requested

A friend requested a reading list. This is going to be thorough. I thought why just write down the ones that have been big for me this year ... Instead, I am just going to write down all that have been big in my life - then as I continue forward I can just add on.

I became a Christ Follower when I was 16. That is really when I started reading. I didn't enjoy reading until I began to read my Bible and then wanted to know more about it. So the first on my list ' My First 30 Quiet Times ' - pretty sure you can't get that one anymore but it drew me in and I began to devour my Bible ... It made me want more!

I'll start with what I am reading and have read recently (within the last 6 months). I typically am reading 5 to 10 books at a time for various study reasons... I will rate on a 5 star scale - 5 being the highest.

A Disruptive Faith  -  A.W. Tozer  **** - so far
Absolute Surrender  -  Andrew Murray  **** - so far
Why Revival Tarries  -  Leonard Ravenhill  ** - so far
Living Sacrifice  -  Helen Rosevere  ***
The Valley of Vision  -  Arthur Bennet ( compilation )  ****
Experiencing the Spirit  -  Robert Heidler  ***** - can not recommend enough!
A Long Obedience in the Same Direction  -  Eugene Peterson  ***
Surrender to the Spirit  -  Keith Miller  *
Prayer  -  Richard Foster  ****
Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret  -  Howard Taylor  ****
A Praying Life  - Paul Miller  ****
The Beginner's Guide to Spiritual Gifts  -  Sam Storms  ***
The Beginner's Guide to the Gift of Prophecy  -  Jack Deere  ***
God's Empowering Presence  -  Gordon Fee  -  a reference tool  ***

Seems like there should be more! I have been looking through lots of books looking for just the right read - so there many snip its and chapters here and there too I guess. The only one I absolutely cannot recommend from the above list is Keith Miller's book - he is a terrible writer - though there are many interesting stories!

Here is the list from recent years (at least that I can remember) this does not include any fiction that I have read - if it did I would have to recommend the Twilight series - loved it! ... I will mark my standout favorites with a star.

Spiritual Classics  -  Foster/Griffin *

Devotional Classics  - Foster/Griffin *  

     - these 2 books are compilations and influenced many of the choices below

Spiritual Direction and Meditation  -  Thomas Merton
When the Heart Waits  -  Sue Monk Kidd *
     - about the importance of waiting on the Lord
Battling Unbelief  -  John Piper
Spiritual Intimacy with God  -  Alice Smith
Beyond the Veil  -  Alice Smith *
    - a great book on intercession
Talking with God  -  Fenelon
Celebration of Discipline  -  Richard Foster
On the Unity of Christ  -  St. Cyril of Alexandria
Sacred Romance  -  Curtis/Eldridge *
    - a great book on understanding where we fit in God's design
The Pilgrim's Progress  -  Paul Bunyon
Rilke's Book of Hours  -  Rilke
Abandonment to Divine Providence  -  Jean Pierre de Caussade
Sacred Influence  -  Gary Thomas *
When Two Become One  -  Chris McCluskey *
    - a great book on intimacy
Practicing the Presence  -  Brother Lawerence/Laubach **
      - an amazing book that still shapes the way I am praying
        and the reason I began to blog
Intercessory Prayer  -  Dutch Sheets *
       - has forever changed the way I pray
Don't Waste Your Life  -  John Piper
A Path Through Suffering  -  Elisabeth Elliot
The Helper  -  Catherine Marshall
The Best of Catherine Marshall  -  Catherine Marshall
Prayer  -  C. Peter Wagner
Intimacy with God  -  Peter Keating
Gift From the Sea  -  Anne Morrow Lindburgh
How to Meditate - Avery Brooks
Sensational Meditation for Children  -  Sarah Wood Valley
Same Kind of Different as Me  -  Hall/Moore

Here is the list of ones that I still recommend and refer to even after reading them so long ago... all have helped shape me - some have been life changing. I will mark the life changers with a star.

Girl Meets God  -  Lauren Winner
Mudhouse Sabbath  -  Lauren Winner
Christian Beliefs  -  Wayne Grudem
Revolution Within  -  Dwight Edwards *
    - helped begin my understanding of my true identity in Christ
Ragamuffin Gospel  -  Brennan Manning
Spiritual Direction  -  Henri Nouwen
The Barbarian Way  -  Irwin McManus
Celtic Benediction  -  J. Philip Newell
The 5 Love Languages  -  Gary Chapman
Captivating  -  John/Stasi Eldridge
Radical Womanhood  -  Carolyn McCulley
Why Beauty Matters  -  Thorpe/Hicks
The New Eve  -  Robert Lewis
Shepherdng a Child's Heart  -  Ted Tripp
Don't Make Me Count to 3!  -  Ginger Plowman
Talking to Your Kids About Sex  -  Mark Lasser
Intended For Pleasure  -  Ed/Gay Wheat
A Celebration of Sex  -  Douglas Rosenau
The Gift of Sex  -  Penner/Penner
Inside Out  - Larry Crabb *
    - helped me understand my sin nature and begin a deeper journey
The Marriage Builder  -  Larry Crabb *
    - has shaped my marriage and all our marriage counseling
No Compromise  -  Melody Green *
    - helped lead me to a deep repentance at a dark time

I am sure there are many others too! I have read all/most of Larry Crabb's books - and would recommend any of them.