books

Life in the Words

/ heatherhaley07 / Leave a comment

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21

No book on this earth can replace the power of the Word of God. No words on this earth hold a candle to the power find through opening the Holy Word and soaking it in. There is not a book greater than His Book, the love letter written with me in mind. We are what we put in. If I enjoy my cheeseburgers and cheesecake every day of my life, my body will be a reflection of that. The same holds true for the soul. If I neglect the very words that bring life to my soul and mind, I will flounder in the wind.

I’ve been asked many times “what are you reading?” or “is this a good book?” or “what can I do to change my circumstance or be more joyful?” A few weeks ago, I began to really look at my bookshelves and realize the books I have read over the course of my short 37 years have brought great impact to my outlook on life, my perspective on my circumstances on life and what I have chosen to impact my head space. So, this blog is a little unique, as I am sharing the books that have meant something to me – but come highly recommended.

Disclaimer: I do not necessarily agree with all of the authors stance on many things, so please do not use this message as an attempt on anything ugly. I am stating that these specific books pushed me, challenged me, and encouraged me. These books below are never meant to replace the time spent with the Word of God – only to enhance the time spent. Here we go….

The Autobiography of George Muller; Corrie Ten Boom; Prayers that Avail Much by Copeland; The Power of a Praying Wife by Omartian; Praying through the Names of God by Tony Evans; Secrets of the Secret Place by Bob Sorge and One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voscamp.

These books are some of the books I have owned and read for more than twenty years and some I just added within the last five. These books keep me grounded in my faith as they are foundational reminders to the scriptures that are so dear to my soul and give the life that continues to keep me moving in my darkest moments. They are tools in guiding me to the quiet stillness moments with my Lord. They are the constant visuals of continued mission. Our days are difficult – my life is full of uphill climbs, and I am sure so is yours… but these are core foundational reminders to keep the faith and stay connected to the only Life Giving Vine we know.

Two of these are daily prayer books that can be utilized to assist in daily prayer time [#3&4]. Two of these are stories of people you cannot find in existence anymore – they walked so closely with God the earth shook when they awoke [#1&2]. The other three are made up of helpful reminders of the importance of time alone with God [#6], time of gratitude during every day darkness [#7] and a reminder that every jot and tittle are not wasted in God’s word [#5].

Praying Circles Around Your Children by Mark Batterson; My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers; Upside Down Prayers for Parents by Bergren; Raising Kingdom Kids by Tony Evans; Kingdom Marriage by Tony Evans; Parenting by Tripp; New Morning Mercies by Tripp

These incredible books tell stories over my life. My Utmost for His Highest was first published in 1924 by Chambers’ widow [#2]. I can remember opening this devotional book for the first time in high school – I stole my mom’s book – and thinking about how timeless it was for our lives even today. These words ring loudly with wisdom and truths that are very uncommon to our culture, but dripping with the Spirit of God. Also, New Morning Mercies [#7], is a beautiful daily devotional read that was gifted to me by a very dear friend. They are full of powerful reminders a daily truths for today.

Praying Circles Around Your Children and Upside Down Prayers for Parents [#1&3] are also full of unique and counter-culture reminders and prayers applicable to the little humans you may be raising. Raising children is one of the most crucial positions and mission I hold and I cannot tell you how ill-equipped I often feel. These little reads are great reminders on how to stay focused on what truly matters and dismiss the rest. Numbers 4, 5 & 6 will give you great hope while dismantling all of the ugly found within your own selfish soul. I have a love and hate relationship with all three of these books because they enlighten me to many of my own character flaws which brings great pain, but it is the much needed, good pain. They have helped me grow more than so many other books I have touched.

The Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson; Grave Robber by Mark Batterson; You and Me Forever by Francis & Lisa Chan; Crazy Love by Francis Chan; You Were Made for More by Jim Cymbala; Spirit Rising by Jim Cymbala; Fresh Faith and Fresh Power by Jim Cymbala; Not Forsaken by Louis Giglio; For the Love by Jen Hatmaker; Seven by Jen Hatmaker; Here, Now by Kate Merrick; Adopted for Life by Moore; Forgiving What You Can’t Forget by Lysa Terkeurst; The Broken Way by Ann Voscamp.

WOW – each of these books I can tell you were I sat and what season of life I was in while I was reading them. The Fresh Faith and Fresh Power Cymbala books take me all the way back to high school reading. I know I was a nerd and not the normal high school student, just ask my youth pastor who was charged with dealing with me and my constant push for more! And the Batterson books which helped my not long after the death of my sister with navigating who my God says He is. And of course the Hatmaker books which lightened my up from religion and thrusted me into more of relationship and laughter with my God. And the timely book that I had read many years ago, The Broken Way by Ann Voscamp, which taught me foundational truths before I knew I would really need them.

