As most of you know, I read. It's my escape, education, and enjoyment. I'm often asked, "Which books do I recommend, why, what has helped shaped my thinking, etc." I want to answer those questions with this list. I left out hundreds of good reads that could have made the list, but fell a little short oflife changing. At the conclusion of the list, I want to offer advice on how to develop the habit of reading, what to look for, and some things that might help you along the way. With that said, here's my list"

Christian Living
Rumors by Phillip Yancey. (Excellent. He's one of my favorite authors)
Rebuilding Your Broken World by Gordon McDonald (best book ever on getting back in the race)
Spiritual Authority by Watchman Nee (Brilliantly captures the concept of "How" God operates)
He that is Spiritual by Lewis Sperry Chafer (Takes the Christian into a self-discovery)
The Soul-Winners Fire by John R. Rice (Life changing for me in discovering my mission)
How Shall We Then Live by Francis Schaeffer (Clarifies Biblical values)
Spurgeon at His Best by Tom Carter (answers a wide variety of doctrinal questions)
What Love is This by Dave Hunt (Best refute of Hyper-Calvinism I've ever seen)
Grace Awakening by Charles Swindoll (Liberating, well-written truth, on a neglected subject) Victorious Christian Living by Alan Redpath (provides the principles of victory in a practical way) Joshua and the Flow of Biblical History by Francis Schaeffer (Great read on Joshua)
Fasting Can Change Your Life by Elmer Towns (Biblical description of a powerful discipline)

Christian Leadership
Can anyone teach leadership better than John Maxwell? He's clear and concise. He's the greatest gift out there to the body of Christ in leadership. I recommend the following in this order:
The Winning Attitude by John Maxwell. (It's the starting point to be a leader)
Failing Forward by John Maxwell. (I paid my kids to read this one, they loved it)
Developing the Leader Within You by John Maxwell. (It's the roadmap for development)
The 21 IrrefUtable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell. (Sound, proven principles)
Developing the Leaders Around You by John Maxwell. (Navigates your team to a new levels) There's No Such Thing as Business Ethics by John Maxwell (States should make this required reading before granting a business license)
Thinking for a Change by John Maxwell. (he breaks down thinking patterns like no other)

General Leadership
I really enjoy reading leadership from secular sources because they ask the hard questions and refuse to "spiritualize" things.
Center of the Storm by Katherine Harris (If she ran for President, she'd get my vote)
When Character Was King by Peggy Noonan (Ronald Reagan's decision making process)
Straight from the Gut by Jack Welch (He's the most accomplished CEO of all times)
Winning by Jack Welch (He's brutally honest, I love the guys way of thinking)
The Leadership Engine by Noel Tichy (Smartest man in any room! Lengthy, but great) Execution by Larry Bossidy (He's got the process for "getting it done" down)
The Winner Within by Pat Riley (A teamwork masterpiece from a great coach)
Leadership by Rudolph Giuliani (Practical guidelines for leaders)
West Point Leadership Lessons by Scott Snair (Turning men into leaders)
How Ronald Reagan Changed My Life by Peter Robinson (Observations of a born leader)
A Matter of Character by Ronald Kessler (Observation of George W. Bush)
Lincoln by David Herbert Donald (Lengthy, but full of insights into a leader in crises)
The Arrogance of Power by Anthony Summers (Enlightening details of the Nixon White House)
The Smartest Guys in the Room by McLean & Elkin (Decisions that led to the downfall of Enron)
Character IS the Issue by Mike Huckabee (The Governor of Arkansas's story. Very good)

How do you begin the habit of reading? I suggest you start with a subject you either enjoy or really want to learn. Set aside a half an hour before you go to sleep at night to read. Instead of falling asleep to television, try reading. You'll slowly create comprehension patterns. It's very relaxing. Also forget being a master of every subject. Just pursue the ones you need for growth. I don't read in areas that I can't or won't use, life is too short, so be selective. If I see something worth noting, I highlight, underline, and often file it. Any book that gives you one new insight, is worthwhile.

I hope this list is helpful, you'll develop your own in time...

Good Reading,

Pastor