Book Suggestions, Anyone?

Categories:Books, Donny Pauling

Since surrendering my life to God on September 25th, 2006, I have received so much advice from other people that it’s almost overwhelming. Several different books have been recommended. In response to all of those recommendations I have:

Not read a single one of them!

Why not? Because the number is so large I have no idea where to start. So I’m bringing it here to my blog. Some readers were very helpful recommending music. Let’s see if you can now help me decide what books I should read.

Speaking of reading: I’ve always loved to read. Part of that reason is because my parents threw out the television for 7 years while I was growing up, not long after I started school. That had to have been one of the best things they ever did. Instead of filling my mind with random moving images that held no educational value, I filled my mind with random moving images created by my imagination in response to words I read on paper.

As part of the strengthening process, I am anxious to read something written by Christian authors. I’d like to start with something non-fiction. But it also needs to be interesting.

Anything come to mind?

  • Anonymous

    Donny, You Rock.Band Recommendations:(keep in mind these aren’t the mmmbop christian bands your xxxchurch friends play and the first few are screamo). Also most of these bands you can find on ItunesmewithoutYou***** (post hardcore rock)As Cities Burn (hardcore rock)Underoath (hardcore rock)The Chariot (hardcore rock)Norma Jean (hardcore rock)Cool Hand Luke (post hardcore indie rock)Bernard (indie rock)Forever Changed (indie rock)-These are eight of the best christian bands out in my opinion and I was in a touring band for 3 years. -Ron

  • Anonymous

    Donny, You Rock.

    Band Recommendations:
    (keep in mind these aren’t the mmmbop christian bands your xxxchurch friends play and the first few are screamo). Also most of these bands you can find on Itunes

    mewithoutYou***** (post hardcore rock)

    As Cities Burn (hardcore rock)

    Underoath (hardcore rock)

    The Chariot (hardcore rock)

    Norma Jean (hardcore rock)

    Cool Hand Luke (post hardcore indie rock)

    Bernard (indie rock)

    Forever Changed (indie rock)

    -These are eight of the best christian bands out in my opinion and I was in a touring band for 3 years.

    -Ron

  • Family Man

    My two favorite authors are John Eldredge and A W Tozer. John is newer, with books like Wild At Heart, but he’s got some others written previously that bear attention. The Sacred Romance: Drawing closer to the heart of God, The Journey of Desire and Waking the Dead. They all have journals/field manuals you can buy. The Journey of Desire spoke to my own heart regarding my employment, and pursuing what I truly love to do.A W Tozer is a gentleman who died in the early 60′s, was never a trained theologian, but has more accurate statements about God, His nature, prayer, and Satan, than most “classically” trained pastors. He is difficult to read sometimes, meaning you have to engage your whole attention, but the insight you can gain is immesurable. I recommend you start with The Pursuit of God.

  • Family Man

    My two favorite authors are John Eldredge and A W Tozer. John is newer, with books like Wild At Heart, but he’s got some others written previously that bear attention. The Sacred Romance: Drawing closer to the heart of God, The Journey of Desire and Waking the Dead. They all have journals/field manuals you can buy. The Journey of Desire spoke to my own heart regarding my employment, and pursuing what I truly love to do.

    A W Tozer is a gentleman who died in the early 60′s, was never a trained theologian, but has more accurate statements about God, His nature, prayer, and Satan, than most “classically” trained pastors. He is difficult to read sometimes, meaning you have to engage your whole attention, but the insight you can gain is immesurable. I recommend you start with The Pursuit of God.

  • Morehart

    Velvet Elvis By Rob Bell is amazing, I think you will relate with alot of what he says. It is questioning your faith without losing your faith.God Bless Brotherwww.morefromthehart.com

  • Morehart

    Velvet Elvis By Rob Bell is amazing, I think you will relate with alot of what he says. It is questioning your faith without losing your faith.

    God Bless Brother

    http://www.morefromthehart.com

  • Anonymous

    Great choice: you already picked up the Warren book!!! I second “Blue Like Jazz” for its orginality and thoughtfulness.Other than that: anything by Philip Yancey. Standouts are “What’s so amazing about Grace” and “The Jesus I never Knew” But anything will do. To me he’s the leading Christian writer bar none. He doesn’t spout the party line, thinks original thoughrs and does so with nothing but the greates reverence.

  • Anonymous

    Great choice: you already picked up the Warren book!!! I second “Blue Like Jazz” for its orginality and thoughtfulness.
    Other than that: anything by Philip Yancey. Standouts are “What’s so amazing about Grace” and “The Jesus I never Knew” But anything will do. To me he’s the leading Christian writer bar none. He doesn’t spout the party line, thinks original thoughrs and does so with nothing but the greates reverence.

  • Rosshttp://www.socialoutcast.n

    I’d highly recommend Mere Christianity by CS Lewis.The Gutter (by Craig Gross, as I’m sure you know) is also an EXCELLENT book.

  • Rosshttp://www.socialoutcast.net

    I’d highly recommend Mere Christianity by CS Lewis.

    The Gutter (by Craig Gross, as I’m sure you know) is also an EXCELLENT book.

  • Casey Kochmer

    hehI have to recommend A Personal TaoWhile Taoist in nature its not about a single religion as much as the importance of discovering acceptance in living, which is the core of all faith.andAnything from the christian seeker Joseph Campbell. Campbell explored life and his christian faith from many angles and his work is incredible.

  • Casey Kochmer

    heh

    I have to recommend

    A Personal Tao

    While Taoist in nature its not about a single religion as much as the importance of discovering acceptance in living, which is the core of all faith.

    and

    Anything from the christian seeker Joseph Campbell.

