RECOMMENDED READING

RECOMMENDED ARTICLES- In alphabetical order by author

"Prayer and the Transformation of History", by Dr. Bob Bakke, Executive Director of the Global Day of Prayer North America

How important are our prayers? In Revelation 8, God inaugurates the consummation of the age when "smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascend[s] before God from the angel's hand...." Open two-page pdf.

"The Master Plan for Revival in New England", by Roberto Miranda, MA state representative to NE Alliance, Sr Pastor of Congregación León de Judá.

Following an impromptu time of prayer, attended by a few Christian leaders in early 2004, Dr. Roberto Miranda, felt led by God to write The Master Plan.

Dr. Miranda was invited to discuss The Master Plan at a forum in January, 2005. At subsequent meetings, others were inspired to participate and lend their support, constituting a group of approximately seventy leaders. Open 15-page pdf.

"A History of Awakenings in America", by Louis Morgan. Reprinted with permission from Awakening America Alliance.

Early American colonists began their life in the "new world" with dreams of religious freedom. Because of their influence on following generations, the United States has been marked by periods of increased spiritual fervor, many of which have transcended denominational, racial, and gender barriers while subsequently impacting the country's social and political climate. Open 5-page pdf.

RECOMMENDED BOOKS- In alphabetical order by author

Banister, Doug. The Word and Power Church. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002.

From the back cover: "A careful look at Scripture, church history, and the church today revealing the need for both the Pentecostal and evangelical perspectives. Evangelicals and charismatics have long been at odds. One side champions the Word, the other the Holy Spirit. But are the Word and Spirit really in conflict or does God's ideal include both sound biblical teaching and God's inner leading? Pastor Doug Banister shows that it's time to get rid of either-or thinking and discover the incredible potential that arises when evangelicals combine their strengths with charismatic's. "

About the author: "Dr. Doug Banister (PMin, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) is the pastor of Fellowship Church, an Evangelical Free church planted in Knoxville, TN, in 1987."

Booker, Richard. Miracle of the Scarlet Thread Shippensburg: Destiny Image, 1988.

About the author: "Dr. Booker founded the Institute for Hebraic-Christian Studies (IHCS), a ministry serving those who are searching for their spiritual roots and wanting to learn about authentic pre-Constantine Biblical Christianity."

Recommendation: "From Genesis to Revelation, The Miracle of the Scarlet Thread is the Story of God's blood covenant with man. It reveals God's order, sheds light on the Old Testament and demonstrates in clear language how the Old Testament and New Testament fit together to tell one complete story."

Brother Lawrence. Practice of the Presence of God. Can be downloaded as a pdf at Christian Classics Ethereal Library.

From Christian Classics Ethereal Library: "[Nicolas Herman] entered the priory in Paris as a lay brother, not having the education necessary to become a cleric, and took the religious name, "Lawrence of the Resurrection". He spent almost all of the rest of his life within the walls of the priory, working in the kitchen for most of his life and as a repairer of sandals in his later years.

"Yet despite, or perhaps because of, his somewhat lowly position, his character attracted many to him. He was known for his profound peace and many came to seek spiritual guidance from him. The wisdom that he passed on to them, in conversations and in letters, would later become the basis for the book, The Practice of the Presence of God. This work was compiled after Brother Lawrence died by one of those whom he inspired, Father Joseph de Beaufort, later vicar general to the Archbishop of Paris. It became popular among Catholics and Protestants alike, with John Wesley and A. W. Tozer being among those who recommended it.  Biography of Brother Lawrence.

Cook, Arnold L. Historical Drift: Must My Church Die? Camp Hill: Christian Publications, 2000.

From the back cover: "In this book, 'continued decay' is defined here as 'historical drift'. Are you concerned about slippage on the basic issues of doctrine, faith and practice? Christian leaders, lay and clergy, are seizing the moment. 'I have full confidence in the triumphant future of Christ's Church - capital C,' affirms Dr. Cook."

