Book Summaries

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Jeff’s Personal Reading List

Jeff’s Personal Reading List:

Jeffrey Bush (updated 12-29-2021)

I do not endorse everything in these books, but I’ve found them to be useful in areas I am studying or trying to grow in. I am a child of God and the Bible is the best of all books, but I believe it wise to study and to better in every area as a husband, father, friend, leader, preacher, and encourager. I trust that some of the books listed below will challenge you as well.  

Finances

    • Money, Possessions, and Eternity by Randy Alcorn 
    • The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn
    • Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
    • Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
    • The Richest Man in Babylon by Denis Waitley
    • The Richest Man Who Ever Lived by Steven K. Scott

Marriage for Husband

    • If Only He Knew by Gary Smalley
    • 7 Ways to Be Her Hero by Doug Fields
    • 52 things wives need from their husbands by Jay Payleitner
    • For Married Men Only by Tony Evans
    • Worthy of Her Trust by Stephen Arterburn
    • Tender Warrior by Stu Weber
    • Men Who Love Fierce Women by Leroy & Kimberly Wagner

Marriage for Wife

    • Fierce Women by Kimberly Wagner 
    • Control Girl by Shannon Popkin
    • The Most Important Year in a Woman’s Life/Man’s Life by Robert Wolgemuth
    • Capture His Heart by Lysa TerKeurst
    • The Christian Girl’s Guide to Great Sex by Sheila Wray Gegoire

Marriage for Both Husband & Wife

    • Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs 
    • The Best Advice I Ever Got on Marriage by Jim Daly
    • The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
    • Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus by Dr. John Gray
    • When Risqué is Okay by Clint Caviness
    • Boundaries in Marriage by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
    • The Intimate Marriage by RC Sproul
    • Four Seasons of Marriage by Gary Chapman
    • Turn up the Heat by Kevin Leman
    • How to Re-spark and Keep Chemistry in your Relationship Forever by Leil Lowndes
    • Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
    • Fall in Love, Stay in Love by Willard Harley, Jr. 
    • Married and Still Loving It by Gary Chapman
    • Trading Places by Les and Leslie Parrott
    • His Needs, Her Needs by Dr. Willard F. Harley, Jr. 
    • How We Love by Milan Yerkovich 
    • Sheet Music by Kevin Leman
    • Sex Begins in the Kitchen by Kevin Leman
    • Have a New Sex Life by Friday by Kevin Leman
    • Marriage Done Right by Jim Daly

Dating

    • The Purity Principle by Randy Alcorn
    • Passion and Purity by Elizabeth Elliot
    • The New Rules for Love, Sex, and Dating by Andy Stanley
    • Things I Wish I’d Known Before We Got Married by Gary Chapman
    • Saving your Marriage Before it Starts by Les and Leslie Parrot

Leadership

    • Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders
    • Lincoln on Leadership by Donald T. Phillips
    • Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
    • Leadership Gold by John Maxwell
    • Axiom by Bill Hybels
    • The Motivation Mastery by Chris Widener
    • Courageous by Bill Hybels
    • The Book on Leadership by John MacArthur
    • The Go-Giver by Bob Burg
    • Becoming a Person of Influence by John Maxwell
    • The 21 Most Powerful Minutes in a Leaders Day by John Maxwell
    • The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader by John Maxwell
    • Making Vision Stick by Andy Stanley
    • Mistakes Leaders Make by Dave Kraft
    • Never Eat Alone by Tahl Raz and Keith Ferrazzi
    • The Spiritual Leader by Paul Chappell
    • Developing the Leaders Around You by John Maxwell
    • Good to Great by Jim Collins 
    • The Leader in You by Dale Carnegie
    • The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay
    • Training Camp by Jon Gordon
    • The 360 Degree Leader by John Maxwell
    • How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge by Clay Scroggins
    • What Makes a Leader by Daniel Goleman
    • What The Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast by Laura Vanderkam
    • The Lasting Impact of Positive Leadership by Stan Toler
    • Living Forward by Michael Hyatt
    • Leadership 101 by John Maxwell

Leadership, Time Management

    • Time Management in an Instant by Karen Leland
    • Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy
    • Time Warrior by Steve Chandler
    • Listful Thinking by Paula Rizzo
    • Deep Work by Cal Newport
    • 50 Lessons I Learned From The World’s #1 Goal Achiever by Vic Johnson

