Summertime. And The Reading's Easy
We would all agree that a well-written book can have a lasting impact upon our lives. Most of us would also agree that we often struggle to find the time to read all the books we would like!
We would all agree that a well-written book can have a lasting impact upon our lives. Most of us would also agree that we often struggle to find the time to read all the books we would like!
With short synopses, Christian Book Summaries offers a tremendous service to readers by providing awareness of noteworthy books and their essential message; by giving an awareness of a given author’s worldview; by encouraging more mindful rigor within the Christian community; and by bringing the fruits of thinking authors to the global Christian commmunity. Here are thirteen amazing titles to get you started.
1. For Women Only: What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men
by Shaunti Feldhahn
You can understand the man in your life and learn to love him in the way he needs to be loved. Read the summary here. (For Men Only is here.)
2. Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?
by Philip Yancey, Zondervan
Prayer, Yancey writes, is our partnership with God, our chance to join forces with God's power to confront suffering and evil head-on. Read the summary here.
3. Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World
by Joanna Weaver
How in the world do I find the time to nurture my relationship with God? Maybe a better question is how in the world can I NOT make time to nurture my relationship with Him? When I make God my center, everything else can swirl around and stay balanced. Read the summary here.
4. Heaven
by Randy Alcorn
Where will I go when I die? What will Heaven be like? The Bible paints a vivid picture of a place that will engage our imaginations, increase our yearning for Heaven, and prompt us to live godly lives between now and then.
Read the summary here.
5. Velvet Elvis
by Rob Bell
Beware of those who claim to have figured out life or arrived at the most accurate set of theological beliefs. All truth is God's truth. But His truth is dynamic and compels every believer to keep seeking and asking questions so that they can reach a fuller understanding of what truth is. Read the summary here.
6. Indelible Ink
by Scott Larsen
Books shape us, dynamically molding our minds and souls, says Scott Larsen. Drawing upon the biblical mandate that believers must be transformed by the renewing of their minds (Romans 12:2), he warns that one's reading diet is nothing to take lightly. Larsen invites twenty-two of today's top Christian authors to introduce readers to the writers and thinkers who most deeply influenced them.
Read the summary here.
7. Boundaries in Marriage
by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
Drs. Cloud and Townsend help guide couples through the challenging journey of marriage. Recommending boundaries even in marriage, they emphasize the importance of respecting a spouse's personal "territory" and give tips for safeguarding a marriage from intruders such as idols, affairs, and well-meaning parents.
Read the summary here.
8. Renovation of the Heart
by Dallas Willard
You can experience significant growth in your Christian walk, have victory over sinful habits, and increasingly take on the character of Christ. Author Dallas Willard calls this "the transformation of the spirit," a divine process that brings every element in our being into harmony with the will of God.
9. The Case for Christ
by Lee Strobel
Using the dramatic scenario of an investigative journalist pursuing his story and leads, Strobel uses his experience as a reporter for the Chicago Tribune to interview experts about the evidence for Christ from the fields of science, philosophy, and history.
Read the summary here.
Spring Reading Thing 2007 Wrap-Up
So how did you do? If you participated in Katrina's reading challenge, now is the time to post your final thoughts, book reviews, results, and/or experiences. There's still $10 Amazon.com gift certificate up for grabs. If you post your wrap-up post (and put it on the Callapidder Days Mister Linky) by midnight on June 24th, your name will be included in the drawing.
In case you missed it, here's my initial post, "The Ultimate Christian Classics." I managed to finish two of the books on my personal reading list, Practicing His Presence and Visual Faith. Up Next? Blue Like Jazz and Generation NeXt Parenting. Pray for me sister! I think I can, I think I can...
Mommy, We Can Do This!
This summer, Jennifer over at Snapshot is hosting unique reading challenge for school-aged kids and their Moms this summer called "Read Together." She says, "In the vein of the Read to Me Mission, I would like to be an encouragement to those of you who are looking to connect with your kids. Reading a book together is a wonderful way to open the door to discussions, to find out what makes them laugh, what makes them angry, or what they don't quite understand."
What are your summer reading goals?
1. For Women Only: What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men
by Shaunti Feldhahn
You can understand the man in your life and learn to love him in the way he needs to be loved. Read the summary here. (For Men Only is here.)
2. Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?by Philip Yancey, Zondervan
Prayer, Yancey writes, is our partnership with God, our chance to join forces with God's power to confront suffering and evil head-on. Read the summary here.
3. Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World
by Joanna Weaver
How in the world do I find the time to nurture my relationship with God? Maybe a better question is how in the world can I NOT make time to nurture my relationship with Him? When I make God my center, everything else can swirl around and stay balanced. Read the summary here.
4. Heaven
by Randy Alcorn
Where will I go when I die? What will Heaven be like? The Bible paints a vivid picture of a place that will engage our imaginations, increase our yearning for Heaven, and prompt us to live godly lives between now and then.
Read the summary here.
5. Velvet Elvisby Rob Bell
Beware of those who claim to have figured out life or arrived at the most accurate set of theological beliefs. All truth is God's truth. But His truth is dynamic and compels every believer to keep seeking and asking questions so that they can reach a fuller understanding of what truth is. Read the summary here.
6. Indelible Ink
by Scott Larsen
Books shape us, dynamically molding our minds and souls, says Scott Larsen. Drawing upon the biblical mandate that believers must be transformed by the renewing of their minds (Romans 12:2), he warns that one's reading diet is nothing to take lightly. Larsen invites twenty-two of today's top Christian authors to introduce readers to the writers and thinkers who most deeply influenced them.
Read the summary here.
7. Boundaries in Marriage
by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
Drs. Cloud and Townsend help guide couples through the challenging journey of marriage. Recommending boundaries even in marriage, they emphasize the importance of respecting a spouse's personal "territory" and give tips for safeguarding a marriage from intruders such as idols, affairs, and well-meaning parents.
Read the summary here.
8. Renovation of the Heart
by Dallas Willard
You can experience significant growth in your Christian walk, have victory over sinful habits, and increasingly take on the character of Christ. Author Dallas Willard calls this "the transformation of the spirit," a divine process that brings every element in our being into harmony with the will of God.
9. The Case for Christby Lee Strobel
Using the dramatic scenario of an investigative journalist pursuing his story and leads, Strobel uses his experience as a reporter for the Chicago Tribune to interview experts about the evidence for Christ from the fields of science, philosophy, and history.
Read the summary here.
10. The Ragamuffin Gospel
by Brennan Manning
Our heavenly Father beckons us to Himself with a furious love that burns brightly and constantly. Contrary to popular opinion, God does not tally our defects and hang His head in disappointment when we fail. He loves us as we are, not for what we do. Only when we truly embrace God's grace can we bask in the joy of a Gospel that enfolds the most needy of His flock, the ragamuffins.
Read the summary here.
by Brennan Manning
Our heavenly Father beckons us to Himself with a furious love that burns brightly and constantly. Contrary to popular opinion, God does not tally our defects and hang His head in disappointment when we fail. He loves us as we are, not for what we do. Only when we truly embrace God's grace can we bask in the joy of a Gospel that enfolds the most needy of His flock, the ragamuffins.
Read the summary here.
11. A Bend in the Road
by David Jeremiah
When your world falls apart without warning, where is God? You ask why me? Why now? Why this? Pastor David Jeremiah asked these questions when he was diagnosed with a life-threatening disease. God gave him incredible comfort and encouragement as he meditated on the Psalms. Dr. Jeremiah came to a fresh realization that God wants us to trust Him completely with the future, knowing His plans are best for us.
Read the summary here.
12. Just Give Me Jesus
by Anne Graham Lotz
Anne Graham Lotz traces the life of Christ by exploring the eyewitness accounts found in the Gospel of John. She purposes to bring these biblical stories to life, plucking from them truths that will encourage and revitalize weary believers.
Read the summary here.
13. Orthodoxy
by G.K. Chesterton (1847-1936)
From the Christian Book Summaries Classics Collection
First published in 1908 when Chesterton was 35, this book is his argument for the simple plausibility of traditional Christianity. A master of the written word, and one who knew his Master, this exuberant journalist communicated the sufficiency of orthodox Christianity as the best response to modern man's intellectual concerns.
Read the summary here.
by David Jeremiah
When your world falls apart without warning, where is God? You ask why me? Why now? Why this? Pastor David Jeremiah asked these questions when he was diagnosed with a life-threatening disease. God gave him incredible comfort and encouragement as he meditated on the Psalms. Dr. Jeremiah came to a fresh realization that God wants us to trust Him completely with the future, knowing His plans are best for us.
Read the summary here.
12. Just Give Me Jesusby Anne Graham Lotz
Anne Graham Lotz traces the life of Christ by exploring the eyewitness accounts found in the Gospel of John. She purposes to bring these biblical stories to life, plucking from them truths that will encourage and revitalize weary believers.
Read the summary here.
