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Favorite Books of 2017: Updated links

(Some readers had trouble seeing the book covers. Text links were added.)

Technically, I suppose this is not a Writing Friday update, at least not on the surface. But writers are also readers. Voracious ones. I don’t get to read enough. But between writing, working, homeschool, and church, I managed to squeeze in about three dozen books in 2017. Granted, some of them are FOR writing or homeschool. Directly or indirectly, they deeply influence what I write both here and in fiction. I thought I’d share a few with you. (And I love book lists.)

Mark Buchanan, The Rest of God

Sabbath is one of my favorite areas of study and if you’ve been around very long you may have picked up on that. Mark Buchanan is one of my favorite writers. I have his book, The Holy Wild in the queue for 2018.

Ruth Haley Barton, Sacred Rhythms

I started this one on retreat in 2016 but didn’t finish it until this year. It’s a short book, but best digested in small bites. Invitation to Solitude and Silence is up this coming year.

Elyse Fitzpatrick and Dennis Johnson, Counsel from the Cross

I read a lot of counseling books. In fact, they take up at least three shelves in my office. When my son got his reading list for his Introduction to Psychology class, I had half of them already. (I made him promise to let me read the other two when he finished.) Inevitably, the things I learn find their way into the mouths of characters like Phil and Donna Shannon or Neil Craig. This book reinforces the fact that there is no healing apart from the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline

I “finished” this one right after retreat this year. I’m still reviewing and pondering. Because we understand at our core that our salvation comes by grace, we shy away from anything that challenges us to work or to discipline ourselves. But we know from all kinds of experience that we don’t improve at anything without practice and effort. Our spiritual growth is no different.

What did YOU read that impacted you this year?

Jesus, Lover of My Soul

By Paula

Jesus, lover of my soul,
Let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high:
Hide me, O my Savior, hide,
Till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide;
O receive my soul at last.

Other refuge have I none;
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, O leave me not alone,
Still support and comfort me:
All my trust on Thee is stayed,
All my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head
With the shadow of Thy wing.

Thou, O Christ, art all I want;
More than all in Thee I find:
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
Heal the sick and lead the blind:
Just and holy is Thy name,
I am all unrighteousness;
False and full of sin I am,
Thou art full of truth and grace.

Plenteous grace with Thee is found,
Grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound;
Make and keep me pure within:
Thou of life the fountain art,
Freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart,
Rise to all eternity.

Charles Wesley, 1740

Read John 6:60-69

(“Thou, O Christ, art all I want. More than all in Thee I find.” Beautiful words in a hymn, to be sure, but they should give us pause. Yes, I want Christ. Is He all I want? Do I find more than that in Him? But it seems we grow through each stanza, more content in Him until eternity.)

Appointed

By Paula

He appointed the moon for seasons; The sun knows its going down. Psalm 104:19

This afternoon, many of us across the US will step outside and observe for a brief moment while the moon obscures the sun’s light.

On an amazing mind-boggling scale,
God has appointed the motions of the moon, the sun and the stars.

We can calculate, predict, describe, and deduce.
We can model and map, chart and characterize.

But we can’t appoint.

Sometimes it is good to remember there are things that only God can do.
Sometimes it is good to remember how many things He has appointed.

This afternoon is a good time.

Revival

By Paula

Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, so that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth. Psalm 119:88

Can I be really honest? This has not been my best running season ever. I ran a couple of good races in the spring, but through the summer and fall, I’ve been something less than enthusiastic. I found a lot of excuses. I didn’t put out my best effort. Really, I ended up with nothing but sweaty clothes to show for my trek outside.

Then a few weeks ago, I had some routine bloodwork done. Elevated HA1C. Borderline diabetes. It wasn’t a complete surprise. I know my genetic makeup, and I had gestational diabetes when I carried my son. My risk is above average. Running immediately became more significant, and more of a priority. I had a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to it. When it came to running, I experienced a revival.

I find I need revival often on my walk with Jesus, and more often than the traditional spring and fall series of meetings. Just like a blood test can alert me to some physiological issues, there are a couple of markers that alert me to deeper spiritual ones.

Lack of compassion – When I find I’m more inwardly focused and tending to ignore the hurting people around me, that’s a warning sign.

Lack of engagement – When I find I’m not mentally present in worship or in my study time or during prayers, that’s a wake-up call.

The solution is two-fold. Just like my HA1C results require a change in diet, revival does, too. I need to change what I’m consuming whether it’s media or the attitudes or ideas of others. Instead, I need to take in generous servings of truth, seeing people the way God sees them.

Then I need to be more intentional about my walk with Jesus. I need to remind myself of His majesty and holiness and greatness, and the wonder of His amazing love for me. The more I honor God in worship the easier it is to follow Him in obedience.

In a few months I’ll have my blood checked again, then I can find out how I’ve done and if further changes are necessary. I don’t have to wait that long to see how I’m progressing on my walk. The Holy Spirit will nudge and encourage me at each step. I just have to make sure I’m listening and making the changes He asks of me.

What about you? Do you need a revival? How do you know? What steps do you take to begin a personal revival?

Sow Anyway

By Paula

Sometimes the beginnings of something great are wrapped in hardship.

Sow anyway.

Sometimes it seems pointless to bother with sowing at a time like this.

Sow anyway.

Sometimes we wonder if the joy will ever come.

Keep sowing.

Joy will come and it will be better than we ever imagined.

Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. Psalm 126:5