This year I have tried my best to read what some friends say ‘classic’ books. Most of them are not new and I came to know about them because they are frequently being quoted in preachings or in books. 2011 has been a great read for me and I hope you’ll get to read some of the books here as well, they had greatly enriched me!

11- Leading with Limp – Dan B. Allender Phd

This book is great in which it focuses on a leader’s weaknesses (a topic least discussed by main stream leadership books) and yet it uses it to boost a person’s leadership potential. I do have lots of question about leadership (some ‘dark’) questions and this book somehow discussed it and to some degree painted a picture of how difficult it is being a leader. I will make a more comprehensive book review about this one.

10 – A Battle Cry for my Generation – Ron Luce

It just broke my heart. The moment I started reading this book I was in tears at how harassed the next generation is. The world is at war in the next generation and we sometimes don’t know it. Everyone can do something to preserve and prepare the next generation for Christ.

9 – Spiritual Warfare – Dean Sherman and Bondage Breaker – Niel Anderson

A very nice book about Spiritual warfare and how we are called as followers of Christ to live in freedom and to live in truth. It made me realize more clearly the schemes of the enemy and some of the lies that I had even believed. Spiritual Warfare is not the ideal casting out of demons, or power encounter. It is rather a truth encounter, the truth that the battle is already over and that if you are in Christ, then you are standing in victory.

8-Where is God when it hurts? – Philip Yancey

An upfront attempt to tackle the question: “if God is such a good God, why is there pain?’. Thought-provoking and faith challenging ideas were discussed in this book. As Yancey’s style, he sets out first in the personal implications, then in our society’s then sets out a general sketch of its world-wide implications.  At the end of reading this, I worshiped God all the more despite the pain and problems of the world.

7- The Case for Christ – Lee Strobel

It is an apologetics (defense of the faith) book where in the author compiled Christianity’s defense against atheism, agnosticism from some of the leading bible scholars. Very interesting and full of information.

6 -The Attributes of God – A.W. Tozer / In pursuit of God – James Snyder

Very great work by Tozer! He discussed God’s attributes with out going too much on the ‘theological-nosebleed’ side but set out to apply God’s attributes in our worhsip, lifestyle and prayer. Amazing how this book seem like a devotional at the same time a theological book as well. In pursuit of God is a biography of the life of Tozer and in studying his life it has taught me a lot, especially in prayer.

5 -What is so Amazing about Grace? – Philip Yancey

2011’s word for me from God is ‘Grace’ and this book has helped me understand more about grace and its implications in our personal, relational and international affairs

4 -Signature Classics of CS Lewis – C.S. Lewis

This book is a bargain!!!! Get 7 of Lewis’ most popular books into one affordable book and price. Included here are Mere Christianity, Screwtape Letters, Problem of Pain, Grief Observed, Miracles, Great Divorce and The Abolition of Man. Truly Lewis has been used by God to bring me closer to Him. Thank God for Lewis!!!!

3 – Transforming Grace – Jerry Bridges

This book made me cry by chapter. It was used by God to reveal how many of the things I’m doing are actually on the performance–threadmill instead of standing in the grace that came from Jesus. Gently rebuking but nevertheless powerful and very true to its title that indeed in God there is transforming grace.

2 -My Utmost For His Highest – Oswald Chambers

This has been my devotional for 2011. I have to confess that this book has led me also to my knees in repentance, worship and awe before God. It’s main premise is this:  GOD AND HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU and its implications in our ministry, life, prayer, worship, work, thought-life, etc. It has taught me to FIGHT for my number one and live a life worthy of the calling I’ve received because God has bought me with a price.

1- Confessions by Augustine (I got the Henry Chadwick version)

You just got to read this book!!! It has been said to be a Christian classic and now I know why! It’s amazing how this book can be an autobiography, philosophy, theology, history, devotional, prayer and worship book all in one! This book has made me cry for a dozen reasons but mainly because of Augustine’s realization of God’s grace and how God saved him and freed him from a life of revelry, agnosticism, sexual immorality, intellectual pride, envy and false mindsets. Amazing! This book sparked a grand debate between Augustine and Pelagius and forever changed the course of the church. My favorite line from this book: ‘grant me the grace to do what you command O God’ .