Peace Child
By Don Richardson

Years ago, I heard about a book called, “Peace Child.” The people who talked about it spoke very highly of its author. So I acquired the book and it’s been sitting on my shelf ever since. The book is a first-hand account of the Richardson’s missionary work among the tribal people of Western New Guinea, Indonesia. As soon as I began reading, I was captivated! The writing is full of color, and overflows with rich spiritual truths. One can’t help but be in awe of God’s power to transform the most pagan cultures into loving, faithful Christians.

Life As a Vapor
By John Piper

Thirty-one short chapters made this book a nice devotional companion for my morning quiet times one month. Full of Scripture, commentary, anecdotes, and quotes, my heart was continually reminded of the overarching purpose in life – knowing God and living for Him alone.

The Law
By Frederic Bastiat

I had heard this book referenced a number of times recently, so when it showed up at the bottom of a box of books given to me by some friends, I snatched it up! Only 70 pages long, this book may be a short read, but it is not an easy read – at least not for me! I think I need to read it several more times before I can fully comprehend it. Nevertheless, I found it incredibly enlightening and amazingly relevant to our times and our society. There are many little nuggets of wisdom to be gleaned from the pages to bring about a greater understanding of the purpose of law and the proper function of government.

Love and Respect
By Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

A friend of mine who does a lot of marriage counseling with her husband highly recommended this book to me. I usually make a point not to read books on marriage for various reasons, but she said she thought it would be helpful to me even as a single person in learning how to better relate to the men around me. Although I didn’t particularly care for the style of writing – it seemed very circular – I definitely came away from reading it with a greater appreciation for the importance of communicating respect toward the men in my life. I was also challenged to take responsibility for my attitudes and responses, regardless of the attitudes and responses of others.

Pierced by the Word
By John Piper

Another short devotional that reiterates Scriptural truths and provides thoughts for reflection throughout the day. Books like this are a great way to feel like I’m sitting with and learning from some of the great students of the Word of our day. It’s refreshing to “hear” them talk of the issues that are a part of our contemporary life and share how we can view them in light of God’s Word.

Building Gold, Silver and Precious Stones
By N.A. Woychuck

Since our theme for AIC this year was 1 Corinthians 3:9-15, I thought this would be a timely read. And boy was it! My heart was drawn repeatedly back to Jesus Christ as I gained a greater understanding of what it means to build “gold, silver, [and] precious stones.” In many ways, this has been a year for me of being reminded of this truth that Dr. Woychuk shares: “There is only one question, and that is how to apply the Gospel to all circumstances and conditions. It can and will correct all that is wrong.”

The Piano Shop on the Left Bank
By Thad Carhart

An American residing in Paris, Carhart imaginatively captures the story of his curious attraction to a small Paris Atelier where he gains access to the “other” side of Paris and rediscovers his love for the piano. He is inspired to resume piano lessons as an adult and the book is his poetic narration of the events that transpire as a result. Carhart gives readers a wonderful look into the world of piano playing and the building of pianos and reminds us of the beauty of music. This was one of my favorite quotes: “‘Leonardo spent years developing a codex of body parts. He drew ears, he drew elbows, he drew hands, he drew all parts of the body in as many different aspects as he could. Then he forgot about it and painted what he saw. You must do somewhat the same.’ Gyorgy Sebok, said in a masterclass to a student inquiring how to achieve a particular effect on the piano.”

Time Out, Ladies!
By Dale Evans Rogers

Mrs. Rogers, wife of the famous Roy Rogers and mother of 9 children, shares candidly with women of her day on topics ranging from marriage to children to prayer. Each chapter is short and the book is an easy-read, but Mrs. Rogers does not mince words as she exposes many of the wrong philosophies permeating the culture of the 1960’s. I appreciated her statement at the beginning of the book that “Christ, not I, has the answers. He is the answer to every human need.” She continues to reiterate this point throughout the book and it is obvious that she is committed to growing in her relationship with Jesus Christ in her own life.

Complete Idiot’s Guide to Self-Publishing
By Jennifer Basye Sander

My friend, Jennie, gave me this book to read so that I could outline what steps we needed to take next on her book project. In the course of reading it, I became intrigued by the process of self-publishing. I was still in the early stages of working on my book, Pajama School, and had planned to go the traditional publishing route. Inspired by the benefits outlined in this book (but trying to keep in mind the realities of how difficult it would be!), I decided to officially launch my Journey to Self-Publishing. This book provides lots of practical advice that helped get me started in the right direction.

Do Hard Things
By Alex and Brett Harris

As a long-time reader of The Rebelution Blog, I was thrilled when I found out that its authors, Alex and Brett Harris, were writing a book! I have been continually impressed by both the content and the quality of their writing, and appreciate so much all that they have done to encourage young people to seek the Lord and make a difference in the culture.

