Recommended Reading

Recommended Reading
	Wash Each Other's Feet: Healing our Spirit with Relational Ministry by Tammy Amosson Is the response to the relational disconnect currently being experienced and deeply felt in our society? The answer is to Wash Each Other's Feet daily...with love. "Go now and Wash Each Other''''s Feet as I have shown you." Jn. 13:14-15		Who Can You Trust? Overcoming Betrayal and Fear *by Howard E. Butt* Trust is the basis for every relationship. So what happens when that foundation cracks? In Who Can You Trust? Howard Butt, Jr. helps you recognize and resolve past trust issues that have shattered your faith and your spirit. He shows you how to let your faith help you build stronger trust in the future for all of your most important relationships.
	Jesus Freaks: Stories of Those Who Stood for Jesus: by DC Talk Jesus Freaks by dc Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs, is a companion volume to dc Talk's album of the same name. It is a book for teenagers about martyrdom, containing dozens of profiles of figures ranging from Stephen, whose martyrdom is described in the Book of Acts, to "Anila and Perveen," two teenage Pakistani girls and Christian believers.		Just Like Jesus By: Max Lucado Can you imagine being just like Jesus? Thinking His thoughts, and doing what He would do? That's what God wants for you. In his inspirational classic Max Lucado explores how God's love is transforming you every day, more and more, into the image of Christ. You'll be encouraged to take a step closer to Jesus.
	No Wonder They Call Him Savior by: Max Lucado Far more than a gold-plated symbol of religious belief, the cross is the centerpiece of the Christian faith---the meeting place of time and eternity, where God and man encounter each other. Max Lucado takes you through the drama of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ---bringing to life Peter's denial, Pilate's hesitancy, and John's loyalty. Relive the events leading up to Jesus crucifixion, from the foggy garden of Gethsemane to the incandescent room of the resurrection.		Hard to Believe By: John MacArthur Contrary to popular opinion, Jesus wasn't just a gentle teacher who walked the earth offering forgiveness and nuggets of wisdom. He also spoke challenging, demanding words about what true servanthood requires. Here MacArthur reveals the "unvarnished truth" about discipleship, spelling out what God ultimately expects of those who follow him. 240 pages, softcover from Nelson.
	God of the Towel: Knowing the tender heart of God by Jim Mcguiggan Since childhood, you've sung the words, "Jesus loves me, this I know." The tune is as familiar as your own mirrored reflection. But sometimes we have difficulty believe that the creator and sustainer of the universe could be bothered with people like you and me -- much less really love us. But when God put on flesh and entered our world, he washed dirty feet, he soothed suffering souls, and he forgave fallen sinners. His message is loud and clear -- he loves us! Jim McGuiggan's passionate, devotional readings draws you beyond the commands, the laws, and the history and paint and insightful portraits of God that reveal his tender heart of love.		Abide in Christ By: Andrew Murray During the Life of Jesus on earth, the word he chiefly used when speaking of the relations of the disciples to Himself was: "Follow me." When about to leave for heaven, He gave them a new word, in which the more intimate and spiritual union with Himself in glory should be expressed. That chosen word was: "Abide in Me." In this 31 chapter devotional study of John 15:1-12,readers will gain a deeper understanding of, and experience the blessing of fellowship in communion with Christ. Allow the classic words of Andrew Murray to lead you onward in your faith as you seek to abide in Christ.
	The True Vine By: Andrew Murray "No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." Andrew Murray uses this analogy to remind us of our need for our creator, for we are the branches and God is the vine and we cannot grow with out with Him. This book can help you strengthen your relationship with God and jump-start your spiritual growth.		The Presence & Work Of The Holy Spirit By: R.A. Torrey Within these pages you will discover the importance of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life. R.A. Torrey also reveals the work of the Holy Spirit in helping to bring unbelivers into the kingdom of God. These eternal issues-and many more-are covered in this in-depth examination of who the Holy Spirit is and His work in our lives.
	God's Pursuit of Man By: A.W. Tozer Although written two years after the publication of The Pursuit of God, Tozer's God's Pursuit of Man sets forth the biblical truth that before man can pursue God, God must first pursue man. A "prequel" of sorts, God's Pursuit of Man speaks fervently of God's desire for man to be saved and the action He takes as He "invades" the human soul. Tozer then explains how it is through the power and promise of the Holy Spirit that we can truly understand the mystery of the Triune God. Previously published as The Divine Conquest and The Pursuit of Man.		Tozer on the Holy Spirit By: A.W. Tozer A powerful presence in 20th-century evangelicalism, A.W. Tozer was one of the most widely read Christian authors of his time. This collection of 366 meditations excerpted from his writings shares his passionate perspective on the devotional, inspirational, and practical role of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life. Each entry includes Scriptures, prayers, and source references. 432 pages, softcover from WingSpread.
	Be Transformed By: Warren W. Wiersbe In the opening chapters of John's Gospel, you see a group of men who were struggling with their faith and occasionally stumbling. But after Christ's death and resurrection, things changed - because they became transformed by His power and His Word. In completing his study of John's Gospel, Dr. Warren Wiersbe explains how you can become a transformed person. He answers such important questions as: How does the Holy Spirit work in my life? What are the secrets of answered prayer? Why is Christian fellowship so important? How can I overcome the pressures of the world?		Secrets of the Vine By: Bruce Wilkinson In Secrets of the Vine, Bruce Wilkinson explores John 15 to show you how to make maximum impact for God. You'll realize how Jesus is the Vine of life, explore four levels of "fruit bearing" (doing God's good work), and discover three life-changing truths that will lead you to new joy and effectiveness in God's kingdom. Secrets of the Vine will open your eyes to the Lord's hand in your life and uncover surprising insights pointing you toward a new path of consequence for God's glory.
Outreach
	Community of Kindness by Steve Sjogren & Rob Lewin This is a refreshing new approach to planting and growing a church with credible, informative, inspirational, and supportive advice.	The Celtic Way of Evangelism by George G. Hunter III Celtic Christianity - the form of Christian faith that flourished among the people of Ireland during the Middle Ages - has gained a great deal of attention lately. George G. Hunter III (Christian, Evangelical, and...Democrat?) points out that, while the attention paid to the Celtic Christians is well deserved, much of it fails to recognize the true genius of this ancient form of Christianity. What many contemporary Christians do not realize is that Celtic Christianity was one of the most successfully evangelistic branches of the church in history. The Celtic church converted Ireland from paganism to Christianity in a remarkably short period, and then proceeded to send missionaries throughout Europe.

