• The Holy Bible, New American Standard Bible (NASB)  © Copyright 1960, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.  The NASB is the undisputed leader in 'literalness' and grammatical accuracy but sometimes its English is hard to memorize, cumbersome, and far from poetic.

• The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.  This newer translation is more readable than the NASB and more grammatically aligned with the original languages than the NIV.

• The NET Bible, New English Translation (NET)  This is one of the most recent and exceptional translations because it is not owned or copyrighted by a publisher that is for profit.  This Bible eclipses all other study Bibles in the quantity of notes--60,237 of them.  The notes are sometimes technical and unique in their content because they explain the basis for the NET's translation and other ways that a particular verse could be translated.  It is the only study Bible with notes written by the translators themselves.  It is also available for free in HTML or HTML Help format.  See http://netbible.com

• The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan.  This is the most popular translation today in the USA.  It is probably the most readable and accessible.  The NIV, unlike the ESV and NASB is more 'free' in its translation.  This translation is more concerned with meaning and understanding than with grammatical or 'word for word' accuracy and consistency.

• The Beginner's Bible by Karyn Henley & Dennas Davis; Zondervan Publishing Company; ISBN: 0310926106; This illustrated Bible is for children age eight and under.  Parents should read to children daily until they are ready to read this Bible themselves; then select one of the above Bibles.

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE
Living by the Book by Howard G. Hendricks & William D. Hendricks; Moody Publishers; ISBN: 0802408168

ENTIRE BIBLE COMMENTARIES
The Bible Knowledge Commentary Old Testament and New Testament (2 volumes) by John Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck  (Editors)  Chariot Victor Books;  ISBN: 0882078127, 0882078135. 
Every Christian home should have a Bible commentary either on the shelf or on-line.  Both this and the one below are excellent.  Each book of the Bible is treated by a different author, so one cannot really compare the two sets.  For example, Matthew is treated masterfully by D. A. Carson in the set below.  Psalms are treated expertly by A. P. Ross in this set.

The Expositor's Bible Commentary Abridged-Old Testament and New Testament (2 volumes) by Kenneth L. Barker, John R., III Kohlenberger (Editors)   Hardcover:  Zondervan;
ISBN: 0310254965, 0310254973

Commentary on the Whole Bible, Matthew Henry, (1706-1721).  This classic is still in print and available at most Christian bookstores.  The comprehensive commentary is much better than any of the shortened versions.  Matthew Henry is a classic because it is readable, in depth, and applicational.  If you have internet access, the entire commentary is available for free for on-line reading or download.  See http://www.ccel.org/h/henry/mhc2/MHC00000.HTM

PRAYER
The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions (Leather Bound).  Banner of Truth, ISBN: 0851518214.  This book has been helpful in learning how to put words and thoughts to my prayers.  Some of the phrasing and vocabulary is archaic, but the richness and spiritual depth is outstanding.  I have prayed through this entire book marking the ones that resonate with my soul.  It is these few that I return to again and again. 

DOCTRINE
A Baptist Catechism, This is a slightly revised version of "The Baptist Catechism" first put forth by Baptists in 1689 in Great Britain.  It is available for free at: http://www.desiringgod.org/library/what_we_believe/catechism.html

CHRISTIAN DISCIPLINES
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney,  Paperback: Navpress; ISBN: 1576830276

CHRISTIAN LIFE
Desiring God by John Piper; Third Edition Softcover Book, Multnomah Publishers Inc.; ISBN: 1590521196

PARENTING
Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp, Paperback:  Shepherd Press; ISBN: 0966378601

MARRIAGE
Sacred Marriage, by Gary L. Thomas, Zondervan; ISBN: 0310242827

DECISION-MAKING
Decision Making And The Will Of God : A Biblical Alternative To The Traditional View by Gary Friesen, Paperback:  Multnomah Publishers Inc. ISBN: 1590522052

AUDIO SERMONS
For audio sermons by virtually every nationally known evangelical preacher including Tony Evans, Chuck Swindoll, John Piper, J. Vernon McGee, Charles Stanley and many more.  See http://oneplace.com/ministries/

All sermons preached at Cool Community Church are available for on-line listening or download here.