This is the time of year in which some may be wondering…
What is a good Study Bible I can get as a gift for my spouse or student?
Is there a good devotional you could recommend for the next calendar year?
Are there any other good books you would recommend?
This post is a list of some basic recommendations I (Pastor Justin) can make.
Study Bible Recommendation: My personal recommendation for a Study Bible today is either the NLT or NIV Life Application Study Bible. There are many others out there to choose from, but the NLT or NIV tops my current list.
The NLT or NIV Life Application Study Bible is available in a variety of leather colors and/or indexed pages. For anybody looking to pick one up, feel free to choose accordingly. Here’s a link.
Devotional Recommendation:
Choosing a daily devotional is difficult. We often publish a Monday-Friday devotional here on the blog which many utilize regularly. However, there are two Devotionals I often recommend. They include…
Restoration Year by John Eldredge is first on my list. The daily readings are short and concise but those who really dig in and journal their thoughts and/or feelings for each question will find almost certainly discover some fresh insights on the person of God as well as themselves.
God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life by Timothy & Kathy Keller is another excellent recommendation. This devotional focuses on the Proverbs and is full of wisdom.
Other Book Recommendations:
Admittedly, I read a lot. But over the past few years I’ve started to read much more slowly. Instead of reading a book in a couple of weeks and then going onto another one, I’ll read a chapter of a good book a week (or maybe even a month) and really dig in to the principles. Similarly, there are some books that I choose to read at least once every year. I’ve discovered that there isn’t always a need to go onto “the next book” when there’s so much good stuff in the one I just read.
Slowing down like this helps me to digest the book more fully. Instead of reading the book, I allow the book to read me. While reading at this pace takes time, it ultimately leads to more transformation in my life. As Eugene Peterson so wisely expressed, the Christian life is A Long Obedience in the Same Direction. So if you do decide to purchase and read any of these books, it would be my hope that you would read them slowly and have a journal on-hand to record your thoughts and feelings only what you’re learning.
With this said, here are some books I have allowed to read me over the years, and I wholeheartedly recommend that you allow them to read you as well.
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero. One cannot be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature. This is certainly one to digest over and over again in order to grow in spiritual formation.
Gentle & Lowly by Dane Ortlund. What is the heart of Christ? Dane Ortlund expounds on this question in great detail. Gentle & Lowly is considered by many to be a modern classic.
The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning. Grace. Grace. Grace. Grace. Grace. Do you really recognize the Gospel as a Gospel of Grace? The Ragamuffin Gospel isn’t a new book, but it’s one I return to again and again to be remind of this important truth.
Good and Beautiful and Kind by Rich Villodas. We live in a fractured world. There’s no escaping it. But this doesn’t mean our lives need be fractured. We can still become whole.
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry AND Live No Lies by John Mark Comer. Much like Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, these two books offer tremendous insight on personal spiritual formation. And sure enough, Comer has a new book releasing in January which I haven’t yet read, but feel safe recommending based on his previous works.
Fiction Books:
But what about fiction? What about the kids? Well, here’s a recommendation that hits both…
The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson. Think of The Wingfeather Saga like you’d think of The Chronicles of Narnia. It is FANTASY literature, so if you don’t enjoy reading about something occurring in another world, this may not be your cup of tea.
As for the age appropriateness, it may depend on the child. Some as young as 8 may find them enjoyable, but others at that age may be frightened by some aspects of the story. Those age 10 and above will likely do well with the storyline.
Even though the series is written for children or a Young Adult audience, it’s one I read or listen to annually. A printed copy is available in a full bundle, and the audiobooks (which are narrated by the author) are very well done.
Have a question about any of the books mentioned? Feel free to drop a comment below!
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