God’s Signature over the Nation’s Capital
By Catherine Millard

A friend of mine lent me this book right before our family traveled to Washington D.C. this spring. I read it on the drive out there and found it to be a great combination of historical information and facts about the structures themselves. Although we didn’t get to all the places covered in the book, it did help us map out our plan for each day!

Ten P’s in a Pod
By Arnold Pent III

Some friends gave me this book for Christmas several years ago. I’ve been wanting to read it ever since, and finally pulled it off the shelf to read this year. I could definitely relate to certain stories shared by the author! More than anything, I was inspired by the large amount of Scripture reading that was required in the Pent family – several hours a day for most of the family members. Because of such consistency in God’s Word, many of the children, by default, had memorized large portions of Scripture, which they regularly recited during their family programs. This book challenged me to make a more conscientious effort to spend time reading Scripture.

Lords of the Earth
By Don Richardson

Somewhat of a sequel to Peace Child, Mr. Richardson again captures the reader with his vivid telling of the missionary work among the Yali tribal people of Irian Jaya. The story this time centers on the work of missionary Stan Dale. It is at different times heart-wrenching, jaw-dropping, and awe-inspiring. Books like this do a great deal to help broaden my perspective and understanding of God’s work throughout the whole world.

Still Growing
By Kirk Cameron

As a former “Growing Pains” viewer, and current admirer of the ministry of Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron, I was excited to get a copy of this autobiography. It was fascinating to catch a glimpse into the life and family of one of Hollywood’s young stars. But it was even more fascinating to read of Kirk’s conversion to Christianity, and to see the amazing things God has done in and through his life since he became a Christian.

The Courage to Run
By Jim Ryun and Sons

Ever since Jim and Anne first announced their plan to run for political office at a Wichita homeschool convention years ago, our family has enjoyed supporting them and cheering them on. Having met both of them and various members of their family, I can attest to their unwavering love for the Lord and passion for serving Him. They have had a tremendous influence on my life, and I was so excited when Mom and Dad presented me with a specially autographed copy of this book for my birthday last year! The short daily readings were full of practical insights. Several of them also served as perfect reading material for my Olympic-themed piano camps this summer.

Words of Warning for Daily Life
By C.H. Spurgeon

I’ve got a little collection of published sermons that have sat on my bookshelves for a while now, so I figured it was about time that I at least read something of this acclaimed, “Prince of Preachers.” Spurgeon speaks with boldness and clarity, and is ever intent on bringing his listener back to the heart of the gospel – salvation through Jesus Christ. Of this salvation, he has this to say, “Some people, when they use the word ‘salvation,’ understand nothing more by it than deliverance from hell and admittance into heaven. Now, that is not salvation: those two things are the effects of salvation.” He also shares this important reminder, “Right well remember this [referring to his references of God’s mercy and love], for else you may fall into error by fixing your minds so much upon the faith which is the channel of salvation as to forget the grace which is the fountain and source even of faith itself. Faith is the work of God’s grace in us.”

Restoration – Returning the Torah of God to the Disciples of Jesus
By D. Thomas Lancaster

A friend of mine whose family holds to more of a Jewish tradition than most Christians lent me this book. It was very thought-provoking! I gained a greater understanding and appreciation for the culture of the Jewish people, their feasts, and other aspects of their lifestyle. I was also impressed with how so many of the laws and traditions God instituted were designed to help His people live with a constant awareness of His presence and the great things He had done on their behalf. In our eagerness to throw off the “constraints” of the Old Testament, Christians today have also forsaken in many ways the God-centered approach to life that He desires His people to embody.

Publishing Basics – A Guide for the Small Press and Independent Self-Publisher
By Robert Bowie Johnson, Jr. with Ron Pramschufer

Once I decided that self-publishing was the path I was going to take for Pajama School, I set out to learn as much as I could about the field. I came across an offer for this free booklet and started my education! This was a great first read to familiarize myself with the terminology of the publishing field. The more I read on the subject, the more some of the things I initially read in this book were affirmed. Read my full review here.

The Prepublishing Handbook
By Patricia J. Bell

Although some of the specific information in this 1992 book is now outdated, it still contains a number of relevant principles. From this book, I also borrowed the term that I now use frequently to describe how to effectively take the first step of a journey into a new field: vigorous self-education. Read my full review here.

Guerrilla Marketing for Writers
By Jay Conrad Levinson, Rick Frishman & Michael Larsen

If being a successful self-publisher is all about marketing, then this book is what every self-publisher needs! With 100 ideas gleaned from years of experience, there is no want of creative approaches for anyone willing to invest the time and energy into promoting their book. Now that I’m getting closer to the release date for Pajama School, I think I need to get my own copy of this book and re-read it! Read my full review here.

