Mid-Cities

Each month, Mid-Cities will be highlighting a book recommended by Pastor Daniel. These pastors picks will include books on practical application of Biblical truths, theology, apologetics, and much more. Each of the books highlighted have been catalysts for spiritual growth and development for Pastor Daniel and other leaders at Mid-Cities. Please join us as we read and study; and see how God can use these resources in your life to help you take the next step in your spiritual journey. The books may be purchased at the kiosk on Sunday Morning.

pastor's pick – november

Adopted for Life by Russell Moore Adopted for Life, by Russell Moore, is a manifesto calling Christians to adopt children and to equip Christian families going through the process. This book offers biblical foundations for adoption and identifies adoption as a Great Commission priority. Russell Moore helps us to understand God's purposes in adoption and its connection with gospel compassion.

pastor's pick – october

Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller Donald Miller's memoir-like collection of essays, Blue Like Jazz, wrestles with the paradoxes of the Christian faith, and describes his journey back to a culturally relevant, infinitely gracious Savior. A mind-changing perspective for those who believe that organized religion doesn't meet their spiritual needs. Miller is convinced that if communicated truthfully, honestly and authentically, the message of Christ will make sense intellectually and emotionally to every human being.

pastor's pick – september

How to Study Your Bible by Kay Arthur How to Study Your Bible, written by award-winning author Kay Arthur, is an outstanding resource designed to help you cultivate your skills of interpretation and application of God’s Word. It’s easy to understand chapters teach you a systematic, step by step approach that will help you to become an active participant in the studying of Bible, and enable God’s Word to speak to you in a real and personal way.

pastor’s pick – august

Bringing Up Girls by Dr. James Dobson Best-selling author and parenting expert, Dr. James Dobson, presents a new book for parents of girls titled "Bringing Up Girls." This book, written in Dobson's down-to-earth style, will equip parents to help their daughters become healthy, happy, and successful women and overcome some of the challenges they face in today's society.

pastor’s pick – july

The Five Temptations of a CEO: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni Imagine having a chance encounter with the ultimate management mentor and walking away with a new prospective on success in the corporate world. In The Five Temptations of a CEO: A Leadership Fable, author Patrick Lencioni depicts such a scenario, in a thought provoking novel. As Lencioni describes this unexpected meeting between two men, he takes a look at the 5 most common temptations of leaders in the workplace, and the ways to avoid being drawn in by them. Lencioni’s novel is an enjoyable, must read for all leaders.

Pastor’s Pick – May

The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan The Pilgrim’s Progress, by John Bunyan, is a remarkable allegory of the Christian Life. It chronicles the life of Christian, a pilgrim making his way to the Celestial City. Along the way, he experiences the hill Difficulty, the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and Vanity Fair; and encounters characters such as Hopeful, Mr. Worldly Wiseman, Mercy and Giant Despair. Even though John Bunyan’s classic was written over 300 years ago from his prison cell, this timeless tale of the conflict between religion and society is still relevant today.

Pastor’s Pick – April

Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson Dr. James Dobson is the nation’s most trusted parenting expert. In his book, Bringing Up Boys, Dr. Dobson tackles the tough, and often complex, questions of how to raise strong, godly boys in our current culture. With sensible advice and caring encouragement, he explains why boys are the way they are, how to understand their emotional and physical development, and the best way to motivate them to become godly men.

Pastor’s Pick – March

The Blessed Life by Robert Morris In The Blessed Life, Pastor Robert Morris presents the secrets to living an abundantly blessed life, both financially and spiritually. From his own personal experiences, Pastor Robert teaches a biblical message of blessing and having God’s supernatural power work for you, to transform your marriage, family, health, and finances. Discover the joy of giving, and reap the rewards of receiving!

