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How to Read More Than One Book at a Time + 6 Books I Recommend {January 2020}

By LisaNotes January 27, 2020 Books I Recommend, Reading, Video Book Reviews 91 Comments

“No book is for everybody, but every book is for somebody.“
– Al Hsu

More Than One Book at a Time

Do you read more than one book at a time? Or do you think that’s crazy?

Here’s how I do it.

I keep a running list of books I’m currently reading, preferably around 5 books. The book that needs to be finished first is always #1. Maybe it’s a library book almost due or a book I need to review soon.

The other books are in order of highest interest and/or need to be finished next. I try to read from a variety of genres at any given time, so no two books are too similar in topic. Most are nonfiction plus one novel.

When I have a minute to read, book #1 is the book I pick up first. If no other books get read during the day, at least this one did. I usually aim for around 10 pages a day in this main book. 

I read the other books sequentially, working my way down the list as time allows. My optimal goal is to read at least 2-3 pages in every book on the list at some point during the day. But I rarely succeed. That’s okay.

I usually read down the list in the same order, although I’m not rigid about it. When I’m low on time, the books lowest on the list don’t get read for a few days. They’ll get their turn more frequently once I finish books higher on the list.

That is how it works for me. It’s rarely as regimented as it sounds. But eventually all books get finished this way, and the wide variety keeps me interested.

How do you like to read?

6 Books I Recommend

Every month I share the best of what I’ve finished reading. Here are books I recommend from January. See all my recommended books here.

Books I Recommend January 2020

Nonfiction

1. Introverts in the Church
Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture
by Adam S. McHugh

Introverts in the church

If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable as an introvert in extroverted spaces, this book reminds you that you’re fine as you are, and also shows you ways to contribute as you are. Especially in church.

[click here if you can’t see the 1-minute book review, Introverts in the Church]

2. Transforming Your Thought Life
Christian Meditation in Focus
by Sarah Geringer

Transforming Your Thought Life

It’s hard to control our thoughts. Sarah’s book shows us how to escape our tangled thoughts, transforming them into God-honoring and healthy thoughts through use of scriptures and prayers.

[see my full review of Transforming Your Thought Life]

3. Outer Order, Inner Calm
Declutter & Organize to Make More Room for Happiness
by Gretchen Rubin

Outer Order Inner Calm

Want inner calm? Create outer order; it helps. Gretchen Rubin gives us lots of practical tidbits for getting control of our stuff.

  • “Every item should have a specific home. NEVER LABEL ANYTHING MISCELLANEOUS.” (Oops, I do.)
  • “If three times the thought has occurred to me, ‘I wonder if I should get rid of that,’ I get rid of it.”
  • “If I didn’t already own this possession, would I buy it? If not, why keep it?”
  • “Remind yourself, If and when I need this, I can buy it. Maybe I’ll never need it, so I’ll store it at the store.”

4. 24/6
The Power of Unplugging One Day a Week
by Tiffany Shlain

24.6

We know this, but it’s good to hear it again: take an occasional sabbath from technology. Specifically, Shlain suggests turning off screens one day every week for your mental, relational, and emotional health. I’m attempting this in a small way this year with my One Word: Linger, but in a more moderate way than Shlain recommends.

5. Enneagram and the Way of Jesus
Integrating Personality Theory with Spiritual Practices and Biblical Narratives
by A.J. Sherrill

Enneagram and the Way of Jesus

This short but powerful book is packed with spiritual lessons on the Enneagram. I’ve used it in preparing for my new series starting February 1 here: “The Enneagram for Spiritual Growth.” Sherrill connects our types with specific practices of discipleship for becoming more like Christ.

Fiction

6. Little Fires Everywhere
by Celeste Ng

Little Fires Everywhere

Did Izzy burn the house down? This novel starts off hot with the Richardson family and their individual relationships with Mia and Pearl Warren, drifters who move into town. A lot of topics are built into the storyline along the way, including adoption, abortion, family, and social structures.

Reading Now

  • The Dearly Beloved
    by Cara Wall
  • The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
    How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World
    by John Mark Comer
  • Thinking, Fast and Slow
    by Daniel Kahneman
  • Seven Transforming Gifts of Menopause
    An Unexpected Spiritual Journey
    by Cheryl Bridges Johns
  • Convenience Store Woman
    by Sayaka Murata
  • Upstream
    The Quest to Solve Problems Before They Happen
    by Dan Heath
  • Stay
    Discovering Grace, Freedom, and Wholeness Where You Never Imagined Looking
    by Anjuli Paschall

* * *

What good book are YOU reading this month? Please share in the comments.

