Note: these books were not necessarily released this year, I simply had the chance to read them, all of them are highly recommended.
Christians Get Depressed Too: Hope and Help for Depressed People — David P. Murray
This might be the strongest book you have never heard of. Dr. David Murray is a smart dude, and he wrote a book that is incredibly helpful to those coming into contact with anxiety/depression in any way. As someone who has dealt with it both personally and in others, this book is incredibly useful. It gives a comprehensive view of what anxiety/depression means, how it impacts people (clinically and spiritually) and how to find relief (clinically and spiritually). It’s simple, if you want a thorough, wise, biblical approach to anxiety/depression, this book is the great place to start.
To Live Is Christ to Die Is Gain — Matt Chandler and Jared C. Wilson
An honest and strong look at the Christian Life explained exegetically by the book of Philippians. Easy to read, full of Chandler’s regular wit, and the most powerful study on this book of the Bible I have ever seen. By far my two favorite quotes:
The best of our best, without Jesus, looks like a pile of crap compared to Him.
Never be satisfied with where you are in the area of spiritual growth. Cultivate an insatiability for more of God by examining your weaknesses, beholding the perfection of Christ, and finding good examples of strengths you want to develop.
Loveology: God, Love, Marriage, Sex, and the Never-ending Story of Male and Female — John Mark Comer
This might be one of the best books on the subject I have ever come across. Everything on what it means to be a man, a woman, and what the biblical plan is for how the two can come together to create a God-centered and God-honoring relationship. It deals with every subject in brutal honesty, and is a truly holistic help on the topic. If you struggle with relationships, and how they should work, this book is tops on the list.
We were set up to love. To absorb the love of God into our bloodstream and then to share it with another human being.
…men carry a responsibility to lead. By “lead” I do not mean boss around, take charge, dominate, intimidate, or any other stupid thing that men have done in the name of the Bible. I mean step out, take responsibility, care for, listen to, love, serve . . . and risk.
[speaking of women] A helper is not an employee — someone who works for you, someone you boss around. A helper is an equal. Genesis uses the adjective suitable, meaning “on the same level.” It’s someone you love and respect. And it’s one who comes alongside as a partner in a project, as an ally in a war.
And now for what I would consider the top two of the year.
Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will — Kevin DeYoung
This book deserves a post all its own (and will probably soon get one), and it deserves a read from everyone I’ve ever met. The truth is, most people in the Christian circles today talk about God’s will in ways that are at best unhelpful, superstitious, or at worst hurtful. This book removes you from the peril of living life fearful that you are “missing out” on God’s plans. It will deliver you from the fear that God has some hidden plan you either figure out or fail at. The truth is that His plan is well revealed, we can live it out, and we can have peace with it if we understand the principles of this book well.
So go marry someone, provided you’re equally yoked and you actually like being with each other. Go get a job, provided it’s not wicked. Go live somewhere in something with somebody or nobody. But put aside the passivity and the quest for complete fulfillment and the perfectionism and the preoccupation with the future, and for God’s sake start making some decisions in your life… If you are seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, you will be in God’s will, so just go out and do something.”
Experiencing the Trinity: The Grace of God for the People of God — Joe Thorn
There already exists a fuller review of this book, but I honestly can’t recommend it enough. Most devotional style books are either fluff pieces and at worst horribly un-biblical. This is neither. This is the kind of daily theology that is practical. What you read in this book, in only 2 page daily increments, will change the way you think about God, the Trinity, and how to walk with Him on a day-to-day basis.
At times God will delay granting you relief in order to draw you closer to himself. He might want to teach you just how helpless you really are and how all-sufficient he really is. Sometimes God will allow you to suffer for a season to test and strengthen your faith.
So, when you find yourself discontent and miserly, consider the poverty of Jesus and the riches you have received because of it.
In Christ you are chosen, reborn, justified, adopted, and sanctified. You are indwelled by his Spirit, protected by his power, and guaranteed to be perfected in glory. You are a member of his kingdom and an heir of the world to come. In Jesus you are perfectly and eternally loved. Christ became poor to give you all of this. What else do you need?
Seriously. This book has too many quotes to put in this post. You need to read it.
DavidAppelt.com 