I love to read. It's enjoyable and relaxing for me, but it's also a way to sharpen my mind, strengthen my beliefs, and serve the people I know and love. To serve you I've decided to share a monthly summary of my top three recommended books. These represent three books I read in the previous month that I believe would most benefit you. Many of them can be found in our PBC bookstall, so let us know if you'd like to purchase one there. I hope they are a blessing to you. 

#1 Evangelism as Exiles: Life on Mission as Strangers in our Own Land by Elliot Clark

The scriptures are clear that Christians are exiles. This world is not our home. Yet Christians in America have long enjoyed a level of comfort in our nation. For a long time this country has felt like home.

Elliot Clark demonstrates how American Christians should embrace our exile, and grow as evangelists in the process. If you’ve ever struggled in your evangelism, or if you’re concerned by the growing marginalization of Christianity in America, this book is for you. Far from a book with simple tips on evangelistic strategy, Clark offers a paradigm shift on the way we think of ourselves as Christians in America. And it turns out that’s exactly what we need.

 

#2 The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler by John Hendrix

This one is a really fun read! The Faithful Spy tells the story of the German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his involvement in the plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Written in the style of a graphic novel, Hendrix tells a riveting story with beautiful artwork. This was one of the books assigned to my 10-year-old son for school, but it looked so interesting I decided to read it too. I was not disappointed. If you don’t know the story of this faithful spy, consider reading this book. Here’s my prediction: it’ll whet your appetite for more.

 

#3 Resisting Gossip: Winning the War of the Wagging Tongue by Matthew Mitchell

This one wasn't necessarily fun, but it is necessary. When is the last time you read a book on the sin of gossip? If you're like me (before now), the answer was never. How is it that such a widespread sin is so little talked about among the people of God?

Pastor Mathew Mitchell aims to remedy that in his book Resisting Gossip.The book is divided into four main sections: Recognizing Gossip, Resisting Gossip, Responding to Gossip, and Regretting Gossip.

Although the book is filled with biblical and practical teaching on fighting gossip, one of the most helpful sections was devoted to defining the sin of gossip. Sadly, many Christians (myself included!) have occasionally marked ourselves "safe" from this deadly sin because we have a poor understanding of what it actually means to gossip. Mitchell defines gossip as "bearing bad news behind someone's back out of a bad heart."

I believe every follower of Jesus would benefit from this careful and practical study on resisting the sin of gossip. And the stakes couldn't be higher. As Mitchell says near the book's conclusion "gossip can mean the end of a local church. It may start as a confidential prayer request about something that is none of anyone's business and grow into a full-fledged conflict that destroys an entire local fellowship." So do your soul (and your local church) a favor and read Resisting Gossip. But don't stop there. Get busy putting this sin to death in your own heart so you can win the war of the wagging tongue.