13. Orthodoxy
by G.K. Chesterton (1847-1936)
From the Christian Book Summaries Classics Collection
First published in 1908 when Chesterton was 35, this book is his argument for the simple plausibility of traditional Christianity. A master of the written word, and one who knew his Master, this exuberant journalist communicated the sufficiency of orthodox Christianity as the best response to modern man's intellectual concerns.
Read the summary here.
Spring Reading Thing 2007 Wrap-Up
So how did you do? If you participated in Katrina's reading challenge, now is the time to post your final thoughts, book reviews, results, and/or experiences. There's still $10 Amazon.com gift certificate up for grabs. If you post your wrap-up post (and put it on the Callapidder Days Mister Linky) by midnight on June 24th, your name will be included in the drawing.In case you missed it, here's my initial post, "The Ultimate Christian Classics." I managed to finish two of the books on my personal reading list, Practicing His Presence and Visual Faith. Up Next? Blue Like Jazz and Generation NeXt Parenting. Pray for me sister! I think I can, I think I can...
Mommy, We Can Do This!
This summer, Jennifer over at Snapshot is hosting unique reading challenge for school-aged kids and their Moms this summer called "Read Together." She says, "In the vein of the Read to Me Mission, I would like to be an encouragement to those of you who are looking to connect with your kids. Reading a book together is a wonderful way to open the door to discussions, to find out what makes them laugh, what makes them angry, or what they don't quite understand."The summaries above are quoted from Christian Book Summaries' website. Please feel free to join the friendly Thursday Thirteen bloggers at the official meme hub.
What are your summer reading goals? 
23 Comments:
No summer reading for me other than my Bible. I do good to read it and study it. It seems I'm just too busy to take extra time to read anything else. I always feel that if I don't read my Bible enough then I shouldn't read anything else. Although sometimes I will take a book that will help me with my study on a topic and read through it...but it takes me quite some time to accomplish that.
This is is a super cool resource. I had never heard of it. I hope it will aid me in selecting better book club choices in the future.
I'm going to check out the "Read To Me" link...that sounds very good.
Excellent post!
I've read 3 of these already, and am excited to check out some of the others.
"For Women Only" I can't recommend enough as a must read!
I had one friend tell me that she wished she would of found that book before she went through with her divorce.
She said with all that she learned from it, she might of still of had a marriage.........
It's such a short read, and yet you can learn so much about your man!
Blessings ~
i have been trying to work through 2 books --
1. the irresistable revolution
2. mommylife
but i also want to take a huge bite in my bible. that's the most important one on my list.
shalom!
Love the summaries you listed -- several of those books are on my to-read list. Thanks for being part of the Spring Reading Thing!
Great TT list! I've read "For Women Only," but to be honest, my husband doesn't want (or need) any of the things she mentions in her book.
Open communication between spouses will give you all the info you need on how to best love and support each other.
My summer reading list starts with "To Fly Again" by Gracia Burnham.
I'm a voracious Christian fiction reader, but rarely read non-fiction other than my Bible. The Case For Christ sounds very compelling and one you don't have listed but I have heard about is 90 Minutes in Heaven, both of which I want to read. Wonderful TT list. Happy Friday!
Keep plugging away on your reading list. Some of those are pretty heavy.
I enjoyed reading some of those summaries. I hadn't heard of Indeliable Ink, but it sounds interesting.
Thanks for the plug on the Read Together! I do hope to read several books with my daughter this summer, and in addition to that, I want to delve deep into some fiction. I haven't been reading too much of that lately.d
Photograph from the beginning of the post is fabulous! Makes me wish to grab my reading material and run away into the nature ... *sigh*
Great TT :)
Cheers from Serbia!
My TT is up too :)
As soon as I get reading glasses, I might be able to read something other then my BIG letter Bible.
These books look very good. Thank you for these suggestions.
What am I reading? Umm... I will probably re-read some of my favorites by C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, and maybe even some Dorothy Sayers. In addition I will be trying to read a very very abridged version of Braveheart in an English/Kurdish Parallel. I will probably head to the local Library and go through my old books to see which ones I want to keep and re-read those. I love books.
ancsweetnsassygal: If you're back to read this, I wanted you to know I can't comment on your blog because I'm not a Yahoo! 360 member. However, I wanted you to know that I really enjoyed your T-13 post this week, "Top 13 Places in North Carolina for Tourists to Visit." When we were in NC, we especially enjoyed Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and learned so much about the "graveyard of the Pacific." I hope you come back again. {{{Hugs}}}
julie: You have a good attitude: read the Bible before anything else! Julie, you seem like a candidate for seminary... {{{Hugs}}}
debd: I'm pleased that you found this resource helpful. Jennifer at Snapshot (the host of Read Together) is a voratious reader. Her book posts are always interesting. :~)
kristy: Thanks for your recommendation and sharing your divorced friends' testimony. My daughter read For Women Only and really enjoyed it too. (She's preparing for
engagement.) Blessings!