Devotional
	What's So Amazing About Grace by Phillip Yancey Scandalous. Outrageous. Troublesome. Mind-boggling. The grace of God is all those things. We cannot earn it, cannot improve on it, cannot live eternally with out it. It is the gift of God and the ramifications of that truth are staggering, both in a metaphysical sense and in interpersonal relationships with others. A captivating read, this book will challenge your view God and the incredible value he places on YOU.		The Jesus I Never Knew by Phillip Yancey Uncovering a Jesus who is brilliant, creative, challenging, fearless, compassionate, unpredictable, and ultimately satisfying. This honest book will help you discover a different Jesus from the flannelgraph Sunday school figure, the sweetly smiling Victorian Savior, and all the cultural cliches that have tamed Jesus and kept him in comfortalbe religious boxes.
	Hearing God by Dallas Ward Is holiness something we strive toward or the supernatural gift of God? Yes! What is our part in gaining personal holiness? Whether you're continuing your pursuit of holiness or just beginning, the principles and guidelines in this book will challenge you to obey God's command of holiness.		Knowing God by J. I. Packer What were we made for? What should our aim in life be? What privilege does eternal life in Christ give us? What gives God the most pleasure in us? Exploring the answer to these questions, this book focusses on a knowledge of and relationship with Almighty God.

Reasonable Faith
	Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis Forceful and accessible doctrine of Christian belief. First heard as informal radio broadcasts and then published as three separate books, this brings together what Lewis sees as the fundamental truths of the religion.	To Everyone An Answer by Francis J. Beckwith In a society fascinated by spirituality but committed to religious pluralism, the Christian worldview faces sophisticated and aggressive opposition. What is needed in this syncretistic era is an authoritative, comprehensive Christian response. Point by point, argument by argument, the Christian faith must be effectively presented and defended. This book offers such a response. Editors Francis J. Beckwith, William Lane Craig and J.P. Moreland have gathered together in this book essays covering all major aspects of apologetics, including: faith and reason; arguments for God's existence; the case for Jesus; the problem of evil; postmodernism; religious pluralism and Christian exclusivism. Preeminent in their respective fields, the contributors to this volume offer a solid case for the Christian worldview and a coherent defense of the Christian faith.
	The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel Stobel turns his tenacious investigative skills to the most persistent emotional objections to belief--the eight "heart" barriers to faith. For those who may be feeling attracted to Jesus but who are faces with intellectual barriers standing squarely in their path. It will also deepen Christians' convictions and give fresh confidence in discussing Christianity with their most skeptical friends.		The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel Is there credible evidence that Jesus of Nazareth really is the Son of God? Retracing his own spiritual journey from atheism to faith, he author cross-examines a dozen experts who are recognized authorities in their own fields. His tough, point-blank question make this book read like a captivating, fast-paced novel. But it's not fiction. It's a riveting quest for the truth about history's most compelling figure.
	Letters from a Skeptic *by Gregory Boyd* For fourteen years, Greg tried to talk to his father about Christianity, with little success. Then, in what he saw as a last ditch effort, Greg invited his father participate in a dialogue through letters in which Ed could express all his doubts and questions and Greg could attempt to answer them, and prove the validity of his own views. To Greg's surprise, his father agreed.		More than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell McDowell thought Christians were out of their minds. He put them down. He argued against their faith, but eventually he was the Jesus Christ really was who he claimed to be. It is a hard-headed book for people who are skeptical about Jesus' deity, his resurrection, and his claims on their lives.

Spiritual Growth
	Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster Apart from the Bible, this book has had more impact on my personal spiritual life than any other. It comprehensively deals with the many practical disciplines necessary for a posture of receiving God's grace and blessing. It challenges the external materialistic worldview so prevalent today and focusses in on cultivating the most important inner life of the spirit.		Prayer: Does it Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancey In theory, prayer is the essential human act, a priceless point of contact between you and the God of the universe. In practice however, prayer is often frustrating, confusing, and fraught with mystery. Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? explores the mysterious intersection where you and God meet and relate. Writing as a fellow pilgrim, Yancey explores the questions surrounding prayer that you may wonder about but not know how to express. Above all, Yancey shows you how to pray to a God who sees what lies ahead of you, knows what lies within you, and who invites you into an eternal partnership with Him---through prayer.
	Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home by Richard Foster Foster shows how prayer can move us inward into personal transformation, upward toward intimacy with God, and outward to minister to others. He leads us beyond questions to a deeper understanding and practice of prayer, bringing us closer to God, to ourselves and to our community.		Too Busy Not to Pray by Bill Hybels Do you ever feel like your life is a frantic sprint from one activity to another? The thought of adding a regular period prayer to your life seems like one more burdensome obligation. Hybels speaks to the value of a committed quiet time of prayer each day and the invaluable changes it can bring to the individual willing to give it a go. A great encouragement in practical terms for the modern fast-paced Christian.
Pastor Matthew Boardwell