I love words, books, stories. I love to hear the other side of an argument…to know someone else’s experience. What is reading for if not to explore the world?
One day I thought what if we gathered once a month to share the words that move us. The words that make us think and inspire us. One’s that cultivate our heart and turn up the dry ground.
Words that push us to the edge, forcing us to see that our way is not the only way of seeing. Words that offer perspective, hope, challenge, and joy.
Would you join me?
Share what you’ve been reading. It could be a book, essay, or even a blog post that’s moved, challenged, or inspired you. Fiction or non-fiction, Christian or secular, poetry or prose.
Slip in with the linky below.
***********************
These days my books are perched on the arm of our couch, atop the bookshelf, or fallen between cushions. These days the pile is stacked with the words of a few (in)courage bloggers: Ann Voskamp, Tsh Oxenreider, and Serena Woods.
One Thousand Gifts. Organized Simplicity. Grace is for Sinners.
I finished One Thousand Gifts last week and can’t say enough about what a blessing that book and Ann is. It’s a simple answer to living fully…counting His gifts. So easy, but so often missed. I wrote about it earlier this week.
Organized Simplicity is one of the books that I hope will propel me in my goal to live more simply and content in the coming year…and life. I’ve only just begun it, so not much to say yet except that it’s making me want to purge, purge, purge, beautify what I have, and enjoy my family more.
What I was most drawn to hearing Serena Woods speak at The Relevant Conference was her wisdom. Having been on such an incredible journey unveiling and experiencing God’s grace in a way she didn’t expect has drawn me to her story. I’m in the middle of reading Grace is for Sinners and it’s good. Thought-provoking. Life examining. Am I a grace extender? Do I hold a standard of living–of grace–that’s not God’s?
My favorite quote of Serena’s from the conference is this: When you hoard grace, you kill it.
Since Otto’s birth I’ve done most of my reading on my phone via blogs. One of the blogging communities I’ve been pouring over in the last weeks is A Deeper Story. I’ve so enjoyed hearing this group of ladies sharing “the story behind the stories” as they talk about the hard things amid Christ and culture and life. It’s good. Dive in.
**********************
It’s your turn.
Share the words that have moved you.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m reading “passionate housewife desperate for God” for the six or seventh time now!!!! each time learning another thing that I can do to serve my family better, by becoming closer to the Lord
I read that last spring and found much of it early encouraging. I especially remember the “perfect picture” of mommyhood swinging on the front porch sipping lemonade in white dresses. Don’t know why, but that part always sticks out to me!
I have one blog to share, I wrote a post linking to her here http://babystam.blogspot.com/2011/01/arabah-will-blossom-and-bloom.html I’m sure you’ll like her writing!!!
I just started Ann Voskamp’s 1000 Gifts. I’m also reading the Great Gatsby for a book group with friends – it is kinda cool to reread books you read as a teenager and see what you didn’t pick up the first time around. In Praise of Slowness is a book that I keep going back to. Haven’t made it all the way through yet, it is giving me too much to think about.
I am also infatuated with Deeper Story, so many beautifully written posts!
I haven’t read The Great Gatsby since my early college days. It’d be interesting to go back and read a bunch of those old novels and see what I missed. In Praise of Slowness sounds like an interesting book.
Oh, and I apparently failed the link test. I meant to link to a post, not just my website…oops!
No problem!