Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Plodding Habits - Reading Good Books

Bookshelf
This is another part of my short series on developing habits that will feed your soul.  Once you have a plan to read the Bible (the most important book to read) consider reading the many other excellent books out there to encourage you in your Christian life.

In our day, we have so many things that can district us. Netflix or a game on your phone is an easy way to fill time with entertainment. Rest and entertainment are not bad by themselves - they are good!  However, time is a non-renewable resource. We should use it wisely. Reading good books gives you a window into another's mind and perspective. This helps you see your own blind spots and find wisdom ways you would not have thought of on your own.

Below is my completely biased list of some excellent books to consider if you have never read them.



The Screwtape Letters - C.S. Lewis
I read this when I was very young after reading Narnia and didn't really understand it. Now, I see the insights into how we are tempted to stray from Christ. It is fiction, but reveals much truth.

Confessions - Augustine
This is Augustine's autobiography, though it is more about God's work in him than himself. He was a great sinner who found a great savior.

The Holiness of God - R.C. Sproul
R.C. Sproul took great truths and made them plain. Of his many good books, this is a classic.

Union With Christ - Rankin Wilbourne
I read this book this year and highly recommend it. I was looking for biblical data on this concept of union with Christ; instead I found a warm, winsome narrative of the truth of it and how it should encourage us to the deepest part of our souls.

These are only some of my personal favorites. I recommend rather than picking whatever is popular at the moment, purposefully look for books that will grow you in some way. If you need a "rule" for what books to read, then I recommend this as a guide:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. -Philippians 4:8

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