Leela
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
When I first picked up The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer, I thought it was going to be just another Christian self-help book. There are so many books that tell us how to live in this world; how to find joy and peace in the chaos… John Mark Comer draws from biblical insight, offering suggestions rather than rules, on how to slow down in order to experience and live in God’s presence. Comer’s voice makes this read one that will make you laugh. He is honest and relatable, yet convicting. Since reading this book, I have found myself consciously stopping the hurry in my soul and have built rhythms in several areas of life for this new year. I highly recommend this book. It has a message that everyone needs to hear.
To-read: Help Thanks Wow by Anne Lamott
Bethany
The Spirit-Filled Life: Discovering the Joy of Surrendering to the Holy Spirit by Charles F. Stanley
Since last fall, I’ve been working my way through The Spirit-Filled Life by Charles F. Stanley. This lovely book was a gift to me from Christmas 2018 (shout-out to my brother Micah!) and explores an absolutely fascinating topic – the Holy Spirit. For me, this is a kind of book so packed with information that I absorb it best through smaller doses. The author’s fatherly voice mixes well with his personal stories and theological wisdom. Various characteristics, conceptions, and interactions of the Holy Spirit are examined throughout the pages, ultimately both challenging and reinforcing common beliefs concerning who the Holy Spirit is and what He does. Although I have a ways to go yet, I continue looking forward to reading this book as my devotional during the winter and spring months.
To read: Try Softer by Aundi Kolber
Charlotte
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
In preparation for the movie that comes out this month, I decided to read Just Mercy which follows the story of Bryan Stevenson when he founded the Equal Justice Initiative, a group determined to support and represent the poor and the falsely convicted. This story follows the trial of Walter McMillian who claims that he was falsely accused for murdering a woman in his town. Stevenson takes on his case demanding justice and mercy. All of my friends have read and raved about his book and I’m excited to finish this harrowing story!
To Read: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Christine
Beginnings by Steve Wiens
Beginnings is a book that ministered to me during a previous transition in my life, and I’m rereading it because I find myself in a similar season (and not just because it’s a new year!). When our dreams don’t work out—or when they do and we find ourselves wondering what’s next—we easily get discouraged because we appear to be at an endpoint in our lives. Author Steve Weins postulates that these seasons are not actually endings but beginnings. Because we are in a continual process of becoming the people God calls us to be, God is constantly at work to bring beginnings from endings, hope from heartache, and life from death. Beginnings takes the reader on a journey through the seven days of creation to help us discern which season we’re currently in and how God may be working in our lives in new ways.
Read an excerpt of the book here!