Here, Now – a wake up call to all who cannot seem to stop letting life control them. And Adopted for Life – the awesomeness about how we are all adopted in Christ and how that parallels for those littles among us adopted into our family home. Crazy Love by Chan will challenge you – if you think you love God, read this. It will make you think twice about what love really is. You Were Made for More by Cymbala – I remember reading all of NYC when me and my husband Clif went on a couples only weekend trip to hear from God and photograph the city. It was a powerful weekend of renewal and goodness for us both and this was my book of choice. Never would I dream our family and home would look the way it does now. Every day I am blessed.

And of course, You and Me Forever a great marriage book and tool to be the guideposts on this journey. And Forgiving What You Cannot Forget – speaks for itself. A Powerful Read to stop the victim card being played in your life. And Not Forsaken by Giglio – exactly that… all are must go to’s. And reminder books for life.

Prayers that Avail Much for Women, Copeland; How Successful People Lead, Maxwell; Minute Motivators for Leaders; Slow Down by Nordeman; Simple Truths of Service; Go-Giver; Rainmaker; The 12 Week Year; The Sensational Salesman, Cummings; Live Love Lead by Houston; Spiritual Leadership by Blackaby; FISH; Inside the Magic Kingdom – Disney’s Success; Customer Satisfaction is Worthless Customer Loyalty is Priceless.

Each of these are business, sales, leadership, customer service, good human books. I could go into detail, but honestly, each of these have nuggets of goodness and best practices for all. If you are in business at all – read them all. If you are a leader at all, read them all.

CS Lewis; Francine Rivers; Karen Kingsbury – best fiction authors with purpose

These are some of the best fiction books and series I have ever read with a greater purpose. The Magicians Nephew by CS Lewis is the first book in the Chronicles of Narnia Series – A MUST READ. The Screwtape Letters is a book written by the demons who are trying to destroy a human’s life. It gives great perspective on our days of living today, even though written many years ago. Rejoice is in the first series of the 20+ book series of the Baxter Family books by Karen Kingsbury. I couldn’t find my first book, Redemption, I am sure I loaned it out – but these are a powerful fiction read of a family living life with problems growing their faith. I believe many of us can relate.

Angels Walking series is another set of books by Karen Kingsbury that speaks to how the angels walk among us – such a great fiction by bound in truth read! Francine Rivers is one of the most historical fiction authors I’ve ever read – she will create stories within a biblical era and do great things with not being against scripture, but building the stories out. Sons of Encouragement and Lineage of Grace are great examples of this. Also, my favorite series of ALL Time is the Mark of the Lion Series which begins with Voice in the Wind. Redeeming Love – read it the first time in 24 hours. I am thankful there is one who passionately pursues my soul in this way. Even after I leave and flee so very often. I highly recommend each of these great literary marvels!

Multiply by Francis Chan; Walking with God in Every Season- Ecclesiastes/SongofSolomon/Lamentations, Arthur/Delacy; Ezra/Nehemiah/Esther by Arthur/Delacy; 40 minute studies by Arthur/Delacy; Waymaker by Ann Voscamp; No Other Gods by Minter; Gideon by Priscilla Shirer; Radical by David Platt, The Broken Way by Ann Voscamp; Breathe by Priscilla Shirer; Covenant by Kay Arthur; not listed: PRECEPT UPON PRECEPT by Kay Arthur

Discipleship Books – each and every one of these have unlocked a powerful truth about my God. If you are looking for core foundational truths that challenge you and encourage you in your relationship with God, these are great studies that will grow you and take you deeper in fellowship with the Lord. Each of these will guide you in the Truth of the Word and the hope of tomorrow. The bible study of Gideon, for example, Priscilla Shirer unpacks the story of Gideon. The powerful truth of how our God looks at a scared man fearing for his life and calls him a “Valiant Warrior.” Even when our actions don’t line up, our God still speaks truth over us. A great place to start bible studies is on precept.org – they have studies for all walks of life and all ages.

I know this is a lot to share on this amazing Christmas Eve – but today is the day to start to read. Reading changes an atmosphere. What we are putting in is either bringing death or life. Choose to turn the TV and the Facebook off today and pick up a book that will bring life! Make the most of 2023 – make it different than the last.