Leadership, Determination—Drive

    • The Rhinoceros Success by Scott Alexander
    • The 10 X Rule by Grant Cardone
    • The Way of the Fight by Georges St.-Pierre 
    • Grit by Angela Duckworth
    • Start by Jon Acuff
    • Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
    • Excellence Wins by Dean Merrill
    • Be Obsessed or Be Average by Grant Cardone
    • 8 Hours or Less by Ryan Huguley 
    • All In by Mark Batterson
    • Grit to Great by Linda Kaplan Thaler
    • The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy

Preaching

    • Preaching that Pleases God by Tom Farrell
    • Teaching on Preaching by Jack Hyles
    • Teaching on Teaching by Jack Hyles
    • Biblical Preaching by Haddon Robinson
    • The Power of Preaching by Tony Evans

Public Speaking

    • Everyone Communicates, Few Connect by John Maxwell
    • The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking by Dale Carnegie
    • Speak Like Lincoln, Stand Like Churchill by James C. Humes
    • TED Talks by Akash Karia
    • Talk Like TED by Camine Gallo
    • Public Speaking to Win by Dale Carnegie
    • The Art of Storytelling by Jeff Davidson
    • 7 Laws of the Learner by Bruce Wilkinson
    • 7 Laws of the Teacher by Howard Hendricks
    • The Seven Laws of Teaching by John Milton Gregory
    • Smart Talk by Lisa B. Marshall
    • The Art of Public Speaking by John R. Hale
    • Communicating For Change by Andy Stanley
    • What Great Teachers Do Differently by Todd Whitaker
    • How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere by Larry King
    • How To Speak So People Will Listen by Ronald L. Willingham 
    • The Essential of Persuasive Public Speaking by Sims Wyeth
    • Public Speaking Confidence by Glenn Harrold
    • Communicate What You Think by Earl Nightingale 
    • How to Make Our Listeners Like Us by Dale Carnegie

Christian Life

    • Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards
    • Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald
    • Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan
    • The Normal Christian Life by Watchman Nee 
    • Cat and Dog Theology By Bob Sjogern
    • Zeal Without Burnout by Christopher Ash
    • The Red Sea Rules by Robert Morgan
    • The Calvary Road by Roy Hession
    • The God Ask by Steve Shadrach 
    • Reclaiming Surrendered Ground by Jim Logan
    • The Bumps are What You Climb On by Warren W. Wiersbe
    • 14-Day Worry Cure by Dale Carnegie 
    • Love Focused by Bob Hughes

Freedom From Temptations

    • Finally Free by Heath Lambert
    • When Young Men are Tempted by Bill Perkins
    • When Good Men are Tempted by Bill Perkins
    • Demolishing Strongholds by Johnny Hunt
    • The Invisible War by Chip Ingram
    • The Strategy of Satan by Warren Wiersbe
    • The Fight of Your Life by Tim Clinton
    • True Purity by Hayley & Michael DiMarco
    • Sexual Detox by Tim Challies 
    • Every Young Man’s Battle (also Every Man’s Battle) by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker
    • Victory Over The Darkness by Neil T. Anderson
    • The Porn Problem by Vaughn Roberts

Prayer

    • When We Say Father by Adrian Rogers
    • Power Through Prayer by E.M. Bounds
    • Prayers For Freedom Over Worry and Anxiety by Bruce Wilkinson 
    • Praying The Bible by Donald S. Whitney

Parenting Girls

    • Bringing Up Girls by James Dobson
    • Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters by Meg Meeker
    • Be the Dad She Needs You To Be by Kevin Leman
    • 52 Things Daughters Need From Their Dad by Jay Payleitner

Parenting Boys

    • Bringing up Boys by James Dobson
    • Better Dad’s Stronger Sons by Rick Johnson
    • Raising Men, Not Boys by Mark Faberez
    • Take the Lead by Robert J. Kurtz

Parenting General

    • 52 Things Kids Need From a Dad by Jay Payleitner
    • Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours by Kevin Leman
    • How to Have a New Kid by Friday by Kevin Leman
    • How to Bring Your Children to Christ..& Keep Them There by Ray Comfort 
    • The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch
    • Point Man by Steve Farrar
    • Grace Based Parenting by Tim Kemmel
    • Planet Middle school by Kevin Leman
    • Hero by Meg Meeker
    • Family Worship by Donald S. Whitney
    • King Me by Steve Farrar 
    • How to Help Your Anxious Teen by Jessica Thompson 
    • God-Confident Kids by Cyndie Claypool de Neve
    • Family Worship by Donald S Whitney
    • The Duties of Parents by J.C. Ryle
    • Why Your Kids Misbehave by Kevin Leman
    • The Best Advice I Ever Got on Parenting by Jim Daly

