What Books Have Shaped You?
Mar 03, 2010 
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I was recently asked, “As a leader, what book has shaped you the most? And why?” While several authors and their writings instantly come to mind, there is one that has impacted me more than the rest.
During my undergraduate studies at Southeastern University, I had the opportunity to sit under Dr. Mark Rutland‘s teachings several times a week. These times had a profound impact on my life. This personal experience, combined with my love for his story telling ability, makes him one of my must-read authors. Although, I will say that he’s not an easy read. A thesaurus doesn’t have a thing on this man’s vocabulary.
Dr. Rutland’s book, Character Matters, engraved in me that character, which is made up of virtues like courage, loyalty, reverence, diligence, frugality, and honesty, is far more important than my talent and competence. Charisma and basic leadership principles may open doors of opportunity, but it will be my character that sustains me. Leadership founded upon an individual’s talent alone will end in the humiliation and destruction of a person’s reputation, family, business, and ministry. This is a lesson that I’m glad to have learned early, and it is in part thanks to Character Matters.
To quote Dr. Rutland, “a life, like a block of granite carved upon with care or hacked at with reckless disregard, will, at the end, be either a masterpiece or marred rubble.”
Your Turn: What books have shaped you the most? Which ones have really challenged your way of thinking? What books would you say are must-reads? Briefly tell us about them in the comments below.
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I have challenged by such books as the Bible, the Magic of Thinking Big, the Autobiography of Malcolm X and As A Man Thinketh.
Celebration of Discipline by RIchard Foster rocked my world last month.
I’ll have to check that one out.
Great book!
3 Books have truly shaped me:
1. The Bible. Since becoming a believer, God has spoken to me with great specificity at every important juncture in my life.
2. “Spiritual Leadership” by Henry Blackaby. In my opinion, the best book on how leaders operate.
3. “Visioneering” by Andy Stanley. Goes hand-in-hand with Blackaby’s book because it’s a perfect expansion of Blackaby’s vision element.
I’ve read numbers 2 & 3. Both great. And of course I agree with number 1.
The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns is destroying me right now. Maybe the #2 most influential book I’ve ever read (behind Bible). It’s that strong.
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller (which I read just before the Stearns book) changed the way I think about/approach things quite a bit. Those two are great back to back reads.
Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster was pretty solid.
Those are probably my top 3 (as it sits right now).
You’re the 2nd one who suggested Celebration of Discipline. Definitely gonna check that one out now.
I read Million Miles in a Thousand Years. While Donald Miller is a bit liberal for me, I absolutely LOVED this book. Actually, listening to it on audiobook again now. Challenged me to think about life more in story form.
I just finished “Sacred Marriage” by Gary Thomas, a “must read” for husbands and wives. It’s premise is that God designed marriage to make us holy, not necessarily happy. It’ really been a punch in the gut for me as I’ve looked at the struggles in my own marriage, and in my reaction to the stress, anger and disappointment that naturally arises when two people try to build a life together.
Other life changers of late include “Counterfeit Gods” by Tim Keller, “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan, and “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years” by Donald Miller.
“Wild at Heart” by John Eldredge and “Healing the Masculine Soul” by Gordon Dalbey have been instrumental in helping me understand what it means to be a man and one of God’s sons.
Loved Wild at Heart and Million Miles…
Reading Crazy Love currently. Good so far. I like Francis Chan.
I’m reading thru a list of classics everyone should read – Dickens, Twain, Dumas, Carroll.
But I think Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis is the most influential so far.
Matt Redman’s worship books are also great
Mere Christianity is a top 5 for me.
I’d love to go back and read some good fiction again too.
Books that have shaped my life:
1. God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew
(Courage to pursue God’s calling and wlak in Faith uner unbelievable circumstances. This book is a classic)
2. Expeditionary Man by Rich Wagner
(The power or priorities in the life of a godly father. A must read by every christian father)
3. Intercessor by Reese Howels
(The power of a life fully surrendered and consecrated to the Lord. A very challenging book)
4. Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
(A classic on the Christian walk from perdition to heavenly realm. A Classic)
5. Plans, Purposes and Pursuits by Kenneth Hagin
(Learning to hear from God. Understand His Plans and Purposes, not yours, and pursue after God’s will)
Hudson Taylors Spiritual Secret
Autobiography of George Mueller
The Power of Prayer the Prayer of Power
Visioneering
A Million Miles In A Thousand Years, by Donald Miller. It changed my life… and my story.
