Books I Read in 2019
The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict by Ken Sande
I originally heard this book recommended when I was listening to a recording of a breakout session at The Gospel Coalition 2018 Women's Conference. You can listen to the talk here. It's worth the 55 minutes of your time. ;) Anyway, I love this book. Ken Sande gives such practical tips on resolving personal conflict biblically, which is not often discussed in the church today! The chapters are really specific and helpful and cover everything from the deeper heart level issues as well as specific strategies to use in conflict conversations. Each chapter ends with a summary and application questions too, which could be useful for small group discussions. Biblical conflict resolution is an area I've really tried to grow in the past couple years, and I've recommended this book (and the talk) to so many people! GET IT. If you don't think you need it now...you probably need it. ;)
Prone to Wander: Prayers of Confession and Celebration by Barbara R. Duguid & Wayne Duguid Houk
Each "chapter" is 2 pages on a specific topic like "anxiety," "God's provision," "sloth," etc. and opens with a passage of Scripture to pray through in confession, followed by a prayer specifically addressing each member of the Trinity (which was helpful and new for me), a Scripture passage to pray through the promises we have in His Word, and then suggested hymns to meditate/sing. Obviously, this isn't the only way to pray, but it was a helpful resource in my own devotional time with the Lord to guide and focus in prayer.
A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis
I read this in a day. Grief isn't a topic I think the church addresses enough, and I appreciated the honesty as well as the gradual changes in Lewis's perspective as he wrestled with honest questions and truth in the midst of suffering after his wife's death.
Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith by Michael Reeves
100% one of the best books I've read! The title sounds so boring and academic, but I promise IT'S NOT. God as a triune yet One God is such a confusing concept for our human understanding, but I do feel like I have a slightly deeper grasp on the idea as well as the BEAUTY and SIGNIFICANCE of our triune God in our daily walks with Him. Also, Michael Reeves has a very conversational and at times humorous writing style. And there are blurbs of church history that were actually interesting to read. haha Seriously so good. GET THIS ONE TOO.
7 Myths about Singleness by Sam Allberry
This book got better the more you read it. haha There weren't any necessarily mind-blowing truths in this, but Allberry gives an honest and beautiful picture of how singleness is not just a "waiting" season but can and is used significantly for God's kingdom purposes. As he writes, "If marriage shows us the shape of the gospel, singleness shows us its sufficiency," and both are equally valuable as the Lord allows.
The New City Catechism: 52 Questions & Answers for Our Hearts & Minds (kind of? by:) Kathy Keller
This book is really more of a resource than a book to really read through. I read it as one model for a "personal catechism" project I had to write for one of my classes. I'm thankful for this resource though. It's a helpful and concise summary of the basic truths of Christianity. There is a kids' version of this as well.
Humble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul by Hannah Anderson
Anderson writes on a slightly different take on humility than I had thought of before, which I appreciated. She covers aspects like humility in light of our own limitations, humility with our resources, humility + our desires, and (in my favorite chapter, "Vine-Ripened") humility in the learning process. She opens each chapter with an agricultural analogy or life-in-the-country anecdote, which honestly was a little too fluffy for me. (If you do connect with nature analogies, one book I appreciate more in that is Amy Charmichael's book Gold by Moonlight. Each chapter uses an analogy in nature to discuss spiritual truths about walking through suffering.) I really liked this book, though.
Anything: The Prayer that Unlocked My God and My Soul by Jennie Allen
One of the biggest lessons the Lord taught me this year was on surrender. I read this book when I was in Uganda this summer during a very significant turning point/season of my life. Jennie Allen explains the biblical call to surrender and incorporates her own story of a season of her life when she and her husband prayed, "Lord, do anything" in their lives. I deeply appreciated this book.
Gospel Treason: Betraying the Gospel with Hidden Idols by Brad Bigney
An incredibly powerful, convicting, and practical book on what "idolatry" looks like in the life of a 21st century Christian and what true worship means...100% recommend this book. I'll probably re-read this one this year.
A Gospel Primer for Christians: Learning to See the Glories of God's Love by Milton Vincent
This is another book that's more of a resource for devotional time with the Lord. I read a chapter/section each day for a month. Essentially it's a reminder of the Gospel for Christians and how a continual reminder of these truths should refresh us, humble us, and renew our love and understanding of grace. A great tool for battling pride or condemnation, wherever you're at on that spectrum :)
You are the Girl for the Job: Daring to Believe the God Who Calls You by Jess Connolly
I'll be honest, this book originally sounded a little cheesy and "pep-talky" for me. HOWEVER, I WAS WRONG. IT'S SO GOOD. WOMEN, GO GET IT. I love Jess Connolly (one of my absolute favorite female Bible teachers to follow on Instagram). She is sound, real, encouraging, and not fluffy. ;) I loved, loved, loved this book. (Also, the cover is super cute too. ;) )
Be Still My Soul: Reflections on Living the Christian Life by Elisabeth Elliot
The next 3 books are all Elisabeth Elliot's books, because she is my hero. Really. haha I feel like she's one of my mentors because I've read so many of her books and listened to her talks. The more you read/listen to her, the more you realize she essentially says the same few messages in different packages, but I so value her trust, love for, and surrender to the Lord. Most of her books -- including this one-- are a series of essays on a unifying but somewhat broad topic. My favorite chapter in this one was "Acceptance and Peace." (She closes that chapter with 6 choices that lead to acceptance that I've continually revisited: choose your attitude; choose to offer your pain to God; choose to receive what God has given with open hands; choose to renew your commitment to Him; choose to praise Him as Habakkuk did; choose to do the next thing.)
The Path of Loneliness: Finding Your Way through the Wildnerness to God by Elisabeth Elliot
Ironically, loneliness is an issue most people have struggled or do struggle with today but don't ever talk about with others. I loved this book. Again, in true EE fashion, it's honest, to-the-point, Biblical, and encouraging.
Suffering is Never For Nothing by Elisabeth Elliot
This book was published after Elliot's death and she actually didn't technically write it. A publisher had been deeply impacted by a series of CDs that was a conference recording of a series of talks Elisabeth Elliot gave on this topic. The publisher got permission to write the talks and assemble them in book form. So essentially, this is a conference in book form, and it reads very conversationally. Suffering is one of EE's "things" she writes/talks about often, but she truly knew suffering. If you don't know her (+ her first husband, Jim Elliot's) story, I recommend reading Shadow of the Almighty.
A very short but dense read since the language is a little more "old-fashioned." However, this is a powerful book on humility. I've also read his book Waiting on God, and both are short, wise, and convicting.
If you read any of these, let me know and I would looooove to chat. Also, I'm always up for recommendations too! In this new year, I don't necessarily have a set number I'm resolving to read. I simply want to read more and write often, so cheers to that. ;)