Here are four of the last books I have read, or am in the
process of reading...
Is It possible that good things can come out of our broken
dreams?
I ordered this book off Amazon because of the title
alone. I’m not going to lie that I was
disappointed to realize it was written by Laura Story once I got it and
actually started it. I’m not a Laura
Story fan – her song "Blessings" is like nails on a chalkboard to me because it
was so overplayed when it first came out.
The words to the song are great, don’t get me wrong, but I cannot change
the radio station fast enough when those first chords start. It took me a little bit to get beyond that
this was Laura Story’s story – and the ending I personally found really
hard to chew through, because God has chosen to bless her greatly in the area I feel God chose
to not fix in me. But aside from all
that ~ this is a great read.
Book quote: “Life is an abundantly beautiful, blessed
mess. Share your story. Give God the glory. And live a better broken.”
Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be and embrace
who you are.
I am currently leading this book in a Bible Study. Again, I ordered this book because of the
title alone. I struggle with
perfectionism. I long to live a
wholehearted life, and I’m a huge Brene Brown fan. After the book arrived I
felt called to lead this study, and I think that nudge meant I am to take this book slow,
really soaking it in, going over each chapter more than just once. The book is broken up into well outlined and
detailed chapters (called Guideposts) to help cultivate different areas of
wholehearted living. She does a great
job sharing personal stories mixed with her faith, her collection of data, and
her definitions. It covers anxiety, self
worth, self-doubt, control, fear, authenticity, security, belonging,
perfectionism… And by doing it as a
Bible study with a group of close friends, the conversations we have been able
to share has been such a great avenue to go even deeper with.
Book quote: “When we
can let go of what other people think and own our story, we gain access to our
worthiness – the feeling that we are enough just as we are and that we are
worthy of love and belonging. When we
spend a lifetime trying to distance ourselves from the parts of our lives that
don’t fit with who we think we’re supposed to be, we stand outside our story
and hustle for our worthiness by constantly performing, perfecting, pleasing, and
proving…”
A different kind of Hunger.
A different kind of fast.
This is the book I am reading daily through the season of
Lent. Lent is the days between Ash
Wednesday and Easter Sunday. A time
Christians often practice the giving up of something (a pleasure or habit) as an act of devotion
and self-discipline. I grew up in a Christian
home but we rarely did much for Ash Wednesday or through the season of
Lent. This year I wanted to do
something with depth for Lent, but I
didn’t want to just do something like “completely give up chocolate or sugar or coffee” that is
just a sure fire ticket to failure in my opinion, but I did want to do
something. In conversation with some
friends, we talked about the desire to go through a season of intentional “less”
in our lives. A friend gave me this
book. It’s been exactly what I am needing as I journey through this years tough season.
Book quote: “40 Days of Decrease guides readers through a
study of Jesus’ uncommon and uncomfortable call to abandon the world’s
illusions, embrace His kingdoms realities, and journey cross-ward and beyond… A
life-engaging guide to prepare our hearts for Easter that features a daily
devotional based upon Jesus’ life, guidance for reflections, suggested daily
fasts, suggested Scripture reading, and journaling space... As we experience this sacred season and the holiness of loss and less in Jesus' journey, may our hearts open vulnerably to a great commitment to love and be loved by the Savior.”
Oh me oh my, where to even begin... other than ~ for the love of all things awesome, just read it! This is one of those great books that you pick up that is an easy and engaging read, filled with laughter, tears, and deep spiritual nuggets of truth - oh and there's a fabulous chapter on fashion I guarantee you won't want to skip. She brings you through the very questions many of us are struggling with as women on a daily basis as we try do all... be all... juggle all... and have it all...
Book quote: "You are too vital to lose years to regret or shame or insecurity or fear. We are not slaves to those matters... Face your issues with courage, sister, because truth and love win... Don't shove it down; lay your junk on the table and deal with it. Address the stuff. Forgive, release, acknowledge, confront, feel the feelings, let something go, believe the truth, do whatever you need to do. Then dust your hands off and get ready to go."
What's up next in my book stack you ask...
Twist of Faith by Ridley Barron and Rising Strong by Brene Brown.
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What's up next in my book stack you ask...
Twist of Faith by Ridley Barron and Rising Strong by Brene Brown.
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