The Innkeeper by John Piper

What if Jesus returned to the place of his birth, the inn in Bethlehem, on his final trip to Jerusalem for the passover and His crucifixion? While finishing up some work I was listening to my podcasts for background as I stumbled upon John Piper reading his poem, The Innkeeper. Immediately I stopped everything on which I was working, was drawn back 2000 years, and tears came to my eyes as I heard the story. My wife came home, I asked her to listen, and the same thing happened to me: The artfully crafted words gripped my imagination and my heart to see the tender love of God bring the ultimate comfort to a man who had seemingly lost everything due to a providential tragedy. Keep reading

MacArthur LifeWorks Library for Libronix

MacArthur’s LifeWorks Library integrates seemlessly into the Libronix Digital Library System. Containing the full-text of almost all of Dr. MacArthur's books, it is an amazing value, especially at such a low price. I have actually found the digital version to be more useful than the print version. MacArthur uses many Bible references in parentheses to validate his points when he writes (as he should), and it is really not feasible to look up each and every one of the thousands as you read; however, within Libronix, just hovering your cursor over the text brings up a preview of the referenced Bible passage so you don't have to interupt your reading. You can also search all of his works for a reference to a particular verse you may be studying to see what he (or other authors you may have in your Libronix library) have said.  It contains the full text of the following books:

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5 Books to Read Every Year Until I Die

In the message I taught, The Gospel in Radical Hospitality, I referenced a list containing five books that I want to read each year, every year, until I die. I have received multiple (like at least 3, and in the tiny sphere of my influence that's a ton) requests to publish that list. These are books (mostly short books and therefore inexpensive books, so even the poorest of you will be able to own them and read them) that have had a significant impact on my thinking. They teach me things that I need to hear, not just once, but every year. My flesh (Romans 7:14-25) is powerful, and i praise God for books that God has used and yearly continues to use to kill my flesh and to reveal himself to me:

1. The Bible (Some plans to help guide your reading can be found here; I have found M'Cheyne's plan very helpful, and For the Love of God - vol 1 & vol 2 - by D.A. Carson makes it even better. This is the only non-negotiable book on this list, and I hope it is a non-negotiable at-least-annual reading for you as well)
2. The Cross-Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney
3. Words to Winners of Souls by Horatius Bonar
4. Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ by John Piper
5. The Cross He Bore by Frederick Leahy
   

In forming such a list, I reserve the right to add to it or amend it. Nevertheless, I cannot help but publishing a quick runner-up list. These are books which I would read each year if the limitations of time and the burden of so much unread material were not present, I would certainly annually find my nose in these books as well:

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