First Baptist Church

Over the course of the past year, I have been privileged to read more than 65 books, most of which were helpful, challenging, informative, and entertaining. In a series of 3 weblogs I wish to share with you these books. I realize your time, like mine, is so very limited. Also, there is so very little we can actually read in relation to the seemingly infinite number of books which are available in this age of information. I once heard a piece of advice which said, “Never waste your time reading a book you could have written yourself.” Translated, that means never waste your time reading something which does not challenge you to think harder or reach further than what you would have done normally.

Reading is something I count as a great privilege. With a wife, 4 kids at home, ballgames, meetings, my responsibilities as a pastor, work being done on a doctoral degree, preparation of sermons, writing responsibilities, and household responsibilities, I have far less time to read than I would like. I try and choose what I read very carefully. I tend to go back to trusted authors time and time again and am rarely disappointed.

I recall one day, while in college, in a sociology course I was taking, Dr. Tom Dowdy, our professor said that “to be literate means you can read, to be illiterate means you cannot read, but unfortunately, he lamented, most Americans are alliterate meaning they ‘can’ read, but choose not to do so.” How sad indeed! Reading opens doors. Reading is the ability to become informed, gain knowledge, and to be successful. As the old commercials from my childhood, advertising the organization RIF, used to say “RIF- reading is fundamental.”

Recently I was at a Doctor’s appointment and overheard a particular lady’s conversation with the receptionist. The receptionist handed her paperwork to be filled out as a new patient while the lady replied she was unable to read. The receptionist then orally asked here each question on the form as the lady responded. I thought to myself, what a sad and painstakingly difficult way to move through life. Then I began to think of the thousands and thousands of things I have learned from reading just in the past year and I felt thankful!

My intent is to share with you my top 25 picks for 2009. As I get into my top 10, next time, I will give you a short paragraph providing an overview of the content of each of the books. Each of these selections is power-packed with information, captivating, and overall helpful. I hope you will take the time to read at least some of them in your pursuit of knowledge and information and as you seek to be an excellent steward of the mind God have given you.

• 25. The American Church Experience: A Concise History – Thomas A. Askew and Richard V. Pierard.
• 24. One Sacred Effort: The Cooperative Program of Southern Baptists – Chad Brand and David Hankins.
• 23. True for You but not for Me: Deflating the Slogans that Leave Christians Speechless – Paul Copan
• 22. The Prayer of the Lord – R.C. Sproul
• 21. The Passion of Jesus Christ – John Piper
• 20. Atheism Remix: A Christian Confronts the New Atheists – Albert Mohler
• 19. A Simple Christmas – Mike Huckabee
• 18. Going Rogue – Sarah Palin
• 17. The Gospel and Personal Evangelism – Mark Dever
• 16. Lion in the White House: A Life of Theodore Roosevelt – Aida D. Donald
• 15. A Bold, Fresh Piece of Humanity – Bill O’Reilly
• 14. Downpour: He Will Come in Like the Rain – James McDonald
• 13. Time for Truth: Living Free in a World of Lies, Hype, and Spin – Os Guinness
• 12. A Call to Spiritual Reformation – D.A. Carson
• 11. Uneasy in Babylon: Southern Baptist Conservatives and American Culture – Barry Hankins

>p>I hope you find these selections to be as enjoyable and helpful as I did. Next time I will begin my top 10.

In Christ,

Pastor Allen Raynor