Have you ever noticed a character defect/sin/issue with which you frequently struggle? Something that you're working on letting the Lord control in your life, but that's easy for you to fall into? One of those things for me is being critical. It's easy for me to see the part of something that is done incorrectly or inadequately. I have to be conscious and seek to speak words of positive encouragement, or I can fall into being critical really easy.
Perhaps it's my own awareness of my struggle that made me appreciate the fiction book I read this weekend. One of the themes in the book is learning to be patient and bear with one another in love as the Bible speaks about in Ephesians 4:1-3 . The book is The Sister Circle by Vonette Bright & Nancy Moser. If you're a woman who enjoys reading fiction for fun, but want the read to be worthwhile, this is definitely a book I can recommend. It's about a woman who doesn't know God who finds herself in financial straights, and how God works in her life. It's a book about relationships among women.
When I checked the book out of the library I didn't realize that it was written by the wife of the late Bill Bright, for some reason I just didn't make the connection. I was captivated by one of the other themes of the book; one of growing faith. Throughout the book you come to "know" women in various stages of their relationship with God. I was delighted by watching how some of the women were totally separate from God and then came to Him slowly in various ways, one bit at a time. It was a beautiful depiction of how until someone is ready, the gospel message is meaningless. A depiction of how God works in our lives through people and circumstances to cultivate the soil of our hearts.
What about you, read any good books lately?
Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."
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8 comments:
I am critical - that's what I get paid for. But I am learning to say it differently. How's is go "say what you mean, mean what you say, but don't say it mean." Something like that.
I was picking my way through a couple of free online books.
Continuing the Reformation – Bill Nissan
http://www.harvestlifechristianfellowship.org
Turning the Tide for the Next Generation – Deborah Bradberry Solomon
http://www.deborahsolomon.org/READ.html
I actually don't get to read too much. Maybe when the "house of girls" quiets down a little.
I didn't know Bill's wife wrote a book - I'll have to check it out.
Critically speaking...yeah, I go there sometimes. Thankfully God is merciful to remove that plank once we realize it's there!
I have the critical bug, too. I get it from my mommy. Grrr...I think every sin I deal with comes from pride though.
Good book I just finished...non-fiction (I don't read fiction) is Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham... EXCELLENT READ!! Hope to blog about it soon.
This world programmed us to see things through microscopes. I'm still a big work in progress, praying for myself to see things through His eyes. God bless.
Thanks for the recommendation Michelle. My guess is that, because there's so many good books out there, that I most likely would not have otherwise come in contact with that book. Now I can add it to my to-read list.
I'll also have to check out those two on line that you've recommended Dave. I'm one of those people who can read just about anywhere and tune everything else out. Just last night there were 5 teen males in our house and I sat in the living room reading and didn't notice a thing going on around me
@Tracey - and you should definitely read the Top 10 Stupidest Things Christians Do!
http://fireandgrace.blogspot.com/search/label/Top%2010
I think you might enjoy both. Bill's book is about gifting in the church. He and I seem to be twins in the Spirit.
Deborah's book is very intense; lobbying for Megan's Law - a personal story about political corruption - her run for office. I haven't finished it yet.
@Tracy - and you should definitely read the Top 10 Stupidest Things Christians Do!
http://fireandgrace.blogspot.com/search/label/Top%2010
I think you might enjoy both PDF books. Bill's book is about gifting in the church. He and I seem to be twins in the Spirit.
Deborah's book is very intense; lobbying for Megan's Law - a personal story about political corruption - her run for office. I haven't finished it yet. She is not the most stylistic writer (compared to you and me:)), but the stuff that she describes is gripping.
Thanks for sharing I really like visiting and reading your blog.
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