My Top Eight Books of 2023

I recently read a quote from a motivational speaker named Charlie Jones that went something like this: "You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read." I don't know anything about Charlie but I have to admit, that was pretty motivational. If that's true then it simply highlights the importance of being in the Word of God and around the people of God if you want to be more like God (and I certainly do). I'm aware not everyone is a reader but for those who are here are some of the books that impacted me in a positive way this year.

I couldn't seem to pick just five, so I narrowed it down to 8, in ranking order, with a few honorable mentions at the end.

8. Spiritual Authority by Watchman Nee

Why I loved it:

Watchman Nee is one of those men in history whose legacy seems larger than life. Nee was a leader in the Chinese church through the early-to-mid 1900s, all the way through the history's violent communist revolution. He is often credited as being one of the most influential leaders in the Chinese Church and spent the last 20 years of his life imprisoned by the government where he eventually died. This book highlights the depth of Nee's character and Biblical prowess. It is essentially his complete essay on the subject of spiritual authority in the Church across the body of Christ. It's fairly short but rich with revelation.

Who would benefit from it:

Anyone who has determined to do more than just sit in the church pew on Sundays should read this book. If you serve in ministry in any form or fashion, as a volunteer or vocationally, it's going to be very beneficial to have a biblical understanding of authority in all its forms. There are certainly toxic extremes in both directions when it comes to honor culture. This book carries a very balanced and most importantly biblical view.

Quote from the book:

"To be an authority is to represent God. Whether it be in wrath or mercy, an authority must always be like God. If, in such a position, we do anything wrong, we should acknowledge it as our own doing. We ought never draw God into our own fault."

7. Surprised by the Power of the Holy Spirit by Jack Deere

Why I loved it:

Growing up in the Pentecostal tradition I have both seen and experienced the power of the Holy Spirit in ways I'll never be able to fully understand, let alone, articulate. It has been my experience that while the Pentecostal church has faithfully demonstrated the gifts and baptism of the Spirit, it has largely struggled in its ability to effectively teach them. Jack Deere was a professor at Dallas Seminary, which is fairly known to be extremely conservative and reserved in its view of the Holy Spirit. Deere shared that view and even considered himself a cessationist for much of his life (believing the gifts are no longer in operation today). That is, until he encountered the Holy Spirit personally and was radically changed. This book has to be the most robust teaching I have ever seen on the Holy Spirit.

Who would benefit from it:

If you are new to the faith or especially new to the idea of operating in the Spiritual gifts such as prophecy, tongues, healing, etc. this is a great place to start. Most books on this subject can get pretty weird pretty fast - and I say that with love. I adore the my weirdo pentecostal brothers and sisters, I'm one of you! But this book takes a completely scriptural and practical approach to understanding who Holy Spirit wants to be in our lives. I found this book by way of listening to several pastors who were personally discipled by Jack Deere and their ministry is extremely fruitful as a result.

Quote from the book:

“It was as though He said, 'If you won't take the credit when someone gets healed, then you won't have to take the blame when they don't get healed.' In other words, if we will be careful to give the Lord glory for every healing, every miracle, and every answer to prayer, then He is willing to take all the blame for those who don't get healed."

6. Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking by Jon Acuff

Why I loved it:

Jon Acuff is as good as it gets when it comes to humorous, attention-gripping writing. He started as a blogger so his books tend to take on a bite-sized approach, divided into small sections that are easy to digest. I am a natural "over-thinker" as I know many of you probably are too. Soundtracks is all about how we can become intentional about not just what we allow ourselves to think, but how we allow ourselves to think. The concept is to begin changing the soundtracks (thoughts) that you listen to in order to change your outlook on life.

Who would benefit from it:

If you want to affect the war that wages in your mind, this is a great book to add to your arsenal. Jesus taught that we are not only responsible for what we do but for what we think as well, and the reality is, what we think affects what we do. This is a great read to help better understand how you can shift the tracks that your train-of-thought runs on.