Ministry

    • Lectures to my Students by Charles Spurgeon
    • Order in the Church by Paul Chappell
    • Some Things I’ve Learned by Curtis Hutson
    • Criswell Guidebook For Pastors by W. A. Criswell
    • Hyles Church Manual by Jack Hyles
    • Meet Generation Z by James Emory White
    • Deep and Wide by Andy Stanley
    • DiscipleShift by Bobby Harrington
    • Building a Discipling Culture by Mike Breen
    • 4 Chair Discipling by Dann Spader 
    • When Work and Family Collide by Andy Stanley

Missions

    • The Challenge of Missions by Oswald J. Smith
    • The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert E Coleman
    • Deputation Manual by Austin Gardner and Tony Howeth
    • Mentoring for Missions by Günter Krallmann
    • Training of the Twelve by A.B. Bruce
    • Missionary Methods: Saint Paul’s or Ours by Rolland Allen 
    • Faith Promise for World Witness by Norm Lewis
    • Missions in the Twenty-First Century by Tom Telford
    • LAMP, Language Acquisition Made Practical 
    • Today’s All-Star Missions Churches by Tom Telford
    • The Creation of a Student Movement to Evangelize the World by Timothy Wallstrom
    • Go Ye Means You by Norman Lewis
    • Chocolate Soldiers by CT Studd
    • Discovering Missions by Charles R. Gailey
    • So You Want to Be a Missionary by Don Mingo
    • Missions Smart by David L. Frazier

Missions, Church Planting

    • The Anatomy of a Missions Church by Ron Maggard
    • The Indigenous Church by Melvin Hodges
    • Starting a New Church by Ralph Moore
    • The Planting and Development of Missionary Churches by John Nevius 
    • Simple Church by Thom Rainer
    • The Effective Invitation by R. Alan Streett
    • The Principles and Practices of Indigenous Church Planting by Charles Brock
    • The Honest Guide to Church Planting by Tom Bennardo

Missions, Culture Adaptation

    • Culture Shock by Myron Loss
    • Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin
    • Have We No Rights by Mabel Williamson
    • Cross-cultural Servanthood by Duane Elmer
    • The Ugly American by William Lederer 
    • Buried in Bitter Waters by Elliot Jaspen
    • Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
    • This is Where You Belong by Melody Warnick
    • Foreign to Familiar by Sarah Lanier 
    • Re-Entry by Peter Jordan

Thought Life

    • Crashing the Chatterbox by Steven Furtick
    • As a Man Thinketh by James Allen.
    • The Power of Attitude by Mac Anderson
    • The Power of your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy
    • Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
    • Keys to Positive Thinking by Napoleon Hill
    • Making a Good Brain Great by Daniel G. Amen
    • How to Battle Depression and Suicide by Ray Comfort 
    • The Winning Attitude by John Maxwell
    • Redefining Anxiety by John Delony
    • Acres of Diamonds by Russell H. Conwell
    • The Secret of Self Confidence by Norman Vincent Peale 
    • Killing Lions by John Eldredge 
    • Stress is a Choice by David Zerfoss

Sharing The Gospel

    • One Thing You Can’t Do in Heaven by Mark Cahill
    • The Passion for Souls by Oswald J Smith
    • To Seek and to Save by Paul Chappell
    • Out of the Comfort Zone by Ray Comfort

Discipline

    • The Power of Discipline by Brian Tracy
    • Developing Winner Habits by Dennis Waitely
    • The Disciplines of the Christian Life by Eric Liddell
    • The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday 
    • Atomic Habits by James Clear

