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.

Favorite Books for 2011

The link is for the list of Gary Thomas' favorite books from 2011. I respect Gary Thomas and his work, so I recommend his list.

I also highly recommend "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan, but haven't read the others on his list. I'm adding them to my list for 2012. I'm also looking forward to reading Gary's new book "Every Body Matters." It sounds like it could have some similarities to another book that I read this year "Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God Not Food" by Lysa TerKeurst


One of my favorite books from this past year was "Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream" by David Platt. For more info and his challenges check out the book's website.

Giving: Unlocking the Heart of Good Stewardship

My dad found a book in a basket at his local Christian bookstore and bought copies for his Sunday School class. From what he told me and what I read online it looks like a book that packs a powerful punch.

Book Description from CBD:

"As part of the Pursuing Spiritual Transformation series, Giving demonstrates how good stewardship is more than a responsibility---it's an adventure. As you study the connection between your wallet and your heart, you'll learn how money management is a powerful tool for shaping your character. You'll discover how giving is as much a part of spiritual growth as prayer and Bible study. And you'll learn about the rewards of cultivating wise financial habits and a generous heart. Above all, you'll find out how a lifestyle of giving reflects the heart of God, who freely gives his best to you. Includes seven sessions and a leader's guide."

Giving: Unlocking the Heart of Good Stewardship, Pursuing Spiritual Transformation
By: John Ortberg, Laurie Pederson, Judson Poling

Publisher: Zondervan / 2000

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

For more infomation check out the book's website.

Courageous by Randy Alcorn

Randy Alcorn, one of my favorite authors wrote an incredible novelization of the "Courageous" screenplay by Alex and Stephen Kendrick. Courageous will be in theaters on September 30.

Back of Book says:

"As low enforcement officers, Adam Mitchel, Nathan Hayes, and their partners willingly stand up to the worst the world can offer. Yet at the end of the day they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood. While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. But they're quickly discovering that their standard is missing the mark.

They know that God desires to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, but their children are beginning to drift farther and farther away from them. Will they be able to find a way to serve and protect those who are most dear to them?

When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw cloer to God...and to their children?"

Randy Alcorn delivers a powerful message to Men/Husbands/Dads. If the challenges presented in this book were lived out the world would change one family at a time.

Stephen and Alex Kendrick have also written a book, "The Resolution for Men" to help men in their role of being a godly leader in their family and in their world.

For additional resources go here.

Courageous by Casting Crowns

Radical by David Platt

I don't often recommend a book that I haven't actually read, but I am doing it this time - read "Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream" by David Platt. I've been reading from his website and taking advantage of the resources offered to help us grow in our faith through Bible reading, prayer and service all to bring glory to God.

See this interview with Focus on the Family to learn more.

I read the first chapter on-line here. I'm waiting for the book from my local library, but am pretty sure it is a book I will end up owning. Pray for me as I begin the radical experiment...

The website shares this:

"What part of the Gospel is optional?

It’s easy for American Christians to forget how Jesus said his followers would actually live, what their new lifestyle would actually look like. They would, he said, leave behind security, money, convenience, even family for him. They would abandon everything for the gospel. They would take up their crosses daily…

But who do you know who lives like that? Do you?"