Beginnings

Who Said it First?

 

Most of what I write expounds off another author's insight or simply explains a Scriptural truth with application. Here are some of the most transformative books I have read and where some of my ideas come from. I encourage you to read them for yourself! Test everything against Scripture and pray that God would soften you to His work.

 

 

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

The story of Hosea and Gomer in vivd detail. Francine Rivers puts into words and images what unfailing love and the journey to accept it feels like. I could not get enough of these characters and finished the 400 page novel faster than I would have liked to. Scandalously graphic while full of truth, Redeeming Love reminded me of the restoration and joy I was made for in Christ. 

 

 

Beautiful Outlaw by John Eldredge 
About the personality of Jesus. No no, not the character, the personality. Because Jesus was a man. If you don't readily describe Jesus as playful, disruptive, and extravagant please read this book. I couldn't make it through without intense praise after each chapter. This book moved me from a place of "God does what needs done and the rest is on my faith" to "God is abundant and blesses because He wants to, not just because He needs to or He can." This book and the Spirit have grown big prayers and big love for our huge, awesome God. 

 

 

Captivating by Stasi and John Eldredge

The counterpart to Wild at Heart absolutely floored me. Captivating gives women the permission to return to their girlhood fantasies about being the beauty and being rescued. Stasi Eldredge confesses on behalf of all women that their desire to be romanced, beautiful, and irreplaceable does not die with maturity contrary to our world's direction and declarations. These desires make a woman a woman and the tenderness, compassion, and beautiful strength that radiates from them echoes the character of God. The Eldredges plead with us to fight for our hearts and to be at peace with putting it first in the world. "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do comes from it." ~ Proverbs 4:23

 

Wild at Heart by John Eldredge 

"Dicsovering the secret of a man's soul." This book is as far as can be from the shallow insights about "what makes men tick." Eldredge poetically and powerfully brings to full light the brave, wild, adventurous, and romantic side of God that men were created to embody. He speaks against just creating men to be "nice guys" and demands a revolution of bestowing true masculinity by unleashing rather than harnessing the warrior heart of men. As a woman, why not read this? The rise and fall of men dictates the rise and fall of the world. I can do no less than embrace their design and spur them towards it.  

 

Shattered Dreams by Larry Crabb

Written by my newfound favorite author, Shattered Dreams follows Naomi's story in the book of Ruth. Crabb extracts truths deeply embedded in the smallest phrases of the story. Crabb presents a challenging side to God: God will shatter our earthly dreams and step back from our suffering in order to direct our dreams to be on knowing His person. Scripturally founded and cuttingly authentic, this book's message enhances the Lord's jealousy, compassion, and power. 

 

Darkness is My Only Companion by Kathryn Greene-McCreight

In the area of Mental Illness, personal accounts can never be ignored or replaced by scientific fact. This Christian woman's account of living with Bipolar Disorder should cause for alarm, compassion, and a new view on suffering. Her strikingly honest account of her feelings and thoughts about the Lord, her life, and her illness should arouse new compassion towards the suffering and even more vigorous seeking of the Father. Feeling like we are connected to the Lord has nothing to do with how connected we actually are. Live by faith. 

 

Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller

This book wrecked me. Keller's urge for God's people to be excited about one another's sanctification is actually key to love. Do we get excited about God's work? Do we have that love for God? Do we see people as marvelous and headed towards pure glory? Keller argues that the mutual hope and excitement of Heaven and helping other's as they head towards perfection in Christ is the strongest tie humans can have. And marriage is the best place for that tie to occur.

 

Love Does by Bob Goff

When life is dull enough to leave a bitter taste in your mouth, cut through the monotony, convention, and dreaming about all your "somedays" with Love Does. Bob Goff's inumerable and mischievous adventures awake a new freedom in your mind to love lavishly and to take advantage of life while we have it. 

 

Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands by Paul David Tripp

The subtitle for this book is "People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change." Tripp cuts past lies that claim to heal us and lets us see clearly that when our emotions are going wrong, our heart has already gone wrong. With teachings of personal responsibilty, disordered desires, emotions as symptoms, and the abundant resources we have in Christ, Tripp equips his readers with tools so they can be a source of healing for others by pointing to the Great Physician and Giver of Life. 

 

Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs

As men and women, if we do not have tools to understand one another and communicate, then we do not have tools to love and respect each other. This book tears into Scripture and reveals core needs for women, to feel loved, and for men, to feel respected. But it doesn't stop at loving and respecting fellow humans: Eggerichs pleads for the people of God to love and respect unconditionally out of obedience to Him. 

 

Crazy Love by Francis Chan 

A piercing gaze into the life of the lukewarm believer and an urgent cry to not only consider God's will for your whole life, but, to also walk in step with the Holy Spirit moment by moment. We are loved like crazy and should therefore respond with a crazy love.

 

Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow 

Strange, but part of me always ran away from contentment. I would think, "What's the use of being content when my life isn't how I want it to be?" What a nonsensical question. Dillow knows contentment, anxiety, and depression inside and out. Her honesty and clear presentation of Biblical truth caught me on the riptide to living daily in Christ's beautiful gifts of contentment and peace. 

 

Radical by David Platt

Not called to be a missionary? Think again. Opened my heart to global outreach when the Lord gives the signal.

 

The 5 Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman

I don't know why people would even think to wait to read this book until marriage or thougths of marriage. READ IT NOW. Such a profound examination of people, love, and our expression of love. Not so sure about the "love tank" being filled by people, we have Christ for that, but everything else is dead on and so important in discovering one's self. 

 

One Way Love by Tullian Tchividjian

This book brought me to tears, had me pacing around my kitchen praying, and it completely transformed how I viewed the grace that Christ has given me. Likewise, it spurred me to action in every one of my relationships.

 

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero 

It's not as strange as it sounds. It delves into the purpose of emotions and peels back layers and layers of our lives which we thought were "ok." If I'm being honest, I felt totally exposed while reading. It opened up a whole new realm in my prayer life and helped me grasp the importance of letting God transform my whole being. 

 

When People are Big and God is Small by Edward T. Welch

When we put God in a box, life gets messy. This book brought me to the edge of my fears then intrusively pushed me off the cliff of my doubts so that I could fall into just how Big, Strong, Gentle, and Trustworthy the Lord is.

 

Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves

For the first time I understood what it meant that God is Love. After reading, I had a deeper understanding of Him, His universe, and how I am to treat those living in it.

 

Jesus > Religion by Jefferson Bethke 

Beautifully and concretely displays Jesus' power to break every chain to sin. It delves into the harmful and shallow nature of "trying to keep it all together."  

 

The Expulsive Power of a New Affection by Thomas Chalmers (1780-1847)

A good bulldozing of the "Little Engine that Could" philosophy which drains the mind and dismisses the heart.