Review: 7 by Jen Hatmaker

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Review: 7 by Jen Hatmaker

Okay, there is conviction… and then there is CONVICTION.  This book has challenged me to study God’s Word to see what it means to truly be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  I have been a believer and follower of Jesus since I was 12 years old.  In many ways, I have been blessed with Godly wisdom to avoid some of the major pitfalls of this life.  However, in many ways the plumb line that I had used against myself was not the Living Word of God, and definitely not the Saviour of the Universe.

Now that I have seen, I am responsible.

I have always struggled with how the Living Word was supposed to scrub up against the life of the a 21st Century American Christian.  This book has caused me to focus on 7 major areas of my life and hold them up against the Word of God.  Those areas are: Clothes, Spending, Waste, Food, Possessions, Media & Stress.  At first glace, you might think, “I do okay in those areas..”.  If you feel like you are good and have accomplished all that Jesus has for you, read this book.  If you feel like you are obedient in most areas of your life, read this book.  If you feel like you have no real understanding of what God says about these areas, read this book (and then become a Berean and study it out).

Jen doesn’t seek to be the end all, be all about these issues mentioned.  My understanding is that she just wants the American Church of Jesus to study out how our lives actually line up with the Word of God.  Our view of Christianity is skewed by an American worldview, and not a Jesus worldview.

If you dare to go and pick this book up, be prepared to be challenged.  Be warned, this book is not for the weary.  Actually, the weary might just be the very one intended to read it!

Happy to you in finding your alter to fall upon with all of your idols!  Get ready!  Don’t say I didn’t warn you… (btw we all have idols).  Remember we have a loving Saviour who is willing to show grace to all, may repentance be near.

seven

Review: Sons of Encouragement by Francine Rivers

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Review: Sons of Encouragement by Francine Rivers

This book.  This book.  Wow.  This book.  Okay, so my girl Francine Rivers has challenged my knowledge of God’s Word once again.  Francine writes a beautifully anointed book in exploring every avenue of scripture.  She doesn’t just focus on the text, but the historical, physical and sociological climate of our scriptures.

This book explores the lives of five men in scripture: The Priest (Aaron), The Warrior (Caleb), The Prince (Jonathon), The Prophet (Amos) & The Scribe (Silas).

These men each faced extraordinary days in walking with the Unseen God of the Hebrews.  These men were placed in positions that no one else had ever faced and were forced to choose- follow Him faithfully & fearlessly OR disobey and walk away from the only peace and truth they’d ever known.

Not only does Francine challenge us with her sanctified imagination of scripture, but she follows up each section with a dive straight into the Living Word of God.  It is always important to decipher between what we actually know from scripture and what is sanctified imagination, but Francine paints crucial pictures for all believers everywhere to study out further.

This book has challenged me in ways I never could’ve dreamed.  It has also taught me how to view each person in our Holy Scriptures: real, sinful people born of the same dust as me.  These people were not super heroes.  These people were common.  These people only accomplished what they did for the Kingdom because the Spirit of the Living God was upon them.  Lord, may I be one who is known as a girl with the Spirit….

 

sons of enc

Guest Review: I Will Carry You: The Sacred Dance of Grief & Joy by Angie Smith  (Review by Madison Wright)

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There is only one person I know that reads as much, maybe more than me…. Miss Madison Wright.  She is one of my very best friends. She is iron to me. She suffers when I suffer and rejoices when I rejoice. She is weird and willing to walk in the actual places on this earth that Jesus walked. She knows pain and she knows real life. Please welcome my friend’s book review…. This might actually be her very first blog ever!!!!  Without further delay, Miss Madison Wright. 

  As a 23 year old who had just graduated college with no plans of marriage or children in sight, I had no idea why I felt so compelled to read a book about a mom’s journey of losing her child. But they do say that hindsight is 20/20 and 2 years later, I know exactly why. I have never read a book that directly helped me navigate a time in my life more than this one. To date, of all the books I’ve read, it’s molded me the most and began this transformational journey in me of seeing Jesus more intimately. Plus, I may or may not currently be reading it for the fourth time. It’s fine. I know you are probably thinking,”Hello Girl. You are not a mom. You have not lost a child. You cannot relate”… but the wonderful thing about Jesus is that when an obedient, grieving mother writes her story of how Jesus was there and saved her, He can also use that story to save a 23 year old fresh, college graduate that doesn’t yet know of the griefs that her future will inevitably hold. He is the constant that interweaves all of His children’s stories with his redemptive mercies.
Angie (we are on first name basis in my world) does an amazing job speaking Truth into anger and grief. You know, all those things that we try to hide and say that we’ve never felt towards God since it wouldn’t be Godly to admit that we are mad at Him and don’t really want to talk to Him because of what He has allowed to happen (are you picking up the sarcasm I’m laying down). Jesus is not threatened by our doubts or grief. He wants us to share it with Him. Seasons of doubt can only be overcome when we bring them to Jesus’ feet and trust Him with them.

