Since I’m in waiting mode right now — both in terms of “hopefully impending good news” and in terms of “books I need to review” — thought I’d revisit a fun topic I’d first done a couple years ago…. Some of the names have changed, but the point remains the same…

The following is a list of books that God has spoken to me through big-time, so much so that I keep coming back to them for more, and discover something new every time as I do. Some are classics, some are fairly recent (and thus I’ll try to connect you with the reviews that help explain them, when relevant). But I re-read one of these every month, on top of whatever else I’m reading. It’s my way of helping God help keep me in line.

Also, I’ve set this list up so that the books cycle through in a way that reflect the scope and sequence of Growing Out—a spiritual-formation book, a character-formation book, a gifts/calling book, a mentoring book, a leadership book, a personal-mission book, and then back again. I also put space between books by the same author. All of it’s my way of maintaining balance (and/or channeling my apparent OCD in a productive manner :D).

Anyway, enjoy this list. Use it to fill in your own gaps. And help fill in some of mine, too, by posting here about your re-reads. Tell me what books God has spoken to you through, over and over. A’ight?

So, starting with the book I’m re-reading right now (and my most hardcore re-read; I’ve probably been through it a dozen times now):

Changed Into His Likeness—Watchman Nee
Whole Life Transformation—Keith Meyer
What Jesus Demands From the World—John Piper
Getting Rid of the Gorilla — Brian Jones
Prayers for a Privileged People—Walter Brueggeman
Celebration of Discipline—Richard Foster
The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus’ Essential Teachings on Discipleship—Dallas Willard
With Christ in the School of Prayer—Andrew Murray
Reflections on the Psalms—C.S. Lewis
Christianity for Modern Pagans: Pascal’s Pensees, Edited, Outlined & Explained—Peter Kreeft
Desiring God—John Piper
Pastoring With Passion — David Holt
The Irresistible Revolution—Shane Claiborne
Praying Successfully—Charles Spurgeon
The Gift of Being Yourself—David Benner
The Divine Conspiracy—Dallas Willard
Unashamed to Bear His Name — R.T. Kendall
Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change—Paul David Tripp
Outgrowing the Ingrown Church—C. John (“Jack”) Miller
Too Small to Ignore—Wess Stafford
A Praying Life — Paul Miller
Of the Imitation of Christ—Thomas a’Kempis
Freedom of Simplicity—Richard Foster
Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander—Thomas Merton
The Crucifixion of Ministry—Andrew Purves
Hearing God—Dallas Willard
Power Through Prayer—E.M. Bounds
The Knowledge of the Holy—A.W. Tozer
The Cost of Discipleship—Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Future Grace — John Piper
Deep Mentoring: Guiding Others on Their Leadership Journey — Randy Reese and Robert Loane
Spiritual Leadership—J. Oswald Sanders
The Little Flowers of Saint Francis
In the Heart of the World — Mother Teresa
Prayer: Finding The Heart’s True Home—Richard Foster
The Sermon on the Mount — R.T. Kendall
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit — R.A. Torrey
The Pursuit of God—A.W. Tozer
Simple Spirituality—Christopher Heuertz
The Spiritual Man—Watchman Nee (This one’s a monster. I give myself 3 months for this one.)
Sacred Companions: The Gift of Spiritual Friendship & Direction—David Benner
Restoring the Soul of Leadership—Ruth Haley Barton
The Dark Night of the Soul—St. John of the Cross
Renovation of the Heart—Dallas Willard