Loved it as well. Seems like many of the readers here did too.
One of my favorite books on leadership is Next Generation Leadership by Andy Stanley but my favorite book that’s shaped me is Knowing God by J.I. Packer.
I havent read either of these, but have wanted to. I need to establish a list for this year and put these on it.
The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne. It challenged and shaped me — it comforted and disturbed me! And for any follower of Christ in America, it’s a must read. It’s a personal story about the author’s realization that Jesus actually meant what he said. The challenge, upon realizing that, is that when you admit you understand who Jesus is and that we’re to be like him, you have to act on it. And Claiborne’s faith totally compelled me to admit that I understood and as a result, to act on it. My life has never been the same since! (In an amazing way.)
I heard him speak at Catalyst a couple years ago when that book was first released. Sounds challenging.
The Bible, Your Erroreous Zones, A Women After God’s Own Heart
“If you want to know the heart of man don’t ask him what he reads. Ask him what he rereads.” F. Mauriac
The Psalms have been my mother, the Proverbs have been my mother and the gospels have taught me what a real man looks like and functions.
Thanks for your comments
messy spirituality by michael yaconelli was formational for me. seriously it is amazing.
The Blue Parakeet by Scot McKnight
Visioneering; Communicating for a Change by Stanley
Unleashing God’s Word in Youth Ministry by Shaffer (Every Bible teacher should read this)
Discipleship Essentials by Ogden
Following Jesus by NT Wright
Just to name a few. Really like the list everyone is giving. (Foster/Stearns/Mueller- great great stuff!)
I own Discipleship Essentials. Read it together with a small group of guys. Great resource for understanding and implementing the basic tenants of the Christian faith. Definitely good for small group discussion.
1. Of course the BIble has helped shape my life. So many great examples of God’s love and compassion for us.
2. Wild at Heart. I know it’s been mentioned, but I cannot express how much this book has truly changed my life. Inviting God into my heart to heal my wounds and knowing that I’ve been fathered by God? AMAZING.
Wild at Heart = Awesome book. My wife listened to the audiobook with me while on a road trip and it helped her better understand me.
“The Reason for God” by Tim Keller is awesome. Very much like a modern day version of C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity.
Also “Think and Grow Rich” by Napolean Hill. Though it is considered the original “self-help” and “guide to financial wealth” book, it’s views and reinforcement of positive thinking is amazing.
Raised with Christ by Adrian Warnock – it’s one of the few new books that I’d classify as essential reading.
Knowing God by J.I. Packer will blow your mind. It’s a book to be read slowly and savored.
Humility by CJ Mahaney is rocking my socks again (on my 4th read).
The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan is an essential, as is his autobiography, Grace Abounding.
I’ll have to give this some more thought and see if anything else comes to mind.
I love those “slow cooker” books. Ones you have to let simmer in your heart as you digest them.
There are a couple of books that have shaped my life.
First there is The Purpose Driven Life. I got that at a time when I had lost my job for sharing my faith and was going through some stuff. I went out and bought it because I had heard great things about it. God must have wanted me to have it because unbeknownst to me I had a negative balance in my checking account yet it still cleared
I still go back and look at it when I need a reminder of a few things.
The other one is Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. There were times I laughed and there were times I cried and there were times I stopped and thought about a few things. I love it when a book does that.
You were fired for sharing your faith? I guess you can’t be too upset about that.
1. So, I really love Francis Chan and his heart for God. Crazy Love rocked my world (but you’re already reading that). I definitely recommend his latest one, “Forgotten God.” It really opened my eyes to the Holy Spirit and who He is.
2. Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller. I loved that book. I just love Miller’s writing style,it’s so simple, and yet so powerful. (I’m currently reading a Million Miles..and love it so far)
You’ll love A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. Like you, I love his writing style. He’s so descriptive and authentic.
1. “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years” by Donald Miller. Very challenging book about writing a great story with your life.
2. “Life of the Beloved” by Henri Nouwen. A book Nouwen wrote in answer to a friend’s request to explain the life of faith without theological terms. His response: You are beloved by God.
3. “Anonymous” by Alicia Britt Chole. Great book about how God uses the anonymous seasons in your life to develop who you are.
4. “Angry Conversations with God by Susan Isaac. This book challenged me that God’s plans are not always our plans, and what it means to really let go and trust Him in everything.
Early in my adult life the 3 books that impacted me the most were
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
- Experiencing God
- Mere Christianity
More recently these 4 books rocked my world
- Crazy Love
- The Irresistible Revolution
- Blue Like Jazz
- Pagan Christianity
I am still trying to figure out what to do with them.
