BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

"Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written." John 21:25

As a book lover, this verse always puts a smile on my face. It shows the mind-blowing depth of the riches that are found in our Lord and is a sweet reminder to my own heart that there will never be a day that I can’t keep learning about the greatness, the majesty and the glory of Jesus Christ….both now and forevermore! 

Last month, I shared some encouragements to keep on learning, to keep on growing and to keep on reading and promised a list of personal suggestions that might help in that process. Please know, this is not an exhaustive list nor is it necessarily the best books out there on a given subject. These are simply some of what I have read in our years of life and ministry that have blessed and encouraged my own heart, as well as many of those we have ministered to. There are hundreds upon hundreds of books that are well worth every minute spent in them, though they may not have made my list because I have yet to read them myself. My “books to read pile” has grown large and there are many more books I hope to add to this recommended reading list in the months and years to come. 

All that to say, these are books that I feel are tested and hold fast to the Word of God. Yet, as with any book we read, sermon we listen to, or blog post we skim…we must never fail to be “Berean-like”. Acts 17:10-12 talks about what this means:  “As soon as it was night, the brothers and sisters sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. Upon arrival, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. The people here were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, since they received the word with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Consequently, many of them believed, including a number of the prominent Greek women as well as men.” We must not check our brains out the door as we read but always be seeking to grow our “discernment muscles” as we hold fast to the Word of God, above all. 

May the Lord use even one of these books to change and transform you more and more into His likeness “so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world” (Philippians 2:15). 

Christian Living:

Trusting God by Jerry Bridges
The Enemy Within by Kris Lungard
Praying the Bible by Donald Whitney
Saved Without a Doubt by John MacArthur
Adopted for Life by Russell Moore
Marriage: 
What Did you Expect? by Paul Tripp
When Sinners Say I Do by Dave Harvey
Doing Things Right in Matters of the Heart by John Ensor (for singles pursuing relationships)

For Parents: 
Parenting by Paul David Tripp
Everyday Talk by John Younts
Gospel-Powered Parenting by William Farley
You Never Stop Being A Parent by Jim Newheiser and Elyse Fitzpatrick

For Women: 
Practical Theology for Women by Wendy Alsup
Women of the Word, None Like Him and In His Image by Jen Wilkin
Choosing Gratitude by Nancy Wolgemuth
Fearlessly Feminine by Jane Ortlund
Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild by Mary Kassian
Stepping Heavenward by Elisabeth Prentiss (my all time favorite “fiction” book!)
Spiritual Mothering by Susan Hunt (discipleship)
Seasons of Waiting by Betsy Childs Howard
True Feelings by Carolyn Mahaney and Nicole Whitaker
Shopping for Time by the Mahaney Girls (time management)
Humble Roots and All That’s Good by Hannah Anderson 
The Gospel Comes with a House Key by Rosaria Butterfield (Hospitality)
Wilderness Wanderings by Stacy Reaoch (Contentment)
Praying Together by Megan Hill 
Getting to the Heart of Friendships by Amy Baker
Attitudes of a Transformed Heart by Martha Peace

For Wives: 
Fierce Women by Kimberly Wagner
The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace
Intimate Issues by Dillow and Pintus

For Moms: 
Glimpses of Grace by Gloria Furman (a must read!)
Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full by Gloria Furman
Don’t Make Me Count To Three and Heaven at Home by Ginger Hubbard
Risen Motherhood by Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler
Together: Growing Appetites for God by Carrie Ward

Bible Studies: 
Keri Folmar
Living Word Studies
John MacArthur Studies 

Kristin Pichura has been married to her husband for twenty-two years and has been a pastor’s wife for almost just as long. The Lord has blessed Bryan and Kristin with 7 children: one whose home is in Heaven, two whose beginnings were in Ethiopia and all claim the title “teenager” right now. She has a heart for discipleship and encouraging women to pursue Christ through being women of the Word. You can find more of her writing at www.justtheclay.com. ​