond to you aside from the general discussion was that The
Holy Spirit is part of the holy trinity and is the "spirit man" who lives in those who receive Christ as Lord and repent from their sin. We received it "after" his resurrection from the cross. He said after he appeared to the disciples and told them not to touch him for he had not yet ascended to the Father and he assured us he was sending " the comforter" , called the "Holy Spirit" to be with us personally. Remember before Jesus' birth, John the Baptist, in the apostles, "leapt in the spirit " in Elizabeth 's womb when Mary was carrying Jesus. Further, Mary broke out in song " under the Spirit" of God, called " Mary's song. This happened before Jesus' baptism as a man and John's birth. Further, the " spirit " of Christ is spoken of in the old Testament with David, wars with " ites" etc. Jesus' baptism was necessary as an example to us to be water baptized and his according to Matthew 3:13-16 Jesus' baptism marked the " spirit of God" to "anoint" him& (descended like a dove). To be saved, Jesus says you need to be baptized with water and then we will be with fire. I am not catholic and I do believe Paul, if I understood you correctly, wrote mainly the New Testament and in 2 Timothy it says every word of The Bible, from Genesis to Revelation is truth and is from God. Period. I do know, for example that this forum can draw a mirage of religions and the Catholic bible is different from King James. So I'm not sure what your trying to say, however, I'm going to leave as such for fodder and let this forum be used as for " The best Christian book ever read."
As I stated my favorite fiction Christian book was penned by Francine Rivers because she truly knows the Word of God and more importantly the " Spirit" of Christ. The Bible may be considered" Christian" but that is a broad term on this web site. For me it is simply defined as "God's Word" wether its NLT or ESV or what you enjoy. But, I believe all of that started with King James Bible. Other than that, I do not or will not believe any other " religion text " because of what God says in Revelation.

22:Lisa: That is what John the baptist and Peter said repent and be baptized in water but nither one has any thing to do with The Spirit (Holy Ghost) Sorry to say you don't receive the Spirit at the time of the sinners prayer? I know the preachers will tell you that. You don't receive nothing at the time of the sinners prayer, salvation must come from above.

When I believed I could heal my mother after I had left a protestant church and there Alter, I was saved at a gas station on a pay telephone. Believe is a condition for the spirit of Genesis to act, or it gives a person a new heart. Ezekiel 36:26-25-27 or St John 10:37 or 14:11 (there seems to be two kinds of people) Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

Thirty days after I received the new heart, and with a body clean I was going to work between Long Beach and Los Angelas in a 1959 Ford Thunderbird, and the Holy Ghost (Blub like a dove St Matthew 3:16) came through the windshield and went in my mouth down my throat.

John said a man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. St John 3:27

My editors tried to sabotage all three of my nonfiction books but what else can you expect from Satan? "Mutton's Decadence" [https://www.createspace.com/4612897] "The way The Truth and The Life" or "Elijah The Last Prophet" You will have to send me your address to Elijah P O box 1344 Casper, Wy 82601 to get the last one for $10.00

All three of the nonfiction books have the way I received salvation, try and get that out of your, "Best (so called) Christian books" The christian book store in my home town the owner told me he only stocked fiction books, that was all the christians would buy. Tell me a sadder story then that.

That is why I believe the end is not far away the King James Bible of 1611 that is all I read, and I don't go to any church. You might find one at a garage sale I did.

Mickey: point received. As far as two things, this poor girl wants suggestions on a great read.

As far as Francine Rivers, I had a hard time with the Lion series because of foreign language. Don't start with that one.

As far as the Holy Spirit coming into me at the time of a sinners prayer, yes, of course he entered at that time. That was my point. However, the reasons of baptism belong on another site. Glad to know your interest, Micky. Hope this site produces a finds a great read. It's slim pickings fiction wise because it is either christian romance or the Amish. The market is penurious for intellectual influence and astute good reads. Ted Dekker is good for mystery and contemporary enough to grab at your local library. He does change appearance so frequently , but its him. Interesting past and writer.

