Pastor Ryan’s Best Books

With tax day upon us, today we’ll be looking at some book recommendations from Pastor Ryan Narasaki. Ryan is one of the elders at our church who primarily oversees our Children’s Ministry, but he works as a financial planner.

Knowing God by J.I. Packer

I read this book in the beginning of seminary and it really showed me the importance of knowing God and not merely knowing about God.  God wants us to know him intimately and this book will lay a solid foundation for knowing and loving God more.

Trusting God by Jerry Bridges

I appreciate this book because Jerry Bridges shows us what the Bible says about the God.  When things aren’t going well, we sometimes doubt God because our emotions and other influences give us an inaccurate picture of God.  We see God as weaker than he really is or not trustworthy.  This book shows us who God really is and why we can trust him.

Whose Money Is It Anyway? by John MacArthur

Nothing can distract us from loving God like money can and John MacArthur shows us how Christians should rightly see the material blessings we have.  He reminds us that everything is the Lord’s and gives practical advice on how to faithfully steward what we have.

Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes

This book is a must read for all men who want to live godly lives.  Hughes addresses so many of the issues men struggle with daily such as purity, prayer, integrity, work and serving and challenges us to consider how we are doing in these areas. He also shows us how being spiritually disciplined is essential to living in a way that glorifies God.

A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller

This book challenged my prayer life more than any other resource. Having grown up in the church, I have prayed for almost my entire life, but this book showed me that God wants us to come openly and honestly to him and prayer and to talk with him, our Heavenly Father.