Chapters that Challenge

It's winter and a great time to snuggle up with a book! We asked our staff and team leaders to share some book recommendations that will encourage you in your walk with God and love for others. Check them out! And remember, if you shop on Amazon Smile you can donate part of your purchase to Global Encounters!One of the best books I've read in the last year is Love Does by Bob Goff. In my own life, I tend to get caught up with the "how" of reaching out to people and  find myself getting lost in the logistics and questions of making relational ministry happen. Bob Goff inspires his readers instead to get caught up in the why, what, and whimsy of love. He writes, "the kind of love that God created and demonstrated is a costly one because it involves sacrifice and presence. It's a love that operates more like a sign language than being spoken outright... Love is never stationary... it doesn’t just keep thinking about it or keep planning for it. Simply put: love does.” Every chapter is a crazy story from Bob's life about how he's discovered love and whimsy... from taking his kids on a world tour to eat ice cream with heads of state, to becoming the Ugandan consul, to spending sixteen days in the Pacific Ocean with five guys and a crate of canned meat. I challenge you to read just one chapter... then text me when you finish the whole book in just a couple of days! ~Amy Cook The Heavenly Man is the autobiography of Brother Yun from China, he was an underground church leader that spent time in horrible prison conditions for the sake of the Gospel. It is a very gripping account that not only displays God's power and sovereignty, but it also caused me to reconsider my commitment to Christ. Am I willing to be faithful to Him no matter the cost? When everything is taken from me will I boldly cling to Him? It also challenged me to hide more of God's Word in my heart. ~Lydia Vanderford    Whether you are headed to another country or serving in your own Jerusalem, The Bravehearted Gospel by Eric Ludy will prepare you to know what you believe and boldly proclaim it. Simply reading the table of contents, leaves you intrigued. Eric will challenge you to have a passion and fire for the gospel that becomes the gumption to your mission. As Eric writes, "When the bloodlines of Job walk the earth again-watch out!" ~Richard Shoemaker    Living the Cross Centered Life by CJ Mahaney is a book about practical living. So many times, every day in fact, believers get caught up in day to day living without taking time to spend with our Heavenly Father. This book reaches into the life of the believer and calls them out. It is not an easy life but it is one we should be desiring and living. ~Micah CavanaughThis book helps Christians have a better understanding of the cross and the importance of it in our lives. It's short and to the point with many practical ways to live cross centered. ~Lizzie Hicks   If you could only read one book this year, I would recommend “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” by Peter Scazzero. This book was a gut punch to me this year (in a good way!) Peter talks about how becoming better, fuller and healthier Christians involves taking time for self evaluation and self care. Forgetting to take care of ourselves is a major reason why we become burned out really easily. Even though the main premise of the book is self care (which sounds super easy) it was a challenging read, because it deals with hard things that we don’t think about much. This book is definitely in the top 2 or 3 of books that are a must read. ~Brandon Dickson  The book that I would recommend as a fantastic read would be Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi. It is kinda more of a autobiography but he addresses many issues between the faith of Muslims and Christians. He is brutally honest in this book as it is about himself. The powerfully thing is that as a Muslim he really wants to be a good one and know Allah... but since he doesn't exist you see where the problem lies. In this book, he talks about how easy it is for Christians to talk a big talk but not really know anything about what they believe, compared to the Muslims who know everything about their religion. He encourages us to look into different religions so "We may give an answer". ~Ashley Dickson  

Risk Is Right by John Piper is wake-up call to North American Christians. God has called us to make disciples of all nations, yet so often we choose the comfort and security of what we know over obeying this command. Whether it's sharing the gospel across the world, or with someone across the street, we are called to risk all for the sake of the Gospel. Not a foolish, on-a-whim, type of risk, but an Esther kind of risk. The kind that stakes itself on what God has said no matter the consequence. Piper also encourages readers to remember that God is with us in the risk. And that He promises reward at the end of the journey. ~Meagan Wanschura

They Found the Secret, by V. Raymond Edman, has little biographies from about 20 people in the faith who really walked with God. Each chapter basically boils down the main thing that God did in their hearts. Its really, really encouraging! Literally, its like concentrated orange juice. I'm still not finished with the book and enjoying each life and how Christ has worked in each heart to form His Son. I just read a chapter yesterday and this particular woman who lived in the 1950's said four things that really impacted me: 1. Jesus meant it when He said He would never leave us, 2. God melts us so that we will desire the victory, 3. Our greatest possession aside from Christ is our need, 3. and 4. God loves us more than we realize, and we experience it the moment we cease resisting. ~Tim Forman