How to Publish and Promote Online
By M.J. Rose and Angela Adair-Hoy

This book helped me boil down the overwhelming field of marketing into 3 Keys to Marketing for the Self-Publisher. I was grateful for the input from a variety of experts in various fields, and for the authors’ candor in sharing both their successes and failures. Read my full review here.

Lord, Teach Me Wisdom
By Carole Mayhall

Having read Carole Mayhall’s book, Words That Hurt Words That Heal, I was excited to find this book and glean from her insights in the area of wisdom. Carole’s writing is very “real” and full of personal illustrations and stories. The book is separated into four sections – Wisdom’s Ways, Wisdom for a Wife, Wisdom for a Mother, and A Wise Woman Builds. Although I’ve never met her, Carole strikes me as a wise, godly older woman. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from her through her writing!

How to Make Money Publishing from Home
By Lisa Shaw

This book covers a broad range of publishing options, and provides a snapshot of others who have been successful in those respective areas. As a result of reading this, I grew excited about pursuing some other publishing projects in the future! Read my full review here.

Unseen
By J.R. Messenger

Several years ago, a friend gave me this book that was written by a family member. I’ve put off reading it for a long time, because I don’t read much fiction anymore. Unfortunately, this book was a reminder of why I quit reading most fiction. The plot was shallow and contrived, and the story was predictable and somewhat corny at points. (I’m probably just a book snob, but that’s my opinion…)

Island of Saints
By Andy Andrews

A friend lent me this book, and once I got into the first couple of chapters, I had a hard time putting it down! There were numerous twists in the plot that left me guessing about what would happen next. The historical elements were intriguing, and I’m still not sure whether it was a true story or not…

With Christ in the School of Prayer
By Andrew Murray

Normally I don’t read books on prayer because I think it’s probably a better use of my time to just pray instead. But I’m so glad I read this book! Andrew Murray, a recognized authority on the topic of prayer, shares some incredible insights that left me with a new understanding of what a life of prayer should look like. One of the most poignant insights I gleaned from the book is the importance of expecting God to answer our prayers. Mr. Murray shares, “It is one of the terrible marks of the diseased state of Christian life in these days, that there are so many who rest content without the distinct experience of answer to prayer.” He goes on to say, “There may be cases in which the answer is a refusal, because the request is not according to God’s Word, as when Moses asked to enter Canaan. But still, there was an answer: God did not leave His servant in uncertainty as to His will.” Isn’t that an incredible, faith-building thought?!

In Faithfulness, He Afflicted Me
By Lynnette Kraft

For years I have known of the Kraft family and observed them from a distance. I have been amazed at the difficult experiences they have gone through, but the peace and faith that continually characterizes their lives. Lynnette sent me a copy of her book as a prize for coming up with an “almost” name for her blog, so the night I received it in the mail I couldn’t wait to start reading it. It was so engaging that I stayed up way too late reading the whole thing! Lynnette does an incredible job of pointing her readers to Jesus as the One who provides true peace and comfort in the midst of the most difficult trials in life. I was also blessed by the beautiful picture Lynette paints of God’s calling for women as wives and mothers. I don’t know that she necessarily even does so intentionally, but it comes out in the way she expresses her love for her husband, her children, and her home.

The Practice of the Presence of God
By Brother Lawrence

To be honest, the only reason I read this book is because it was included in the same volume as the afore-mentioned book on prayer by Andrew Murray. However, I found it to be a perfect continuation of the primary thing God has been impressing upon my heart this year – the importance of walking in the Spirit and performing even the most mundane duties to His glory. I loved this thought that Brother Lawrence shares, “That in order to form a habit of conversing with God continually, and referring all we do to Him, we must first apply to Him with some diligence; but that after a little care we should find His love inwardly excite us to it without any difficulty.” Here’s another great thought, “That our sanctification did not depend upon changing our works, but in doing that for God’s sake which we commonly do for our own.”

Last Days Madness
By Gary Demar

I’ve studied eschatology a little bit in the past, but have wanted to study it more in depth for some time. I was spurred on to do so when I found myself disagreeing with some of the things being shared in a conversation with an ardent premillennialist. I asked Dad for a recommendation of a good book to start with (since he has studied the topic at some length in the past), and he suggested this one. I found myself almost giddy with excitement as I devoured page after page of this wonderful book! In fact, it was mostly due to the influence of this book that I started getting up early in the mornings to read through whole books of the Bible (like Daniel, Revelation, etc.) in order to gain a more complete understanding of what the Bible teaches in this area. While I still have much studying to do on the topic, this book has given me a renewed vision for the importance of Christians influencing every sphere of our culture for the glory of God. There is one sentence that particularly grabbed my attention, and summarizes the fault with much modern eschatological teaching, “Perhaps because we are to such an extent ‘strangers to the past,’ we easily read into the events and circumstances of our own day a distinctiveness and uniqueness that may not actually be there.”

