The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem by Adam Hamilton

What we really hunger for will not be found under the tree on Christmas morning. We hunger for meaning, for joy, for hope in the face of despair. We hunger to know that we can be forgiven and start anew after things we regret. We hunger for a love that will not let us go and for a life and triumph in the face of death. These come through a baby born in a stable, laid to sleep in a feeding trough, visited by night-shift shepherds. He is for us the bread of life. And we must come to the stable to satisfy the deepest desires of our hearts. ~ Adam Hamilton (The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem)

Managing God's Money by Randy Alcorn

"As God’s child and his money manager, what personal, spiritual, moral, and financial changes do you need to make to get ready to give him a face-to-face account of your job performance?" ~ Randy Alcorn (Managing God’s Money)

“So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” ~ Romans 14:12

Find the Truth

“Your problem is how you are going to spend this one and precious life you have been issued. Whether you’re going to spend it trying to look good and creating the illusion that you have power over circumstances, or whether you are going to taste it, enjoy it and find out the truth about who you are.” ~ Anne Lamott

Character Test

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

Choosing Gratitude by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

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"The grateful heart that springs forth in joy is not acquired in a moment; it is the fruit of a thousand choices." ~ Nancy Leigh DeMoss (from Choosing Gratitude)

Managing God's Money by Randy Alcorn

"We’re not to feel guilty that God has entrusted us with abundance. But we are to feel responsible to compassionately and wisely use that abundance to help the less fortunate." ~ Randy Alcorn (Managing God's Money)

“Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail” ~ Luke 12:33

Think ~ Read ~ Think

“Anyway -- because we are readers, we don't have to wait for some communications executive to decide what we should think about next -- and how we should think about it. We can fill our heads with anything from aardvarks to zucchinis -- at any time of night or day.” ~ Kurt Vonnegut

Thankful for Our Public Library

“Nothing is pleasanter to me than exploring in a library.” ~ Walter Savage Landor

The public library in my community is a wonderful resource. I greatly appreciate all the librarians and other workers there.

Are You Real?

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand." ~ Margery Williams (The Velveteen Rabbit)

Worth Reading

"No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally—and often far more—worth reading at the age of fifty and beyond." ~ C.S. Lewis

"The Sacred Search: What if it's Not About Who You Marry, but Why?" by Gary Thomas

I have wonderful news, one of my favorite authors, Gary Thomas has a new book that will be available in January 2013. I know...long wait, but it will be worth it. He has written books on marriage and parenting and many more that always challenge us to be our best for God and to seek holiness in our lives. His new book is geared toward singles seeking marriage partners: "The Sacred Search: What if it's Not About Who You Marry, but Why?" My children are still young, but I plan to add this book to my library as soon as it is available. Watch Amazon and your local bookstore shelves for this exciting new book!

More Bookshelves

‎"I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves." ~ Anna Quindlen

FREE ~ Heaven for Kids by Randy Alcorn thru 4-14-12

Heaven for Kids by Randy Alcorn is free through Amazon for Kindle right now through April 14. For more info see this post (the book giveaway mentioned at this post is past though) or Randy's website.

Every Body Matters by Gary Thomas

I redeemed my time sitting at the auto mechanics this morning by beginning a new book by Gary Thomas - Every Body Matters and have decided to recommend this book before I finish reading it because it is that good! I'm short on time right now, but plan to come back later and share more.

Back of Book Says:

Physical fitness, offered to God, pursued with God, has enormous spiritual, emotional, and physical benefits.

Every Body Matters explores the spiritual stakes behind the very physical battle of eating and exercise and offers a fresh perspective and renewed motivation for making some major changes. Just as "Sacred Marriage" has changed the way the contemporary church thinks about marriage, so Every Body Matters will transform the way you look at body care and discipline.

Steering clear of judgment and criticism, author Gary Thomas keeps the focus of this important discussion on the positive impact physical fitness can have on your spiritual and emotional growth. Using the engaging stories of everyday people, Thomas illustrates how becoming physically fit can lead to:

* increased sensitivity to God's voice
* renewed energy for God's work
* greater joy for living
* a fortified soul better able and more willing to serve and love others

The goal in this pursuit is not sculpting thinner or more athletic-looking bodies. The goal is to cultivate stronger, well-nourished bodies that are primed to become, in the words of the apostle Paul, "instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work."

By looking at your body as an instrument rather than an ornament, you'll find new and compelling motivation to embrace the kind of active lifestyle that fortifies your soul.

You can order it through Amazon or check your local library. Many libraries will order books if you request them.