We have entered back into life of school routine, and activities! Maybe you are thinking about gathering a list of books for your winter reading ;) ... or maybe not. However, here are some books that passed through my bookshelf over the summer, if you are looking for some recommendations!
Adjusting to life in Canada, the past few years has meant learning how the culture here has changed, and understanding more about this younger generation. This was a very helpful read, putting in perspective things we do in ministry for the sake of the church, and challenging us to think about the unchurched, with ideas on how to reach them.
Watchfulness:Recovering A Lost Spiritual Discipline by Brian Hedges
This book was on my to-read list for awhile. It was humbling and challenging me to become watchful over my mind and my soul. This means taking a deep look inside ourselves, where those temptations are prone to lie, so that we can become prepared and equipped for the temptations that face us each day. Read my full review here.
I really enjoyed this book, as he took a look at different aspects of what it means to have faith, and used the examples of people from Scripture to illuminate that faith. It's 5 chapters with great reflection questions at the end of each, so it would fit well for a small group study.
He's a fun writer, with an uncanny ability to communicate important truths to us in a way that really resonates. This book is all about acknowledging our imperfection, desiring more of His glory and how to live our lives in the grace of God, as we live our our faith.
This was a great read to develop a solid understanding what we believe about Scripture. If you want to be equipped in your defence of the Bible, here's a good place to start.
This may not seem like an interest topic, I guess dying isn't something we necessarily gravitate towards, but dying to ourselves is so important in our faith, and this book walks us through how. I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review. You can see my full review here.
Here is an interesting biblical fiction book, based on some letters found. I enjoyed reading the letters back and forth between Antipas and Luke, to watch as his understanding of Jesus evolved, and how faith in Jesus could have impacted the local church.
This is the story behind the beginnings of the ministry now known as Adult and Teen Challenge. I was so encouraged by reading this and inspired by his life of prayer as the ministry began. See my full review here.
I have been enjoying some historical fiction, and this was a really fun read, digging into the fictional, but based-on-a-true-story, lives of Martin Luther and Katharina Von Bora. I love the honesty of their relationship, that their differences were challenging, but that their love and trust in God drew them to keep pursuing Him and each other.
What's been on your shelf this summer? What would you recommend?
Let me know in the comments below!!
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