It’s almost time! Are you ready?
For the fifth year, The Nester is inviting you to write on any topic of your choice for 31 days in October.
My topic this year?
Favorite books on faith!
Each day I’ll post a paragraph or two from one of my favorites.
31 days. 31 books.
Short and simple. But hopefully meaningful.
Join me here beginning October 1.
Subscribe by email to get them all.
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In 2012 I wrote on 31 Days of Grace. 
What would you like to write about for 31 days?
More details here.
We celebrated our anniversary by spending several days on the beach last week. And we both read a lot of books at the ocean’s edge. (That’s what happens when you no longer have kids to play with in the sand.)
JUST STARTED
Safe House
by Chris Ewan
Jeff read this novel first. Once I saw how he couldn’t put it down (and he never does that!), I knew I had to read it myself. It’s a thriller set on the Isle of Man. Every chapter adds new twists and turns. So far I’m captivated by it, too.
I’m Not Gonna Lie
And Other Lies You Tell When You Turn 50
by George Lopez
I picked this up at the library because I thought it’d make me laugh about being 50. Well, sometimes it’s working. Other times it’s a little depressing. Part comedy and part memoir, it’s a quick read that is funny but would probably be funnier hearing Lopez deliver the lines in person.
Grace (Eventually)
Thoughts on Faith
by Anne Lamott
Typical Anne, which is insightful and witty and spiritual. I don’t always agree with her, but I do always learn and pause and reflect more because of her. Each chapter is a stand-alone commentary of truths and real-life experiences. (Have I mentioned lately I can never get too much grace? This book is full of it.)
The Bible according to Peanuts
by Robert L. Short
After enjoying The Gospel according to Peanuts, my niece Danielle graciously gave me this book to read, and we’ll compare highlights when I’m finished. I’m only in chapter one but I’m already adding yellow everywhere. (An added plus: the great Charles Schulz’ cartoons.)
You’ll Get through This
Hope and Help for Your Turbulent Times
by Max Lucado
I requested this book to review because who can turn down a Lucado book, right? I’ve seen him tweet several lines from it the past several weeks so I know it’ll be good.
STILL READING
Walking in Freedom
A 21-Day Devotional to Help Establish Your Freedom in Christ
by Neil T. Anderson
I’m reading three or four chapters/days a week in this devotional about who we really are in Christ. The truths are timeless and backed by Scripture and are always good reminders. Christ rooted our identity in him in freedom; I never want to forget that.
Transforming Grace
Living Confidently in God’s Unfailing Love
by Jerry Bridges
Because I’m reading this on my Kindle, I put it on the backburner as I instead read books I checked out from the library for the beach. (I just can’t take my Kindle to the beach yet; a sand/water phobia with it.) I’ll get back to it soon though; it’s already proven to be insightful.
FINISHED FROM AUGUST’S NIGHTSTAND
Nothing to Envy
Ordinary Lives in North Korea
by Barbara Demick
Excellent! It’s a collection of true stories compiled by a reporter of those who grew up in North Korea. It will remind you to be more grateful of the freedoms and luxuries we have in the free world.
Joshua
by Joseph F. Girzone
This is my second time reading this novel about what might happen if Jesus returned in the flesh today through the character of Joshua. It’s interesting to speculate about and makes me think more on how to live myself as a Jesus-follower in my own culture.
The Way We’re Working Isn’t Working
by Tony Schwartz
Glad I read it. While it’s aimed at the business world, there were excellent points that can be derived by anybody wanting to live their life well, doing whatever work it is they’re called to do. Written by the same author as The Power of Full Engagement.
The Imperfectionists
by Tom Rachman
Um, so-so. It’s a novel but each chapter is only loosely related to the others. I kept waiting for a climactic tying of everything together, but it never happened. Just when I would get attached to a character, the next chapter would start over with fresh characters. It was written well, but I prefer a thicker thread running through the story.
What We Talk about When We Talk about God
by Rob Bell
I like Bell’s books. I liked this one, too. He writes concisely and doesn’t meander around his points (and usually leaves lots of white space; I like that, too). This book focuses on three small words but big concepts about God: with, for, ahead. I recommend it if you like to think outside the box.
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What’s a good book you are reading or want to read?
My books on Goodreads
More nightstands
When a soldier goes to war, a family goes to war.
– Linda Cope
Founder & President of Warrior Beach Retreat
One by one, they walked down the center aisle. If they could. Some had no legs; they were in wheelchairs.
Others came slowly with canes. Some had dogs by their side.
And still others looked strong on the outside. But you knew they carried deep wounds on the inside.
