I’d like to invite you to something special: the My Life. His Story Summer Book Club.
I love books. I also love talking about books–and I’d like to talk about them with you. Will you join me?
This summer, we’re going to read one book a month, alternating between Christian fiction and non-fiction. I’ve chosen some books that I love, that have challenged me, and that I hope will benefit you too. I’ve set up a special Facebook group just for the book club. All you have to do is click on over and request to join. There’s not a set time that you have to be online. It’s summer. Who wants to stick to a schedule? I’ll post discussion questions and fun activities two or three times each week. Pop in and comment when you’re ready. Easy. Simple. And fun.
Want to know what we’re going to be reading? Here you go:
June–Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero.
Here’s the cover blurb:
Peter Scazzero learned the hard way: you can’t be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature. Even though he was a pastor of a growing church, he did what most people do:
- Avoid conflict in the name of Christianity
- Ignore his anger, sadness, and fear
- Use God to run from God
- Live without boundaries
Eventually God awakened him to a biblical integration of emotional health, a relationship with Jesus, and the classic practices of contemplative spirituality. It created nothing short of a spiritual revolution, utterly transforming him and his church.
In this best-selling book Scazzero outlines his journey and the signs of emotionally unhealthy spirituality. Then he provides seven biblical, reality-tested ways to break through to the revolutionary life Christ meant for you. “The combination of emotional health and contemplative spirituality,” he says, “unleashes the Holy Spirit inside us so that we might experientially know the power of an authentic life in Christ.”
This book has challenged me to integrate my own spiritual and emotional health. If you’re feeling stuck, burned out on ministry, or wondering if this is really all there is to the Christian life, join us for our discussion of this book. You’ll be blessed.
July: Jaded by Varina Denman
Cover blurb:
As a child, Ruthie was shunned by the local congregation. Thirteen years later, Ruthie’s heart begins to stir when an attractive single preacher arrives. But their relationship is bitterly opposed—unearthing a string of secrets which threaten to turn the church, the town, and her world upside-down.
Jaded is the rare novel that is both love story between a woman and man … and God and His church. Plunging deep into the waters of shame, forgiveness and restoration, it will resonate with every woman who’s experienced a loss of heart … and a thirst for hope.
This is one of my favorite books I read last year. Ruthie’s journey is powerful and inspiring, and the book is beautifully written. You won’t want to miss this one.
August: Fervent by Priscilla Shirer
Cover Blurb:
You have an enemy . . . and he’s dead set on destroying all you hold dear and keeping you from experiencing abundant life in Christ. What’s more, his approach to disrupting your life and discrediting your faith isn’t general or generic, not a one-size-fits-all. It’s specific. Personalized. Targeted.
So this book is your chance to strike back. With prayer. With a weapon that really works. Each chapter will guide you in crafting prayer strategies that hit the enemy where it hurts, letting him know you’re on to him and that you won’t back down. Because with every new strategy you build, you’re turning the fiercest battles of life into precise strikes against him and his handiwork, each one infused with the power of God’s Spirit.
New York Times bestselling author Priscilla Shirer, widely known for her international speaking, teaching, and writing ministries, brings her new role from the 2015 film War Room into the real lives of today’s women, addressing the topics that affect them most: renewing their passion, refocusing theiridentity, negotiating family strife, dealing with relentless regrets, navigating impossible schedules, succeeding against temptation, weathering their worst fears, uprooting bitterness, and more. Each chapter exposes the enemy’s cruel, crafty intentions in all kinds of these areas, then equips and encourages you to write out your own personalized prayer strategies on tear-out sheets you can post and pray over yourself and your loved ones on a regular basis.
Fervent is a hands-on, knees-down, don’t-give-up action guide to practical, purposeful praying.
If your house is like mine, August is get-ready time. Get ready for school, get ready for fall ministry, get ready to transition back from the lazy days of summer into our normal routine. Let’s get our prayer lives ready too. Join us in discussing Fervent to help find power, purpose, and passion in prayer.
So, order your books, join the Facebook group, and let’s get ready to have some fun.
I’m in. Who’s with me?
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3 comments
I’ve never participated in a book club before – this may be interesting 🙂
I don’t know that I have time to read one more book, the pile next to me is very intimidating, but these do sound really good. I need to add them to my Goodreads shelf!
Ooh, books here I’ve not read or heard of – always looking for good recommendations, so I’ll be interested to look into them!
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