//// Recommended Reading/Listening

There are several books that we 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. We just picked books that we like that have helped us in our journey, and thought our friends and allies would enjoy them as well. These books are not just to be read once, but several times, and mastered.

For the Kingdom, Kevin

Fathered by God and The Way of the Wild Heart by John Eldredge. Wild at Heart set so many men free. But if it cast a vision, Fathered by God shows men (and those raising boys) HOW to become a man. It's all new material, maybe even 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, Fathered by God 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.

True Faced John Lynch, Bill Thrall, Bruce McNichol.  This book radically changed the way we look at ourselves, in the light of grace, which is to say, the way God looks at us.  If we can really see and accept ourselves the way God sees us, and then we can see others for who they really are, it could change our 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.

Boys Adrift Dr Leonard Sax.   This is a practical and helpful view of boys in our culture, written from the perspective of a doctor.  He addresses everything from video games to over perscribing ADHD medications to boys and what healthy alternatives are for raising strong young men in America.

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.

Tales of the Kingdom, Tales of the Resistance, and Tales of the Restoration David and Karen Mains.  These are kids story books written way ahead of their time.  Allegorical, whimsical, and fantastic, these books portray good vs evil and the role men and women play in the Kingdom.  These are absolutely some of the best books out there describing the Larger Story and our unique place in the story.

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. Excellent teaching on the six stages of masculine maturity as noted in Fathered by God.   This is a teaching session from an Advanced Boot Camp retreat, plus a separate conversation with John, Gary Barkalow, Craig McConnell and Bart Hanson.

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.

The Glory of Your Life CD Series from Gary Barkalow. Similar to Calling, but more extensive and well worth the extra listen. www.thenobleheart.com

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

Albatross by The Classic Crime

Do you have a book or audio you’d like to recommend Kevin review? Please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it him here and let him know.