About the author: "Dr. Arnold Cook holds a Master of Divinity Degree in Missions from Canadian Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Missiology degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, School of World Mission. He served for fourteen years as a missionary in Colombia, Argentina and Peru. In 1982, he became the Vice President of Personnel and Missions for the Christian and Missions Alliance in Canada, and was elected president in 1992."

DeArteaga, William. Quenching the Spirit. Lake Mary: Charisma House, 1977.

From the back cover: "In recent years several respected Christian authors and teachers have come against beliefs and practices of charismatics, the world's fastest growing Christian group. Quenching the Spirit gives the most coherent, well-documented response to date."

About the author: "William DeArteaga started his research for Quenching the Spirit in 1982. He has a Masters degree in Latin American study from the University of Florida and has earned credits toward a Masters in theology from Emory University."

Deere, Jack. Surprised by the Power of the Spirit: Discovering How God Speaks and Heals Today. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993.

From the back cover: "If you believe miraculous gifts have ceased, you're in for a big surprise! A dramatic change took place in Jack Deer's life when he took a fresh look at the Scriptures. He discovered that his arguments against miraculous gifts were based more on prejudice and lack of personal experience than on the Bible. As soon as Deere became a seeker instead of a skeptic, the Holy Spirit revealed himself in new and surprising ways."

About the author: "Jack Deere (Th.D.) formerly an associate professor of Old Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary, is a pastor, writer and lecturer who speaks throughout the world on the gifts of the Spirit. He is the author of Surprised by the Voice of God and many articles."

Dreisbach, Bruce Roberts. Out of the Belly of the Whale: Sharing Faith with Family and Friends. Belleville, Ontario, Canada: Guardian Books, 2006.

From the back cover: "Most American churches claim evangelism as a top priority for both congregation and believers. Why do we see so few people coming to faith? "Lifestyle witnessing" is the Biblical method for sharing faith with family and friends and the most powerful way to reach the lost."

About the author: "Bruce Roberts Dreisbach primarily worked as a marketing executive and international business consultant. He holds a B.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies from Gordon College studied at Fuller Seminary and is finishing a Masters Degree at Nyack College. He co-founded the New Life Movement in 1995 and teaches Lifestyle Witnessing around the world. He has authored seven books."

Frangipane, Francis. The Three Battlegrounds: The Mind, the Church and the Heavenly Places. Cedar Rapids: Arrow Publications, 2006.

From the back cover: "Any time the Spirit of God's kingdom is truly manifested in the earth, it will ultimately confront the strongholds of hell. Indeed, wherever evil spirits have a foothold or a stronghold, you can expect that an overcoming church will be engaged in warfare, and also expect that the gates of hell will not prevails against the church that Jesus builds."

About the author: "Francis Frangipane is the founding pastor of River of Life church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. His first book, Holiness, Truth and the Presence of God, was a compilation of his essays and sermons published in 1985. He wrote his second book, The Three Battlegrounds, in 1989 when asked to speak on spiritual warfare at a conference in Kansas City. Both these books became best sellers. Since 1985, he has written fourteen books. His ministries bring him to speak around the world."

Hughey, Rhonda. Desperate for His Presence: God's Design to Transform Your Life and Your City. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2004.

From the back cover: "Are you ready for a radical return to the dynamic, transforming life found only in the manifest presence of the Lord Jesus? Our greatest need is passionate love for our King. Revival in the Church must come before we can see our cities transformed. "As you discover God's heart toward His people, you can find personal renewal and intimacy with Him. In turn, you will be able to reach out and impact those around you who desperately need His touch."

About the author: "Rhonda Hughey has served in citywide ministry and the international prayer movement for over a decade. She is the founder and director of Fusion Ministries, Inc. She also serves on the senior leadership team at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City."

