What books have changed you this summer?

My reading this summer has taken a different turn but an incredible turn. I have decided to read a biography once a month and anything else is through the summer is going to be from dead people. 

I am currently reading Spurgeon: A New Biography by Arnold Dallimore. It is an easy read, and a good summary and helpful insights for pastors. 

Something I read that I did not know about Spurgeon was when he was testing out the acoustics of the Crystal Palace in which he would preach the next day:

The day before the service, he went to the Palace to weigh up the task he was facing. The building had not been planned with any thought of meetings, and in order to test the acoustics he repeated several times the Scripture, "Behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world." His words were heard by a man who was working somewhere in the building. That man came to him days later to say the message of the verse had reached his heart, and he had come to know the LORD Jesus Christ."

Salvation belongs to the Lord (Jonah 2:9). We do not save people. God saves people. No one can make another love God. Only God can make you love God. I found this incident both encouraging and challenging. Encouraging to know that God is working through me and you even when we do not think he is. I know this is true from times of teaching and preaching and thinking "That was a flop." and weeks later hear someone share how it brought the gospel into their life to bring change and holiness. Also, it is a challenge because I know God can do the unthinkable but I do not often believe that he can do the unthinkable.

So, how's your summer reading?