15 Books for Spiritual Growth

One of the best ways to grow spiritually is to read! Books for spiritual growth offer unique perspectives and encouragement. There are so many choices of books, and it can be very intimidating! To help narrow down the choices, our staff put together a list of some of our favorite books for spiritual growth. Take a look at this list and choose a book to read over the next couple of months. You won't regret it!

1. Growing in Christ by J.I. Packer

2. The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer

3. Unseen by Sara Hagerty

4. Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster

5. Keys to Spiritual Growth by John MacArthur

6. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Don Whitney

7. Attributes of God by Arthur Pink

8. God: As He Longs for You to See Him by Chip Ingram

9. Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala 

10. Spiritual Leadership by Henry Blackaby

11. Root of the Righteous by A.W. Tozer

12. Wide Awake by Erwin McManus

13. Love Works by Joel Manby

14. Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper

15. If You Want to Walk on Water You've Got to Get Out of the Boat by John Ortberg

 

What are some of your favorite books for spiritual growth?

Let us know in the comments!

Fogged In

Fogged In

I woke up...got ready and went to the kitchen to get some coffee. I looked out the window to take in the view of the lake and to my amazement, it was GONE! Vanished overnight! All that I saw was the back deck and shadows of trees emerging from a dense white fog. Okay...so the lake didn't actually vanish. It was just hidden by the fog that moved in overnight.

We were heading to church, so we hopped in the car and headed out. I couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. TWD fans know what I'm talking about. Anything could be lurking in that fog! It was so dense that we were left with very little visibility. Our car was surrounded by this dense fog. The trees that were just feet away were merely shadows hidden by the white wall of fog that seemed to engulf the world around us. I had to slow down a little and really watch out for deer and other unexpected obstacles. Seriously...I could only see a few feet ahead. Even traffic lights were hidden until I was right up on them. YIKES!!!

I don't know about you...but I really like to see where I'm heading. It is not enough to see the road right in front of me. I want to see what's happening behind me, what's coming from the side and what lies far down the road ahead. I want to be able to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Do you ever feel like your life has gotten FOGGED IN? You go to bed seeing clearly...knowing exactly what lies ahead, but then you wake up surrounded by a dense white fog. The only thing you can really see with total clarity is the road right in front of you. Times like these can leave me feeling uneasy and on edge. I want to be prepared for whatever is going to emerge from the fog. I want to be able to plan and prepare for the days...weeks...months...years ahead. I don't want to have to worry about all the things I can't see yet....I want to sit back and enjoy the journey.  

I really think that "FOG" is God's way of slowing us down and helping us learn to trust Him more.

I really think that "FOG" is God's way of slowing me down and helping me learn to trust Him more. It puts me in a position where I am no longer charting my own course...planning out every detail of my life. No...I have to truly trust God to show me the way. It teaches me to rely on Him and trust Him completely. There is a song that I absolutely love. It says;

"I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind

The God of angel armies is always by my side

The One who reigns forever

He is a friend of mine

The God of angel armies is always by my side"

( “Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)”

Written by Ed Cash, Scott McTyeire Cash, and Chris Tomlin)

When you can't see the path ahead, focus on the One who can. God is there...He alone goes before you and stands behind you at the same time. He knows where you have been and he knows where you are going...not just the here and now....He knows it all....AND He is ALWAYS by your side.

When you can't see the path ahead, focus on the One who can.

 

Next time you get fogged in, don't keep traveling full speed ahead. You also don't want to stop because you are afraid of what you can't see. Sure you need to slow down...but you also must keep moving forward. You will quickly notice that as you move forward you can see a little further down that road.   

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

Trust the One who is always by your side, then sit back and enjoy the ride.