Reading List

I had to blog late last night for the GB blog today and thought I would just share it with you. It's not quite as I hoped it would turn out, but thought I would show it to you regardless.

We've had a lot of fun things going on for the ministry blog, so if you don't read it, you should especially read it every Friday, as Priscilla has been sharing her new book that is releasing September 1, The Resolution For Women. I'm so excited about the book and want everyone I know to read it, female of course. She's doing all kinds of giveaways and stuff, so that's kind of fun.

Other reads: Is God To Blame by Greg Boyd. I will have many postings about this book I think, and I'm only on chapter 5, but if you are looking for a new read right now, I highly recommend it. Thanks to Michael for the suggestion.

my book list

So at the beginning of the year I set a goal for myself. I told myself i would read 1 book every 2 months, to read a total of 6 books in a year. I know that doesn't sound like a lot to most people out there, but for me, this was a very practical goal to set for myself.

Well, so far so good. Here's what I've read: Forgotten God, So Long Insecurity, Secrets of the Secret Place, Chasing the Dragons, and The Shack. Recommend all of them to you. All fantastic books!

I've been trying to get into Captivating, Stasi Eldredge, but I just can't do it. For some reason I'm just not digging it. So I ordered myself two new books today: Come to Papa, by Gary Wiens and then Radical by David Platt. I cannot wait read these and I'm pretty sure I'm not going to have any trouble getting into them.

I'm actually quite proud of myself of being ahead of my goal. I figured I'd give myself some space this year, and then next year I can try and read a book a month or every 1.5 months. We'll see. But for now, I've got two more books to read before December. I think I can make that happen.

What should I add to my reading list?!

dinner with Jenni

Last night I had the privilege of having dinner with Jenni Catron , executive director of Cross Point Church in Nashville, TN. Going into dinner I already had a few questions I was dying to ask her. I'm sure she doesn't know that, but it's true =)

My main thing lately has been trying to figure out how to better manage my schedule. I'm SUCH a schedule oriented person, that if I'm not on a schedule, I feel out of place. I feel unproductive, unsatisfied, and just flat out frustrated. It's not a good place to be in.

Because of my job, I really have to be intentional with my time. I want to make sure I'm getting adequate time to work, to be with friends, to be with Jesus, and to READ. This is my thing: I want to read more. I shared with you before how most top entrepreneurs and leaders READ. And they read a lot.

So I wanted to know from Jenni when she reads, because I look up to her as a leader, and I know she does it a lot. Let's just say, she definitely reads a lot more than I do. hah! But, I also know my schedule is very different than her. So she had the brilliant idea to suggest to me to get audio books. Bam! That's what I'm going to do. I'm in the car so stinking much that it would be a perfect time for me to get some reading done.

So cheers to you Jenni! Thank you for encouraging me and supporting me. And I will let you know how successful this audio book idea turns out to be for me.

How much do we love our God?

If you want or have some time this weekend of extra reading, I want to encourage you to read over Deuteronomy 6. And read it again… and then again some. It is so rich and full and I think it will bless you and encourage you this weekend.

Write verse 5 on a notecard and take it around with you this weekend.

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Some things to think about:

1. What would be the danger to the children of Israel once they entered the promised land?

2. Do you see this same possibility in the life of a Christian today?

3. Why is it danger?

4. How could the children of Israel fall into such a trap? What were their specific instructions?

5. Why didn't God want them to have any other Gods besides Him? What do you learn about God from this statement? Do you live accordingly? Has God changed? Can He change?

Things which happened to Israel were to be an example for us, and were written for our instruction. How much do we love our God? How diligent are we about learning His Word so we can keep it before our eyes at all times? What is the most important thing we can teach our children, and how diligent are we in this respect? Are we so busy that we are giving ourselves to that which is temporal and ignoring that which has eternal ramifications?

Watch yourself lest you forget your God…..