O, the joys of summer! This home schooling mom’s schedule loosens up. Summer means more time for reading. When I was a kid, I loved riding the bus downtown to the library. I’d devour an armload of books each week and go back for more. I don’t read as much today as I did in Middle School, but I still love it.
Do you have a summer reading list?
Here are 3 Christian books that helped me grow this past year:
Every Day Deserves a Chance by Max Lucado
God used this book last fall when a stressful season left me with a whiny attitude. Every Day Deserves a Chance encouraged me to thank God for each 24 hour gift of life. Lucado says that good lives are built on the daily decision to believe that today can be a good day, even when things go wrong. How do we do that? “Saturate each day with God’s grace, trust your day to His oversight, and look for His guidance.” I loved the “Day Lifters,” short devotionals at the end of each chapter.
Let. It. Go.: How to Stop Running the Show and Start Walking in Faith by Karen Ehman
I read Let. It. Go. because my control queen nature gets the best of me sometimes. A great story teller who will make you laugh, Karen also packs a spiritual punch with a profound message. The book explores “Why We Women Love to Run the Show” and discusses our attempts to control our homes, husbands, families, and life circumstances. This book challenged me to keep letting God take the reins and to gracefully accept the circumstances He allows in my life.
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
This spring I felt God nudge me to do something to cultivate my spiritual growth, so I read this book along with a Proverbs 31 online Bible study. I’m glad I did. The book addresses any woman seeking to live a victorious Christian life, as well as women who struggle to believe a specific ministry goal or dream God has placed in their hearts. Lysa draws parallels between our faith journey and Israel’s journey to the Promised Land. She shares her own faith struggles related to adopting two Liberian teens and becoming a published author and speaker. The brief Bible studies at the end of each chapter challenged me to get into God’s Word.
What’s next on my Reading List?
The Mended Heart by Suzanne Eller
I’m looking forward to joining Proverbs 31’s next online Bible study based on this book. I admire Suzie Eller’s heart and her vision to help women learn how to move forward and make progress towards receiving the healing and freedom that Jesus came to give. Her watchword is “Your past shapes you, but it doesn’t define you.”
I want to learn to live more freely and to receive the wholeness God wants to bring to my heart. What about you? Want to join me? If you’re seeking to recover from big hurts or smaller knocks and bumps, God wants to do a work in your heart too. Check out this link to join the Proverbs 31 Online Bible Study beginning June 22 with The Mended Heart. Including videos and devotionals, the study is free once you buy the book.
Now it’s your turn: Have you read a good book lately? What do you want to read next? Any chance you might join me in #TheMendedHeart study?
I’m glad to link up with Suzie Eller’s #LiveFree Thursday, Susan B Mead’s #DanceWithJesus, and #GraceandTruth. Check out these communities for more encouragement.
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Good morning Betsy,
“The Mended Heart” looks like a great book to read. It seems I am always reading a book that addresses issues that I have. My husband tells me that I need to just have a fun, summer, beach book to read. My problem is that I don’t want to pick up just any old book because so much of it is trash. Do you or any of your readers have suggestions for a nice, fun, uplifting read for summer?
Blessings,
Bev
Karen Ehman’s book is pretty funny, such an easy read! I also loved Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. It has REALLY interesting stories, but it’s non-fiction too.
OH, I just love this! It’s fun to know what others are reading. Also loved the picture of all the yummy books. Just love Wendell Berry and Willa Cather.
I was just introduced to Wendell Berry last year, for my son’s American Lit. class. Love, love, love My Antonia!
Betsy, I’m going to be also enjoying in this bible study!!!! Waiting to start!!! Thanks for sharing these resources. Blessings, I’m visiting you from #livefreeThursday.
W/Love,
Tayrina from TGAWrites
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Tayrina!
Yes, I am participating in this Blble study, too! I love to read in the summer, also. Can’t wait to get started:) Have a great day, Betsy!
Good for you, Kristine!
Loads of good reads on your list. Loads of good reads to add to my “to read” list! I always find helpful tidbits here at your blog, Betsy. Keep writing, Jesus girl, because it’s good. #livefreeThursday
Thanks, Kristi. Have a good one. 🙂
I’m printing this off for my next Amazon browsing time. Thank you so much! I did read Let It Go and enjoyed it. Thanks for this list- I always enjoy visiting your place. 🙂 Happy Summer!
Thanks sweet Karen! I hope you have a good summer too. I love to keep “to-read” lists on hand too!
Betsy, thank you for the reading suggestions as I have not yet read any of them. I just finished More: From Messes to Miracles by Tammie Head. Excellent! I loved it. I read it for the sheer joy of reading it & not to review. Although I may write a review because everyone should read this one 🙂 Enjoy the slower days of summer & reading!
I read mine for pleasure too, Joanne! Once a year I’ve done a “last year’s books” post. I’ll have to check out More:From Messes to Miracles. Haven’t heard of it!
Thanks for the list Betsy! I especially love The Mended Heart
Looking forward to The Mended Heart P31 OBS! I went through What Happens When Women Walk in Faith (although I still need to finish the book) and that study was such an encouragement to me. Lysa’s writing spoke straight to my heart. I love Max Lucado and hadn’t heard of this one, so I will definitely check it out. Thanks for sharing, friend! Have a great weekend.
I was so encouraged by the What happens when women walk in faith study too! First time I’d done one. The Max Lucado book was a game-changer for me. One of the books that has influenced me the most, probably it was just the place I was in when I read it!
Oh I lived going to the library as a kid and stacking up books to devour Betsy!
I’ll be doing The Mended Heart with you.
Hugs. Susan
You too, Susan? Glad to hear you’ll be doing the study!
Thanks Betsy for these book reviews. All great authors, you can’t go wrong.right? I’m reading Mended Heart right now.
Good for you, Christy!