    Campbell explored life and his christian faith from many angles and his work is incredible.

  • Anonymous

    Campbell? Christian seeker? Get serious! Who are you trying to fool?

  • Anonymous

    Campbell? Christian seeker? Get serious! Who are you trying to fool?

  • enemyself

    Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott.One of the best books out there.Don’t waste your time with Joel Osteen. His inflated ego fills his pages with more shit than I care to filter through again. It’s a humanistic outlook with a nice spiritual mask.

  • enemyself

    Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott.

    One of the best books out there.

    Don’t waste your time with Joel Osteen. His inflated ego fills his pages with more shit than I care to filter through again. It’s a humanistic outlook with a nice spiritual mask.

  • Innocent

    Hi, Donny! Congratulations on your new life! I read Mere Christianity and Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis a few days ago. I thought they were good. Lewis has written some other books on Christianity too. You could check them out. How about The Confessions by St. Augustine? (I’m now reading “The Republic and other dialogues” by Plato. Seriously. :) At first, I thought they would be boring, but now I find them interesting. They aren’t Christian, since Socrates and Plato lived in the BCs, but when you read them, you get a feeling that they were somehow anticipating a more complete version of their philosophy, i.e., Christianity)Prayers for you!

  • Innocent

    Hi, Donny!

    Congratulations on your new life!

    I read Mere Christianity and Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis a few days ago. I thought they were good. Lewis has written some other books on Christianity too. You could check them out.
    How about The Confessions by St. Augustine?

    (I’m now reading “The Republic and other dialogues” by Plato. Seriously. :) At first, I thought they would be boring, but now I find them interesting. They aren’t Christian, since Socrates and Plato lived in the BCs, but when you read them, you get a feeling that they were somehow anticipating a more complete version of their philosophy, i.e., Christianity)

    Prayers for you!

  • ChrisW

    Holy Ambition by Chip IngramJesus Freaks by DC TalkA New Way To Be Human by Charlie PeacockMake It Home Before Dark by Crawford LorittsHow To Talk About Jesus Without Freaking Out by Jim & Karen Covell with Victorya Michaels Rogers

  • ChrisW

    Holy Ambition by Chip Ingram

    Jesus Freaks by DC Talk

    A New Way To Be Human by Charlie Peacock

    Make It Home Before Dark by Crawford Loritts

    How To Talk About Jesus Without Freaking Out by Jim & Karen Covell with Victorya Michaels Rogers

  • Anonymous

    Donny, you need to read Ishmael by Daniel Quinn

  • Anonymous

    Donny, you need to read Ishmael by Daniel Quinn

  • Anonymous

    Several folks have said Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell. Definitely.The Irresistible Revolution by Shane ClaiborneGod on Earth by Douglas BanisterGod on Paper by Bryan LorittsFiction–Most books by Ted Dekker. Start with the Circle Trilogy: Black, Red, and White. Then Showdown, House, and Saint.

  • Anonymous

    Several folks have said Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell. Definitely.

    The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne

    God on Earth by Douglas Banister

    God on Paper by Bryan Loritts

    Fiction–Most books by Ted Dekker. Start with the Circle Trilogy: Black, Red, and White. Then Showdown, House, and Saint.

  • Chris Hill

    I have to add another vote for anything by CS Lewis. Mere Christianity is good, but Screwtape Letters is better (fiction, but speaks to real life in a very unique way). John Piper has some good stuff.Of course the Bible is best. Modern authors aren’t always right, so it’s best to study the book that is. Plus, you want non-fiction.

  • Chris Hill

    I have to add another vote for anything by CS Lewis. Mere Christianity is good, but Screwtape Letters is better (fiction, but speaks to real life in a very unique way). John Piper has some good stuff.

    Of course the Bible is best. Modern authors aren’t always right, so it’s best to study the book that is. Plus, you want non-fiction.

  • Anonymous

    Gee Donny, all these people warning you against reading a book…what are they afraid of?SJ xx

  • Anonymous

    Gee Donny, all these people warning you against reading a book…what are they afraid of?

    SJ xx

  • Anonymous

    Wow…your blog is awesome…I was addicted to porn for a long time and I’m now in recovery. Your blog has been a great inspiration for me. There’s a book out there called Out of the Depths of Sexual Sin by Steve Gallagher…it’s awesome…he has many books on the subject of sexual sin and they have been a great help for me…also check out his website at http://www.purelifeministries.org
    Thanks for the blog and may God bless you always. Keep up the great work.

  • Anonymous

    Wow…your blog is awesome…I was addicted to porn for a long time and I’m now in recovery. Your blog has been a great inspiration for me. There’s a book out there called Out of the Depths of Sexual Sin by Steve Gallagher…it’s awesome…he has many books on the subject of sexual sin and they have been a great help for me…also check out his website at http://www.purelifeministries.orgThanks for the blog and may God bless you always. Keep up the great work.

  • http://www.leoservus.livejournal.com/ Evan Dixon

    How about The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer or The Normal Christian Life by Watchman Nee? Both of those, aside from the Bible of course, have been the most inspirational to me in my walk. God bless.

  • http://www.leoservus.livejournal.com Evan Dixon

    How about The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer or The Normal Christian Life by Watchman Nee? Both of those, aside from the Bible of course, have been the most inspirational to me in my walk. God bless.

  • Abbey

    I think you should read Max Lucado’s “3:16, Numbers of Hope”

  • Abbey

    I think you should read Max Lucado’s “3:16, Numbers of Hope”