Pages

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

"My Favorite Books"


This week's #TheLoft topic is "My Favorite Books."  After reading a sister blogger's post on this topic, I'd better include the Bible, haha, because that should always be number one on our list.  After all, it is full of truth, wisdom, and the source we go to when we want to know God, know truth, walk humbly, and have wisdom.  So, this is my #1.


While I do not agree with every book I read, except the Bible, I love to glean from other brothers and sisters in Christ.  I do not focus on what I disagree with, I may acknowledge it, but it is not my focus. We are all flawed human beings, in the PROCESS of sanctification, not in our glorified bodies.  So there is no reason for me to crucify others but to humbly learn from each and every one of them.  I am not saying to read heretical books, I wouldn't waste my money.  God has taught us different things in our lives and we can learn from one another.  

2.  Behold Your God, by Dr. John Snyder www.beholdyourgod.org

This is a 12 week Bible study that has impacted my life greatly.  It is a continual process of re-thinking God biblically, this will be a lifetime journey of sanctification for me--not a one time deal. Of understanding Him better, of falling deeper in love with our Creator.  To know Him and to allow Him more access into our lives is the goal.    

3.  Pastor Abusers: When Sheep Attack Their Shepherd, by Kent Crockett

This is a great book for everyone in leadership AND every layperson sitting in the pew.  It is a heartbreaking, wisdom-filled book.  It is an abuse that occurs in every church, to every Pastor and his family.  It will help you to watch what you say and do so that you are not one of the sheep attacking your shepherd.  It will also help you to discern when others around you are attacking your leaders. "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.  Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."  Hebrews 13:17  God takes this seriously, heed warning.  My advice to the body of Christ; do not jump to conclusions, do NOT listen to gossip and slander about your leaders, ask questions directly to your leaders with humility and grace, pray for your leaders, and be an encouragement.  Sometimes they make decisions based on facts that you are not aware of, do not go directly to judgement but give the benefit of the doubt.  Most Pastors work well beyond forty hours a week, are under constant attack by their sheep, but continue on with humility and serve.  Sadly, some leave the ministry all together because of the damage that is done to them and their families.  It is similar to the persecuted church.  Don't be a persecutor.  Write an encouraging note, a phone call, or give a complement in person.  Offer your help, ask, "what can I do for our church?"  October is Pastor Appreciation month.



4.  Trust Without Borders by Arabah Joy.  Loving these short story daily devotions.  
5.   Self Talk, Soul Talk by Jennifer Rothschild
6.   Lessons I Learned in the Dark by Jennifer Rothschild 
7.   Cracks In The Crescent by Hussein Hajji Wario
8.   Rescue the Captors by Russell Stendal--God is doing AMAZING things through this missionary
9.   Sometimes He Whispers, Sometimes He roars by Marilynn Chadwick
10. Spirit Rising by Jim Cymbala
11. Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis
12. Then Sings My Soul by Robert J. Morgan
13. Well-Intentioned Dragons by Marshall Shelley
14. Out of a Far Country by Christopher Yuan & Angela Yuan 
15. The Valley of Vision; A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions compiled by Arthur Bennett
16. One Thousand Gifts by Ann VosKamp
17. In the Backyard of Jesus by Steven Khoury 
18. Passport Through Darkness by Kimberly Smith
19. Secret Believers by Brother Andrew
20. Growing Grateful Kids by Susie Larson 

11 comments:

  1. Kate, reading the description of the Pastor Abusers made me feel like crying. We were just talking this morning in my Bible study about how God views authority and how he values submission to authority (because rebellion is the foundation of sin) and how our culture has strayed so far from respect for authority and the beauty of it's shelter... I will put this book on my wish list on Amazon.

    Glad you joined in. I have been so overwhelmed with tasks and other things these past two weeks, I am forced away from my regular online time. Glad I popped over here. Hope you are enjoying fall! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathy, it is heart breaking.. Reading this book will make you cry more but it will also give you fine tune your discernment. It usually comes from people who cannot place themselves under authority, or they are puffed up with pride and think themselves wiser than their Pastor, or they have a critical spirit and constantly complain, or they feel they own the church and pay the Pastors salary therefore they have the right to boss him around. These people will often go from church to church repeating this same pattern. They never there is something wrong with themselves, it is always leadership. I'm not talking about staying in a bad church, but this is what happens in good churches. Let me know if you read it and your thoughts. Another book like the above is called "Well Intentioned Dragons by Marshall Shelley

      Delete
    2. Okay, ignore my typos above! Tried to change them but I don't think I can :)

      Delete
  2. I see we have some books in common: 1000 Gifts and Radical. Both messed with me in a needed way! Also some Authors: Jennifer Rothschild and Jim Cymbala! It is a pleasure to meet you, Kate, and I am looking forward to becoming more acquainted as we visit here in the world of blogging.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love when books mess with me too, in a good way. They open our hearts and minds to be stretched for God's glory. Although, I cannot read too many intense books like that in a row, I need time to recover, think, grow, and take with me what I've learned. Then I am right back at them again. It's been nice getting to know you through your blog! This has been fun at TheLoft.

      Delete
  3. I'm familiar with a good number of the books on your list - some I started, some I just know by title, but it's a great reminder (a great list!) to me that I want to get back to reading some of these! Thanks for sharing with us at The Loft!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rebekah, I think there are more books I want to read than I have time for! There is nothing like snuggling on the couch on a cold day, a book in one hand and a cup of hot tea in the other.

      Delete
  4. ROTFL The Bible is listed- Good girl!! =) That shepherd book looks like something I should pick up and read- thank you for sharing it and taking the time to write a bit about it. AND I didn't know that October is Pastor appreciation month! I will have to do something nice for mine!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I knew I BETTER include the Bible! Haha! Glad you are doing something for Pastor Appreciation month. Even a snail mailed card sharing how you appreciate him is huge, they often get told what they are doing wrong instead of what they are doing right.

    ReplyDelete
  6. ARGH!! My comment got lost. Drives me nuts when that happens! I'm still waiting on the Behold Your God books but can't wait to dive in! I am looking forward to savoring that big time! Thanks for this great list of reads (and for putting mine on there. You are such an encouragement!!). I'll be checking out Rescue the Captors too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Arabah, Russel Stendal is such a neat man, met him a couple times at the VOM conferences. He got up to speak and was SO HUMBLE, so broken before God, just an average man willing to do God's will. He has transformed Columbia. His stories are so amazing, if you didn't know God, you'd think they are made up--they are that bizarre. Miracles for sure. It is a miracle that man is still alive and preaching the gospel to drug lords and guerrillas. He has two of those books, Rescue the Captors 1 and 2. They are on Amazon right now, it says the Kindle edition is free! The book is 12.50. Let me know when your Behold Your God arrives.

      Delete