If you are looking for some good books to read then let me recommend this “Top Ten” list. These books are a must for your library. I would further recommend that you read these books in the order in which they are listed.

“But I’m not married and I don’t have children.”

Ahh, yes…no time like the present to learn, change, grow. You won’t regret it and neither will your future spouse. If you are married and have not read them then I’d recommend you get busy…

1. The Cross Centered Life: this book will get you focused on the right thing as you move forward in your sanctification.
2. Humility: this book will set your heart right. A humble person cannot be angry or frustrated with anyone else.
3. The Gospel Primer: the solution to whatever you are going through must begin with the gospel: God killed his Son to save you. You MUST begin here and never deviate from this course.
4. The Holiness of God: a solid view of who God is will be essential as you are called on to trust Him through whatever difficulty you may be going through.
5. How Can I Change?: this is a practical primer on how to change. Do you have a habituated lifestyle of certain sins? Do you want to change? Then read this book. (And it’s FREE.)
6. When Sinners Say “I Do”: simply the best marriage book on the market today. If you are married I recommend you read this book regardless of the “condition” of your marriage.
7. Sex, Romance and the Glory of God: an obvious follow-up to the previous book. Get this right for the glory of God.
8. When People Are Big and God is Small: one of the most common sin patterns we all face. Some call it co-dependency while others call it low self-esteem. The bible calls it “fear of man”.
9. Shepherding a Child’s Heart: simply put, the best parenting book on the market today.
10. Age of Opportunity: this is the follow-up book to the previous one. It builds upon SCH. This book is geared toward the parent and teen.

In Defense of Reading

Progressive sanctification is a process of growth and change that every person enters into after they are converted to Christ. This “process” is a progression from the moment of salvation to the moment of death. There is no time in which you will not need assistance in your growth in God. Obviously God’s Word is our first reading resource to help us grow. My hope is that you will grow in your affection for God’s Words and God grants you an insatiable desire to be filled daily with His Truth.

I also realize God has given us other means of grace in our pursuit of God-glorifying holiness. For example, He has gifted many of his children over the years with the ability to write. Since my conversion to Christ I have benefited specifically from this gift to His church. Below are a few of my recommendations that I offer you in your pursuit of Him:

1. Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands, by Paul Tripp
2. The Cross Centered Life, by C. J. Mahaney
3. Humility, by C. J. Mahaney
4. How Can I Change?, by C. J. Mahaney & Robin Boisvert
5. The Holiness of God, by R. C. Sproul
6. When People Are Big and God Is Small, by Edward Welch
7. The Enemy Within, by Kris Lundgaard
8. Doing Things Right in Matters of the Heart, by John Ensor
9. Sex is Not the Problem Lust Is, by Joshua Harris
10. The Godly Man’s Picture, by Thomas Watson
11. Sin and Temptation, by John Owen
12. The Mortification of Sin, by John Owen
13. Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave, by Edward Welch
14. War of Words, by Paul Tripp
15. Running Scared: Fear, Worry and the God of Rest, by Edward Welch
16. Depression, A Stubborn Darkness, by Edward Welch
17. The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions, edited by Arthur Bennett

Gospel

1. The Cross-Centered Life, by C. J. Mahaney
2. The Gospel for Real Life, by Jerry Bridges
3. A Gospel Primer for Christians, by Milton Vincent
4. Getting the Gospel Right, by R. C. Sproul
5. God is the Gospel, by John Piper
6. The Atonement, by Leon Morris
7. The Cross of Christ, by John R. W. Stott

Marriage

1. When Sinners Say I Do, by Dave Harvey
2. Love That Lasts, by Gary and Betsy Ricucci
3. Sacred Marriage, By Gary L. Thomas
4. Sex, Romance and the Glory of God, by C. J. Mahaney
5. Feminine Appeal, by Carolyn Mahaney

Parenting

1. Shepherding a Child’s Heart, by Tedd Tripp
2. Your Child’s Profession of Faith, by Dennis Gundersen
3. Instructing a Child, by Tedd Tripp
4. Age of Opportunity, by Paul Tripp
5. Doing Things Right in Matters of the Heart, by John Ensor (Caveat: this book discusses mature themes.)
6. When People Are Big and God is Small, by Ed Welch
7. How Can I Change?, by C. J. Mahaney & Robin Boisvert
8. Every Thought Captive, by Richard L. Pratt, Jr.

Biblical Decision Making

1. Finding the Will of God, by Bruce Waltke
2. Step By Step, by James Petty
3. Decision Making and the Will of God, by Garry Friesen

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