This isn’t a list of “best Christian books” but these are the books that have actually changed the trajectory of my life in the past 27 years. I can look back and go, “Ah yes, this part of my life, this direction, this understanding, this passion, it’s because of reading that book. If you want to grow with God this year, try a few of these!
- Disciplines of a Beautiful Woman by Anne Ortland. Again, not saying this is the best book ever, but I read it at 18 and it marked me forever. This is the book that got me started reading through the Bible each year.
- The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. I can still remember reading this book as a college student, in the passenger seat while my mom drove around running errands, and it was like the heavens opened. This was the first taste I had of living the sacred mundane…
- The Pursuit of God by AW Tozer. Probably the most impacting book I’ve ever read. Again, his chapter on the Sacrament of Living solidified my view of eliminating false sacred/secular dualities in life. His chapter on the Blessedness of Possessing Nothing has come back to my heart in application over and over again.
- Humility by Andrew Murray. Probably the 2nd most impactful, I’ve read and re-read this short little gem because heaven knows I need it. Mind-blowing truth: Humility is the soil out of which every other virtue grows. 😉
- Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis. It’s a toss-up between this one and Mere Christianity but I’d say Screwtape wins because it’s has the most actual impact, opening my eyes to the invisible ways the enemy works–how subtle pride and self-promotion can be. Love love LOVE this book.
- Battling Unbelief by John Piper. This seems like it’s one of his lesser-known books but it’s the one that changed my life. His dissection of pride and exposure of self-pity for what it really is, is brilliant.
- The Hole in our Gospel by Richard Stearns. Again, I can’t vouch for how amazing the actual book is, but this was the turning point in our life, away from me-focused cultural Christianity toward actually wanting to follow Jesus.
- The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun. I don’t even know what to say about this one. One reviewer wrote: “You might begin this book sitting down, but you will finish it on your knees.” That about sums it up.
- Rees Howells, Intercessor by Norman Grubb. The book that made me hungry to pray. Unbelievable testimonies about God’s work through prayer. I need to read it again!
- Unoffendable by Brant Hansen. The rest of the books focus more vertically, between us and God — this one focuses on how the reality of our relationship with God impacts every horizantal relationship with others. Absolutely life-changing. Impacts every area of life, and truly offers a life-changing shift that makes all of life better.
How about you? What books have changed the trajectory of your life?