Get Lost

Warning: this book is deceiving. While you may think this is another book about finding true love (as in a boyfriend finally), think again. This is about getting lost in God... reconnecting and rediscovering His love for you.

I really enjoyed this book personally. I got it because I thought it would help me in girls' ministry, but it was so helpful in getting me back on track with my devotions. It was convicting and exactly what I needed.

For example, she lists several excuses we could use to not spend time with God. "I am a reluctant lover when... [I] fill my schedule with so much service for my God that I never have time to be still and with my God" (70).

Gresh breaks it up into a ten day challenge to connect with God. You can use each chapter as a day or if you are doing a group study, you have the choice to make it ten weeks.

In this book there is space in case you want to journal about what she is writing about in the chapter. There are also group conversation questions and a leader's guide for a book study in case you are interested in going that route. I did not use either, but for those of you who would like to know, those are available for you.

I reviewed this book for Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers Blogging for Books. I received this book for free in exchange for a review of the book.

Perks of Being a Wallflower

I really enjoyed this book. It helped me remember what high school was like... dealing with issues that were important to us, hanging out with friends (and the entire drama that can unfold within friend groups), and struggling to be understood by parents.

I really liked the style of writing. It was written as journal entries from a boy named Charlie. Charlie is very much an introvert, so it was great to read an insight into his world.

It is amazing the power of friendship within the loneliness of high school. This was simply a beautiful book I picked up at the library. It was written as if it was 1992, so the world was a different place back then. It seems that it would have been edgy for the time, but it is not as much today because some of the things within the book are more accepted now than they were then.

With my ten year high school reunion coming up, it was a great reminder of high school. I mainly read the book so I could see the movie...

I Am Not But I Know I AM

Louie Giglio is a great speaker, and as it turns out, a great author. This is my first book that I have read by him. Giglio constantly reminds us about how small we are compared to our great God. It is humbling to read his book and remember that truth.

From the start, Giglio is unapologetic in confronting "two of the archenemies of the heart... stress and meaninglessness" (4). "To both stress and meaninglessness, this book says, "Enough!" (5).

"... if you're at a place in life where weariness and strain are more commonplace than rest and wonder, this book has found you at just the right time" (20-21).

In the book, Louie goes through a Bible study method that I have yet to put into practice but want to. It's called the One Word Bible Study Method (explained in detail in Appendix A). Basically it is going through one sentence of the Bible, one word a day, to really soak up the entire meaning of that sentence. It may seem slower than our usual read a chapter a day methods, but when you read the book, you'll see how valuable it can be.

"Just because you are small, never confuse that with being insignificant to God.... You are little. But you are intensely loved" (67).

The most convicting chapters were "Be Still" and "Furious Rest", which were about the Sabbath.

I highly recommend this book.

I reviewed this book for Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers Blogging for Books. I received this book for free in exchange for a review of the book.

stack o' book

Last year I posted a stack of books that I wanted to read through in 2012. I made it through about half of them. I got distracted by books from the library, free books that came from Blogging for Books/Multnomah Publishing, and just an overall busy season of life.

Here's my current stack of books:

I have read two of the books before (Faith in the City and Walking with God), but I feel like I could benefit from reading them again (something I rarely do -- I think I have read Messy Spirituality 2-3 times -- the most of any book).

January has been slow for me since I wanted to try to read Les Mis before seeing the movie (I got to 27% on my kindle before seeing it with a friend). So I am still working my way through it. In addition to the books pictured, I want to read through the Lord of the Rings series. I have a college prof who is creating a class on Tolkien's works and we are having an online discussion via Facebook so he can work out what he wants to teach this fall. So super excited. Except I JUST read The Hobbit and I'll have to do it again. Oh well. Time well spent to continue learning from this man, Charlie Starr. I took his class on C.S. Lewis and it was by far one of my favorite college classes! 

Here's to reading in 2013! 

Christian chick lit

Confession: I'm not usually a fan of Christian fiction.

But as I rediscovered my kindle the week between Christmas and New Year's, I decided to give a Christian chick lit book I found on my kindle a try. Can't help that the title was right up my alley... Around the World in 80 Dates: Confessions of a Christian Serial Dater. I could definitely identify with the characters in the book.

I found this book to be a fun, quick, easy read. I could relate to the characters well and really enjoyed Christa Banister's style of writing. Her humor was witty and she has obviously travelled to the cities mentioned in the book. It was cool to recognize some of the places mentioned.

