Check out the pastoral staff’s current book recommendations for the encouragement and edification of our church body here at Shelby!
my utmost for his highest | oswald chambers
My Utmost for His Highest has sold over 13 million copies worldwide and is considered one of the most popular religious books ever written. These captivating words of wisdom from Oswald Chambers have challenged and inspired readers for more than 80 years. Oswald Chambers was a teacher and preacher whose messages cut to the heart of the gospel. His wife, Biddy, transcribed his lectures and sermons and compiled them into books, the most popular being My Utmost for His Highest. The title is taken from a thought in one of his sermons: "Shut out every consideration and keep yourself before God for this one thing only—My Utmost for His Highest." Chambers was a man completely devoted to Christ, and his life and writings clearly portray that. This daily devotional has inspired countless people to drink deeply from the biblical truths that Chambers so passionately championed.
the christmas promise | alison mitchell
This hardback storybook is a captivating retelling of the Christmas story, showing how God kept his promise to send a new King, a rescuing King, a forever King! Perfect for children aged 3 to 6. Superb illustrations by Catalina Echeverri and faithful, Bible-centered story-telling by Alison Mitchell combine to make this a book that both parents and children will love.
the greatest generation | tom brokaw
In this magnificent testament to a nation and her people, Tom Brokaw brings to life the extraordinary stories of a generation that gave new meaning to courage, sacrifice, and honor. From military heroes to community leaders to ordinary citizens, he profiles men and women who served their country with valor, then came home and transformed it: Senator Daniel Inouye, decorated at the front, fighting prejudice at home; Martha Settle Putney, one of the first black women to serve in the newly formed Women’s Army Corps; Charles Van Gorder, a doctor who set up a MASH-like medical facility in the middle of battle, then opened a small clinic in his hometown; Navy pilot and future president George H. W. Bush, assigned to read the mail of the enlisted men under him, who says that in doing so he “learned about life”; and many other laudable Americans. To this generation that gave so much and asked so little, Brokaw offers eloquent tribute in true stories of everyday heroes in extraordinary times.
gods at war | kyle idleman
What do Netflix, our desire for the corner office, and that perfect picture we just posted on Instagram have to do with each other? None of these things are wrong in and of themselves. But when we begin to allow entertainment, success, or social media to control us, we miss out on the joy of God's rule in our hearts. In Gods at War, Idleman helps every believer recognize that there are false gods at war within each of us, and they battle for the place of glory and control in our lives. According to Idleman, idolatry isn't an issue; it is the issue. And he reveals which false gods we are allowing on the throne of our lives by asking insightful questions, including: What do you sacrifice for? What makes you mad? What do you worry about? Whose applause do you long for? We're all wired for worship, but we often end up valuing and honoring the idols of money, sex, food, romance, success, and many others that keep us from the intimate relationship with God that we desire.
on being a serant of god | warren w. wiersbe
Do you ever . . . lose sight of the purpose of your ministry? feel overwhelmed by the needs that surround you? wish you had some real encouragement? Every pastor experiences feelings of inadequacy or loneliness at some time in ministry. Serving others and serving God is not an easy task. Warren Wiersbe, the "pastor's pastor," knows the struggles and triumphs a life of service brings. On Being a Servant of God invites you to listen in on thirty short "armchair chats." With candor and sensitivity, Wiersbe shares what he wishes he had known about ministering to others when he began his own Christian pilgrimage. Let his years of experience and wise counsel bring comfort to your soul and energy to your tasks.
the crucified life | a.w. tozer
In The Crucified Life, A.W. Tozer challenges believers to move beyond surface-level faith and embrace a deeper, more meaningful Christian experience. This powerful book is a call to live a life fully surrendered to Christ, rooted in the transformative power of the cross. Tozer reminds readers that the Christian life is not meant to be easy or comfortable—it requires sacrifice, commitment, and a complete surrender to God’s will. He explores the spiritual disciplines, humility, and obedience necessary to live a crucified life, urging believers to leave behind self-centered pursuits and embrace the eternal purpose God has for them. Through his profound insights and unwavering passion, Tozer inspires readers to pursue a faith that is bold, authentic, and transformative. The Crucified Life is a must-read for anyone seeking to deepen their relationship with God and live a life that truly reflects the heart of Christ.
Sing! | keith and kristyn getty
Sing! has grown from Keith and Kristyn Getty’s passion for congregational singing; it’s been formed by their traveling and playing and listening and discussing and learning and teaching all over the world. And in writing it, they have five key aims: to discover why we sing and the overwhelming joy and holy privilege that comes with singing, to consider how singing impacts our hearts and minds and all of our lives, to cultivate a culture of family singing in our daily home life, to equip our churches for wholeheartedly singing to the Lord and one another as an expression of unity, to inspire us to see congregational singing as a radical witness to the world. They have also added a few “bonus tracks” at the end with some more practical suggestions for different groups who are more deeply involved with church singing. God intends for this compelling vision of His people singing—a people joyfully joining together in song with brothers and sisters around the world and around his heavenly throne—to include you. He wants you, he wants us, to sing.
everyday faithfulness | glenna marshall
What does the Christian life look like when life is unpredictable, hard, or just plain ordinary? We live in an instant-gratification world, where results are quickly measured and words like discipline and perseverance evoke thoughts of legalism or asceticism. But Everyday Faithfulness explores what daily perseverance in Christ looks like during various seasons when spiritual growth seems especially difficult. Working through the unique challenges that come with seasons of waiting, caretaking, suffering, worry, spiritual dryness, and more, this book delves into practical ways to build habits into everyday life that will aid in spiritual growth throughout a lifetime. Each chapter closes with a real-life example of a woman whose life of regular, everyday faithfulness will encourage readers to remain steadfast in theirs.
more than a carpenter | josh mcdowell
Skeptic Josh McDowell thought Christians were out of their minds. He ridiculed and insulted them, then decided to combat them with his own robust research to disprove the claims of Jesus Christ. To his surprise, he discovered that the evidence suggested exactly the opposite―that Jesus, instead of being simply a first-century Hebrew carpenter, was so much more. Josh went on to write this inspirational book on Christian apologetics, More Than a Carpenter, which has sold over 16 million copies and transformed countless lives. Now, in this revised and updated edition, Josh is joined by his son, Sean McDowell, as they tackle the questions that today's generation continues to ask: "How do I find happiness and meaning in life?", "Is it really possible to know the truth about God and Jesus?”, "How can Jesus be the only way?" Whether you're a spiritual cynic or a long-time Christian, experience a new perspective on faith through this bestselling, timeless classic on who Jesus really is.