The Book

2015 books...to learn from...

Forever Book... to live by...

I love to read, to hear the perspective and wisdom of others, so I am always interested in books that those folks I respect are reading and writing.  So, just for fun I surveyed my own bookshelf to review books that I had read and that influenced or made an impact on my thinking, on my decision-making, even and especially my actions.  So here are just a few...

The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson

A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller

The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst

the end of me by Kyle Idleman

One proof I used to determine which books had affected or encouraged or even challenged me the most during 2015 was the old-fashioned highlighter 'test'.  I still prefer books with skin on - I know. I know ... my age and my technological challenges are glaring right now, but its just truth and reality.  By scanning many of the books I had read, these four rated the highest number of highlighter marks - most sentences, even some paragraphs.  Looking through an already-read book, highlights are the go to.  Sometimes, during those book reviews, wonder whispers, 'why did that sentence challenge or encourage me?'  Occasionally I will add a date or a thought to the margin of that book specifying the prompt for the highlight.  

Which books now and in the past have impacted my thinking most?...the ones that I had some connection with the author.  Sometimes that connection is based on a friend's assessment of the author - you know, heard them speak in person, met them, found a radio broadcast featuring the author.  Perhaps the subject or "meat" of the book was so applicable to something I had experienced or was currently experiencing that the words gently jumped off the page into my head.

Oh friends, are you with me?  We have at our fingertips the precious word from the Author who created us, who knit us together in our mother's womb, who calls us His treasured possession, His children.  He lavishes His love on us.  He sings over us.  He will NEVER leave or forsake us.  He bought us with the blood of His son.  He holds our hand.  He carries our burdens.

Though the mountains be shaken
    and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
    nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
    says the Lord, who has compassion on you.  Isaiah 54:10

Open His book, allow His words to influence you, to encourage you, to challenge you... to love you with His everlasting love.  Read it... with anticipation... with excitement... with wonder.   Highlight it, thank Him for it.  Live by it.

For the word of God is living and active andfull of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing andjudging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12