Reading Now

If I didn't live in a house with six people, if I lived alone, I am pretty sure my place of residence would look something like this:

Let's just say I have a great affection for books. 

Here is what my current bedside stack looks like:

One Thousand Gifts.  You like my fancy bookmark sticking out of the book?  Anyway, this book has really touched my heart (and I have only finished the first few chapters).  Here is what the description says---Drawing heartbreaking beauty out of the simplest of details, Ann Voskamp invites you into her grace-bathed life of farming, parenting, and writing---and deeper still into your own life. Here you will discover a way of seeing that opens your eyes to ordinary amazing grace, a way of living that is fully alive, and a way of becoming present to God that brings you deep and lasting joy.

The Book Thief.  Becca borrowed this book and never read it, so I took it over.  ;)  Here is the description on a review I read . . . .This is a story told by Death. An interesting point of view perhaps, but as it is set in Germany during World War II, perhaps it is entirely appropriate. It is also a story of a young girl, who in spite of having a life that no one would wish on anyone, still manages to have glimpses of pleasure through many small things, including the few books that she manages to acquire (or shall we say, steal).

Crazy Love.  Just started this one.  Here is the description . . . . God is love.  Crazy, relentless, all-powerful love.  Have you ever wondered if we're missing it?  It's crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe—the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor—loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss.  Whether you've verbalized it yet or not.we all know something's wrong.  Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn't working harder at a list of do's and don'ts-it's falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same.  Because when you're wildly in love with someone, it changes everything.

Relationships:  A Mess Worth Making.  I started this one for some insights in counseling.  Paul David Tripp always has good things to share.  The description--- Hope for messy, conflict-ridden relationships. Your best friend is suddenly cool and distant. Your spouse can t stop complaining about your bad habits. Your son refuses to talk to you. What are you supposed to do? Plans A, B, and C might be to shut down, lash out, or get out. But consider Plan D: Recognize that God has the last word on those messy, conflict-ridden relationships. He can use them to make you into someone who can give and receive love with God and others. Impossible? Idealistic? Not really. In Relationships: A Mess Worth Making, Tim Lane and Paul Tripp show you how God does it, and how it can happen for you. They help you tackle the stubborn problems that plague many close relationships. They show you the deeper issues that drive our reactions, choices, and behaviors. And they show you how God steps in to help you build relationships that are all he intended them to be.

Lies Young Women Believe.  This is a study that we have been going through this year with Becca and some of her friends from school who meet weekly for accountability.  It is excellent.  From the description . . . Depression. Anxiety. Broken relationships. Addictions. These are all symptoms of the lies we believe. But these lies can be overcome with scriptural truth. 

What are you reading these days?  Anything good?