My books on Goodreads
More books I recommend

sharing with Modern Mrs. Darcy

How Can You Transform Your Thought Life?

By LisaNotes January 24, 2020 Book reviews 11 Comments

Transforming Your Thought Life

Our minds are always thinking. That’s good. But when our brains churn negative thoughts over and over, it leaves us drained and discouraged.

“You have an average of 60,000 thoughts every day, and up to 80 percent of those thoughts are negative. Almost all of today’s negative thoughts are recycled from yesterday’s negative thoughts.”

The apostle Paul advised bringing every thought under control to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). But how can we do that?

“Why don’t we tend to our thought lives? It’s because they aren’t seen by anyone else, same as the junk drawer. We keep hiding messy thoughts away because we think they don’t matter. We undervalue the importance of our thoughts.”

Sarah Geringer’s new book, Transforming Your Thought Life: Christian Meditation in Focus, is here to help us take captive of a wide variety of thoughts.

  • Negative thoughts
  • Anxious thoughts
  • Self-critical thoughts
  • Fearful thoughts
  • Angry thoughts
  • Self-focused thoughts and more

I already knew Sarah was a good writer. I knew she had a godly heart. I read her blog regularly. I also know she reads widely and loves to help people.

I can tell she uses all these gifts in this book. She methodically walks us through the process, step by step, on how to change our thought patterns from negative ones to God-honoring ones using the power of the Spirit through meditation on scripture and prayer.

“The Holy Spirit is the main agent in your thought-life transformation. His roles are perfectly suited for sweeping your mind clear of junk drawer clutter and filling it with ordered truth.”

Each chapter in the book has a key verse, personal and relevant stories from Sarah, a prayer, reflection questions, quotes from other authors, and a list of meditation verses related to the chapter’s topic.

Training our minds to stay focused on truths, not lies, is not an easy road. But as we stay on the path, we will see fruit. I’m grateful for books like Sarah’s that help us along our way.

“Taking control of your thought life takes practice. It may not feel natural or comfortable at first. It may feel painful to let go of deeply entrenched patterns of thought. But with the help of the Holy Spirit, your thought life will be transformed by God’s life and peace.”

* * *

Is it hard for you to control your thoughts, too? Please share in the comments.

Put Your Body in Position

By LisaNotes January 22, 2020 Linger, Worship 18 Comments

I like to use my head. To think. To analyze. To plan.

But sometimes, I need to put my body where my head is.

Put my body in position.

Put the body in position

On Your Knees

It was the first Sunday of the new year. The first Sunday after the latest church shootings. Another one in Texas. Three people died.

Pastor Priscilla had been wrestling with God on Saturday night about it. On Sunday morning, she had an assignment for the rest of us.

Get down on your knees. Bow. Start the year off right by worshiping the Father. Physically, not just mentally or emotionally.

She wanted us to know awe, to exhibit faith, to discard fear. To start this year off right.

So we did. On our knees all across the room, we were prayed over by Pastor Priscilla. She gave us what she’d been given about BOW: Blessed Overcoming Winners (not sinners).

There’s something about putting the body in position.

Raise Your Hand

The service continued on. This time it was Pastor Pat pulling us up for more.

It had been two days since the assassination of Iran’s Qasem Soleimani. International tension was high. Pastor Pat asked for raised hands if you would be deploying overseas or had loved ones deploying. 

He asked those sitting nearby to gather around those with hands raised, to pray for their safety and for our military and for peace.

I looked around. I saw clumps of people spread out over the auditorium, praying, in touch with soul and body.

I saw people putting their bodies in position.

Body in Place

The sermon was delivered. Pastor Pat asked for those with needs to come receive prayer. Lay down their weights.

My friend Sandy, sitting next to me, stood up. She was quick to walk to the front and kneel for prayer.

My mind went into gear. Pray for Sandy. My heart engaged, too: Lord, please.

But my body? It was frozen in place. God could hear my prayers for Sandy from my seat. Why did my body need to follow?

Logically, I was right. God can hear us anywhere. I could hug Sandy afterwards, and even pray together then.

But sometimes the body needs to follow the heart instead of only rationalizing with the head.

I stepped out. Already there were many others up front praying. I found Sandy and knelt beside her, my arms over her shoulders, and prayed with her. Not just in spirit, but also in body.

It felt different than praying from my seat. It felt stronger.

A few more minutes went by. Sandy turned to me and asked if I needed prayer, too. I did. Don’t we always?

