My walk with God has been a journey of grace, guided by the truth of the Bible, the inerrant Word of God, and the love of Jesus Christ, my Savior. Along the way, certain Christian books have become like trusted companions. They offer wisdom, encouragement, and deeper insight into what it means to live out my faith. I've read each one of these over the years.
The books listed here have strengthened my relationship with God. I’m excited to share these titles with you and hope they’ll inspire and uplift you as they have me. I'll add more as I remember them!
Each book includes an affiliate link to Amazon. Amazon will recognize the link as mine, and I’ll earn a small commission on your purchase. Using the links does not cost you anything, but it will support this blog and my work here.
Thank you for your support in advance!
God bless,
Sherry
*Roses in the Desert Blog participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
Deepening Your Relationship with God
The Practice the Presence of God (Brother Lawrence) – Simple yet profound wisdom on staying aware of God’s presence every day.
My Utmost for His Highest (Oswald Chambers) – Daily devotions that challenge and inspire a deeper commitment to God.
The Pursuit of God (A.W. Tozer) – A passionate call to seek God with all your heart.
The Way of the Heart (Henri Nouwen) – Insights on solitude, silence, and prayer to grow closer to God.
The Inner Voice of Love (Henri Nouwen) – A tender exploration of God’s love through personal struggles.
You are the Beloved (Henri Nouwen) -- Reflections on embracing your identity as God's beloved.
Contemplative and Mystical Spirituality
These works dive into the mystical and contemplative traditions, offering profound insights into encountering God’s mystery.
Interior Castle (St. Teresa of Ávila) – A spiritual roadmap to growing closer to God through the soul’s inner journey.
Dark Night of the Soul (St. John of the Cross) – A deep exploration of spiritual growth through trials and surrender.
The Cloud of Unknowing (Anonymous) – A classic on contemplative prayer and resting in God’s presence.
Contemplative Prayer (Thomas Merton) – Practical wisdom on silent, reflective prayer.
The Complete Julian of Norwich (Paraclete Giants) – Mystical writings from a 14th-century anchoress on God’s love.
Understanding and Studying Scripture
These resources help unpack the Bible’s truths, aligning with the belief in its inerrancy as God’s Word.
Bibles (coming soon!)
How to Study the Bible Intentionally (R. A. Torrey) – Practical tools for digging deeper into Scripture with purpose.
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge – A comprehensive cross-reference guide to connect Bible passages.
The Prayer of the Lord (R.C. Sproul) – A study of the Lord’s Prayer to enrich your prayer life.
Reflections on the Psalms (C.S. Lewis) – Thoughtful insights into the Psalms’ beauty and meaning.
Apologetics and Defending the Faith
These books make a case for Christianity, strengthening belief in Jesus as the only way to salvation.
Mere Christianity (C.S. Lewis) – A compelling defense of Christian faith, accessible and profound.
The Case for Christ (Lee Strobel) – A journalist’s investigation into the evidence for Jesus’ life and resurrection.
Knowing God (J.I. Packer) – A theological exploration of God’s nature and why faith in Christ matters.
Christian Fiction and Allegory
These imaginative stories bring biblical truths to life through narrative and allegory.
Hind’s Feet on High Places (Hannah Hurnard) -- Is a timeless Christian allegory that follows the journey of Much-Afraid, a timid character longing to escape her fears and follow the Shepherd to the High Places.
The Chronicles of Narnia Boxed Set (C.S. Lewis) – Beloved tales that weave Christian themes into enchanting adventures.
The Screwtape Letters (C.S. Lewis) – A clever, satirical look at spiritual warfare through demonic correspondence.
The Space Trilogy (C.S. Lewis) – Sci-fi novels exploring faith, morality, and God’s creation.
Pilgrim’s Progress (John Bunyan) – A classic allegory of the Christian journey toward salvation.
Desert Spirituality and Simplicity
These books draw from the wisdom of early desert fathers, emphasizing simplicity and surrender.
The Wisdom of the Desert (Thomas Merton) – Sayings from desert monks on humility, prayer, and trust in God.
The Garden of the Beloved – A poetic reflection on spiritual intimacy with God.
Historical Perspectives on Christianity
These texts provide context and history, deepening appreciation for the faith’s roots.
Reading the Old Testament Through Jewish Eyes – Insights into Scripture from a Jewish perspective.
An Introduction to Jewish Theology (Juan Marcos Bejarano Gutierrez) – A primer on Jewish theological concepts that enrich Christian understanding.
Encouragement Through Trials
These books offer hope and comfort, reminding us of God’s presence in hardship.
But God, Wouldn’t I Be More Useful to You If I Were Healthy? (Esther Smith) – A reflective exploration of faith through chronic illness.
The God of All Comfort (Hannah Whitall Smith) – Encouragement to trust God’s comfort in every circumstance.
Suffering is Never for Nothing (Elisabeth Elliot) – Hard times come to all of us. It’s hard to understand the meaning of those times. Elisabeth Elliot shares what she learned after the tragic death of her husband, Jim Elliot.
The Hiding Place (Corrie ten Boom) – A powerful memoir of faith and forgiveness amid suffering.
Unto the Hills (Billy Graham) – Daily meditations on finding strength in God.