Words That Speak Recommended Reading List

Author: John R Cross

This was the first book introduced to me that led to the inspiration of this podcast.  It is a wonderful guide to better help understand the stories of the Bible with a big "AHA!" at the end that the disciples who met a stranger on the side of the road in the book of Luke must have felt when he explained the scriptures to them.  Highly recommended for beginners and even for long time believers that crave a deeper understanding of the Bible and how to effectively share the Gospel with others.  Purchase on Amazon.

Author: Kevin Nye

Powerfully transformational for me!! I spent years in urban revitalization and ashamedly at one point in my life before I knew the Lord was one of the greatest opponents to people experiencing homelessness panhandling in the community I was working so hard to "improve." After God answered my cry for mercy to help me through some mental health struggles I became increasingly convicted by Jesus' example in the Gospels and the mercy he showed to the "least of these." I found this book that really helped me understand how I could best help and not pretend these people in need were invisible anymore. Purchase below.

Author: R Kent Hughes

I am attaching this link as a hardcover because brothers...this is a book you will treasure in your library and use for reference often.  There are some convicting words laid down in this book to encourage us to be set apart and be a light in our families, community, career, church and more.  Obviously, we will never reach perfection on this side of glory and we are saved by grace through faith not our works.  However, it's great to have a standard to measure ourselves against if we ever expect to reflect Christ and the grace He showed us to the world around us. Purchase below.

Author: Rick Warren

About a month went by when I had a profound experience with God and He encouraged me to read the Bible.  I was out with a friend killing time in a used book store and found this book my cousin told me about years ago.  I bought it and brought it home and it really set the ball in motion for me.  Each short chapter revealed another small piece of the puzzle. Eventually it even encouraged me to darken the doorstep of a church again which I never thought I would do. I'm so glad I did! Finding a home church helped me to see that I can't do this alone and that fellowship with other believers is part of God's blessing that comes along with salvation.  Definitely recommend! Purchase below.

Author: Jon M. Dennis

For anyone who lives in the city or whose home church is located in the city, I highly recommend this book.  As a resident of the city of Pittsburgh for nearly 30 years this book hit home.  From an up and coming creative class of urban dwellers to the rise of homeless populations, cities are a melting pot of a diverse group of people living in close proximity amongst urban decay and large scale development.  A clash of cultures! While there is a strong need for missions abroad to remote areas of the globe, few are called to missions within the inner cities where most of the world's population lives.  What makes it even harder is that many of these people have heard misrepresentations of the Gospel and rejected it. Why? Find out how the Church has failed the inner city and how it is evolving to better serve them moving forward. Purchase below.

Author: Jim Cymbala

Amazing inspirational true story of the Brooklyn Tabernacle that went from a dying church in one of the nation's toughest neighborhoods in the 1970's to leading a notable revival in New York Ciiy.  This was all done through a green pastor and his wife with no formal training but a call to leadership.  Learn how God moved through these weary crusaders for Christ, who despite a series of obstacles and trials were rescued through the Holy Spirit's inspiration to make prayer the focus of their ministry.  This story may just rescue your faith as well. I know it did mine. A must read for any church that is hearing a call to refocus on prayer and corporately calling on the name of the Lord. Purchase below.