"Unlike the majority of my Christian college friends, I decided I could forgo the husband for the first couple of years after graduation. Instead, I'd date casually, concentrate on my career, get more involved in church, and pay off that pesky student loan. And since I was being so responsible, maybe I'd save up for a down payment on a renovated downtown loft. And maybe the latest Prada bag. Or a trendy Fendi clutch, depending on my mood. Of course, after all that was accomplished and I'd traveled to some of Europe's best sights, I'd consider settling down and getting married." (Kindle Locations 46-49)

"But more and more, I'm beginning to see the wisdom in not getting hitched by the age of twenty-two" (Kindle Location 296).

I liked this book so much I bought her second book: Blessed are the Meddlers: Confessions of a Serial Matchmaker.

Although I did not enjoy this as much as the first (might be because the first book is more relateable in this stage of my life), I enjoyed the continuation of the story nonetheless.

The story focuses more on Sydney's still single younger sister, Samantha, who I could relate to in a lot of ways as a college graduate.

"The comfortable bubble she'd lived in for four years was about to burst, thrusting her smack-dab into the real world. And unlike college-with student loan payments on hold and a slew of friends just a short walk down the hallway-the real world was full of uncertainties" (Kindle Locations 884-886).

Quick, fun, easy reads.

Real Marriage

You may be questioning why I am reading a book on the topic of marriage. I am single and not even dating anyone.... But I truly believe in learning as much as I can about marriage before actually BEING married. This book has a super honest tone to it since Mark and Grace Driscoll share openly about some struggles in their own marriage, especially early in their marriage. Like many couples, Mark and Grace are complete opposites, which led to many obstacles for them in marriage.

They are not afraid of this subject, which is refreshing for someone like myself who grew up in the church and rarely heard these subjects discussed with such openness.

The book is divided into three sections: Marriage, Sex, and the Last Day. In the first section, they talk about some of their own baggage they brought into the marriage. It is important to know that matters of the heart do not heal themselves and you need to speak openly about what you are bringing to the table. In the second sections, they cover everything from what is permissible in marriage to pornography to abuse. The third section might be the most applicable and important section because it is basically a list of questions to discuss with your spouse about how you want the end of your life to be. From that goal you work backwards to where you are at this moment and how to get to where you want to be.

Some of my favorite quotes are:

"Marriage is about friendship. All the talk about spending time together, doing life together, making memories, being a good listener, growing old and taking care of each other, being honest, having the long view of things, repenting and forgiving can be summed up in one word -- friendship" (23).

"Married life can seems as if it's only five days long. The first day you meet, the second day you marry, the third day you raise your children, the fourth day you meet your grandchildren, and the fifth day you die first or bury your spouse to go home alone for the first time in many years" (35-36).

"[Y]our standard of beauty is your spouse" (109).

The following quote is why I believe it is ESSENTIAL for churches to approach the subject in middle school rather than just in high school (if at all): "A staggering 90 percent of children between the ages of eight and sixteen have viewed pornography on the Internet, in most cases unintentionally  The average age of first Internet exposure to pornography is eleven. The largest consumer category of Internet pornography is boys ages twelve to seventeen" (113).

"When someone stalks you, is obsessed with you, and threatens you, it's psychological abuse, and it changes you drastically" (125). Hello, TWILIGHT! Media has an important part in what we consider acceptable...

"Marriage is for our holiness before our happiness" (159).

"Researchers have estimated that sexual assault occurs in 10-14 percent of all marriages.... Under no circumstances is sexual assault of any sort acceptable in marriage" (202). I found that statistic very surprising and saddening.

I know this is the longest book review post I've done, but I can't tell you how much I enjoyed reading this book. Obviously I could put up more quotes, but you'll just have to read the book (you can do it -- it's only 220 pages).

So Long, Insecurity

Beth Moore is a great author. While I am more familiar with her Bible studies than regular books, I could not shake the feeling I needed to read her book, So Long, Insecurity.

The thing I like most about her style of writing is that she lets the reader know she's right there with us. "I’m a common woman sharing common problems seeking common solutions on a journey with an uncommon Savior" (13).

"Insecurity refers to a profound sense of self-doubt—a deep feeling of uncertainty about our basic worth and our place in the world" (17). I don't know anyone who has NOT felt those feelings at some point in life.

The awesome thing about this is that we KNOW where we can find true security: in Christ. "Let Him bring you peace. Let Him tell you you’re worth wanting, loving, even liking, pursuing, fighting for, and, yes, beloved, keeping" (77).

Moore includes a prayer that would be a great reminder to hang up somewhere. "Make me the kind of woman a little girl could follow to dignity and security" (174).

Moore knows that women are not the only ones who sturggle with insecurity. "Generally speaking, men withdraw when they feel insecure—and women cling. Men give off the don’t-mess-with-me vibe. Women give off the please-mess-with-me vibe" (195).

"In Christ, you are so much stronger than you think you are" (258).

I don't know about you, but I really needed to hear the message that was contained in this book. I own it on my Kindle if anyone wants to borrow it.