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Dr. Josh and Christi

The 10 Books I Most Often Pull From My Shelf

February 4, 2015 By Joshua Straub Leave a Comment

I love books. I underline key phrases, make notes for future talks, and highlight personal insights. I even use a number system for some books to categorize ideas.

People who know I love to read often ask me for recommendations. Some ask me about my “favorites.” To be honest, I hate favorites. I don’t really have a favorite anything. Depending on the weather and the day, my “favorite” food may change. I choose my “favorite” music by the mood I’m in—or perhaps more often, the mood I want to be in.

I think books are the same way. What could be a favorite for me may be a dud for you.

That’s why I’d rather recommend books based on the ones that have most impacted my life—the books with the most scribbles; the books with the binding hanging on for dear life.

These are the books I most often pull from my shelf to read, and read again. I make it a habit to regularly pick up these 10 books to reread my highlights, numbers, and underlines.

Apart from the Bible, these are the books that have the most influence on my emotional and spiritual health and have dramatically impacted the way I choose to live my life.

As you look for a good read, I hope one of these books has as much influence on your life as they have mine. 

In no particular order:

GEMS FROM TOZER, A.W. TOZER      

I pull this book off my shelf more than any other. This book is priceless. My greatest takeaway from Tozer is doing my best to make and keep the five vows for a deeper spiritual life:
1. Deal thoroughly with sin
2. Never own anything (get rid of the sense of possessing)
3. Never defend yourself
4. Never pass anything on about anybody else that will hurt him
5. Never accept any glory.

MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST, OSWALD CHAMBERS

This is on the list because I read it nearly everyday. If I don’t get to the actual book itself, I read the daily reading from the app on my phone.

GOOD TO GREAT, JIM COLLINS

I have this book numbered and reread it often. My goal: To be a level 5 leader.

DARING GREATLY: HOW THE COURAGE TO BE VULNERABLE TRANSFORMS THE WAY WE LIVE, LOVE, PARENT, AND LEAD, BRENE BROWN

No other book in the past two years has influenced how I approach life than this one. Thank you, Brene Brown, for helping me step into the arena with confidence.

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED: A NEW PSYCHOLOGY OF LOVE, TRADITIONAL VALUES AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH, M. SCOTT PECK

This is a classic. I read it because…”life is difficult.”

THE FREEDOM OF SELF-FORGETFULNESS, TIMOTHY KELLER

Perhaps you’re seeing a theme in the books I love–vulnerability, humility, never accepting glory–all attributes of a level 5 leader. I love this mini-book for that reason–learning to experience the joy in centering my life on others.

MASTERING THE SEVEN DECISIONS THAT DETERMINE PERSONAL SUCCESS, ANDY ANDREWS

I picked this book up a few years ago and haven’t put it down since. I reread this book as much as any other. If you haven’t read Andy Andrews, you must. Begin first with The Traveler’s Gift, then read this. It’ll change how you view the world around you.

BOUNDARIES: WHEN TO SAY YES, HOW TO SAY NO TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE, HENRY CLOUD AND JOHN TOWNSEND

I first read this book eleven years ago when I had a big problem–the inability to say no. Since then, John and Henry have become mentors and friends of mine. Their insights on relationships are profound, yet applicable. Live by the 10 Laws of Boundaries and “no” will become your best friend.

KING’S CROSS: THE STORY OF THE WORLD IN THE LIFE OF JESUS, TIMOTHY KELLER

You won’t see the Gospels of Jesus, or the reason you’re alive today, the same again.

EXPERIENCING GOD: KNOWING AND DOING THE WILL OF GOD, HENRY AND RICHARD BLACKABY

This book’s title doesn’t disappoint. When I first read this book I did a chapter a morning at 5am. Since then, I go back to this book frequently to gain perspective on my life circumstances beyond what I can see in front of me.

…and a special 11th book that I don’t pick up as often, but influences my life everyday because of how it has changed the way I pray, the types of prayers I pray, and the goals we now make as a family:

THE CIRCLE MAKER, MARK BATTERSON

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Filed Under: Family, Spiritual Direction Tagged With: Books, Prayer, Spiritual Formation, Spiritual Health

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Instagram post 2196321373500862286_16377459 Proverbs 10:19

#famousathome #discipline #selfcontrol #lessismore
Instagram post 2195592084505725459_16377459 This is a magnet castle I built tonight with Kennedy. It’s not the prettiest one we’ve ever built, at least in my eyes, but in her eyes—because she got to do it with daddy—oh man, this was the best castle ever!

We ran a lot this weekend. Dinner with friends one night, filming videos and working on Saturday, and two church services yesterday. Last night, I could tell they were simply longing for connection. And kids spell connection P.L.A.Y.

So today, I promised one we’d finish the LEGO train and the other a magnet castle. And it was pretty much the most epic part of my day.

The easiest parenting wins come with that 20 minutes of command-free time with our kids. Researcher Stanley Greenspan found 20 minutes to be gold for a child’s brain development. Command-free time is when we enter our kid’s world and do what they want to do.

Don’t let the busyness of the holidays rob you of the greatest gift you can give your kids—one-on-one playtime. Just 20 minutes is gold.

#playtime #famousathome
Instagram post 2194847324861958983_16377459 #famousathome
Instagram post 2194071541587539122_16377459 When we slow down and pay attention, kids teach us a lot about how to live. I love being a student of my children.

May we all progress through the Christmas season with the childlike joy and love of this little guy. This picture progression describes this boy to a T.

And yes, as you can tell by my moves, I have a lot to learn 😂
.
📸: @life.with.marion 
#childlike #joyful
Instagram post 2192637077875503232_16377459 Favorite movie and an annual Christmas staple in the Straub home. Our influence echoes beyond what we could ever imagine.

#youmaketodaybetter #famousathome
Instagram post 2191815017603516578_16377459 Nurturing the hearts under our roof isn’t always easy. But it’s the greatest privilege in the world.

#mysquad #teamstraub #famousathome .
📸: @life.with.marion
Instagram post 2190521001310109518_16377459 We just did ThanksChristmas at the most magical Christmas hotel on the planet. It’s like a Hallmark Christmas movie everyday. Oh yeah, and that’s the real Santa too! 
PS. Let me know if you need some help this year. I can try and put in a good word for you.

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