Quote from the book:

"'Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me' is a fun phrase to say, but it's not even a little bit true. Words are so powerful that they can age you faster than that one guy who chose the wrong chalice in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Scientists studied that exact scenario at New York University. I don't think the name of the the study was 'Will words age you faster than that one guy in the Last Crusade?,' but that's what they found."

5. In His Steps by Charles Sheldon

Why I loved it:

This book was published in 1896 and ranks as one of the best selling books of all time. I was astounded to learn that considering I had never heard of it until this year. It follows the story of Henry Maxwell, a pastor of a fairly normal, upscale local church in Raymond, Kansas. Maxwell's life and ministry is completely turned on its head when he encounters a man in a desperate state that causes him to question what the christian life is really about. He begins to challenge the congregation of his church to go on a one year journey in which they do absolutely nothing without first asking themselves, "What would Jesus do?" This is indeed the book that made that phrase popular. What happens after issuing that challenge is the kind of stuff books are written about.

Who would benefit from it:

I feel anyone who has been in the Church for more than a few years can easily find themselves becoming complacent or apathetic towards their own spiritual formation if they're not intentional. This book is deeply moving and convicting in a way that lifts your head out of the mundane church-attending cycle and causes you to ask the deeper questions you should be asking yourself on a daily basis. If you are a follower of Jesus and are serious about following Him more devoutly, you should give this a read.

Quote from the book:

“I have found my cross and it is a heavy one, but I shall never be satisfied until I take it up and carry it.”

4. They Speak with Other Tongues by John Sherrill

Why I loved it:

John Sherrill simply can't write a subpar book. He is responsible for penning David Wilkerson's story in The Cross and the Switchblade as well as penning Corrie Ten Boom's story in The Hiding Place. He's also written other best sellers such as God's Smuggler and The Happiest People on Earth. I can't get enough of his books. But this book is unique in that this time John tells his own story rather than the stories of others. John was a massive skeptic in the booming charismatic movement of the 20th century. He spent a considerable amount of time as a journalist and reporter attempting to expose and condemn the movement as false and ridiculous but the more he observed, the deeper engrained he became.

Who would benefit from it:

I'm aware I have two books in my top 8 this year that tackle the same subject on the power of the Holy Spirit. But where Jack Deere's book more intentionally focuses on the theology and biblical understanding of the Holy Spirit, John Sherrill's book is much more a story of personal encounter and inner journey. Once again, if you are not very familiar with the Spirit-empowered life, this is a book you need to read.

Quote from the book:

"Now, my wife can take one of those steaks out and lay it, frozen solid, on the table. It's steak all right, no question of that. You and I can sit around and analyze it: we can discuss its lineage, its age, what part of the steer it comes from. We can weigh it and list its nutritive values. But if my wife puts that steak on the fire, something different begins to happen. My little boy smells it from way out in the yard and comes shouting: 'Gee, Mom, that smells good! I want some!' Gentlemen," said David, "that is the difference between our ways of handling the same truth. You have yours on ice; we have ours on fire.”

3. Secrets of Dynamic Communication by Ken Davis

Why I loved it:

I read a few different books this year on the subject of effective communication. Communicating is a large part of my job and calling, not just in preaching on Sundays but in leading teams, developing leaders, and navigating meetings. Some of the books I read were written by pastors who are considered to be among the most dynamic communicators of our time and I can definitively say none of those books even came close to being as thorough and helpful as this book by Ken Davis. In my mind it is THE book on effective communication, breaking down the art of articulation to a real practical level.

Who would benefit from it:

Everyone is a communicator! Don't ignore this book just because you're not a preacher or public speaker. It's not even written specifically for ministers. This book is for anyone who wants to do a good job of saying what they want others to hear and mobilizing people to do their jobs or accomplish goals.