I was wondering when anything by Steven Covey was going to make this list. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a must-read for anyone in leadership. Scratch that, its for everyone period.
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller. It’ll change the way you view your life.
1. Mere Christianity – Lewis and Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton – I would not be a Chrstian if not for these 2 books. I try to re-read Mere every January. I am currently reading Orthodoxy for the 3ed or 4th time right now.
2. Celebration of Discipline – Foster and Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard – both books have shaped my spiritual formation greatly
3. Connecting Church – Randy Frazee and Shaping of Things to Come – both have formed my philosophy of church ministry
Oh yeah, Mere Christianity is amazing. My wife just got done reading Soul Revolution by John Burke. Our whole church is reading it, but I’m not too far into it. However, my wife loved it.
Crazy Love – Frances Chan
The God Who Loves – John MacArthur
Abba’s Child – Brennan Manning
Let the Nations be Glad – John Piper
The leadership secrets of Billy Graham, by Harold Myra and Marshall Shelley. Awesome stuff. Totally recommend.
This one has been on my shelf for a while but I haven’t made time to read it. May need to crack it open some time this year.
Counterfit Gods by Tim Keller. Will rock your world (and make you reflect)
At least a couple people have mentioned this one. What’s the premise of the book?
Many of you guys mentioned Donald Miller’s book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years and I have to agree, its awesome. As I said up top in the comments, he’s a bit too liberal for me, but in a way I’m jealous of his liberties to just “be”.
This book really stirred something inside of me and challenged me to think beyond my list of life-goals and resolutions that are written on paper. Instead, he challenged me to think of my life in story form, and that it should be made up of all the things that make up a good movie.
Miller has a way of making a great point without you ever realizing he’s making a point.
More on this book in an upcoming blog post.
I am going to throw you off with this one BUT “The Me I Want to Be” by John Ortberg. Simply “unchurchy” but changes the way you think about how God has uniquely wired you to love Him and serve Him. Also challenges your daily and even hourly choices in your thought life. Transforming!
All books written by Francis Schaeffer…as a young Christian, His writings essentially created and shaped my biblical worldview.
Never heard of him. I’ll look up some of his writings.
The Supernatural Ways of Royalty by Kris Vallotton- Showed me how God thinks about me and who I am, I read it at least once a year
Wired That Way by Marita Littauer- even though it’s a personality book, it helped me understand how I think, how the people around me think and how I relate to God
The Noticer and The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews- great fiction books that are really more like allegories. They are very easy reading and very life changing.
I love fictional allegory.
Books that have spoken to me:
1. Blue Like Jazz, Donald Miller
2. Captivating-Stasi Eldredge (not just for women. If you are a guy, READ THIS. It will help you understand how God designs a woman’s heart!)
3. Angry Conversations with God, Susan Isaacs
4. It Came From Within, Andy Stanley
5. This I Believe, NPR compilation
It Came from Within by Andy Stanley is definitely one that hugely impacted me. After reading the book, I did a teaching at my church based on its content. So strong.
The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard–I read this when I was a freshman in college. TOTALLY refreshed my faith and transformed my idea of what it means to be a disciple!
Kingdom Come by Allen Wakabayashi–Read this while in college too. Probably the clearest and most inspiring teaching on kingdom theology. Made me a different kind of Christian!
Hi Dana. Good to see you in this neck of the woods. Thanks for sharing.
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis…It gave me a better understanding of how satan tries to sneak into our lives in the smallest of ways, that we don’t always think about.
Also: The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis and Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller (I agree that he can be a little out there, but he definitely challenges my way of thinking and I like that!)
GREAT book. Again, I love allegory.
This is probably cliche, but Velvet Elvis really helped me break out of my phariseeness. Also read Blue Like Jazz four times, so I guess I’d include that.
Another one I love is Jesus For President…that one definitely will make you think!
No one else has mentioned Velvet Elvis so not cliche’.
You read Blue Like Jazz four times? Whoa! That’s serious.
The Grapes of Wrath changed the way I look at work and life and enjoying the moments.
What is the What opened my eyes to a world that we tend to block out.
And Blue Like Jazz helped me shape my own beliefs when I was still wondering what they were.
I am an avid reader. It is one of my hobbies. I do not read a lot of fiction but when I do it’s Ted Dekker all the way. Without a long story, some of these books changed my way of thinking, acting, and believing when I finally laid my life on the ground for Christ. No particular order except the first one.
