On My Bookshelf

Not Beyond Reach: How to Share Jesus with the Young, the Deconstructed, and the Non-Religious

Here are some of my favorite books I have read recently and recommend. I love to read, expand my mind, and encourage my spirit. Each book has a link.

Not Beyond Reach: How to Share Jesus with the Young, the Deconstructed, and the Non-Religious is an eye-opener about how the younger generations think. Understanding is key to sharing the Gospel, and practical suggestions are helpful. The author is Aaron Pierce, the CEO and Mission Director of Steiger International. Chip Ingram adds a forward and other comments.

The Journey to a Different Kind of Brave

I recently met Bekah and learned her family’s story of having two sons with a rare progressive disease. She shares her grief journey in a down-to-earth way and about joy and faith in the middle of parenting. Can’t Steal My Joy: The Journey to a Different Kind of Brave by Bekah Bowman.

God, Where in the World are you? Devoctions for a Traveler’s Heart

Our process applies techniques from a variety of disciplines distinction in detail and gives careful attention.

Three James Herriot Classics

All of James Herriot’s books contain heartwarming stories of people and animals. Herriot writes short stories about being a veterinarian in England in the twentieth century. I go back to there over and over.

Empire of the Summer

Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History by S. C. Gwynne is a historical account of the Plains Tribe. It traces the rise and fall of the Comanches, the most powerful Indian tribe in American history. The second entails one of the most remarkable narratives ever to come out of the Old West: the epic saga of the pioneer woman Cynthia Ann Parker and her mixed-blood son, Quanah, who became the last and greatest chief of the Comanches. This historical account is easy to read, and I gained a much better understanding of the Native Americans in the plains.

How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People

In How to Pray: a Simple Guide for Normal People, Pete Greig makes prayer simple, honest, and straightforward. It’s a great book for improving your prayer life.

On Purpose: Understanding God’s Freedom for Women through Scripture

Julie Zine Coleman wrote an award-winning book on the debate about the role of women in the church. She writes like a scholar, thoroughly researching Scripture. On Purpose helps bring clarity to this challenging issue.

The Gift of Adult ADD: How to Transform your Challenges & Build on your Strengths

I highly recommend The Gift of Adult ADD by Lara Honos-Webb if you have someone in your family with ADD. The book examines the strengths individuals with ADD have. It is an excellent resource.

I am Not Sick. I Don’t Need Help!

Zavier Amador wrote I Am Not Sick. I Don’t Need Help! This book is a great resource if someone you know has a mental illness. It is from his personal experience of having a brother with mental illness and from his professional experience as a psychologist.

At Home in Mitford

I have read At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon many times. The characters become like family, and the story is compelling. It is also light and fun to read. Try it. I think you will love this book. This is the first novel is a series.

The Heart’s Journey

This is one of my favorite wordless books. It shows the journey of the heart in pain and suffering and how the heart heals. It is an excellent book to give as a gift to someone who has experienced a loss.

Taken by Surprise: The Asbury Revival of 2023

Elliott gives an inside view of this revival, including some events and people who contributed to it.

Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say Now, To Take Control over Your Life

Both Cloud and Townsend are psychologist who are well-known for their Boundaries Series. They help us see where we need to draw boundaries and help us how to do that. Informative and transformative.

Growing Up in GreenTree: Fron the Journal of a Wayward Son

I love reading this book and rereading it. The personal stories bring back memories, delight the reader and sometimes tickle a funny bone. Bill tells stories of years gone by. He is a friend and mentor to me.

Reframing to Now: A Memoir of “Divine Interceptions!”

Reframing to Now is an autobiography of how God redeems a difficult past of a young black girl. Encouraging and inspiring.

Limping with God

This is great book for personal study or for small group on the life and history of Jacob.

Tell Her No More Lies

This suspense novel is set in San Antonio, Texas. The story turns and twists with a surprise ending. I couldn’t put it down.

Love’s dwelling

Irvin is well-known for her Amish novels. Heartwarming love story of a young Amish woman and a young English man

Laughing through the Ugly Cry and Finding Unstoppable Joy

Author finds joy in difficult circumstances and has a delightful sense of humor. Definitely worth reading.

The Second Mrs. Astor

Set in 1910, written well and author has many factual details of the time period.

Ten Secrets to Overcoming Stage Fright

Janice Dean tells a funny story about an angel who helps people with stage fright. This book is so much fun!

Before Amen

Max offers a simple and practical way to pray. Super helpful.

Any book by Max Lucado is excellent, encouraging and worth the read!

A Grace Disguised

This is a classic as far as helping cope with grief. Heartfelt, hopeful and gives grace. I highly recommend this book for anyone going through grief.

Streams in the Desert

A classic devotional that offers hope and strength during times of struggle.

Criminal Defense

The Upper Room is written by people from all over the world offering daily encouragement and inspiration.

If I Were You

A Gripping Christian Historical Fiction Story of Friendship and Survival Set in London During WWII and Post-War America

A Woman’s Place

Four women during World War II embark on working in a factory to support the war. Each woman is changed by working and will never be able to go back to the same life after the war.

The Beauty in Breaking

Michele’s personal journey of working as an emergency doctor including her growth as a person and professional. I connected with this author because of my experiences as a hospital chaplain.

Understanding your Grief

This is a great book to work through grief. The author is a professional counselor in the area of grief and has authored many books to help journey one journey in the grief process.

Business Law

Inspiring stories of 16 women in the Bible. Short reads.

Miracle Walk

Larry Poland recounts 26 miracles in his life. Encouraging and personal.

Salt & Light Devotional

Chris asks so thought provoking questions and challenges each of us. Great for young adults.

Business Law

Inspiring book and light reading.

When Women Lead: Embrace your Authority, Move beyond Barriers, and Find Joy in Leading Others

Moore gives a very personal story of her growth and challenges as a female pastor.

Breath as Prayer: Calm your Anxiery, Focus your Mind, and Renew your Soul

This award winning book gives simple Scripture prayers to breathe. Calming. Helps the mind focus on Scripture. A great gift.

A Place for T: Giving Voice to the Tortoise in Our Hare-Brained World

Robert Lengel opens our minds to divergent thinking and how important taking time to genuinely connect with others. He contrasts the tortoise and the hare and how we approach life.

The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament

This is one of my favorite books on making sense of the Old Testament. Interesting, enlightening and helpful in understanding the Old Testament.

Grace like Scarlett: Grieving with Hope after Miscarriage and Loss

Adriel gives hope for those experiencing a pregnancy loss. She shares her stories and helps navigate the reader through their own grief. Outstanding book.

Angels in the ER

Dr Lesslie shares inspiring experiences in the ER. This is such a fun read, I have read it several times. Great stories.