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During my Christian journey of over 40 years, I have been profoundly blessed, encouraged, inspired, and often admonished, by many Christian writers. These are some of the books on my bookshelf at home, a list which will continue to grow; I want to honour the authors for their often life-changing contributions to my walk with the Lord, and offer these books as personal recommendations* to my visitors.
All the books are available from Amazon, by clicking on the links below; or from your favourite bookseller. I am an Amazon Affiliate, which means that if you access Amazon UK from this website, any items from any Amazon section, purchased during that visit will earn a small amount of commission for me, at no extra charge for you. (I will add other national Amazon outlets in due course.) |
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As I am committed to keeping this website free of advertising, these commissions help offset the costs of running this website.
*Please note, a book recommendation doesn't imply a wholesale endorsement of a particular ministry or viewpoint; I may not necessarily agree with everything an author has written or preached, but that doesn't stop me being blessed by these particular books. Review ratings are from Amazon UK.
STUDY RESOURCES
THE ILLUSTRATED BIBLE
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For anyone new to the faith or those who struggle to get to grips with the Bible, this lavishly illustrated volume gives a good overview of salvation history, along with important historical, cultural and geographical explanations. Presented in an easy-to-read format, The Illustrated Bible is a great place to start a life-time habit of bible study—and would make a lovely gift. (Cheaper editions are available in the Amazon Marketplace; click the link to find out more.) Amazon rating: 4.5/5
29 customer reviews |
THE CROSS
'BOUGHT WITH BLOOD' BY DEREK PRINCE
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The entire message of the gospel revolves around one historical event: The sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross. It is on the basis of this sacrifice that Paul writes in Philippians 4:19 "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus!"
Learn how you can appropriate the 'Divine Exchange' in your life. Amazon rating: 4.5/5 18 customer reviews |
THE HOLY SPIRIT
'WELCOME HOLY SPIRIT' BY BENNY HINN
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At intervals I re-read Benny Hinn's 'Welcome Holy Spirit'. Published over 20 years ago, this book is a really helpful, detailed exploration of the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Its twelve chapters include an examination of the Spirit's divinity; His names and titles; His work in the life of Christ and the believer, and the transformational power of fellowship with Him. And most importantly, is written from intimate experience, rather than sideline observation. For me it's definitely one to have on the bookshelf.
Amazon rating: 4.9/5
30 customer reviews |
THE PRESENCE OF GOD
'HOSTING THE PRESENCE' BY BILL JOHNSON
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' FACE TO FACE WITH GOD' BY BILL JOHNSON
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Let the Spirit live inside you! Are you hungry for an encounter with Jesus? Do you want to make an impact on the world? In this power-packed book, Bill Johnson discusses how you can be a person who hosts the Presence of God. In this succinct and powerful book, Johnson encourages you toward a pursuit of the Presence of God above all else.
Amazon rating: 4.9/5 75 customer reviews |
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Bill Johnson helps you pursue God for greater measures of His presence in your own life by sharing the principles he has learned, including
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 46 customer reviews |
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MORE ON THE PRESENCE...
'THE PRACTICE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD' BY BROTHER LAWRENCE
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The classic writings of Brother Lawrence, a 17th century monk who discovered the secret of living in the kingdom of God here on earth. He described it as the art of “practicing the presence of God in one single act that does not end.” He often stated that it is God who paints Himself in the depths of our souls.; we must merely open our hearts to receive Him and His loving presence.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 164 customer reviews |
INTIMACY WITH GOD
'WAITING ON GOD' BY ANDREW MURRAY |
'THE PURSUIT OF GOD' BY A.W. TOZER |
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This classic devotional by Andrew Murray provides important spiritual insights into how we can develop our relationship with the Lord by 'waiting' on Him. Be inspired and challenged with 31 days' meditations which will enable you to draw closer to God and understand Him better.
Amazon rating: 4.8/5 42 customer reviews |
Amazon rating: 4.2/5
172 customer reviews |
One of my favourite books, The Pursuit of God still blesses and challenges people hungry for more of the Lord, as it did 70 years ago when it was first published. Written in a gentle but incisive style, AW Tozer encourages his readers to ‘recapture that radiant wonder which should accompany faith in Christ’.
With chapters including ‘The Blessedness of Possessing Nothing’; ‘Removing the Veil’; 'The Gaze of the Soul’; ‘The Speaking Voice’; and ‘The Sacrament of Living’, this book should have a place on every believer’s bookshelf. |
LIFE ISSUES
'STRENGTHEN YOURSELF IN THE LORD' BY BILL JOHNSON |
'STRAIGHT TALK' BY JOYCE MEYER |
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How can you 'count it all joy' when facing turmoil in your personal circumstances? Bill Johnson gives the benefit of his scriptural understanding, and his personal experience, to give the keys to strenghtening and encouraging yourself, so that you can look past the present to a hope-filled future.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 48 customer reviews |
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Help and encouragement from Joyce Meyer to combat:
*Depression *Discouragement *Fear *Insecurity *Loneliness *Stress *Worry Also published as separate books withcustomer reviews for each Amazon rating: 4.5/5 5 customer reviews |
MORE LIFE ISSUES....
