life beyond the well…


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Summer Reading 2014

I don’t think it’s any secret that I love to read.  It’s been one of my favorite pastimes for as long as I can remember.  I’m excited to have some time to read this summer, and I plan on tackling the following books:

  1. The Fault in Our Stars
  2. Lost at School
  3. Simple Church
  4. What’s Best Next
  5. Handle With Care

I heard many good things about The Fault in Our Stars from my students, and some of them have it has their summer reading book for high school.  With the moving just being released, I figured that now was as good a time as ever to read the book.  I’m about 4 chapters in and I’m enjoying it so far.

For professional development, we’ve been asked to read Lost at School.  I have yet to start it (hey, I still have a month or so before it needs to be finished), but I’m looking forward to it.  I’m very interested in understanding how we can improve school discipline for our students AND our schools.  I hope that it will be a refreshing perspective.

Preacherman has read Simple Church and he loves it.  As we continue in our church-planting process, he asked me to read it to gain a new understanding and perspective on how church is done, and how we can disciple others.  His excitement about the book has me excited to read it as well.

It is a personal goal for me to be better about managing my time.  My hope is to develop strong systems this summer that can carry me into the next school year in a good way.  I just started What’s Best Next, and I’m already getting some good wisdom.  I’ll be sure to share what I’ve learned when I finish!

Preacherman and I believe that it’s important to keep growing our marriage, and that we can do that by reading and learning together.  To that end, we are reading Handle With Care together, so that we can take the time to reflect, share, and process the book at the same time.  The book is written by our pastor, and we look forward to seeing what other nuggets of wisdom he has to share through this book.

So, that’s what’s on my bookshelf for the summer!  What are you reading?

Until next time…

Be encouraged!  Peace and Blessings!

 


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Book Review: The God-First Life

Every now and then, I read a book and it’s just like “Wow”.  That’s the feeling I had after completing Stovall Weems’ latest book “The God-First Life.”

I have been all too guilty of putting things, desires, and aspirations in a higher place than God, hoping that because God loves me, He will bless those things, desires, and aspirations.  In his book, Weems breaks down that logic with biblical truths, focusing on this verse:

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

The book addresses important concepts that are sometimes overlooked as well, such as the value of having a strong community around you, understanding your place in God’s family, and how to gain freedom from your past so that you can move forward.

I loved that this book was not overly complicated or heavily weighted with theological ideas.  Not to say that those are bad, but sometimes what I need most is a simple reminder of what is most important.  As I transition into a new season, and become even more busy with church-planting activities, my job, and my dissertation, I can see myself referring back to the simple truths that Weems presents in this book.

I would recommend this for those who are looking to deepen their relationship with Christ in a simple, non-complicated way.  Though I received this book for free, I have already purchased two additional copies to gift to others because I believe that the message is important and timely.

Until next time…

Be encouraged!  Peace and Blessings!

 

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for a review.  All thoughts and opinions are mine.