If you only read one book for the rest of your life, make it this one (dramatic, yes, but I love it this much). The lessons learned while reading it are for all of us, no matter what kind of grief you’re walking through.

Review: Angels Walking by Karen Kingsbury

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Spiritual warfare is real.  There is a spiritual world that is going on all around us, every moment of every day.  This book is a beautiful fictitious depiction of how angels are involved in the spiritual warimagefare all around us.

Have you ever been curious about why God’s perfect plans for our lives are so important and how they effect those around us?  God knows what is best for us, He knows what His perfect plan for us is, He wants us to surrender our will to His perfect Will.  This book shows how normal people, living normal lives make decisions that effect the course of their lives forever.  Karen Kingsbury creates an inner monologue within the reader that forces them to view every day activity with a new set of eyes, spiritual eyes.

If you want to look at life from a different vantage point, this series is the one for you this cold, winter season!  It is a MUST READ!  The second book in the series, Chasing Sunsets, is also ADDICTIVE and may actually be better than the first.

This series also shows you the major importance of prayer and the power that it has on the course of life.  And never forget how much power is found in the Name of Jesus.

 

REVIEW: Prayers that Avail Much by Germaine Copeland

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About three months ago, I was told about a book that could radically change my prayer life.  I had always heard about how important it is to pray God’s Word back to Him, but I had never truly grasped or understood exactly what that meant. I’ve desired a strong prayer life for as long as I can remember, but then again I never really wanted to do anything to get there.  You know, the desire to look like a swimsuit model but keep eating donuts mentality… that was me.  And the word was needs to be used loosely because I definitely still fall into that mentality from time to time.

So, I went and picked up the book.  Now, my first thought in picking up a book like this is to remind myself that it is not God’s Word…. but with this one, I had to slow down on that, because it literally is God’s Word put together to direct our prayers.

The goal is to “allow the Holy Spirit to make the Word a reality in your heart.”  When you are in God’s Word, you can never get enough.  When you pray God’s Word, He aligns your heart to His, your prayers to His, your will to His.

When desiring to grow your prayer life, I would add this book to your toolkit!

prayers that avail much

reading. reading. reading.

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So, I had a friend ask me if I remembered what book she was reading when she went to the beach.  I did not go to the beach with her.  How in the world should I know?!  In her defense, we speak of what we are reading to each other all of the time, but her beach trip was a long time ago… months at least.  We quote books to each other or call each other by names of characters that we either want to be or we want to meet.  She was trying to calculate how many books she had read this year…. I think her total was 15!  FIFTEEN BOOKS!  It is only October.  The middle of October at that.  But her conversation got me thinking…. I have read a lot of books this year too.  I have read a lot of personal Christian growth books and a lot of Christian fiction books.  And even the occasional, non Christian fiction…. please don’t condemn me to Hell yet…. But why do I do that?  What’s the big deal with reading… shouldn’t reading the Bible be enough.  Why the extra, what’s the point?

The Lord had shown me many years ago through a great Christian friend and through a book called Spiritual Leadership by Henry Blackaby, that spiritual leaders read.  Why do spiritual leaders read?  And who are spiritual leaders…. pastors?teachers?  Or does scripture say more than that?  Titus 2 says older women lead younger women and the same for men.  So all older women and men are spiritual leaders?  Or does that mean older men and women in the faith?  If that is the case, would I not be a spiritual leader to my 2 year old daughter?  Or the new believer that just joined the family of faith?  I think it is safe to say YES!  I am!  But if I am, so are you!

So my journey has led me to a lot of different books that I received powerful messages from God.  Insert clause here: If you are not reading and studying God’s Word as a daily practice, then you do not need any of these books.  The Word of God must take ultimate authority over your life and your time.  If it doesn’t, focus on that first.  Okay, off of soap box.  Now, if you are spending time in God’s Word and you just can’t get enough and you want more and more and more…. THEN READ!  Over the next few weeks (well, until the Lord tells me to do something different), I am going to be highlighting different books that I have read lately OR over my Christian journey that have impacted my life for the Kingdom.

I will be sharing my thoughts and the messages that the Lord printed on my heart through the works of my brothers and sisters in the Kingdom.  So stay tuned for the multitudes of books about to invade your blog world!!  It’s going to be a fun ride!