'THE HIDING PLACE' BY CORRIE TEN BOOM |
'SIMPLIFY' BY JOSHUA BECKER
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I recently re-read this modern spiritual classic, and discovered that forty years hadn't lessened its power to move and inspire.
The Hiding Place tells the story of how an ordinary Christian family in Nazis-occupied Holland, lived out their faith in an extaordinary way. Corrie ten Boom's autobiographical account of her family's commitment to hide their Jewish neighbours from the Gestapo, and their eventual capture and sentence in Ravensbruck concentration camp shines with the light of grace in adversity, hope in |
hopelessness, and the power of forgiveness to set people free; it is the story of the triumph of God's love in the darkest of circumstances.
Amazon rating: 4.8/5 294 customer reviews |
I would not describe myself as a minimalist; I don't find stark work-surfaces and walls particularly restful - or stimulating. However, I really value the perspective of Christians advocating a simplification of life - for it is one of the keys to rest.
Joshua Becker is one of the people who commands my attention; his book 'Simplify' recounts his family's journey into what he calls 'rational minimalism', which he defines as 'the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from it.' |
Becker's book allows that simplification means different
things to different people, offers reasons for embracing this as a
lifestyle choice, and gives practical suggestions for getting started.
Amazon rating: 4.2/5
54 customer reviewS |
FINANCES
'STEP INTO SUPERNATURAL PROVISION: KEYS TO LIVING IN FINANCIAL ABUNDANCE' BY PATRICIA KING
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This is a book I wish I had had many years ago, when I was trying to find answers to hard questions of faith and finances. Patricia King marries a firm biblical belief in our Heavenly Father’s desire to provide for His children, and our responsibilities in partnering with Him. Although the author believes that God does not want us to live in lack, the emphasis is on abundance in order to bless others, and advance the Kingdom, rather than on acquisition for personal gain. Illustrated with accounts of her own steep learning curve in this area, this is a really helpful & balanced book for those dealing with stressful financial issues, and those just wanting to grow in understanding of Kingdom finances. Amazon rating: 5/5
7 customer reviews |
SPIRITUAL TOOLS
'THE GRACE OUTPOURING' BY ROY GODWIN |
'CELEBRATION OF DISCIPLINE' BY RICHARD FOSTER |
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The act of ‘blessing’ in the bible is far removed from the way it is used in modern speech. A biblical blessing had the spiritual power to change lives, to empower people to prosper, and was an express duty of the priesthood.
As all believers are now priests, the same responsibility has fallen on us. This book is the powerful story of what happened when the wardens of a remote British retreat took this seriously. It is also a reminder that God loves to choose the small and insignificant; and whatever our location we can see His kingdom flow... |
Amazon rating: 4.8/5
258 customer reviews |
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THE POWER OF DECLARATION
'DECLARATIONS: UNLOCKING YOUR FUTURE' BY STEVE BACKLUND |
'DECREE A THING & IT SHALL BE ESTABLISHED' BY PATRICIA KING
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'Nothing happens in the kingdom unless a declaration is made,' believes Steve Backlund.
He shares 30 Biblical reasons for speaking truth over every area of life, and also answers common objections and concerns. This book also contains daily devotions which illustrate that life is truly in the power of the tongue. |
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Patricia King’s book is a very popular resource on this subject. Also written from the conviction that the Kingdom is ‘voice-activated’, it is King's repeated experience that breakthrough in her circumstances has come as she has sent forth God’s truth into them. After a brief introduction, the book gives biblically-based decrees covering areas such as health, business, victory, wisdom, marriage, family, rejuvenation, grace, and many more.
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Amazon rating 4.9/5
11 customer reviews |
Amazon rating: 4.2/5
7 customer reviews |
CREATION
'THE CASE FOR A CREATOR' BY LEE STROBEL
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Join Lee Strobel, an investigative journalist, as he examines mind-stretching discoveries from cosmology, cellular biology, DNA research, astronomy, physics, and human consciousness that present astonishing evidence in The Case for a Creator.
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 13 customer reviews |
THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD
'I AM YOUR FATHER' BY MARK STIBBE
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We live in an increasingly fatherless society. ‘The task of the family of God is to take the Father’s love to the fatherless. To do this, those who are already members of God’s family need to have their 'father wounds' healed. This book will help those with hearts broken by their earthly fathers, to find in their Heavenly Father the love of all loves.
Mark Stibbe describes the different ways in which fathers can hurt their children, the main symptoms of the resulting 'orphan heart', and how people can find true healing through experiencing the Spirit of adoption. Amazon rating: 4.8/5 30 customer reviews |
AND 'BECOME LIKE A LITTLE CHILD'...
'THE COMPLETE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA' BY CS LEWIS
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'Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again...',
wrote C S Lewis to his god-daughter, about his 'Narnia' creations. I think this series of allegorical stories has a place on every Christian's bookshelf. Beautifully written to share with children, they are full of profound insights about the character of God and the wonder of His salvation, a treasure trove for any adult 'old enough' to read them.
I don't own this particular edition, but it sounds delightful... All unabridged stories in Narnia Series are bound together in a hardcover volume; with full-colour artwork by the original illustrator, Pauline Baynes; and introduced by Douglas Gresham, stepson of C. S. Lewis. The books are also available individually in a range of formats, by clicking on the link. |
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subject line: book review