Heaven
By Randy Alcorn

This is unquestionably the best book (other than the Bible, of course!) that I’ve ever read! At a whopping 500+ pages, it may appear daunting, but it is broken down into short, easy-to-manage chapters. I could almost feel myself being blessed each morning as I read from it, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I read it again someday (once everyone else in my family finishes reading it, since I’ve told them all that they absolutely must!). Mr. Alcorn shatters the preconceived conception that most people today – including myself – have of heaven. Instead he presents what he believes to be a more biblical picture – based on 25 years of study on the topic, and a dose of biblically-inspired imagination. He particularly dispels the notion that heaven is an ethereal world where we, as disembodied spirits, will spend eternity floating on clouds and playing harps – an image that causes many people to claim indifference as to whether or not they are going to heaven when they die. He places a lot of emphasis on God’s promise to create a new heavens and a new earth. I was particularly enlightened by the explanation that God’s plan for redemption includes not just the souls of men, but the whole of creation. His ultimate plan is to redeem the entire world and return it to a state of complete perfection – devoid of sin, pain, and death. And that’s where we will dwell for all of eternity, in our humanity, but free of corruption. There is so much more that I could say, but you really should just read the book for yourself!

On the Other Side of the Garden – Biblical Womanhood for Today’s World
By Virginia Fugate

As part of the preparation for a talk I’ve been asked to give in January at a women’s event on “Being Content,” I’ve started reading books that specifically address God’s role for women. I’ve had this one on my shelves for a while and opted to start with it. Mrs. Fugate shares solid biblical truth unapologetically. She does so as one who has made mistakes and gone through a difficult process to arrive at her present understanding of biblical womanhood, so her tone is one of humility. Her book is borne out of a desire to help other women avoid making some of the same mistakes she did. She begins by outlining what the Bible teaches about God’s role for women, then exposes the oppositions to biblical womanhood that are prevalent in our humanist and feminist-saturated culture, and finally spends the last third of the book outlining practical ways that women can apply God’s principles of biblical womanhood in their lives.

Pajama School
By Natalie Wickham

It just so happens that I have read this excellent book numerous times this year! Between writing, re-reading, editing, re-writing, re-reading, editing, etc.,it’s probably been about a dozen times total. There were so many occasions that I wanted to just sit down on the couch with another book, but the Lord compelled me to spend that time working on my book instead. I have such a renewed appreciation for the work that goes into the excellent books I have had the privilege of reading! I continue to be amazed at God’s blessing upon this project, and am still hoping and praying to have it released in March, 2009.

The Holy Bible
God

This year, for my regular Bible reading, I followed a rotation of reading through the books of history (Joshua-Esther). The plan is a 2-month rotation that Dad developed that outlines what to read each day in order to get through the set of books in two months. Ideally, then, by the end of the year you would have read through each book six times. I didn’t finish the last rotation, though, because sometimes I diverge from the plan when I’m particularly interested in studying another book or topic.

(Click here to view my 2007 Year of Reading in Review.)

Lasting Leadership

By Mokul Pandya and Robbie Shell

This was the book that was selected for our Business Study group this spring. The authors feature 25 prominent leaders of our day and share brief biographical sketches followed by a leadership lesson that can be learned from each one. Each chapter centers on a particular challenge that the leader faced and how he/she responded to it. Each chapter also includes in the margins a timeline of key events that took place in that leader’s life. Although I do not share the personal beliefs and worldview of most of the leaders that are included in the book (people like Ted Turner, George Soros, Oprah Winfrey, Lee Iococca, etc.), I found it to be very interesting reading and enjoyed evaluating and discussing their methodology and business practices in light of Biblical principles that should be applied in the business sphere. One thing that grabbed my attention was how many of these people were already developing their businesses at a relatively young age. At 19 Oprah became the youngest reporter and anchor in Nashville. At 26 Jeff Bezos became the youngest vice president in the history of Bankers Trust. At 20 Bill Gates launched Microsoft. Etc. I hope and pray that more and more Christian young people will capture a vision for rising up in their youth to be men and women of influence and leadership in their God-ordained spheres.

The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination

By Loraine Boettner

This is one of the best books that I have ever read! I have studied the doctrines of Calvinism and predestination for years and this book gave me a much clearer understanding of them. I am very grateful to Lydia for suggesting it to me and to Caleb for letting me borrow it. Mr. Boettner does an excellent job of gently guiding the reader through the process of understanding topics and passages that are potentially very confusing. I finished the book not only with a more complete understanding of these doctrines, but also a greater appreciation of and love for God Himself.

