I'm rarely happier than when I've got my head in a book. Over the years, I've found a huge deal of profit and encouragement in reading Christian books. I've found the three here particularly helpful in the last few years, and want to commend them to you.
Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund
How does Jesus feel about you? What is Jesus' deepest heart towards his people? This book is an extended meditation on Matthew 11:29: '...for I am gentle and humble in heart...' In short, readable chapters, Ortlund shows how our mighty saviour Jesus is gentle, loving and big-hearted. We usually have a far stingier view of God than the Bible gives us, and this book is a very helpful reminder that God is 'a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness' (Psalm 86). This book shows how Jesus' heart breaks for us particularly when we are suffering or sinning- it is his very love for us that compels him to come towards us. I'd recommend this book to anyone, particularly anyone who wants to know God's heart in the midst of hard times, or help others who are going through hard times. The chapters are a good length for daily devotional time- I've been re-reading it a chapter a time just before bed.
Side by Side by Ed Welch
How do we truly love the people around us? This book is a practical guide to 'walking with others in love and wisdom'. It is a book to help normal, everyday Christians to help others with intentional, loving conversations. The starting point is that the people who help others best are the ones who both need and give help. There is no place for 'expert' Christians in Jesus' church- we are all needy. From the basic platform of humility and love, Ed Welch gives lots of practical advice about going further in our relationships, and how to use conversations to truly bless each other. The chapters are short and easy to read, but pack a great depth of practical wisdom. You don't need to have any particular desire to be a pastor or counsellor to find this book helpful- it would greatly benefit any church (including ours) if lots of people in the congregation read it.
The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones
'Every story whispers his name'. This is not a children's Bible, but a book of Bible Stories that take us from the very beginning of the universe (Genesis) to John's vision of the final union of heaven and earth (Revelation). Throughout, the stories make it beautifully and poetically clear that the whole of the Bible is about Jesus, 'the true hero of the story- the one who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure, the one who leaves his palace to rescue the one he loves'. The Bible is not primarily a book of rules, or the history of a nation, or a 'how to' guide for life, but the wonderful true story of God's 'never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love' that finds its way to us in Jesus. The book is beautifully illustrated, and uses simple English- it could be read by slightly older children, or used for devotional time with children of any age. If you end up buying one for a child in your life, you may well (as I did) end up buying another for yourself.