She prayed for me. This song flooded over us.

Chains fall
Fear bow
Here now
Jesus, you change everything.

All across the auditorium people were asked to pray with open hands. I opened mine.

Sometimes we need to just put the body in position.

The Body Complete

Some lead with their gut, some with their heart; I lead with my head.

But sometimes the whole body needs to show up, not just the head or heart.

I often have to make my body go where I want it to go.

I have to remind myself to linger in my body, not just in my mind. It doesn’t come naturally.

But perhaps we are most like God when we are three-in-one, together, like he is with the Son and Spirit.

Send the body. Put it where you want it to be. Let it do things.

Even if it’s uncomfortable.

Put the body in position.

* * *

Which are you: a head, heart, or body person? Please share in the comments.

This is my year to Linger. For January I’m focusing on lingering in the body. Here’s why.

Linger

For more on worshipping in the body:

  • Let the Body Worship
    When God is in the house, how can a body contain him? Go with it. Let the body worship.
  • Worship Different
    It was just a small change but a good change. May we never be too comfortable to try something different.
  • Raise Your Hand If . . . 
    She asked me, “Why do people raise their hands at your church?” It’s a good question. How would you answer?

5 Scriptures for Making Decisions

By LisaNotes January 20, 2020 Encouragement, Trust 29 Comments

5-scriptures-for-making-decisions

So Many Decisions to Make

How many decisions have you already made today?

Some experts say we make 35,000 decisions every day.

For most of them, we breeze through without even thinking.

But occasionally one choice will paralyze us. We want to pick the God-honoring decision. If we only knew what that was. 

We’re stuck. What to do next?

5 Ways to Improve Your Decisions

Here are five truths from scripture to help us make better choices.

1. Tune out distractions to tune in to God

But [Jesus] would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
Luke 5:16

The world shouts at us all day. The internet, texts, Facebook, music, podcasts—they can all drown out God’s voice.

So first, turn down the volume. Get quiet.

Then revamp your hearing by listening to God for spiritual principles that apply to your dilemma (Romans 12:2). Use reference tools to study Bible verses in full context. Look for God’s character in the stories you read and see how you can best mirror his character through your choices.

2. Seek godly advice from others

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.
Proverbs 19:20

After listening to the Word for yourself, listen to godly people around you. Who has God placed in your life you can consult? Have any of your spiritual friends already walked this path? Is there a mature believer in your family who can advise you?

Seek help also from experts you’ve yet to meet—maybe in person, maybe in print—who can give you additional information.

Look for similar threads in the advice they give. You may have initially overlooked something that they can point out. Be open.

3. Narrow down your choices

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?
James 4:1

Do certain choices appeal more to you than to God? Cross out options that are least compatible with your goals. Then circle the options that could bring God the most glory.

Hone in on who you want to be after the decision is made. Use that image of “future you” to help purify your motives in the present.

If certain choices are time-contingent, and the pace seems wrong and out of God’s timing—either too rushed or too prolonged—discard those options as well. While waiting on the Lord may be difficult (Psalm 27:14), he can build up your strength during the wait (Isaiah 40:31). God’s outcomes are worth waiting for.

4. Do something

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 1:22

On the other hand, if you’re only waiting because you’re too scared to act, step out in faith and do something (Joshua 1:9).

After seeking God through prayer, Bible study, godly counsel, and appropriate pacing, quit delaying your decision. Just make it! Trust that God is true to his word—if you ask in faith for wisdom, he generously supplies it (James 1:5-6).

God is even more invested than you are in accomplishing his works through you (Philippians 1:6).

5. Give thanks for the results God will bring

The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.
Psalm 28:7

Instead of second-guessing the decision you’ve now made, give thanks for it. Look forward to how God will bless it.

Believe that God will work good out of your choice (Romans 8:28). Even if you mess up, he can redeem it. His grace is big enough. Trade in the pressure for peace; he sends rest for your heart and mind (Philippians 4:6-7).

As you enhance your spiritual sensitivity to God’s guidance, let it grow your confidence in what the Lord does, not just what you do.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

* * *

What helps you stop wavering and just make the decision? Please share in the comments.

Read more for making better decisions:

revised from the archives
originally posted at Do Not Depart

4 Things You Can Give Away Outside the Church Walls

By LisaNotes January 16, 2020 Community, Guest posts 1 Comment

What if you gave away something every day, to someone outside your church walls? Would you become poorer? Or richer than ever?

4 Things You Can Give Away_fb

Breann lives at a homeless shelter these days. Her possessions are few. Her friends are numbered. Her demeanor is almost hopeless.