To Have and to Hold

By Mary Johnston

A heartwarming account of a man and his sacrificial love for his wife as he fights for her safety in the face of a multitude of trials and dangerous situations. The story is captivating and kept me up late into the night several nights in a row!

Before You Quit Your Job

By Robert Kiyosaki with Sharon Lechter

This was the second book our Business Study group went through this Spring. The authors begin with a discussion of what makes entrepreneurs different, including the observation that “The reason there are more employees than entrepreneurs is simply that our schools train young people to become employees.” This statement is followed with a short paragraph on the Prussian model of education that is the basis for our government-run education system. They go on to share how to identify the difference between an employee mindset versus an entrepreneur mindset and how to make the shift from the former to the latter. Although it is not written from a Biblical perspective the authors share many practical insights from their years of experience (both successes and failures) that I found valuable.

The Confessions of St. Augustine

Forward by Warren Wiersbe

A fascinating autobiographical account of a man who has gone down in history as one of the greatest philosophers and theologians that ever lived. His oft-quoted words, “Thou madest us for Thyself, and our heart is restless, until it repose in Thee” perhaps best sum up the heartfelt writings contained in this collection. One cannot help but both smile at his subtly humorous monologues (“There I put my ear to the cauldron and heard from within and all around a song of unholy loves. I did not love, but I loved the thought of love. And in the depths of my desires, I detested the fact that I could not love more. I looked for something to love in my love of loving.”) and be challenged by his profound observations (“My faith was no larger than what my eyes could see. It never occurred to me that the very mental processes I used to reason such things were real enough to do wondrous things and form marvelous images, yet it did not have form of the sort I was demanding that my God fit.”).

Francis Schaeffer: The Man and His Message

By Louis Gifford Parkhurst, Jr.

Over the years I have enjoyed and benefited by reading a number of Francis Shaeffer’s books and watching his video series’, so I was excited to come across this biography of him. The author credits the substance of the biography to the writings of Edith Schaeffer and visits with many family members, workers, friends and others who were influenced by the far-reaching impact of Dr. Schaeffer’s life and ministry. As one might gather from the title, the book is divided into two sections – the first of which is the biography of Francis Schaeffer and the history of L’Abri. The second section is an overview of the message that Dr. Schaeffer spent his life communicating. In a nutshell, he passionately proclaimed the existence of absolute truth, the source of that truth as the inspired Word of God and the importance of applying that truth to every area of life. In his final book Dr. Schaeffer wrote “I would want to emphasize…the importance of evangelism (helping men and women come to know Christ as Savior), the need to walk daily with the Lord, to study God’s Word, to live a life of prayer, and show forth the love, compassion, and holiness of our Lord. But we must emphasize equally and at the same time the need to live this out in every area of culture and society.”

Words that Hurt, Words that Heal

By Carole Mayhall

Although I rarely read books more than once, I was compelled to pull this one off my shelves again this year because I knew I needed to work on controlling my tongue and I remembered being challenged years ago by the wisdom that Mrs. Mayhall shares in this book. The book is comprised of short chapters that address many of the traps we fall into regularly with our words. Each chapter is full of Biblical truth and practical advice for those who aim to do a better job of glorifying God with their tongue.

I’m Out to Change My World

By Ann Kiemel

Ann’s writing is very poetic and she shares transparently of numerous situations where the Lord led her to do things with which she was uncomfortable for the sake of glorifying Him and sharing His love with those whom He placed in her path.

By Searching

By Isobel Kuhn

A first-hand account of her own life, from a state of unbelief and worldly living to a life whole-heartedly committed to God. I was inspired by Isobel’s disciplined living. She shares of how she made a commitment to spend one hour in quiet time with the Lord daily and willingly sacrificed sleep or food or other enjoyments to fulfill this commitment.

In the Arena

By Isobel Kuhn

A sequel to her first book, By Searching, Isobel Kuhn continues the story of her life on the mission field and communicates effectively both her passion for the work and the struggles she experienced. Her writing is very real, but also highlights the mighty hand of God at work in her own life and in the lives of those to whom she and her husband ministered.

Teaching to Change Lives

By Howard Hendricks

If I could sit under the teaching of any one person (other than Jesus himself, of course!), I think I would choose Dr. Hendricks. Not necessarily because of what he teaches, but because of how he teaches. I have previously listened to both the The Seven Laws of the Learner and The Seven Laws of the Teacher audio series’. The content of the book was very similar to the latter audio series, resulting in a very insightful and practical message. Dr. Hendricks identifies the 7 laws of the teacher as The Law of the Teacher, The Law of Education, The Law of Activity, The Law of Communication, The Law of the Heart, The Law of Encouragement and The Law of Readiness.