ruth: Two good books to chew through... and of course, the Bible. Shalom back to you!
katrina: Thanks for hosting... happy reading this summer. :~)
kristen: Nice to meet you, and thanks for stopping by for T-13. Happy reading. :~)
jennifer: Thanks for stopping by today. I agree, Indelible Ink does sound interesting. And fiction is usually at the bottom of my list too. Blessings!
milan-zzz: Cheers to you in Serbia. I enjoyed reading your blog. Happy T-13!
lori: Uh-oh, reading glasses. I hope you get some soon. I need glasses for driving but not for reading (yet!). I'm glad you have a big letter Bible. :~)
thebeloved: You have a nice list of classic Christian authors here. And Braveheart in English/Kurdish? That is very cool!
Hugs.
Thank you for your comment. I visited you blog last night. Loved the post on spirit baptism. Also the post on Ruth Bell Graham. And I also love reading as well. Loved all the book reviews on your post. I really enjoyed reading your blog as well. I actually live in South Texas. It is hot here!
God Bless,
Janice
Hi e-mom! You go girl...doing great on your summer reading! Thanks for your comment...and as far as your question: " I seem to recall that the tradition of waiting one year before eating the top of the cake has something to do celebrating the baptism of the first baby. Is that accurate?" I'm afraid I don't have a clue!! I guess I don't know where that tradition came from! Might be fun to figure that one out though! Have a great weekend, Blessings, Diane
E-mom: Yes, I do plan to get some reading done this summer. Thanks for the suggestions. I think I'll try a few of those.
On a different note . . . please check out my blog for Sat. June 23rd. I've mentioned you in my post and you really must read it. Enjoy!
Thanks for the links - looks like a lot of good reading.
I wanted to get some classics & apologetics in this summer, so I'm working on it!
janice: Thanks for stopping by! Glad you enjoyed your reading here. Aha, South Texas! I was WAY off. (I love hot weather.) Hugs!
diane: Thanks for coming back. :~) Funny that neither of us know much about that lovely wedding cake tradition... something to google about. Blessings.
kimmy: You're way too kind. :~) Thanks for the kudos! I'll have to select my award honorees this week. Congratulations again to you too. Hugs!
leftcoastonlooker: Great! Classics and apologetics... I hope you post a few book reviews on your blog. :~)
I broke down on Saturday and bought 2.75 proof reading glasses. I can even read that micro mini phone book they sent me this year.
I picked up a book on Saturday to teach me how I can be a better wife to my husband. After reading just a few pages last night before I went to bed, I remembered a fight that my husband and I had over flour that I had bought for him years ago now. I now understand why my husband was upset with me. It wasn't the flour he was mad about, but me not listening to him again and buying what I wanted to buy instead of what he asked me. I can't believe after 21 years that I have to still grow in this area but I am willing to put in the time to be the Godly wife that my husband deserves.
Blessings to you dear friend,
Lori
Side thought? How are you and your dad doing with the lose of your step-mom? I've been praying for you.
Oh dear - I have many, many books already bought and really, really want to read them. Now I just have to find the time to do it.
The one I really want to read is "When You're Running on Empty" by Cindi McMenamin" and one on your summery list "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" - so maybe the summary will help me to decide if I want to read the entire book :)
Believe it or not, but two books on your summary list I did read -- Shaunti's and Lee's :)
Thank you so much for sharing.
Blessings on your Sunday evening and always.
lori: You are such a good wife! Isn't it interesting that we can still learn new things even after a long-term marriage? Praise God you're still willing to learn. What is the title of your book?
(I'm so glad you bought some reading glasses. My husband says he needs new ones too. :~))
eph2810: Your book titles sound interesting. If you're like me, you have a truckload of other books just waiting... This book summary resource is so helpful, isn't it? Hugs. :~)
I should read, but I will be doing good to read my Bible everyday, just like "julie's jewels" said. I get to reading blogs, surfing blogs, writing to my blog and soon I am scrambling to meet my days obligations; then if my grandchildren show up... I don't get anything done but visiting with them and feeding them!
connie marie: Oh, I hear you! It's hard to fit in all the books I want to read, especially since becoming a blogger. Maybe this summary resource will help you. Hug those grandkids of yours first though! :~)
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