I love reading! I could read all day long if given the chance. It always surprises me to hear people say they wouldn't know what to do if they were given any free time. I could read myself through a few libraries! Given the fact that I do NOT have all the time in the world, I have to be more selective in my reading choices. I'm always on the lookout for new good books, so I'd be interested in hearing about any favorites my readers have. In this post, I'm just going to mention a few of my favorite Christian books/authors.
First of all, I like anything by C.S. Lewis...particularly "Mere Christianity" and his Space Trilogy. A.W. Tozer is another of my top favorites. I highly recommend his books "The Pursuit of God" and "The Pursuit of Man". "Not by Chance: Learning to Trust a Sovereign God" by Layton Talbert, helped me to understand the balance between God's Sovereignty and free will a little better. "Flying Closer to the Flame: A Passion For the Holy Spirit" by Charles R. Swindoll, was a good one on the Holy Spirit. "Changed into His Image: God's Plan for Transforming Your Life" by Jim Berg was a book I really enjoyed going through in my old Sunday School class. "Shepherding a Child's Heart", by Tedd Tripp was a great one on parenting. Two books that we used in our Ladies' Bible Studies in my old church that I also greatly benefited from was "Seeking Him: Experiencing the Joy of Personal Revival" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss & Tim Grissom and "Breaking Free: Making Liberty in Christ a Reality in Life" by Beth Moore. The book I am reading now and really enjoying also comes with a workbook. It's "Having a Mary Spirit: Allowing God to Change Us From the Inside Out" by Joanna Weaver. That one I've borrowed from my sister. So if you're looking for a good Christian book, those are some of the ones I'd recommend. I'll probably do another list on other authors/books I enjoy at a later date.
Glad to see you are taking time for yourself. Don't get burnt out on this whole "mom" thing. You've still got about another 25 years where you are legally bound to deal with it. I say 25 because you are going to have two more children. Trust me I know these things. Don't forget to exercise! Chasing aliens around does not count! It may feel like it but you need time to clear your mind and keep yourself healthy, both spiritually and physically.
ReplyDeleteJust a side note I feel that adding "phile" to any word makes it sound a bit dirty no matter how great the word is. Like me I'm a technophile, because I enjoy technology. But in the end it makes me sound like some weird guy who likes to hang out at raves way too much.
I digress, keep on reading! Currently I'm reading the book, "Brothers: 26 stories of Love and Rivalry."
Stay cool Cuz!
Hey cuz,
ReplyDeleteI love reading too. I'm currently reading the selected writings of Eberhard Arnold. Another amazing man of God and writer is Howard Thurman. His book, Jesus and the Disinherited, is amazing. He was friends with MLK Sr. and he greatly influenced Jr. He went to India with a delegation of young black Christians in the 1930s. One Hindu asked him how Howard could be a Christian since it was a white religion. His statement laid the foundation for black liberation theology.
You should also check out Frank Viola. He is a new-ish writer who I think you'd really like. Walter Brueggeman's The Prophetic Imagination is one of my favorite books (right up there with Pursuit of God for me). And, lastly, my friend Peter Heltzel just wrote a follow-up to his first book Evangelicals and Empire. His new book is called Jesus and Justice.
Let me know if you check out any of these books/authors. It'd be fun to dialogue.
I really liked "Lies Women Believe" also by Nancy Lee DeMoss. And any parenting/homeschooling book by Lisa Whelchel. I'm also a Christian romance fan, but we've already beat that discussion to death :) But Karen Kingsbury, especially her Baxter family series (starts with Redemption) is really good.
ReplyDeleteDon't trust any books written after 1850. Except of course MacArthur, Piper, Horton, Spurgeon, and Iain Murray (and of course Tozer and Pink (late Pink, after he threw out Dispensationalism). Puritans are great, tho' John Owen might be a little mind boggling. Thomas Brooks, John Bunyan are great tho' I think Bunyan might be classified as a Baptist.
ReplyDeleteJake...thanks for the tips. I really am loving the "mom" thing--I'm actually enjoying it more each day. My only problem is the sleep issue. I've always been a bit of an insomniac. After the first "baby" year...things get better. John's good at encouraging me to take breaks too. Writing is a way for me to relax as well. Now...this blog probably won't be very intellectually stimulating...especially since the author gets next to no sleep...but it's really there just to keep in touch with everyone, and chill.
ReplyDeleteSo far my physical exercising consists of table-tennis, walks, and some time on a Total Body Fitness gym that I grabbed for free at the side of the road. I have lost about 41 lbs. so far after my pregnancy. I'd like to lose another 15-20 lbs. yet. I don't want to do too much strenuous exercise or any form of dieting (they don't really work anyways), since I'm breastfeeding and have to think about milk supply.
Thanks for the book ideas everyone! When I get more time, I'd love to look into the books suggested.
Jason: good point on that "white man's religion" thing. That's why it's so important to train the natives to reach their own people. They understand the culture better. Christ transcends culture.
Penni: I was actually going to put that book down too--"Lies Women Believe". That was a good one!
Mr. Heesen: Don't trust any books written after 1850?? Well, I always disagree with something in every book I've ever read...and I don't "trust" in them anyways. My mind is constantly changing on certain things as I grow in the Lord.
Well since everyone covered some good theological books I think I will refer to another kind. This book was very mind bending, creative, and imaginative. It kept me on the edge of my seat. Alas, I forgot the title. Rachael, maybe you could help me out. Would you ask Angela what the title of the book she read to me was? It had to do with intergalactic frogs who save the universe.
ReplyDeleteI was going to save the fun books for another post...LOL! I know what book you're talking about...that Super Spy Toad on his Intergalactic mission! hehe. Yeah, Angela and David loved it!
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