They were twenty-five of our combat-wounded warriors from the Iraq/Afghanistan war, along with their spouses or caregivers.
They were in Panama City Beach, Florida, for a seven-day retreat. To rest. To connect. And to heal.
Many civilians and military alike had gathered in the Lynn Haven United Methodist Church this night to show them we cared. Local choirs sang and Air Force Lt. General William Welser, III, (Retired), spoke encouraging words.
The streets had been lined earlier as a parade route filled with flags and smiles and waves. Welcoming. Celebrating. Honoring these military heroes.
Because when someone gets hurt for the cause, they deserve an extra salute.
And shouldn’t we all participate in the healing of the wounded?
We all know wounded warriors. Not only from physical wars. Other battles—spiritual, emotional, mental—are just as real and cut just as deep. The wounded fall every day in families. In jobs. At churches.
Let’s honor them too. They also need healing. Lend a hand to help a struggler up.
And when the injured are us? Because who hasn’t been cut? We need to seek help from others. Acknowledge our pain. Find beauty in scars.
To remind us that none are broken beyond repair . . .
no circumstance has the final word . . .
and no wound is beyond healing . . .
when God is invited into it.
He makes all things new again.
At the conclusion of the ceremony for the Wounded Warriors, the servicemen and women and their caregivers (and wheelchairs, canes, and dogs) lined up in the foyer of the church building. One by one we got to meet them, shake their hands, and say, “Thank you for your service.”
It felt inadequate. They paid a high price to keep hope alive for me in my country. Now I invite God to keep hope alive for them in their souls.
So to all wounded warriors, regardless of your battle, I say, “Thank you for your service. It’s an honor to know you. And may God bless you as you heal.”
Because your beauty is deeper than two perfect legs or an unscarred complexion or a head devoid of PTSD.
When God is for you—for us—none can stand against.
He is and will be victorious.
We’re all in this together.
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Will you pray for these warriors too? They’ll be returning to their homes tomorrow. And their battles will continue.
Jesus said, “Follow me.”
Not a book. Not a doctrine. Not a religion.
Him.
Yes, obey his words. He said that, too.
But what do the words tell us? To follow him. He is The Word.
Don’t confuse the focus. What happens when we do?
We wrongly hurt the people already in the kingdom. We make it harder for new people to desire or to be able to enter in. We roadblock the Spirit in paths he’s ready to work in us.
We sin. Because instead of aiming directly at loving God and loving others, we aim slightly off-target.
Does that mean we lose grace? No, because grace is not dependent upon us. But it does mean we distort the true message of the beauty of grace.
Grace is Jesus.
Follow Jesus. He’s the way.
Jesus spoke to them, saying,
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12
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revised for the archives
You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.
John 5:39-40
Knowledge is a great thing.
We often use books to gain that knowledge.
The Bible is our most valuable book.
Because of our studies of it, we often gain the reputation as “people of the Book.”
That’s not a bad reputation to have.
But wouldn’t a better one be “people of God”?
In my younger years, I thought only my religious tribe was a people of the Book. The “walking Bibles.”
I was wrong.
The more exposed I became to other believers in other churches, I discovered there were many who diligently studied the Bible. Many who quoted scriptures. Many who believed in God’s Word just as much as I did.
We didn’t agree on every interpretation, but we did have something in common—the thing that counts the most:
Jesus saves.
The Bible by itself is a story tale unless it’s backed up by the living, breathing Savior written about in its pages.
Those are good things, important things, but unless they’re centered on Jesus, they’re garbage (Philippians 3:8).
He’s who I want to be identified with.
While I will continue studying my Bible—it teaches me truths about Jesus!—I don’t want my identity to stop with the Book.
I’d rather be known for who I worship than for what I know.
Don’t stop with the written word; you can’t have a relationship with a book.
Let the written word lead you to the Living Word. He’s the One who can love you. And whom you can love back.
A Being, not a book.
A Savior, not a system.
God’s people, not Bible people.
Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:10
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Have you ever felt like you worshiped the Bible more than Jesus? What changed you?
revised for the archives
None of us wants to be dumb. We all need wisdom.
Who’s the wisest man who ever lived? Solomon? He asked God for wisdom when he could have asked for anything (1 Kings 3:9). He subsequently authored much of the wisdom literature in the Bible.
Yet someone wiser than Solomon is here: Jesus (Matthew 12:42). In the Bible we typically seek His wisdom in the gospels where we see Him teaching about wisdom and living wisely (Matthew 13:54).
But Jesus can also be found in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament (2 Timothy 3:15).
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I’m writing today at Do Not Depart.
Which of the five Wisdom Books is your favorite?
Why?
Do you see Jesus in it?
