I Believe In Books

Came across this interesting article from leadership guy Mark Sanborn which got me thinking about books that have been timely influences in my life.

Here are a few:
Dragonriders of Pern - Anne McCaffrey I took this from my oldest brother and it was the first fantasy series I ever read. The story of Menolly struggling to find acceptance in a culture that didn't understand tapped into my own adolescent search for identity.
Mere Christianity - CS Lewis Started my search to find ways to express faith that could be understood by people who hadn't been already immersed in the subculture.
No Compromise - Melody Green This biography of Christian music and ministry pioneer Keith Green still calls me to a more complete devotion to what I claim to believe, I first read it about twenty years ago.
20 Hot Potatoes Christians Are Afraid to Touch - Tony Campolo Challenged several of the stereotypical views I had accepted without criticism.
The Jesus I Never Knew and What's So Amazing About Grace - Philip Yancey Two books that started me on the road to understand and experience Jesus with appreciation of church traditions but not dependence on them.
Spiritual Leadership - Oswald Sanders Still the best leadership book on my shelf.
Oh The Places You'll Go - Dr. Seuss The most honest and inspiring adult book ever hidden as a children's book. Can't count the number of times I've read this book to groups or given it as a gift.
All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten - Robert Fulghum Profound wisdom throughout this book, not just the title essay. Probably one of the major influences on how I try to express myself even now.
A New Kind Of Christian - Brian McLaren Took all the things I was afraid to admit I was wondering and put them in narrative form.
Making The Best Of It - John Stackhouse The latest book to open up an understanding of faith that truly connects with the inherent messiness of my reality.
Holy Sweat - Tim Hansel The theme book of my internship year at Medeba. Expresses the adventure of following Jesus in ways that are easy to connect but hard to pursue. Sadly, out of print.
Return Of The Prodigal Son - Henri Nouwen Came at exactly the right time in my life and opened me to a new, more contemplative exploration of faith.
The Gospel In A Pluralist Society - Lesslie Newbigin Put words to my wonderings and turned me on to a whole circle of other writing based on his thought.

That's enought for now. Another time I could add "I Wish That I Had Duck Feet" "It's not about the bike", "The Hobbit", "God in the Alley", "Five Love Languages", and "Adrenaline and Stress"