Midland Evangelical Church

Knowing God
By J. I. Packer

J. I. Packer's Knowing God has become a classic of the Christian faith. Why? While it gives us information about God with clarity and grace, it does much more---it aids us in actually knowing him, in building our relationship with him, and helps draw us closer to him in love and worship.

The Holiness of God
By R. C. Sproul

From Rudolf Otto's mysterium tremendum to Martin Luther's "insanity" and Jonathan Edwards's fiery sermons, Sproul's classic offers an accessible exploration of history and Scripture that will help you understand---and live with---the tension that exists between God's terrifying holiness and his inexplicable grace. Includes challenging study questions for individuals or small groups. 226 pages, softcover from Tyndale.

Imitation of Christ
By Thomas a Kempis

Underscoring the pivotal role that classic literature plays in the shaping of our lives, Moody Press has introduced Moody Classic Series, celebrating Christian writing which has stood the test of time.

Let the Nations Be Glad
By John Piper

Why do we do missions? We are told, by Jesus, to preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations. So missions is duty, right? Wrong. If you do missions purely from a sense of duty you will not honor those you are reaching out to, nor will you truly honor God. Duty is the wrong place to look, so where do we find the answer to why we do missions? We turn, according to John Piper, to worship.

In our worship of God we encounter God's glory. The overflow from our worship is a desire to share God's glory with others (the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever), and we naturally become missional. When Jesus was asked what the kingdom of God was like, he compared it to a pearl so valuable that one would sell all they owned simply to possess it. Does that seem like duty to you? Instead, Jesus calls us to a new mindset, which flows from the mindset that worship creates in us. Thus, according to Piper, does worship become the goal of missions and the fuel which makes missions possible.

Worship as the fuel for missions makes sense to a lot of people, but worship as the goal of missions? Piper reminds us that the true reason we share God with others is to make them worshippers (and sharers) as well. He feels that the true goal of missions is "the gladness of the peoples in the greatness of God." If it is true, (as Piper states) that "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him," then increasing the number of people who are satisfied in God will bring God more glory. And missions is the way we can do that.

Missions must be seen as more than simply saving people from sin, though that is a very important aspect. And missions is not just about getting people into heaven, although that is important as well. Instead, through missions we should always seek to make as many people as possible into true worshippers, into those fully satisfied with the greatness of God.

With that mindset, missions becomes a joyous experience, as we joyfully share the life-changing presence of God in our lives with those who don't know God. When we have made worship both the fuel and goal of all our missionary endeavors, we realize that "missions is not a recruitment project for God's labor force. It is a liberation project from the heavy burdens and hard yokes of other gods." Missions is never a burden, because it comes out of our overwhelming joy in God's grace and mercy, and we just want to share that joy. So make God the center of your missions work, and joyfully share what He has graciously given to you.

Jesus Mean & Wild: 
The Unexpected Love of an Untamable God
By Mark Galli 

The contemporary church loves to paint Jesus as gentle, meek ... nice. In this striking work, Mark Galli introduces you to a different sort of savior - one who often makes other people feel decidedly uncomfortable.

Focusing on Jesus as he's portrayed in Mark's Gospel, Galli unveils the power of Christ in his militancy. Through biblical episodes, stories of both classic and contemporary saints, personal snapshots, and discussion questions, you'll discover that Christ's deep love for you is richer and more difficult than you can imagine. In this persistent, fearsome, untamed love, you can find true joy.

When God Weeps
By Joni Eareckson Tada 

When life hurts, can God be trusted? What are his purposes in the face of suffering? Joni Eareckson Tada---herself a quadriplegic---knows about pain. Now she and Pastor Steven Estes combine their deep personal experience with solidbiblical foundations to help you find answers to yourquestions and learn to trust God---no matter what.

How Should We Then Live
By Francis Schaeffer

Schaeffer's brilliant analysis of Western civilization from ancient Rome to the Atomic Age examines the breakdown of modern society in philosophy, theology, the arts, and morals. The only viable alternative, he says, is living by the Christian ethic, acceptance of God's revelation, and total affirmation of the Bible's values and meaning. A timeless classic.

The Good Life
By Chuck Colson

A big house, a fancy car, an expensive vacation---that's happiness! Or is it? Exploring the ways we seek pleasure and contentment, Colson shares real-life stories about people who define themselves by their positions and possessions vs. those who define themselves by their faith in God. You'll find new purpose and meaning for your own life.

Mere Christianity
By C.S. Lewis

Arguably the 20th century's most influential Christian writer, C.S. Lewis sought to explain and defend the beliefs that nearly all Christians at all times hold in common. His simple yet deeply profound classic, originally delivered as a series of radio broadcasts, is a book to be thoroughly digested by believers and generously shared with skeptics.

Eat This Book
By Eugene Peterson

A provocative challenge to read the Scriptures on their own terms---as God's revelation---and to live them as we read. Countering the trend toward subjective personal interpretation, Peterson suggests an alternative approach, offering fascinating insights on the nature of language, the ancient practice of lectio divina, and the role of translations, including The Message.