Spare Change

Influential Reads

Posted by Bryan

Jared at Thinklings asks about the books of the greatest influence in life. In addition to Jared's choices, there are many good other selections in the comments. I don't necessarily think my list is any better than anyone else's, but that's the point, I think. It's interesting how God uses different people and different writers to influence following generations in different ways.

Here are some works that have influenced me:

Practical Theology

• The Saving Life of Christ by Major W. Ian Thomas -- where I was introduced to the concept of the exchanged life of Christ as compared to the substitutionary life of Christ.


• The Servant Principle by Rick Ferguson -- Written by my first pastor and mentor, this book affirmed in my heart that the upper room event was the most profound object lesson in history, and if I want to be first, I must be willing to be last.


• The Normal Christian Life by Watchman Nee -- Further developed my understanding of living in the Spirit as "normal."


• My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers -- discipled me in prayer, faith, and works. Priceless.


• Spiritual Leadership and Created to be God's Friend by Henry Blackaby -- Two reminders that God's high holy standard is inseperable from His deep, abiding love for me.


• What's So Amazing about Grace, The Bible Jesus Read, In His Image, and Fearfully and Wonderfully Made by Philip Yancey (the last two co-written with Dr. Paul Brand) -- Each of these books in different ways deepened my awe and wonder of almighty God.

The Classics

• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley -- I was amazed that the book was so different, and so incredibly better than the movies I had seen passed off with this title.


• The Inferno by Dante Alighieri -- This story scared the hell out of me and captured my imagination at the same time, stoking my original desires to be my generation's Stephen King, only later learning that God had other plans and that Stephen King was quite content to be my generation's Stephen King.


• Hamlet by William Shakespeare -- The story of the Prince of Denmark introduced me to the exciting world of the literary master.

Kid Lit

• Old Yeller by Fred Gipson -- Why you got that gun there, Travis? This was the first of the tragic "boy & his dog" series influential to every young boy. Also important were the tear-stained pages of Savage Sam by Gipson, Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls, and Sounder by William H. Armstrong.


• Watership Down by Richard Adams -- I never thought a warren of rabbits could tell a tale so captivating. And I went tharn when I learned I could make up my own words


• The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis -- I received this series as a birthday gift for my 10th birthday. I'm reading The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe to my own children now.

Biographies

• The Shadow of the Almighty by Elisabeth Elliot -- the account of the martyrdom of missionary Jim Elliot gave me courage as well as perspective.


• Bill Wallace of China by Jesse C. Fletcher -- taught me that in Christ, it is better to die in obscurity than to live in acclaim.


• Foxe's book of Martyrs by John Foxe and Documents of the Christian Church (edited by Henry Bettenson) -- History's testimony of the saints, written in blood, faithfulness, and perseverance.

Practical Ecclesiology

• Total Church Life by Darrell Robinson -- a "hang your hat on this hook" book, worth a revisit every few years to remind the minister to focus on evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, ministry, and worship.


• The Ten Best Practices to Make Your Sunday School Work by Kenneth Hemphill & Bill Taylor -- The best encyclopedia for effective, successful Sunday school.


• Up with Worship by Anne Ortlund -- A must read for every person who wants more out of church, regardless of role or title.


• The Intentional Minister: 4 Powerful Steps to Determining, Implementing, and Fulfilling Your Ministry Priorities by Thomas Goodman -- Instructs ministers (which of course, means everybody who is saved by the grace of God through Jesus of Nazareth) to develop and pursue a ministry manifesto.

Modern Pop Lit

• Misery by Stephen King -- I read all the early works of this author, but was especially freaked out by the realistic possibility of a whacked out "number one fan" "hobbling" her favorite author because he was a "dirty bird."


• The Firm by John Grisham -- I was an early fan of Grisham, and enjoyed this pop lit book for its action.


• The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger -- Don't know if this fits here, but so what? Saw the movie, then read the book about the actual events. Found myself taking deep breaths as I read about the Andrea Gail went down, taking her six crew with her.

And also...
Without singling out individual works, I have also been influenced, blessed, or challenged by the multiple works of Max Lucado (although not recently), John Ortberg, CS Lewis, and WA Criswell (to name just a few).

Discuss amongst yourselves and share your choices in the comments!