The best non-fiction Christian books I have ever read are:

1. The Bible (NIV & ESV)
2. The Harbinger
3. Heaven
4. The Bait of Satan
5. Victory Over the Darkness
6. The Handbook of Spiritual Warfare
7. The Art of Forgiving
8. Tortured For Christ
9. Facing Your Giants
10. The Hiding Place
11. The Christ
12. Battlefield of the Mind
13. Pilgrim's Progress (modern edition)
14. The Late Great Planet Earth
15. Spiritual Warfare (Prince)

24 Lisa: I received the Spirit in my mouth as Jesus did in St Matthew 3:16 on His first breath. It never, lighting on him" as it reads. One of us is wrong.

How would you respond if Jesus asked you to do the following?
"I want you to quit your job and open a towel shop in town, called Divine Towels. In the store, I want you to wash the feet of people who are in need of all types of healing. If people have childlike faith and abide in me completely, I will allow my disciples to be a branch off my vine. While people have their ...feet washed, I will heal them in different ways according to My will. Some may be healed of their physical ailments or could be healed in other ways: being blessed with spiritual gifts and being empowered through the Holy Spirit to do mighty works or walking away feeling an overwhelming peace. Others will think differently and will have the ability to come up with unique solutions to complex problems.”
To see what happens, please visit
http://www.amazon.com/Divine-Towels-B...

If I have to choose one best Christian fiction and non-fiction I've read, I will pick the following:

Fiction: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Non-fiction: Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ by John Piper

Jason wrote: "How would you respond if Jesus asked you to do the following?
"I want you to quit your job and open a towel shop in town, called Divine Towels. In the store, I want you to wash the feet of people ..."
I am Elijah of Malachi 4:5. There has never been a documented case of any one being healed because salvation has nothing to do with bodily healing. It reads if your not born again and receive the Spirit (Holy Ghost) you will not enter into the kingdom of God. The only thing that would happen is they would have clean feet if you use soap.

BUT I believed that I could heal my mother when I believed in my heart that I could heal her, I received a new heart. Believe is a condition for the Spirit of Genesis to act. There seems to be two kinds of people. St John 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the works sake. 10:37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 38 But if I do though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know,and believe that the Father is in me, and I in him. Ezekiel 36:26-25-27 It happened to me physically but Ezekiel never wrote the three verses in sequence but it gives the meaning of St John 3:3-5
[httpe://www.createspace.com/4612897] 'Muttons Decadence" by Mickey R Mullen

It gets hard to remember you read so many books. I think the christian author that really stands out to me as my favorite is Phillip Yancey books. I have really enjoyed pretty much all of his books but the one I have read more than once is The Jesus I Never Knew. Thats stands out to me I cant remember it that much not but i remember it bringing Jesus alive to me. I find his books really wonderful.

Best Christian book: I love so many Christian books from different literary areas...

I really think we need more Christian comedy. (like Christopher Moore's book "Lamb - the Gospel According to biff, Christ's Childhood Pal."
But that's just my personal taste.

Along that line:
Socrates Meets Jesus - by Peter Kreeft was one of my all time favs.

Another Gospel - by Ruth Tucker is one of my best resources.

But I still enjoy Frank Peretti's This Present Darkness - and Piercing the Darkness.

And John MacArthur's Charismatic Chaos is freakin' Awesome.

Rod wrote:I really think we need more Christian comedy."

I agree. Does Lahaye count?

A few of my favorites:

Works Of Love by Soren Kierkegaard
An Ethic for Christians by William Stringfellow
Pensees by Blaise Pascal

33 Erick: It is hard to be comical about where a person is going to spend eternity? People think it is a big joke and it reads, "few will find the way" which is true.

Mickey wrote: "33 Erick: It is hard to be comical about where a person is going to spend eternity? People think it is a big joke and it reads, "few will find the way" which is true."

Thanks Mickey. I've read your posts, both here and on shelfari, and I don't think someone who spends his time slandering the apostle Paul is an authority on Christianity. Work out your own salvation in fear and trembling my friend, because it needs your desperate attention. I am not convinced you're on the narrow way.

Mickey has said elsewhere that Paul was of Satan. I would be careful in listening to anything he has to say.

http://www.shelfari.com/groups/10767/...

I am panoramicromantic on shelfari of course. Lets hope Mickey is honest enough to leave his comments on shelfari as is.

