//// Recommended Reading/Listening

There are several books that I recommend for men and dads on their journey to becoming all that they want to be. This is not a comprehensive list by any stretch, and not all of them have to do with men only. I just picked books that I like that have helped me in my journey, and thought my friends would enjoy them as well. These books are not just to be read once, but take some time with them, and master them.

          For the Kingdom, Kevin

The Way of the Wild Heart by John Eldredge. Wild at Heart has set so many men free. But if it cast a vision, The Way of the Wild Heart shows men (and those raising boys) HOW to become a man. It's all new material, and a really awesome book. Maybe better than Wild at Heart. In my opinion, this is a stellar work that should not be ignored. As a friend of mine puts it, The Way of the Wild Heart is not a book you read, it is a book you live.

Wild at Heart, John Eldredge. Eldredge captures the essence of true masculinity better than just about anybody. The message of freedom and the three core desires of a man’s has resonated with men all around the world.

Healing the Masculine Soul,Gordon Dalbey. One of my favorite books on finding wholeness and strength as a man. Dalbey’s real-life examples of real-life change have given hope to many searching men.

The Masculine Journey, Robert Hicks. Written back in the early 1990’s, Robert Hicks does an excellent job laying out what masculine maturity looks like from a biblical perspective. Great for any man leading men’s ministries in a local church.

Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan. Written while in prison for taking a stand for religious liberty, Bunyan’s story of one man’s mythic journey to find immortal life has become a classic. There’s a reason this little allegory has remained a favorite since it’s publication in 1678. Despite the hundreds of years between us, it speaks deeply to our own journeys with many needed warnings and encouragements.

Abba’s Child, Brennan Manning. A welcome book to a weary soul. This book points out the joy and satisfaction of being a child of God. In a world full of people trying to look good, sound good, and smell good, Manning leads us to reveal our true selves to God and to others, and find freedom in doing so.

Blue Like Jazz, Donald Miller. Donald Miller has a penchant for letting go of the baggage of Christianity and lets us see what’s real. A light, funny, but nourishing read on non-religious Christian spirituality.

To Own a Dragon, Donald Miller. Miller talks straight about his childhood growing up without a father, and how that impacted his outlook and identity. Again, humorous, yet poignant.

Untamed, Xan Hood. Xan is a first time author and has done a brilliant job telling the story of how he became a man. Authentic, honest, and engaging reading, especially for 18-25 year old men, and those who work with them.

The Life of Pi, Yann Martel. A great adventure story about a 16 year old boy and a Bengal Tiger, lost at sea in a lifeboat. Not a Christian book per se, but it does have a lot of spiritual wealth in it.  I thoroughly enjoyed the adventure and hope they create a movie out of it some day.

The Call of the Wild, Jack London. First published in 1903, The Call of the Wild is regarded as Jack London's masterpiece. Based on London's experiences as a gold prospector in the Canadian wilderness and his ideas about nature and the struggle for existence, The Call of the Wild is one of my favorite stories about unbreakable spirit and the fight for survival in the frozen Alaskan Klondike.

The following audio cd’s are part of the offerings from Ransomed Heart Ministries in Colorado Springs, CO. www.ransomedheart.com.

The Masculine Journey by John Eldredge. A preface of his book The Way of the Wild Heart, published in the fall of 2006. Excellent!

Calling by Gary Barkalow. Have you ever wanted to decipher the mystery of your life? Gary does a fantastic job in the 3 set series. You’ll want to listen to it several times.

Raising Boys from Ransomed Heart Ministries. Masculinity is an essence that is bestowed from men to boys. John Eldredge and his team work masterfully through the process of what it was like for them growing up, and how they are intentionally raising their sons to be strong men of God.

Excellent Music for the Masculine Soul:
Stories and Songs by Mark Schultz
Restored by Jeremy Camp
Arriving by Chris Tomlin

Do you have a book or audio you’d like to recommend Kevin review? Please email him here and let him know.