Reading has indeed been a part of my life! At first, I thought reading books are only for the nerds and lame. But for every leader who wants to grow and expand their potential for the Kingdom of God you have to indulge into this habit. It really pays to learn from the wisdom of many people distilled throughout years and ages and make it available in print. Books help me so much than I could imagine. It helped me make decisions clearly and makes me rethink many times. It serves as my guide, my mind-buggler, rebuke and most of the time it inspires me to be the person that God wants me to be. So here's my top 10 list this 2012, not in order.
1. DIVINE MENTOR by Wayne Cordeiro
This book is a treasure! It led me to my knees in my quiet times with God.It reminded me of my first and foremost mission that if done, the rest will just follow! There is nothing more essential for every leader and pastor than to stay close to heart of His God, learn from His words and be consumed by His presence. It helped me thousand times more than I can imagine! Highly recommended!
2. TRANSFORMING GRACE by Jerry Bridges
Grace! Amazing Grace! We sometimes think we know it all but there is a lot about grace that is needed still to be unveiled for us Christians! It does not only save us but it transforms us! Commonly misunderstood because of its unhumanistic standard of dealing with things. But grace is not the idea of man but the idea of God. Grace is Jesus himself. It's what the new, the maturing and all christians in different spiritual spectrum needs! Grace is power to live the life that God wants us to live. Without it, I don't where I would be! With it we are eternally secured! Grace is all you need! Life transforming book indeed!
3. GRACE AWAKENING by Chuck Swindoll
Another Grace themed book. Twice in a row! I cannot get enough! The highlight theme of this book is, grace is not being preached because of its nature to be misunderstood. But if indeed preached in its purest essence it will lead to genuine transformation. Many good-intentioned Christians disqualify themselves because they are measuring themselves on a wrong standard. The legalistic standard not the love standard of God. As a result they are living a life in bondage and guilt not of freedom and victory! Read this and you will experience the blessings of God's freedom and grace!
4. DIRT ON DATING by Hayley Dimarco
Let's go side bit first! This book is for those who are ready to make the BOLD MOVES! Yes, love life po ang topic nito. When you start holding this small book of about more than a hundred pages I assure you will finish it in one seating. Ang mahal po nito almost 500 ang thin lang. Magnet po and sobrang karelate ka talaga! Seasons of waiting for the one is there but it shall surely end and a season of pursuing comes in! KHAMOWN! So reading this book gives us practical and Christianly tips on how to pursue a girl and gives also tips on how girls must respond. Essentially this book aims to let every knight and princess avoid the dirts of dating! I'm pretty sure, I'm ready for the bold moves! but....in time! Hey, just wait!
5. INVITATION TO A JOURNEY: A ROAD MAP FOR SPIRITUAL FORMATION by M. Robert Mulholland Jr.
This book is a required reading for our spiritual formation class. It's so simple but very powerful. It reminds us of the basic and makes us think of the things we think we already know yet did not really have a tight grasp. It talks about the process of conforming to the image of Christ which is God's desire for every Christian. Its grace-filled approach and not legalistic. Spiritual living and maturity is a process. It gives us hope that we will soon arrive there, where God wants us to be by His grace!
6. WHO WROTE THE BIBLE? by Richard Elliot Friedman
Another required reading book at Asian Theological Seminary in our Theology 1 class. This book is a shocker! It tells us that Moses is not really the sole author of the Pentateuch (first five books of the OT). And its investigative nature is very inviting for readers to go for the next page. It asks questions about the book we all love that we have not asked before. If you are not so founded,you might sign-up in the athiest club. But when fully understood it makes us appreciate most that indeed the Bible is the living word of God!
7. THE GRAND WEAVER: HOW GOD SHAPES US THROUGH THE EVENTS OF OUR LIVES by Ravi Zacharias
This book is phenomenal. It came to me just when I needed it most. My 2012 was not at all great. As a matter of fact I experienced many drifts and turns! And I was at the darkest night of my soul. Is God still there? Is He still holding me and for me? Is this game-over? But this book shines bright in the darkest night saying that God is sovereign and in control! He never panics. One thing always remain: HE LOVES YOU! Yes, there are pains and lessons. They serve as pearls and gems to be kept and learned from but not drive us 360km/hr towards the wrong direction. When you know God is in control and He loves you no matter what... You will have peace and you'll love God more!What the enemy meant for harm God turned it for the good! GOD RULES! Do you have dark nights of your soul? Read this book and soar once again!
8. SEVEN DEADLY SINS OF SMALL GROUP MINISTRY by Bill Donahue and Russ Robinson
A very helpful book for every pastor who wants to see the kingdom of God advancing and keeping people in growing in their relationship with God. The small group concept has been around for many years but there are still many questions lurking in the minds of pastor on how to make this concept work to the full. This book provides essential principles that will keep us from experiencing the pains and struggles of starting and keeping an effective small group ministry. It lessens the mistakes we will commit as we launch this concept in our churches. It must be at the shelf of every pastor and church leaders!
9. CHURCH PLANTING IS FOR WIMPS: HOW GOD USES MESSED-UP PEOPLE TO PLANT ORDINARY CHURCHES THAT DO EXTRAORDINARY THINGS by Mike Mckinley
I took a 360 degree turn at the middle of the year to plant a church in a very challenging location in the Philippines - METRO MANILA. A guy who does campus ministry in a local university reluctantly commissioned to plant a church. Not to mention, I am not really in a good shape this very season of my call! That's another story to tell. But this book inspired me that God can do great things through unlikely people. It is evidenced many times in the Bible. I'm no Spectacular. I'm a sinner saved by grace! So if you think you are not qualified, read this book. It gives you helpful ways to start a church and how it could impact in many ways!
10. THE HOLY BIBLE by THE HOLY SPIRIT
Absolutely the best among the rest. I believe no one would argue with that! I love the bible. It is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I navigate my life on the basis of this book says. It encourages, lifts, rebukes, reminds and changelife! This is the book among books! This should never depart from any Christian! Devotion to the word of God is first and foremost!
There you go?! What's your book this year?!