Jehle, Paul. Plymouth in the Words of Her Founders: A Visitor's Guide to America's Hometown. San Antonio: Vision Forum Ministries, 2002.

From the introduction: "In Dr. Jehle's book, we have a key which unlocks the significance of Plymouth's monuments unnoticed by modern visitors. By combining the actual words of the Pilgrims and their heirs with his exegesis, Dr. Jehle restores the Pilgrim story to that of a living tradition. He makes it possible to appreciate what the Pilgrims and their holy role mean to America today."

About the author: "Paul Jehle has served as the Senior Pastor of The New Testament Church in Plymouth, Massachusetts since 1987. He founded The New Testament Christian School in 1980, serving as its principal until 2006. With a B.A. in mathematics and a Ph.D. in education, Dr. Jehle travels the United States and abroad, speaking on the Biblical worldview in every area of life. Dr. Jehle serves actively on several local historic committees in the town of Plymouth."

John of the Cross. Dark Night of the Soul. Can be downloaded as a pdf at Christian Classics Ethereal Library.

From the Catholic Encylopedia: "His axiom is that the soul must empty itself of self in order to be filled with God, that it must be purified of the last traces of earthly dross before it is fit to become united with God. In the application of this simple maxim he shows the most uncompromising logic. Supposing the soul with which he deals to be habitually in the state of grace and pushing forward to better things, he overtakes it on the very road leading it, in its opinion to God, and lays open before its eyes a number of sores of which it was altogether ignorant, viz. what he terms the spiritual capital sins. Not until these are removed (a most formidable task) is it fit to be admitted to what he calls the 'Dark Night', which consists in the passive purgation, where God by heavy trials, particularly interior ones, perfects and completes what the soul had begun of its own accord. It is now passive, but not inert, for by submitting to the Divine operation it co-operates in the measure of its power. Here lies one of the essential differences between St. John's mysticism and a false quietism." Biography of St. John of the Cross.

Kreeft, Peter. How to Win the Culture War: A Christian Battle Plan for a Society in Crisis. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2002.

From the back cover: "Many Christians have fallen into the trap of proclaiming 'Peace! Peace!' where there is no peace. Hiding their eyes from the pressing issues of the day, they believe that resistance to the prevailing culture is useless. At the same time, other Christians have been too quick to declare war, mistaking battlefield casualties as enemies rather than as victims. "Christians must understand the true nature of the culture war-a war between the culture of life and the culture of death. Kreeft identifies the real enemies facing the Church today and maps out key battlefields. He then issues a strategy for engagement and equips Christians with the weapons needed for a successful campaign."

About the author: "Peter Kreeft is professor of philosophy at Boston College and author of many books, including Between Heaven and Hell, Socrates Meets Jesus and (with Ronald Tacelli) Handbook of Christian Apologetics (All IVP)."

Marks, Jeff. When New England Prays: America's Covenant with God. Published by the author in 2007. Copies available for a suggested donation of $15 to cover printing and shipping. Write to: New England Concerts of Prayer, 7 Willow St, Beverly, MA 01915.

About the book: Jeff Marks writes: "We have gone after other gods. The Lord is giving us one last chance to fulfill the destiny we were created for. He is looking for those to stand in the gap: will you be one of them?

"The words of Jeremiah may be applied to New England in too sad a degree: 'I had planted them a noble vine, wholly a right seed; how they have turned from me? [Jer. 2:21]'

'Oh, how Christians have left their first love. What have they gone into the wilderness to see?'--Cotton Mather"

About the author: Jeff Marks is a graduate of Dartmouth College, Dickinson Law School, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. God called Jeff out of a career as an attorney at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development into fulltime ministry with the Fellowship Foundation under the leadership of Dr. Richard Halverson. A mobilizer and prayer leader for more than 25 years, Jeff has been the director of New England Concerts of Prayer (NECP) since 1990 and is a member of the National Prayer Committee.

Pearcey, Nancy. Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity. Wheaton IL: Crossway Books, 2004.

