What Do I Read?

I was thinking about last week's blog and thought it would be a good idea to share with you some of the books and bible studies I have done over the years that made a difference in how I think about God and how I act in response to God.  I decided not to include the parenting or marriage series but to save them for another time.  The following is not an exhaustive list as there were too many to include and I also seem to be missing a section of books.  We moved two years ago and in every move something gets misplaced.  Possibly a box of books headed for our house ended up in the used book store.   This is a little sad because the books that are missing are some of the ones I used when in a deep, dark spot of depression that helped me gain a healthier view of God, prayer, and life as a Christian.  We all hold deep held beliefs that we want to be true but may not be and they affect how we think and behave.

These are not in any particular order but all taught me much.  Also, I have been in and taught many studies on books of the bible which are obviously essential in growth in knowledge of the Lord.  Just add some of these to strict book studies.

The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel  If you have objections to Christianity or want to help someone who does this is a book for you.

Praying the Names of God by Ann Spangler  Helps you know more about who God is.

Lord, I want to Know You by Kay Arthur  More  about the attributes of God.

Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God  Great for sorting out divine sovereignty and human responsibility.

Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon  A daily devotional with deep theological insight and warm pastoral concern.  (So the intro says and I believe it to be true.)

Safely Home by Randy Alcorn (a novel) Wow!! This book blew me out of the water.  In reading this you must grapple with suffering in our lives and what faith really is and what God has really promised.

Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper  Piper says you are in one of two groups :  a Christian or God is calling you to be one.  You would not have picked this up if God were not at work in your life.  Christ has bought you at a price.  Your life is not your own and God has a plan for how you are to use this life.

Lost in the Middle (Midlife and the Grace of God)  by Paul David Tripp  Although this book is targeted at those who are struggling with the issues of midlife, it has a broad appeal to anyone struggling with life in this broken world and have lost their way.

Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow  An amazing book for anyone struggling with contentment and anxiety.  I have read it more than once and refer to it often.

Holy Habits by Mimi Wilson and Shelly Cook Volkhardt  A great book for learning to walk intentionally with God in prayer, belief, trust, and wisdom.  Great!

Choosing Gratitude by Nancy Leigh DeMoss  An amazing book teaching us how to train our hearts to respond to all of life with a thankful spirit, even in situations and seasons that we find unpleasant or difficult.

Living Intimately, Lessons from the Upper Room  by Lenya Heitzig and Penny Rose   These are lessons learned from what Jesus taught on His last evening on Earth talking with those He loved the most.

A Woman's Journey to the Heart of God by Cynthia Heald  We are all on a journey through this life.  How do we choose daily this right path to take?

A Woman's Call to Prayer by Elizabeth George   This is a practical book on how to make prayer a reality in your daily life.  Remember we are told to pray on all occasions from scripture.

Learning to Be Happy by Jeremiah Burroughs  This is about the great secret to Christian happiness written by a pastor in 1648.  It is an abridged version of The Rare jewel of Christian Contentment.

Beth Moore Bible Studies  I have done many and all have affected and encouraged my greatly.  I will list a few.  A Woman's Heart Gods Dwelling Place, Breaking Free Making Liberty in Christ a Reality in Life,  A Heart Like His, The Patriarchs Encountering the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Living Beyond Yourself Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit.  All are great.

Well,  there you go.  If you are saying to yourself that you can't possibly read all of these books you are not alone.  If I had looked forward in my life at this list I would have said the same thing.  However, I am now 55 looking back and starting at 27 God just led me along day by day and here I am.  All of these books and more were answers to prayer that I issued all of the time for God to help me.  He did and He always will.