Jeff Crosby

75 Masterpieces Every Christian Should Know

Arts & Literature

“New York Times columnist David Brooks has written that when 'you experience great art, you widen your repertoire of emotions.' If Brooks is right (and I believe he is), then Terry Glaspey has given us a profound resource for expanding our repertoire through the works he introduces and reflects on wisely, deeply, and artfully in this book. Feast on the sights, sounds, and words covered here as Glaspey does what few could with such elegance: dwell on centuries of art, architecture, poetry, books, music, and film created to the glory of God and in doing so, open a well of appreciation—and emotion—in the hearts and minds of his readers.”

An Invitation to Slow

Prayer & Spiritual Formation

“Each of us would be wise to receive, consider thoughtfully, and yes, to ponder slowly the invitations put forth in the pages of An Invitation to Slow. The invitations to quiet, courage, gratitude, community, and more are rooted in the lives, work, words, and hearts of two people whose wisdom blends together to create not a loud, rushing river but rather a quiet, steady, stream of insight that, when applied, will lead to greater human flourishing in the all-too-often cacophonous world we live in. Read. Reflect. Respond. Renew.”

Formed to Lead

Church Leadership & Ministry

“Jason Jensen's life and leadership have been marked by attentiveness to Scripture and spiritual disciplines, prayer and people, sabbath and sacrament. The pages of Formed to Lead are rich in wisdom and uncommonly practical application borne out of that sustained attentiveness. Enter into these pages, engage in the practices, and prayerfully apply what you encounter to your own leadership and spiritual formation.”

Heart Speak

Christian Living

“Sherrill Knezel is an artist in every sense of the word: Her illustrations winsomely, effectively draw readers into the text. Her personal meditations are wise, vulnerable, and artfully expressed. Her incisive questions beg for deep reflection, contemplation, and response. Heart Speak is borne out of the fertile soil of Sherrill's spiritual life and her profound understanding of Parker J. Palmer's classic work Let Your Life Speak. She has spoken deeply to my own heart, and I believe she will do the same for you.”

Kingdom and Empire

Ethics, Culture & Social Issues

“Many voices today talk about ‘empire,’ but far too often they read as if they come from and are written for those in an ivory, academic tower. Kingdom and Empire is a welcome exception. Tempelmeyer combines biblical fidelity, pastoral sensitivity, and keen cultural and theological insight wrapped in the elegance of an artist. This is a book we in the world’s wealthiest nations desperately need. Read it. Apply it. Have your heart, mind, and life changed.”

Midwinter Light

“The poet Mary Oliver once suggested that the endless and proper work of human persons is to pay attention. In the pages of Midwinter Light, Marilyn McEntyre artfully helps us do just that through an evocative marriage of winter poetry and her own vivid meditations in response to it. The net result is a book that teems with wisdom, wonder, and light and prompts us to pay attention to landscapes both internal and external in whatever season we may find ourselves. In reading this book, I felt as if I was standing on something like holy ground.”

Nowell! A Christmas Miscellany

Arts & Literature

“Christmastide is rich with tradition and nostalgia both within the church and in cultures the world over. The diverse voices and literary genres that make up Tim Dowley’s Nowell! make for a delightful companion as we read, wait, reflect, and welcome Immanuel, God with us.”

The Gift of Restlessness

Prayer & Spiritual Formation

“Are seasons of wilderness and restlessness gifts or curses? Are they something to be avoided, overcome, or embraced as a path toward authentic growth and wholeness? In The Gift of Restlessness, Casey Tygrett turns the standard answer I've encountered in Christian teaching on its head and suggests--no, demonstrates, through his own life--that restlessness is not only a common and persistent spiritual state but it's also a gift. Tygrett meets us at the trailheads of six common restless-adjacent questions arising in our lives and walks with us as we live in a now-and-not-yet state with hope, joy, and curiosity.”

The Passover Mystery

Theology

“With the precision of a learned theologian and the heart of a wise, guiding pastor, Gene Tempelmeyer’s The Passover Mystery helps us recover a sense of awe, reverence, understanding, and application of this mystery to our journey as followers of Christ. As I slowly and carefully read his sage words, I came away with a deep sense of all four of those dimensions, and I am grateful for having done so.”

When Working Together Doesn’t Work

Work, Money & Leadership

“In this highly readable and uncommonly practical book, Joey Stabile Schewee not only guides readers in understanding the Enneagram, but she also uniquely applies it to the relationships found in the place we spend many of our waking hours—our work environment. Applied properly, the reading of When Working Together Doesn't Work will help you improve the quality and durability of relationships and the performance of your teams.”