Personal Growth

    • Talent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin
    • Stressaholic by Heidi Hanna 
    • The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon
    • Stopping Stress before It Stops You by Kevin Leman
    • The Birth Order by Kevin Leman
    • The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson
    • In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson
    • 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do by Amy Morin
    • The Motivation Manifesto by Brendon Burchard
    • Ziglar on Selling by Zig Ziglar
    • Dangerous Calling by Jack Tripp
    • How to Stop Worrying by Dale Carnegie
    • Intimacy with the Almighty by Charles Swindoll
    • The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson
    • The Positive Dog by Jon Gordon 
    • Foxe’s Book of Martyrs by John Foxe
    • The Wisdom and Teaching of Stephen R. Covey
    • The Man in the Mirror by Patrick Morley
    • Man of God by Charles Stanley 
    • Move Your Bus by Ron Clark
    • The Last Arrow by Erwin McManus
    • The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer
    • Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson
    • Anger is a Choice by Tim LaHaye
    • Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill
    • When Good Men Get Angry by Bill Perkins
    • The Fuel and the Flame by Steve Shadrach
    • Suffering is Never for Nothing by Elisabeth Elliot
    • Failure is Never Final by Vic Johnson 

Relating to Others

    • How To Instantly Connect with Anyone by Neil Lowndes
    • Relationships 101 by John Maxwell
    • How to Connect in Business in 90 Seconds or Less by Nicholas Boothman
    • How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
    • How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes
    • You’re Not Listening by Kate Murphy
    • 151 Quick Ideas to Improve Your People Skills by Robert E. Dittmer
    • The Peacemaker by Ken Sande
    • The Compassionate Shepherd by John Ashley

Biographies (Missionary)

    • Bruchko by Bruce Olson
    • Adoniram Judson, Bound for Burma by Janet and Geoff Benge
    • Come Up to this Mountain by Lois Neely
    • Shadow of the Almighty by Elisabeth Elliot
    • Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot
    • Peace Child by Don Richardson
    • Lords of the Earth by Don Richardson
    • To The Golden Shore by Courtney Anderson 
    • Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret By Howard and Geraldine Taylor
    • The Life And Diary of David Brainerd by Jonathan Edwards 
    • Brother Andrew by Janet Benge
    • Jacob Deshazer, Forgive Your Enemies by Janet Benge
    • Gladys Aylward, The Adventure of a Lifetime by Janet Benge
    • Bob Hughes: An Extraordinary Life by Monroe Roark 
    • Patrick of Ireland, The Boy Who Forgave by K.C. Murdarasi
    • In The Presence of Mine Enemies by Garcia Burnham
    • God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew
    • Saint Patrick by Michael J. McHugh 
    • God’s Hostage by Andrew Brunson
    • No Turning Back by Jan Van Hee
    • Father to the Fatherless by Paul H. Boge

Biographies (Others)

    • The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
    • Tramp for the Lord by Corrie Ten Boom
    • Up from Slavery by Booker T. Washington
    • Jerry Falwell, His Life and Legacy by Macel Falwell
    • Billy Graham, America’s Pastor by Janet Benge
    • George Mueller, The Guardian of Bristol’s Orphans by Janet Benge 
    • Klaus-Dieter John by Janet Benge
    • Great Lives: Abraham by Charles Swindoll
    • Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand
    • Great Lives: David by Charles Swindoll 
    • Steal Away Home by Matt Carter and Aaron Ivey
    • Great Lives: Joseph by Charles Swindoll 
    • D.L. Moody by Nancy Drummond
    • Fanny Crosby, the Blind Girl’s Song by Lucille Travis
    • The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson 
    • Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Deibler Rose
    • Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi 
    • The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun
    • The Last of the Giants by Harry Rimmer 
    • I Dared to Call Him Father by Bilquis Sheikh
    • A Man Called Peter by Catherine Marshall
    • Lead Like Walt by Pat Williams
    • John Newton: The Angry Sailor by Kay Marshall Strom

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Inspiring Commitment of a Young African Pastor

The inspiring commitment of a young African pastor from Zimbabwe found among his papers in Zimbabwe after he was martyred for his Christian faith. 

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power, my die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of Jesus. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my Guide is reliable, and my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, preached up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me-my banner will be clear.

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Ideas for a Church on the Mission Field

Thoughts for building a church on the mission field by Jeffrey Bush

Show and tell your people what all ministerial positions look like — be specific about what an usher, musicians, teacher, etc., should do and how they should act.

Put a tract rack/stand on the street in front of the church where people can pick up information for free.

Place church signs everywhere possible — on building, upright stands on the sidewalk, banners over the street, etc.

Put a speaker outside with native speaker inviting others to come in, maybe some good music or announcements.

Pray God to work. Sounds cliche, but James 4:2 tells us that we have not because we ask not. Do you really believe God can work? Do you want God to do a big work? If you do believe it, then it’s time to ask God, which will result in living expectantly.

