The Hole in Our Gospel 10th Anniversary Edition: What Does God Expect of Us? The Answer That Changed My Life and Might Just Change the World Paperback by Richard Stearns
Richard does a great job of bringing Scripture, facts, and stories together to help the reader wrestle with the message in Scripture that is often overlooked and leaves a gaping hole in the middle of our theology and our lives of faith.
He Walks Among Us: Encounters with Christ in a Broken World by Richard and Renee Stearns
Richard and Renee make a great tag team as they share their stories from years of service visiting difficult places. Although their approach to the stories is different than mine, the quick reads are a great way to start the day remembering that many people are living lives than are in stark contrast to what we will experience in the day ahead of us.
Thirst: A Story of Redemption, Compassion, and a Mission to Bring Clean Water to the World by Scott Harrison
After a rough start and a misspent young adulthood, Scott moved on to live my dream life while impacting millions of people in profound ways around the world.
The Clown in the Belfry: Writings on Faith and Fiction by Frederick Buechner
You can’t go wrong with Frederick Buechner. Pay special attention to chapter 7, Adolescence and the Stewardship of Pain. I first read the essay at a very opportune and difficult time in my life. Suffice it to say that his thoughts shaped my perspective then and continue to shape my life today.
The River Why by David James Duncan
If you’re squeamish about coarse language and raunchy details, stay away. When I first read this book in 1995, it was required reading for my summer training in chaplaincy. I was offended until I wasn’t. More importantly, the image of God’s gentle pull on our hearts has been an abiding image for my faith.
Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted by Suleika Jaouad
In her debut novel, Suleika knocked it out of the park and wormed her way into my heart. Although my experience of cancer is limited to relatively benign basal cell carcinomas, her writing made it feel like she was writing my biography.