Winter and books go together like praise and worship. I can’t seem to enjoy one without the other. Maybe because the world continues to reel from the pandemic, political upheaval, and unrest, I’ve longed for books that encourage and exhort me spiritually. This month’s reads have done both.
[bbctt tweet=”Winter and books go together like praise and worship. I can’t seem to enjoy one without the other. #bookreview #christiannonfiction” username=”tammykennington”]
Perhaps you, too, will be stretched and inspired by the books I mention in this post.
Abby McDonald’s book grabbed me from the first sentence. It reads, “My husband has an uncanny ability to notice people others don’t.” Shift: Changing Our Focus to See the Presence of God is a book about perspective. It’s about choosing to live from a place of eternal hope even in the midst of hard-edged life.
Tackling the challenge of trials from a Biblical standpoint, the author addresses such difficult problems as unanswered prayer and seeing the world through the legalist’s prism. Abby invites women into her own life as well as the lives of others who have struggled to see God in the dark places of struggle.
I’m new to Abby’s reading circle but I plan to stay. This book is a wonderful, timely read. You may want buy an extra (or two) to share with a friend.
Favorite quote:[bbctt tweet=”…everything we say, do, or achieve in this life either contributes to the temporary realm or the eternal realm.#fromthebookshelf #shiftbookreview” username=”tammykennington”]
Prolific author, speaker, and president of Right to the Heart Ministries, Linda Evans Shepherd has written another go-to book, Praying Through Every Emotion: Experiencing God’s Peace No Matter What. Linda’s powerful and insightful prayers are written to engage the reader across a variety of emotions including those that are celebrated–such as blessedness and joy–to the more difficult emotional responses with which we all struggle like guilt, strife, or trust. She digs even deeper by including prayers that take on the emotions of shame, suicidality, and disillusionment.
Each scripture-based prayer is adjacent to a series of Bible verses aligned to that specific heavenly appeal.
This book is for anyone who is struggling to manage the drama and trauma of 2020 and its twin sister, 2021. It would be a thoughtful gift for the grieving, fearful, or uncertain–which may include most of us this year.
[bbctt tweet=”This book is for anyone who is struggling to manage the drama and trauma of 2020 and its twin sister, 2021–which may include most of us this year. #LindaShepherd #booksaboutprayer” username=”tammykennington”]
Favorite quote: “When I look to You, the darkness flees and hope lights my way.”
Spiritual Intelligence: The Art of Thinking Like God stretched the way I view daily life. It forced me to consider whether or not a Christian can develop spiritual intelligence in the same way one might grow her emotional quotient or intellectual capacity.
Pastor Kris Vallotton of Bethel Church writes, “The reason we don’t tap into the wisdom of the age to come is because we settle for the wisdom of the age we live in. Instead of doing the “reasonable thing,” you press into prayer and ask God…”
Not the typical publication on an evangelical Christian’s reading list, this book may require another read. I’ve underlined statements that stirred my heart and placed large question marks by claims or scriptural interpretations I’d like to investigate further. Spiritual Intelligence encouraged me to consider areas of my faith that I hadn’t before and to pursue those God continues to develop.
Favorite quote: “So many Christians live reactively from earth toward heaven, instead of living from heaven toward earth.”
I’d love to know what you have on your bookshelf right now. What are your latest recommendations? I may need to include them in my next round of reviews.
Peace and grace,
Tammy
P. S. I often linkup with these other wonderful bloggers.
Mondays InstaEncouragements/ Mandy and Michele, Kingdom Bloggers,
Tuesdays RaRa Linkup /GraceFull Tuesday / Tell His Story/Anchored Abode,
Wednesdays Worth Beyond Rubies, Recharge Wednesday / Welcome Wednesday /LetsHave Coffee/
Thursdays Heart Encouragement / Tune In Thursday /Salt and Light / Five Minute Friday
Friday Faith on Fire, Blogger Voices Network, Grace and Truth Linkup