Preach and talk about what you want and expect. Would people know you believe and want to see servants of Christ raised up? Remember that nothing is dynamic unless it’s specific, meaning it cannot impact and change people unless you are specific in your preaching and teaching.

Preach messages that are simple and clear.

Get everyone a job, an opportunity to be plugged in. Don’t let hardly anyone in the pulpit, but get a paper and write down all ministries that people can be involved in (i.e.: give out bulletins, ushers, welcome committee, evangelism, line up chairs, sound system, kids ministries, play instrument, serve coffee/tea to all, etc.).

Make an order of the service

Carry tracts with you everywhere you go and encourage others to do the same.

Find out what it would cost to get on the radio, get in the newspaper or put ads on the buses, taxis, street posts, street banners over roads, etc. Get the word out that there is a church that preaches the gospel and wants to help people in your area.

Have a giant sign on your church building, whether someone paints or you purchase it. Using an electrical, lit-up sign if possible so that people can see it at night.

Make sure you have a webpage for the church.

Use Facebook or other popular apps is (like WeChat, WhatsApp, etc.) to promote your church and activities. People use Facebook in other countries more than in the US.

Have Bibles available in church for visitors or for those who don’t have one.

Give out Bibles for free to people who come to three consecutive services (or whatever number of services you think works best).

Pay someone to drive with a big speaker of recording that talks about your church. Although not everywhere, many countries have people that sale fruit or other products by driving around with a big speaker… so use the same idea.

Talk about what a church is and work to organize it.

Have people at the church doors to receive any guests, to give out something, to answer any questions and to point them inside.

Have a personal business card and give it out wherever you go. People will begin to know you as the pastor or Bible teacher.

Send everyone home with something from the church — bulletin, preaching notes, calendar or something. Remember that if they hang up something or carry around something with the church’s name on it, it’s good and free publicity.

Give out gifts to every visitor — pen, mug, tract, candy, magnet or something with the church’s name on it.

Have challenges in church where people can get a gift. For example:

  • Bring a visitor and get a free T-shirt
  • Come so many services and get a Bible
  • Memorize a Bible verse and get a free coffee mug.
  • Pass out so many tracts during the week and get free pen with church’s name on it.
  • Take notes in church 5x and get a free notebook with church’s name on it.
  • Read Bible through and get a sweatshirt or light jacket.

Have a small bookstore (maybe only a small table in the corner) with a few nicer Bibles and books that you know will help people.

Decorate the church with Bible verses on walls, in halls and anywhere possible. Remember, it’s God’s Word that changes lives and we want to get it into their hearts, memories and lives.

Use offering envelopes and put them in a rack or little case hung on the wall. Even if you prefer not to use envelopes, the idea of people seeing others pick them up to give makes a big statement and is a reference when you talk about giving. It also helps divide up where the giving goes (tithe, construction, missions, etc.) and lets people know both the need, the importance and organization of giving.

Put up a map of your city with a verse under it and a saying of how it’s your responsibility to tell the area about Jesus.

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Interview a Missionary

Although it is a delight for a church to hear a missionary presentation, sometimes the pastor may want to interview the missionary in front of the church. Interviewing a missionary will allow the church to hear the specific questions that can most benefit them. This list is in no way perfect, just a few that will spark other ideas.

  • Tell us how you got saved.
  • Tell us why you believe God wanted you to be a missionary.
  • Why did you choose that specific country?
  • How could we as a church have a part in your ministry?
  • What was the strangest experience you have had so far?
  • What was the hardest challenge you have faced?
  • What is the funniest thing that has happened?
  • What is your favorite memory from your time in the country so far?
  • How can we be praying for you?
  • What is the strangest food they eat in your country? 
  • Why should someone from our church consider going to your country? 
  • What are your goals? We’d like to know and be able to pray for you. 
  • How do you know God called you or lead you to missions? 
  • What has been one of the most challenging things that you have faced on the mission field or up to now? How did you get the victory? 
  • What do you do on the mission field as a wife/mother? 
  • How can churches and people partner with you in a more tangible way?
  • How do you balance family and ministry? 
  • Can you tell a story of someone who was saved in your ministry? 
  • How do you spend time with the Lord? 
  • Tell something interesting about your culture.
  • What are your biggest needs? 
  • Any special prayer requests?