36 Erick: Does that make any sense, "to work out your own salvation in fear and trembling." With a God that created the heavens and the earth, a person is suppose to work out their own salvation? Thomas Jefferson, with his own intelligence figured out Paul was the first corrupter of the Gospels, it is to bad the preachers want money over being saved, and leading their congregation to hell. (I wish I could say that some other way) St John 5:44

Do we work out our salvation?

Philippians 2:12
12So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.…

God is the one really working, our salvation is assured - we must joyfully apply ourselves to the gift of salvation.

We are working it out - NOT working for it. I have no idea what mickey is doing. It's best NOT TO LISTEN to Thomas Jefferson.
Mickey I hope to be there when you confront the Apostle Paul someday.

39 Rod: I won't, the false prophet (Paul) will go where the Devil will be. Revelation 20:10 How could Satan deceive all the nations without his part in the New Testament. Revalation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceived the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. I bet you think Satan is having a few, down at the local bar. If I were Satan I would be in the churches, that is where it reads he is at. Isaiah 14:13-14 and St John 5:43

Back to the original post. Best Christian book:

I just finished Craig A. Evans : Fabricating Jesus - how modern scholars distort the Gospels.

Amazing book. Christianity is becoming a messy liberal world. Thankfully we have Craig Evans and a some great study Bibles.

Very possibly The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. Loved Left Behind too!

Scarred or Welcome Home, Davey

Both of these books are similar content... Welcome Home Davey is the earlier book, Scarred is the more recent version.

I VERY HIGHLY recommend either. Click on the books and read my review of them for more details.

I have read many, but I still love the Jabez's Prayer books.

Two by Dostoyevski are my very favorites: The Brothers Karamazov and Crime and Punishment. Also The Seven Storey Mountain and Works of Love

Mickey wrote: "18 Lisa: If Jesus never spoke in parables the KJB of 1611 would have never been written down. Jesus had it easy but I have to tell it like it is, or explain the parables, and that is when it gets d..."

How can you say that "everyone loved Paul?" What about the countless times he was beaten, shipwrecked, stoned, ect. Acts 9:15-16 "But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way, for he is a chosen vessel unto me to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. I don't mean to argue, just want to know how you'd explain this.

deleted user wrote: "Mickey wrote: "18 Lisa: If Jesus never spoke in parables the KJB of 1611 would have never been written down. Jesus had it easy but I have to tell it like it is, or explain the parables, and that is..."

Lisa Alexa wrote: "In reference to Mickey, I admit, I laughed. To clarify: Not a cynical one of course, but an amen one.
The reason why Jesus taught in parables is in my opinion two reasons:one, only those who are ..."

Those that die in the Moslem wars get either
nothing but hell, there are no guarantes , guranteed paradice, or 70 or more women if they blow themself up for the cause, with the strength of 100 men. It takes that many to satisfy them. The Caner brothers that wrote the nonfiction book knew about Eslam but never had a clue about the KJB of 1611 outside of St John 3:16. Seven Baptist preachers told them that was all they needed to know for salvation. In this country a person should get the nonfiction book "Unveiling Islam" by the Caner brothers. Including the emigration department. They want you dead, in this country up to know we tolerated each denomination I believe that has changed.

Tortured for Christ has always stayed with me. it is a harrowing story of faith and ultimate victory for a man of faith.

Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul, it speaks greatly of the mercy and love of God...The Joy of the Gospel: Evangelii Gaudium, this is I'm currently reading and it is becoming one of my favorites...I have other ones, but these are coming to mind more quickly.... :-)

The Chronicles of Narnia

I really recommend The Good God - it came out a couple of years ago and got lots of very positive reviews (book of the year in various places). It is an engaging and energetic read that invites the reader into the delight of who God is. Mike's next book, Christ Our Life, is the sequel to the first one and is out in the next few weeks.

I am currently reading the well-written book,

Probably going to have to say Frank Peretti!

For Fiction: Magdalene, by Angela Hunt

Non Fiction: Humility, by Andrew Murray; Fasting, by Jentezen Franklin; Secrets of the Vine, by Bruce Wilkinson; The Bondage Breaker, by Neil T. Anderson