The Third Alternative: Christian Self-Government

By Bill Burtness with Patrick Butler

An interesting book loaned to me by Daniel and Julia following some of our discussions regarding Biblical Law and its application in today’s society. Mr. Burtness asserts that the primary purpose of government is not to control, but to protect the freedoms of the populous. He also points out that the less a nation’s citizens take the responsibility to govern themselves, the more necessary it will become for them to be controlled by external forces.

Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God

By Noel Piper

My friend Alisa and I read this book aloud as we traveled to and from Wisconsin this summer and found ourselves inspired and challenged by these women who poured out their lives for the sake of Christ and in service to others. The five women included in the book are Sarah Edwards, Lilias Trotter, Gladys Aylward, Esther Ahn Kim and Helen Roseveare. Although the life of each one was different from the others in numerous ways, they shared a common love for the Lord and a deep commitment to fulfilling the role to which God had called them. Each of them made a lasting impact on this world.

Under the Overpass

By Mike Yankoski

A first-hand retelling of the experiences of two young men as they spent six months on the streets of five major American cities, living as homeless men. The account highlighted the personhood of those who live on the streets and has given me a new perspective when I see a homeless person.

100 Portraits of Christ

By Henry Gariepy

Short chapters highlight and expound upon each of the names of God used throughout the Bible. Each morning I like to start my quiet time off by reading one of these and meditating on that particular aspect of who God is. While there are a few off-handed comments the author makes with which I disagree, in general I have found these portraits to be very insightful.

God’s Law in the Modern World

By Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

This short book is an easy ready and provides a good overview of the relevance of Old Testament Law in today’s society. Mr. Gentry begins by discussing the essence of God’s law, covering both the nature and the purpose of the Law. Drawing from numerous Scripture passages he continues with five points relating to Jesus and God’s Law, followed by the New Testament and God’s Law. He goes on to refute common arguments against modern applicability of Old Testament Law and then advocates for its application throughout the world. The final section contains a convincing overview of “The practical benefits of Theonomic Ethics.” My favorite quote from the book is in the concluding chapter when Mr. Gentry states, “Having a revealed and objective standard takes the guesswork out of righteous living.”

The Holy Bible

By God

This year I focused primarily on the Books of the Law (Genesis-Deuteronomy) and Proverbs in my Bible reading and have been memorizing Romans. The Bible is by far my favorite of all the books on my list because it has a way of renewing my spirit, transforming my thinking and changing my heart. It is a daily reminder to me that God is alive and is at work both in me and in the surrounding world!

In addition to sitting down with a good book as often as I am able, I also love to read a variety of other periodicals:

WORLD Magazine

One of my favorites, I look forward weekly (it will be bi-weekly after the first of the year) to reading through this Christian current events magazine. I enjoy the variety of domestic and international news as well as the cultural reviews, philosophical musings, book reviews, author interviews and more that make their way into this excellent publication.

American Music Teacher

A publication of the Music Teachers National Association that contains current news, pedagogical articles, composer and artist interviews, new publication reviews, and more. A very helpful resource that I value as a teacher.

Information Week

Somehow I started receiving this magazine for free and I enjoy perusing it and reading the business or technology articles that interest me.

Voice of the Martyrs

This is a free magazine provided by Voice of the Martyrs that contains updates and stories of persecuted Christians around the world. I have often found this to be both inspiring and challenging in my own relationship with the Lord. It is a poignant reminder of our true purpose in life and the commission God has given us as Christians to share the Gospel throughout the whole world.

Faith for All of Life

A publication of Chalcedon, this magazine contains insightful and thought-provoking articles that address important issues that all Christians should consider.

Biblical Worldview

A publication of American Vision. A mixture of practical, cultural, philosophical, educational articles and more.

Various Missionary Newsletters

I encourage everyone to support friends and fellow Christians who are missionaries and ask to be added to their mailing list so that you develop and maintain a world-wide perspective and can be encouraged by reports of how God is at work in every nation. Some of us are called to advance the Kingdom of God in America and we must use our vast resources and freedom to support, encourage and pray for our brothers and sisters around the world who are pouring out their lives every day for the sake of the Gospel and the advancement of His Kingdom in their respective countries.

One book that changed still changes your life: Proverbs - truly a book of practical wisdom for everyday living!

One book you’ve read more than once: Umm…We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen…I remember reading this several times years ago when I worked as a volunteer at the library. Beyond that, though, I don’t ever read a book more than once. I underline and make notes in books as I read them so that I can quickly scan them and pull quotes or other information from them at a future date, if needed.

One book you’d want on a desert island: The Bible, of course. Here I’ve finally got a real-life opportunity to perform the “desert island test” and you think I’m not going to jump on the chance??