Pastor’s Pick – Febuary

Marriage on the Rock by Jimmy Evans Pastor Jimmy Evans has authored nine books, but he is most notably known for Marriage on the Rock. Marriage on the Rock is a wonderful resource for creating a happy, healthy marriage that is pleasing to God. Pastor Jimmy discusses the laws of Priority, Pursuit, Possession and Purity in a straightforward and biblical manner. This book comes highly recommended for all married couples, and anyone considering marriage.

Pastor’s Pick – January

The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey In The Jesus I Never Knew, Philip Yancey takes a closer look at Jesus and illustrates how His gospel is still very relevant today. He offers a different perspective on the life of Jesus—his teaching, his miracles, his death and resurrection. In his book, Yancey says “Jesus has rocked my own preconceptions and has made me ask hard questions about why those of us who bear his name don’t do a better job of following him.” He presents a complex person, Jesus, who wants to radically change your life and stretch your faith.

Pastor’s Pick – December

Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster Considered by many to be the best modern book on Christian spirituality, Richard Foster’s book, Celebration of Discipline explores the “Disciplines” or spiritual practices of the Christian faith. Richard Foster provides numerous examples demonstrating how the Spiritual Disciplines can be a part of our daily activities, and help to bring us into the fullness of what God has for our lives. Since its publication in 1978, Celebration of Disciplines has helped millions of people develop a deeper understanding of God.

Pastor’s Pick – November

It’s Not About Me by Max Lucado In our culture, we are encouraged to make ourselves the center of the universe. We are told serving ourselves will make us happy. But instead of happiness, we have stress-filled lives, empty relationships, and chaos. In It’s Not About Me, Max Lucado encourages us to re-center our thinking by placing God in the center of our world. He shows us how living our life for the glory of the Lord and become His mirror to the world.

Pastor’s Pick – October

The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer A classic bestseller and the recipient of both the ECPA Gold and Platinum book awards. This timeless favorite reminds us that Christianity is a living and vibrant relationship with a personal God; and it challenges us to renew our hunger for Him daily.

Pastor’s Pick – September

Every Nation in Our Generation by Rice Broocks Did you ever wonder how Every Nation became a ministry? Where did it come from? Who started it? Pastor Rice Broocks, the founding president of Every Nation reveals the story behind the ministry in his book Every Nation in Our Generation. He shares his personal testimony, along with his vision and strategy that God has given to each of us. He encourages us to transform the culture and be the light to the world by embracing the Apostolic Mandate in Matthew 28:19 "...go and make disciples of all nations...”.

Pastor’s Pick – August

The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun You have heard the reports of government crackdowns on Chinese house churches and the horrific persecution of Christians in China. Now read an amazing account of Brother Yun, one of China’s house church leaders. His intensely dramatic and very personal autobiography, The Heavenly Man, depicts his story of prolonged torture and imprisonment all because of his faith. Learn how God took a young, half-starved boy from a poor village in China and enabled him to stand strong for Jesus Christ. This remarkable testimony has been distributed in almost 20 different languages, and was the 2003 Christian Book of the Year.

Pastor’s Pick – July

The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel If you were a journalist, how would you go about investigating the biggest news story in history? This is exactly what author Lee Strobel has done in The Case for Christ. In this unique approach to Christian apologetics, Mr. Strobel has summarized 13 interviews with Evangelical Christian scholars to incontestably prove historical, scientific, and psychiatric evidence that support the claims of Jesus. The book is broken down into 3 parts: Part 1—Examining the Record; Part 2—Analyzing Jesus; and Part 3—Researching the Resurrection. Lee Strobel was a journalist for the Chicago Tribune, and a former teaching pastor at Willow Creek and Saddleback. He now sits on the board of Willow Creek.

Pastor’s Pick – June

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis C.S. Lewis is one of the most influential Christian writers of the 20th Century. Mere Christianity is a theological book, by Lewis, that is simple, yet deeply profound. It is adapted from a series of radio broadcasts Lewis made in the 1940’s. In Mere Christianity, Lewis seeks to explain and defend the beliefs that nearly all Christians hold in common.