Roberto Miranda writes: "Total Truth is one of the most penetrating analyses I have read on how imperceptibly the secular understanding of reality can penetrate the mind of the Christian, creating a dual outlook. Many Christians have compartmentalized their faith, relegating spiritual values to the 'spiritual' realm, and processing all other aspects of their lives--work, marriage, relationships, finances, politics-- through an essentially secular lens.

"Secularists have sold us the lie that we should keep Christianity inside the church, and that we should leave the laws and social values to be determined through a 'neutral' social process. We know, of course, that there is no such thing as a 'neutral' lens. Everything is value-laden, and everything--even atheism-- is ultimately religious in nature.

"The virtue of Pearcey's book is that it takes us systematically through an exploration of how such inconsistencies become possible. It also teaches us how to defend our Christian viewpoint in almost any realm of knowledge, whether science, law, morality, or the arts.

"This is a must-read for Christians who are searching for tools to defend their beliefs in an often hostile cultural environment, and who need solid reasons to take a clear stand on the moral issues of the day. To quote one of the reviewers of the book: "Seldom does one find a book with serious content, historical depth, and Christian integrity that is also easy to read. If you feel lost in the fog of today's cultural confusions, read this book."

Prince, Derek. Shaping History through Prayer and Fasting. New Kensington: Whitaker House, 1973.

From the back cover: "Christians have altered the course of history and governments by emphasizing biblical methods of prayer and fasting. Derek Prince recounts from personal experience how history was shaped during the Second World War in North Africa, the birth of the State of Israel, the end of the Stalin Era, and the independence of Kenya, East Africa. Learn how you, too, can implement change-in your family, church, locale, country and the world."

About the author: "Derek Prince (1915-2003) is one of most prominent Bible teachers of the 20th century. His teaching and preaching ministry touched millions of lives on six continents and continues to be a source of inspiration and insight to Christians today. Derek was also one of the founders of the charismatic movement who diligently sought God and found Him faithful during the highs and the lows of his life."

Putnam, Jim. Church Is a Team Sport. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2008.

From the back cover: God led Jim Baker and his entire leadership team to use a Bible-based strategy for ministry revitalization. Whether you're a burned-out leader or someone ready to tackle an active role in your congregation, Church Is a Team Sport will lead you to both personal growth and renewed spiritual strength. If you're ready to get the whole team in the game, this is the playbook that will show you how to make it happen." -- Watch the three minute interview with Jim Putnam.

About the author: "Jim Putman is the senior pastor of Real Life Ministries in Post Falls, Idaho, one of the fastest-growing churches in America. Prior to moving to Real Life Ministries, he served as a youth minister for nine years in two small churches. He was a three-time all-American wrestler in college as well as a successful wrestling coach. Putman holds degrees from Boise State University and Boise Bible College."

Satinover, Jeffrey. Homosexuality and the Politics of Truth. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2003.

From the back cover: "Revered tradition and modern scientific research come together to offer not just compassion, but hope, in this startling new look at one of the most contentious issues of our time."

About the author: "Dr. Jeffrey Satinover has practiced psychoanalysis and psychiatry for more than twenty years. He is a former fellow in Psychiatry and Child Psychiatry at Yale University and past William James lecturer in Psychology and Religion at Harvard. He holds degrees from M.I.T., Harvard University and the University of Texas."

Silvoso, Ed. Anointed for Business: How Christians Can Use Their Influence in the Marketplace to Change the World. Ventura: Regal Books, 2002.

From the back cover: "The notion that labor for profit and worship of God are now, and always have been, worlds apart, is patently false. Yet the perceived wall between commercial pursuit and service to God continues to be a barrier to advancing His kingdom. Ed Silvoso invites all Christians to knock down that wall-and build the foundation for an unparalleled marketplace revival."