One book that made you laugh: As You Like It by William Shakespeare ( I know, I know, technically it’s a play – but it was in a book when I read it…)

One book that made you cry: Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls – another memory from the distant past. This especially sticks out in my mind because I think it’s the first (and maybe the last) time a book made me cry. (I’m not much of a crier…)

One book that you wish had never been written: Hmm, this has me stumped. It seems kind of like asking which year in history I would eliminate. There are so many destructive books that have been written. But so often, these same writings have compelled Christians to research and address areas that they might not have felt the need to do otherwise. I believe that God, in His Sovereignty, has allowed these books to be written for reasons that are often beyond our comprehension.

One book that you wish had been written: A good biography of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Okay, that’s probably cheating, because I’m sure one has been written, but I am hoping to get suggestions…anyone read a good bio of MLK that they would recommend?)

One book you’re currently reading: The Heavenly Man – the remarkable true story of Chinese Christian Brother Yun

One book you’ve been meaning to read: Better Thinking and Reasoning by Ron Tagliapietra

Now tag four people:

Lydia A.

Myklin

Naddy

Julia – is your blog working yet? I still can’t get to it…

Bonus Question: What keeps you from spending time reading books? Sitting at the computer coming up with answers to memes about reading books… Just kidding. It’s fun to do these every once in a while. Thanks for urging me on, Lydia!

The comprehensive and well-organized layout of the Table of Contents is an excellent preview into the layout and substance of the rest of the book. The authors have mastered the art of communicating effectively and concisely. The short chapters make the book an easy-read; each chapter gets right to the point, adding helpful anecdotes and quotes where applicable. Although the Bible is never directly referenced, I noticed a number of Biblical principles underlying some of the points the authors made. Notably, toward the beginning of the book, the authors state,

“The most prosperous people we know—the ones who are overflowing in health, happiness, friends, strong families, as well as financially, are the ones who are consistently giving. They give their time, their talent, and their insights. They give encouragement, service, advice, and new ideas. They give and give and give, and their lives, as well as their businesses, overflow with prosperity.”

This reminded me of Jesus’ words in Luke 6:38,

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

A successful business is not one founded upon a desire to gain, but on a desire to give. From my own experience in a part of the professional business world, I can see how antithetical this is to the philosophies of many business-minded people. There is a desire to gain more by doing less for the customer/client. Instead, business owners ought to consider ways that they can offer customers/clients more for their investment.

While giving is an important foundational mindset in a business, it is obvious that a business must also make money if it is to be successful. Citing the widely applied 80/20 rule (20% of your clothes will be worn 80% of the time; 20% of your customers give you 80% of your headaches, etc.), the authors advocate utilizing this principle to determine what to eliminate or reduce. If 20% of your efforts generate 80% of your results, identify and then focus on the more profitable 20%.

The substance of the book is based on three practices that businesses should implement:
1. Clarify
2. Execute
3. Renew

The “Clarify” practice is applied to a business’ Vision, Mission, Values, Objectives, Strategies, and Priorities. The final result of this is a “One Page Strategic Plan” that clearly identifies each of the afore-mentioned areas as they relate to the specific business. A chapter is devoted to the explanation and application of each of these areas. I found it to be incredibly practical, not only as it relates to business, but to daily life as well. In particular, the definition of a priority as something that “focus[es] on results, not just activities” and that “begins with a verb, ends with a date, and has something measurable in between.”

The “Execute” practice offers advice on how to overcome the tendency of many businesses to “Clarify,” but then fail to do anything with the information. I especially appreciated this quote by John Foster Dulles,

“The measure of success is not whether you have a tough problem to deal with, but whether it’s the same problem you had last year!”

This section covered these areas:
* Tracking Progress
* Conducting Regular Progress Reviews
* Taking “Next Steps”
* Persisting

In this section, the authors share a “five part agenda that can lead to more effective meetings” that I found extremely useful. While not applicable to my business, as I operate independently, I hope to implement some of its ideas in other roles in which I currently serve.

Another practical and measurable means to ensure that things that need to be done don’t slip through the cracks is given in the description of Taking “Next Steps” as identifying WHO is going to do WHAT by WHEN.

The final section of “Renewal” is built on the acronym:
S=Significance
P=Passion
I=Insights
R=Rejuvenation
I=Innovation
T=Top 5 Priorities

The authors advocate that “Renewal” should take place approximately every 90 days to ensure that the entire business remains current (takes into consideration numerous factors within and without so that the purpose, direction and processes of the company are still relevant and effective) and “on the same page” (everyone understands the direction of the business and is executing their responsibilities effectively and excellently).

The authors conclude with an exhortation to their readers to make their own unique contribution, defined as “the giving of yourself, your talents, insights, and resources in all areas of your life.”

While the ideas contained in Prioritize!, will find varying levels of applicability for different business, I can almost guarantee that anyone who reads it (business owner or not) will come away having gained little nuggets of sound advice that will be useful in both business practices and life in general.