The Bible- God gave me a hunger for His Word more than I had for eating food. It is my nutrition.
Battlefield of the Mind – Joyce Meyer
The Bondage Breaker – Neil Anderson
Woman Thou Art Loosed – T.D. Jakes
The Final Quest – Rick Joyner (Fiction)
Wild At Heart – John Eldredge
Confessions Of A Pastor – Craig Groeschel
Anonymous- Alicia Britt Chole
If You Want To Walk On Water You’ve Got To Get Out Of The Boat – John Ortberf
For This Cause – Brian Houston
Hind Feet On High Places- Hannah Hurnard (fiction)
Breaking Intimidation & The Bait of Satan- John Bevere
The Barbarian Way & Soul Cravings- Erwin McManus
When I lay My Isaac Down- Carol Kent
Emily Post’s Etiquette – Peggy Post (every girl needs manners)
A Million Miles In A Thousand Years- Donald Miller
MUST, MUST, MUST READS:
Crazy Love – Francis Chan
Forgotten God – Francis Chan
It Came From Within – Andy Stanley
Fictional: Anything by Peretti
I believe our enemy is alive and well, so Mark Bubeck’s The Adversary, Overcoming the Adversary, and The Adversary at Home have been crucial in my life and fighting spiritual warfare.
And, Captivating by the Eldredge’s was eye opening when I realized how woman was made in His image. Loved it!
Welcome to the blog AngelLyz. Glad to have you with us. I’m, a Peretti fan myself. I listen to his audiobooks on road trips.
I know that this is an older post, but I just now got around to reading it…so I thought that I’d chime in and give my 2 cents since a couple of mine weren’t mentioned.
And not in any particular order (except for the first one):
The Holy Bible
It – Craig Groeschell
Holy Discontent – Bill Hybles
Mere Christianity – C.S. Lewis
Blue Like Jazz – Donald Miller
The Barbarian Way – Erwin McManus
Crazy Love & Forgotten God – Francis Chan
In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day – Mark Batterson
…and I don’t read a lot of fiction, but a couple of the ones that I did read and loved would include:
The Shack – William P. Young
A Tale Of Three Kings – Gene Edwards
So many good ones listed… I’ll limit mine to what I did not see yet. All three of these have shaped the character of my Christian life.
The Way of the Heart, Henri Nouwen – taught me how to pray from my heart to the heart of God
The Problem of Pain, C.S. Lewis – taught me about heaven and hell.
Many Waters (fiction), Madeleine L’Engle – Surely God’s love is greater than any of us can IMAGINE. Here is a story of amazing divine love that is only fiction… How much the greater is God’s real love for us?
This is just a fraction of my list
Homer Price & the Donut-Making Machine
Stone Soup
To Kill a Mocking Bird
Pride & Prejudice
The Applause of Heaven
Cheap Grace
The Grace Awakening
The Screwtape Letters
Mere Christianity
Sacred Romance
The Emotionally Healthy Church
Blue Like Jazz
Subtle Abuse
Grudem’s Bible Doctrine
Get Out of the Pit
The Prodigal God
The Sacred Romance – John Eldridge & Brent Curtis
Rumors of Another World Philip Yancey
Really, all their books are great!
Many more have had a Huge Impact on my life.
Sorry, I’m replying to an older post but this one jumped out at me.
Bible-I got my first one at 8 and have been reading it ever since finding comfort in so many verses. My fav.. 2nd Corinth 12:10 as I was neglected and sexually abused my entire childhood. I always knew even during the worst of times that God was with me.
So many other books I can’t think of…
The great Divorce- CS Lewis
The Grapes of wrath-John Steinbeck (I read at 12!)
One Child-Torey Hayden
I read a lot of inspirational books too
Thanks Daniel.. God bless you and your beautiful family!
Sorry about replying to an older post, but just found your site.
Thought I’d put my two cents in….
The Marriage Turnaround- Mitch Temple (Former Director of Marriage for Focus on the Family)- helped restore my marriage and make me a better Godly husband
Plan B- Pete Wilson- absolute MUST READ!
Radical- David Platt- Completely changed how I looked at being a Christ follower
The Exemplary Husband- Stuart Scott (Not the ESPN anchor ha!)- really helped shaped me to be the Godly husband Christ commands me to be.
Revolution in World Missions- K.P Yohannan- Changed the way I looked at mission work and missionaries.