About the author: "Ed Silvoso, founder and president of Harvest Evangelism, specializes in evangelism, city reaching, marketplace transformation and gender reconciliation. He is also the author of That None Should Perish and Women: God's Secret Weapon."

Strobel, Lee. The Case for the Real Jesus. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007.

From the back cover: "In this dramatic investigation, award-winning writer and former legal editor Lee Strobel explores such controversial questions as:

- Did Christianity suppress 'alternative gospels' that portray Jesus more accurately than the New Testament?
- Did the Church distort the truth about Jesus by tampering with early Biblical texts?
- Have fresh insights and explanations finally disproved the resurrection?
- Were essential beliefs about Jesus stolen from earlier mythology?
- Have new objections disqualified Jesus from being the Messiah?"

About the author: "With a journalism degree from the University of Michigan and a Master of Studies in Law degree from Yale Law School, Lee Strobel was the award-winning legal editor of the Chicago Tribune and a spiritual skeptic until 1981."

Teresa of Avila: The Way of Perfection and The Interior Castle. Can be downloaded as pdfs at Christian Classics Ethereal Library.

From the Catholic Encylopedia: "The account of her spiritual life contained in the Life Written by Herself (completed in 1565, an earlier version being lost), in the Relations, and in the Interior Castle, forms one of the most remarkable spiritual biographies with which only the Confessions of St. Augustine can bear comparison. To this period belong also such extraordinary manifestations as the piercing or transverberation of her heart, the spiritual espousals, and the mystical marriage. A vision of the place destined for her in hell in case she should have been unfaithful to grace, determined her to seek a more perfect life....

"St. Teresa's position among writers on mystical theology is unique. In all her writings on this subject she deals with her personal experiences, which a deep insight and analytical gifts enabled her to explain clearly. The Thomistic substratum may be traced to the influence of her confessors and directors, many of whom belonged to the Dominican Order. She herself had no pretension to found a school in the accepted sense of the term, and there is no vestige in her writings of any influence of the Areopagite, the Patristic, or the Scholastic Mystical schools, as represented among others, by the German Dominican Mystics. She is intensely personal, her system going exactly as far as her experiences, but not a step further."  Biography St. Teresa of Avila.

Wilkerson, David. The Vision and Beyond. Lindale, TX: World Challenge Publications, 2003.

From the introduction by the author: "Before you read this book, please read the following three statements! By popular demand, we have reprinted The Vision in its entirety and the message must be dated from April 1973. Beyond the original, only chapters seven and eight have been added.

"Many predictions of this vision have already been fulfilled, some will happen in the near future, and others in years to come. Please do not read this book with the expectation that all the calamities will happen overnight. I do believe that most of the vision will be fulfilled in our generation.

"I do not intend for this vision to endorse any doctrinal position. When I speak about persecution of Christians, I am not referring to the Tribulation. I refuse to be drawn into any arguments about when Christians will be evacuated from this earth at the return of Christ. This vision is not a doctrinal statement.

"This vision is not a "fear-mongering" message. A few people will suggest this vision will only help to bring about some of the calamities and that you "get what you preach". I disagree completely. That logic would suggest that Noah brought about the flood by warning about it. I have shared my vision and with this statement I will never again defend it.

"Its message can be tested only by time and events. God will be the judge and nothing my friends or enemies say can hinder me in my course to warn readers that these things be true."

Wilson, Marvin R. Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of Christian Faith. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1996.

From the back cover: "Although the roots of Christianity run deep into Hebrew soil, many Christians are regrettably uninformed about the rich Hebrew heritage of the Church. This volume delineates the link between Judaism and Christianity, between Old and New Testaments, and calls Christians to examine their Hebrew roots so as to effect a more authentically Biblical lifestyle."

About the author: "Marvin R. Wilson is the Harold J. Ockenga Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Gordon College, Wenham, MA. A leader in the dialogue between Christians and Jews, he has co-edited many books and written numerous articles on Christian-Jewish relations."