“They were courageous without being authoritative.
They were sympathetic, compassionate and considerate of the feelings of others without being driven by their emotions or obsessed with their feelings.
They enjoyed being feminine and beautiful without being slaves to fashion or their appearance.
They were firm of resolve without being feministically stubborn;
strong in faith, mind and character without being independent;
and self-disciplined without being self-centered.”

Taken from So Much More, page 102

Throughout the book, the authors proclaim the beauty of God’s role for women, specifically for daughters living under the authority of their earthly fathers. They convincingly trace the feminist movement back to its Marxist roots and offer numerous quotations that expose the sinister plans of those who espoused the socialist, and later the feminist, ideologies – very sobering implications for those in this day and age who cling to their feminist ideals.

Feminist ideals. It is easy to brush aside such a description, convinced that I remain unaffected. As much as I would like to claim that my mindset is unquestionably based upon Scripture, I have had to face the harsh reality that I, too, have been “tossed to and fro, and carried about…by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive.”¹ The subtle – and not so subtle – influences of feminism have infiltrated all of society. Many Christian women unwittingly embrace them, trading in the fulfilling life to which God has called them for a lifetime of slavery to a philosophy that, while proclaiming liberation and freedom, at its root is hostile to God and His ways. (This is borne out in numerous ways and the authors do a much better job of elaborating on this than I can in this post. I highly recommend ordering and reading the book to gain a more thorough understanding of this topic.)

In a nutshell, though, here’s what we have to wrap our brain around: God created men and women differently, to fill unique roles in His kingdom. We are not equally fitted to the same tasks. We are not mutually called to serve in the same positions. Until we recognize and embrace these unique roles, there will be tension in the home, dissatisfaction in life and disrepair in society.

How can we even hope to combat a mindset that is so deeply entrenched in our culture? We must recognize what the protagonists of these ideologies recognized years ago. Check out this strategy summarized by Charles A. Reich in The Greening of America:

“There is a revolution coming. It will not be like revolutions in the past. It will originate with the individual and the culture, and it will change the political structure as its final act.”²

The revolution to which Reich refers has come. Now it is time for it to go. Now it is time for a rebelution!

In an interview included in the back of the book, Geoffrey Botkin (the authors’ father) declares,

“When people’s souls are changed so that they think differently and act differently, history changes. The consequences are eternal because souls are eternal.”³

We must be about the business of declaring the truth of God as it applies to every area of life, every facet of society. This will be done most effectively as we embody these truths in our own lives, embrace the familial roles God has called us to fill, and live a life that is set apart in stark contrast to the world around us. Let us grab hold of this challenging, yet exciting, life-long adventure! “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” ⁴

1 Ephesians 4:14
2 So Much More, page 337 (emphasis added)
3 So Much More, page 315
4 Hebrews 12:1-2

I’ve been working on improving my Greek skills recently (seeing as how I can’t understand much of anything I read yet!) because I’m planning to teach it to my younger siblings this year. I came across this very helpful site that has several charts and actual lessons. It’s been a great resource so far. If anyone has recommendations for other good resources for learning Greek, please do share!

My goal is not to be able to speak Greek conversationally, as I don’t anticipate much occasion to utilize such a skill presenting itself anytime in the forseeable future , but rather, to be able to read the New Testament portion of the Bible in its originally scripted language. Perhaps someday I will attempt Hebrew, but it seems significantly more difficult to learn!

Several weeks ago, I felt like I was searching for buried treasure as I sifted through hundreds of old books that our church library was getting rid of. Little did I know that one of the books I picked out would reveal itself to be such a gem! I’ve been reading through Living by the Book by Howard G. Hendricks and William D. Hendricks. I was initially drawn to the book because of the authors. I’ve previously listened to Howard Hendricks’ “The 7 Laws of the Teacher” audio series (Teaching To Change Lives : Seven Laws Of The Teacher is the book on the same topic) and was amazed at his insight into effective teaching! It is applicable in so many areas and has greatly influenced my teaching.

While reading “Living by the Book,” I’ve found myself growing increasingly excited about the many ideas the Hendricks share for studying the Bible. I already love to study the Bible and feel as though someone has just handed me a hundred little tools that will only increase my enjoyment in doing the same and my effectiveness in uncovering the many nuggets of wisdom contained just below the surface of the text itself. I find myself torn between wanting to quickly read through the whole book (I’m a little over halfway through right now) so I can discover what else the Hendricks have to say on this subject and wanting also to spend more time digesting the very specific and practical ideas they share for personal study. Hmm. I think I’ll finish reading it and then go back and read it again slowly, spending more time applying each idea. And outside the Bible, I don’t think I’ve ever read the same book twice! In other words, I highly recommend this book!