With so much travel and chaos surrounding these summer months, I have decided to forgo a book recommendation or discussion for this quarter. Do not fret however, much like the Summer Reading post, I’ll still share with you concerning some of the books that I am reading and would love to hear your feedback if you have read or intend to read any of them.
For those of you are considering summer books, I highly encourage some of our previous book discussions and recommendations.
Recommended Books (highlights some of the themes of each book):
Carolyn Custis James, The Gospel of Ruth: Loving God Enough to Break the Rules
Why read this book? Author Carolyn Custis James builds on the themes of her research of the original Hebrew text concerning: 1.) women being strong helpers and 2.) God’s original plan to form a “blessed alliance” between his Adams and Eves (as outlined in Gen 2:18 and Gen 1:26-27 respectively). Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz are shining examples of these biblical truths, but Carolyn also explores the themes of the hope of the gospel revealed in the Old Testament, love, submission, suffering, and the church’s treatment of widows.
Here’s the Blog Summary Post: http://goo.gl/XmSTI
Timothy Keller, Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters
Why read this book? Author Timothy Keller takes great care to discuss the modern day idols that we keep in our lives, how deceptive they are, and how they prevent us from living as God intended. Keller takes a look at the idols of money, sex, and power but also wrestles with the truth that we are crushed under the weight of our own sinful expectations. Idols present themselves in our culture, reveal our sinful hearts, and ravish our churches. All thanks is due to God that we can overcome these idols of the heart but we must first confront them. The author challenges us to individually take a look at ourselves.
Here’s the Blog Summary Post: http://goo.gl/GVPlz
Book Discussions (walks through chapter by chapter of each book):
Randy Alcorn, The Treasure Principle: Discovering the Secret of Joyful Giving
Why read this book? In this economy, mostly everybody that I know is more conservative about their spending. Author Randy Alcorn challenges the reader to take a look at the priority that money places in our lives. We know what our priorities are by the way in which we spend our money. Or is it our money to spend in any manner that we chose? Alcorn reveals the biblical truth that God owns everything and we are only his money managers. As Christians we should clearly indicate the difference between what we want and what we need. Christians are called to store up our treasures in Heaven and not on earth, which will have no eternal value. Therefore, we should consider the manner in which we support God’s priorities as outlined in the Bible.
Here’s the Blog Summary Post: http://goo.gl/ouayI
Elisa Morgan, She Did What She Could: Five Words of Jesus That Can Change Your Life
Why read this book? It’s simple. Most women are doers. Sometimes we feel guilty about what we can’t do. At other times, we kick ourselves for trying to do too much. In sharing the story of Mary of Bethany’s anointing of Jesus prior to his burial, Elisa Morgan reminds readers to do what they can. Doing does not have to be a big thing; it doesn’t have to be a long-term commitment. Doing does have to be focused on Christ and prayerful about what he is calling you to do at any particular moment. God wants us to be faithful in the little things.
Here’s the Blog Summary Post: http://goo.gl/1HHNj
So go out and pick up a couple of these to read. I would love to chat with you about them.
We will resume our online book discussions in September. I look forward to it and hope to select a book sometime in August.
Is a book out there that you want to chat about next quarter?
© Natasha S. Robinson 2011
A SISTA'S JOURNEY 