As we talked over the Thanksgiving meal, I felt helpless.

What did I have to give Breann that could make a significant difference in her life? Turkey and stuffing—even with a beautiful cupcake for dessert—was totally inadequate.

How can we also bless others with God’s love outside our church walls?

Read the rest here . . . 4 Things You Can Give Away

* * *

I’m writing today at Do Not Depart for our month-long series on intentional spiritual growth.

Will you join me there to see the four things you can give away?

Should You Stop Moving On? Linger a Bit

By LisaNotes January 13, 2020 Linger 79 Comments

Linger a bit_pin

Is Faster Better?

The last decade has been one of speed. Faster internet. Faster sprinters. In general, faster living.

But is faster always better?

Do we always need to move along quickly? Quicker? Quickest?

I’ve known for awhile that I personally value efficiency highly. I like maximum proficiency with minimal waste.

But perhaps too highly? Does our culture foster an idolatry of efficiency?

Here are two ways to slow down this decade, instead of speeding up.

Instead of feeding the idol, we can purposefully starve it.

1 – Redefine Waste

I don’t like waste. Of any kind.

I’ll squeeze a toothpaste tube dry. I balance my checkbook to the penny. I maximize a 22-minute workout routine from home (Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s trainer affirmed it for me this week).

And time? Of all things I hate to waste, it’s my time. I want to account for my hours and invest them wisely. My to-do list is tightly tied to my calendar so there’s a proper slot to finish each thing.

I want to live efficiently by properly stewarding my resources. It was drilled into me by my father, and hard-wired into me by God.

But can it be wasteful to use something all the way up?

Yes. It can be wasteful when we try to be too productive. We damage our health, our work, our relationships.

It can be more valuable to leave some left over for later.

  • Leave space for growth.
  • Leave margin to breathe.
  • Leave downtime for renewal.

Live life less efficiently and more extravagantly.

2 – Do Fewer Things

No one likes to be rushed. Ask any 2-year-old when you’re pushing them to get dressed.

“Hurry up! Hurry up!” (It makes me anxious even typing it.)

But as much as I dislike hurrying, I also hate being late. I’d rather start preparing too soon, leave too early, and plan too far ahead than feel time clamping down on me at the last minute.

We feel the speed of 2020 pushing us to hurry more and more.

Intentionally counter the need for speed by consciously choosing slowness instead. Do fewer things and take longer doing them. 

And when we accomplish less by eliminating things and moving slower? We can still feel more accomplished.

Living at a human pace instead of automatically rushing is more satisfying. 

My Antidote to Waste and Hurry

Of all words NOT for me in 2020, “linger” would be my anti-word. Linger feels costly, too slow, even . . . wasteful.

Until I came across this:

“‘Lingering is the opposite of rushing,’ [KJ Dell-Antonia] says. It feels more grownup and luxurious than dawdling and dillydallying. It doesn’t imply that you have nothing to do or that you are avoiding the important stuff.

“[Lingering] implies that you have important things to do and you are giving them the time they deserve.”
– Laura Vanderkam, Off the Clock

This made me pause. It made me set the book down. It made me pray.

One Word 2020: Linger

Linger is now my word for 2020. Whether I like it or not. God gave it to me.

And I don’t want to waste it. I don’t want to hurry through it.

  • I need Linger to fight my idolism of efficiency.
  • I need Linger to calm my pace.
  • I need Linger to stop moving on before it is time.

If I linger more this year, does that mean I’ll be inefficient? Will I have to live hurriedly to catch up on things left undone?

I hope not. God, I’m trusting you. Guide me through moments of when to linger and when to pass on through. Reset my priorities to fit the container of time you hand me. 

“We’re in no hurry, God. We’re content to linger in the path sign-posted with your decisions. Who you are and what you’ve done are all we’ll ever want.”
Isaiah 26:8 (Message)

How I’ll Linger

I have a stack of books that I’ll be lingering through all year, reading slowly, stretching them out. They include, but aren’t limited to, these:

I’ll also use six concrete themes to rotate through and linger on through the year, including:

  • Lingering in Conversation
  • Lingering in Body
  • Lingering in Silence
  • Lingering in Experience
  • Lingering in Sharing Details
  • Lingering in Now

I’ll share specific examples later of how it’s happening and what I’m learning.

I’m not sure where God wants to take me through Linger.

But I won’t know if I don’t linger with him a bit to find out.

* * *

Does life feel too fast to you? How do you slow down? Please share thoughts (and your One Word) in the comments.