On My Bookshelf

“A room without books is like a body without a soul.”

Don’t you agree?

Periodically, I like to share what I am reading with you and hope that you’ll share with me in return about what you’ve been reading. That way, I learn about new books to add to my reading wish list:)

1. True Spirituality: Francis Schaeffer was a renowned theologian in my parent’s era. Best known for the spiritual retreat center and community he established in Switzerland called L’Abri, he wrote and spoke around the world on topics of faith and theology. I enjoyed this book on how the Christianity affects all areas of our life. I’ve quoted from it a bit in a few posts as of late.

2. Shame Interrupted: How God Lifts the Pain of Worthlessness and Rejection: A friend and I read this together. It’s a powerful book that digs deep into the heart. It’s not an easy read in the sense that it can be painful to look at our shame. For those of us who have hidden from our shameful past or feel it is a burden we can’t get rid of, this book is filled with gentle gospel encouragement and hope. It takes the reader on a journey from the beginnings of shame to the story of redemption and of a King who touched our shame, taking it upon himself. If shame has been a shadow all your life, you might want to read this book with a trusted friend.

3. Death by Living: Life Is Meant to Be Spent: A friend recommended this book to me and I’m so glad she did. You may have noticed me writing about issues such as using our brief time wisely and how quickly time passes in our life over the past year. It’s an issue that has been on the forefront of my mind as I move ever closer to forty. This book reiterates the thoughts I’ve had and encourages us to spend our time, to use it all up, not wastefully but to live fully. ND Wilson uses examples from his own life and reflections upon his ancestors as he explores what it means to spend the time we have. Excellent read!

4. Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full: Gospel Meditations for Busy Moms: I am in the midst of reviewing this book for TGC. Stayed tuned for that review but let me just say that if you are a mom who needs gospel encouragement in the daily tasks and struggles of life, this book is for you.

5. Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art (Wheaton Literary Series): I love any book that looks at creativity and art from the perspective of faith. Written by the author of A Wrinkle In Time, these reflective essays look at what it means to be a Christian who is creative.

6. The Cry of the Soul: How Our Emotions Reveal Our Deepest Questions About God: This is another book I am reading with a friend. Written by a Christian psychologist and a well-respected seminary professor whom I’ve heard speak before, the authors go through the book of Psalms to help us take an honest look at our emotions and how they reflect issues of faith and trust in God. This is going to a favorite of mine for years to come.

7. I Want to Live These Days with You: A Year of Daily Devotions: This is a devotional I am using this year. Drawn from letters and sermons of the late Dietrich Bonhoeffer, these brief meditations are poignant and rich with spiritual nuggets. If you enjoy Bonhoeffer’s writings, you’ll like this devotional.

8. One Way Love: Inexhaustible Grace for an Exhausted World: The title says it all. We are exhausted from trying to do life on our own and trying to get everything right. Many think that Christianity is about doing the right thing. But it’s not. It’s about realizing that we can’t and that we need a Savior who did it all for us. This is another excellent book by Tullian Tchividjian on the magnificent, unexpected, and radical grace of God.

So, what’s on your bookshelf these days?