Quote from the book:

"Communication is not about you or what people will think about you or how well you will perform. Communication is about the people sitting in front of you. It's about giving to them, helping them, instructing them, and persuading them of something that will enrich their lives."

2. Everybody Always by Bob Goff

Why I loved it:

Bob Goff is hands down the most unique human I've ever heard of. I've never wanted to meet an author so badly. I've considered actually giving him a phone call, which is easy to do because he puts his phone number in the back of his best-selling books and actually fields calls from strangers several times a day. That's how much he loves people. Considering he's a pilot who flies on adventures every week, a lawyer who convicts (and ministers to) witchdoctors, and the official Honorary Consul of the Republic of Uganda who lives in San Diego, he is never in short supply of something to say. He's a master story-teller and a lover of Jesus above everything else. This book is simply about loving people well and not just the people we find easy to love.

Who would benefit from it:

EVERYONE... ALWAYS. We need all the help we can get loving our enemies. That may not sound like subject matter you want to spend time tackling, but I can guarantee this book will entertain you as much as it convicts you.

Quotes from the book:

“When joy is a habit, love is a reflex.”

“We’re all rough drafts of the people we’re still becoming.”

1. Atomic Habits by James Clear

Why I loved it:

I was surprised to find that my favorite book of the year was not a spiritual one. I couldn't help but place Atomic Habits at the top because it probably ranks among the top 5 or 10 books I've ever read. I guess that's why it has clearly become a bestseller so quickly over the past few years. This book is exactly what it appears to be - a practical approach to developing good habits and breaking bad ones. James Clear does an amazing job of weaving tons of stories and illustrations throughout the chapters that make a difficult topic extremely digestible. I've already shared a few of his stories in some of my sermons because of how effectively they communicate kingdom truths.

Who would benefit from it:

If you are in need of a better approach to daily life, if you lack systems in your home, marriage, or job, or if you simply just need to rid your life of some bad habits, put this book on your shelf and read it every couple of years. I'm a firm believer in a systems-approach to life. Much of what we do is routine whether we realize it or not. We might as well be intentional about how that routine unfolds.

Quote from the book:

"The first mistake is never the one that ruins you. It is the spiral of repeated mistakes that follows. Missing once is an accident. Missing twice is the start of a new habit."

Honorable Mentions:

The Blessed Church by Robert Morris

I love Robert Morris and his approach to leading the Church. This one is especially a great read for pastors and those in vocational ministry.

The Emotionally Healthy Leader  by Pete Scazzero

This one messed with me in a profound way. Christians have a tendency to neglect and downplay their emotional and mental health in the name of faith. This book won't allow you to have that excuse anymore.

The One Year Book of Amazing Stories by Robert Petterson

I've honestly probably enjoyed this book most of all this year and I'm barely half-way through it. It contains a total of 365 short historical stories that end with a biblical truth. They're all so encouraging and thought-provoking.

My mom wrote a book!

God Speaks by Betsey Kelley

This is the second book my mom has written and I couldn't be more proud of her! My mom has always practiced extreme obedience to the voice of the Lord. Growing up it was common for her to get up in the middle of a conversation and begin to rapidly write words on a paper, napkin, or any nearby scrap as the Lord spoke to her. The past several years she has stewarded these words by sharing them on a Facebook page that now reaches thousands daily. At the request of her family and friends she finally compiled many of these words from the Lord into a book that everyone can enjoy. You can get your own copy on amazon here!

Our Youth Pastor wrote a book!

Foundations of Prayer by Austin Travelstead

I've watched Austin go from an angry kid who felt abandoned, to a redeemed believer set free, to an empowered minister of the gospel on a mission to see others set free. I couldn't be more proud of him if he was my own son! Austin took the time to write a very practical approach to developing a meaningful prayer life. It's time we stop acting like praying is easy or comes naturally for everyone and start equipping people to grow in the discipline of prayer. This book does that. You can find it here!

Feel free to share your top books with me so I can add some to my list for 2024!