Books and media that inspire me:

It seems that every book or documentary I finish leads me to at least two new ones to put on the list. Feel free to share your suggestions in the comments.

Books:

Allen, Jennie: Restless: Because You were Made for More
This book is designed to help you uncover your passions and put them to work for God.

 

Batterson, Mark: All In
I’ve read a few of Batterson’s books and love them all. If you are struggling with the desire to do more and act on your passions, this is a great place to start. It’s full of wonderful examples of people who put themselves out there and made a difference in the world.

Corbett, Steve and Brian Fikkert: When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor…and Yourself

 

Davis, Katie: Kisses from Katie
This is an inspiring autobiography/memoir by Katie Davis of her first years in Uganda, working with the local population and founding her non-profit, Amazima Ministries

Duhigg, Charles: The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and
Business

Hatmaker, Brandon: Barefoot Church: Serving the Least in a Consumer Culture
If you are a pastor or leader of a non-profit, I highly recommend this book. It is practical and full of passion and inspiration for leading people to both gather and serve.
A Mile Wide: Trading Shallow Religion for Deeper Faith

Hatmaker, Jen:
7 
Interrupted
For the Love

Favorite moment from 7: The author embarked on a mission to declutter her life: to cut wastefulness and create a life more streamlined for service. One month she challenged herself to give away a set number of things. But she didn’t just dump the lot at Goodwill, she went looking for people who really needed her stuff and gave it straight to them. On Easter Sunday they were celebrating with the homeless in their community, and Jen was giving away a bunch of purses to the homeless ladies. In the end she was left with one tiny, cute, little impractical handbag. It wasn’t useful to the adult women, being so small and fussy, but it caught the eye of a little girl, whom the author calls, “it’s rightful owner, the one for whom I daresay that purse was stitched together.” I choke up every time I reread this story. As Jen concludes, “I serve a Savior who finds a way to get pink purses to homeless six-year-old girls.” It wasn’t a life necessity, that cute little bag, but you can bet that it made that little girl feel loved and special. And that is priceless.

Mother Teresa (In My Own Words) edited by Jose Luis Gonzales-Balado

 

 

North, Wyatt: Mother Teresa: A Life Inspired by Wyatt North

The book is written simply and is very uncritical. It’s not an in-depth examination of Mother Teresa’s life and ministry, but a very approachable overview biography. One quote that particularly inspired me:

       Mother Teresa and the newly recognized Sisters of Charity did not take their mission lightly. She demanded that they lead a very regimented day. They woke early in the morning, took a short lunch, and went to bed along after dark. Much of their day was devoted to direct interaction with the poor, teaching and caring for them. A portion of every day was also set aside for prayer and contemplation. If the sisters served Christ by serving the poor, then they needed to cultivate and develop their relationship with God in order to ground their work in His love.”

– That really speaks to me. Discipline, self-denial, and a focus on the God who calls us is absolutely necessary to carry out His mission of feeding the hungry, loving the poor, and serving our communities.

Schlosser, Eric: Fast Food Nation – it’s not just about hunger, it’s about nutrition density and workers who earn a fair wage and have a safe working environment.

 

Sider, Ronald J: Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger  This book is very high on my recommendation list. It’s very factual and practical. Sections include a look at economics, the Biblical view of poverty, and programs that make a lasting difference. If you want a practical, hands-on manual to fighting hunger, this is it.

Documentaries:

Food, Inc.

 

 

 A Place at the Table

 

 

The Line: Poverty in America

Living on One Dollar: Free to watch on YouTube

 The Drop Box

The Starfish Throwers –  We had a chance to screen this before it came out, and it is wonderful. Currently FREE to view for Amazon Prime members!

Please Note: If you click on the book/video images, it will take you to the Amazon page for that item. I do get a little kickback if you order using one of my links, however, no one is telling me which books to recommend. These are all movies I have watched and books I have personally read or am currently reading (as noted) and which I recommend regardless of where you buy/borrow them.

Ted Talks:

Ellen Gustafson from FEED talks about the connection between obesity and hunger

Josette Sheeran, head of the UN World Food Programme, “Ending Hunger Now”

Jamie Oliver, celebrity chef, “Teach Every Child About Food”

 

On My To-Read/Watch List:

These are movies and books suggested in the works I’ve already watched or read, or they were recommended by friends I trust. They are in no particular order, I just add them as I become aware.

I’m Fine With God…It’s Christians I Can’t Stand: Getting Past the Religious Garbage in the Search for Spiritual Truth by Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz

 

Ten Thousand Wells by Jena Lee Nardella

 

 

 Simplicity: The Freedom of Letting Go by Richard Rohr

 

 

 Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper

 

 

 unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity… and Why It Matters by David Kinnaman, Gabe Lyons, and George Barna

 

The Tangible Kingdom: Creating Incarnational Community by Matt Smay and Hugh Halter

 

 

 Something Beautiful for God by Malcolm Muggeridge

 

 

 The Secret Message of Jesus: Uncovering the Truth that Could Change Everything by Brian McLaren

 

The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time by Jeffrey D. Sachs and Bono

 

 

The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands by Lysa TerKeurst

 

 

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