Recommended Reading

Dear Jesus - Seeking His Life in Your Life -- Sarah Young

Knowing Jesus on a deeper, more personal level means sharing all aspects of life with Him--every day. In "Dear Jesus," Young begins each of the 120 devotionals by highlighting intimate struggles and longings that weigh on the heart.

 

 

Miracle on Hope Hill: And Other True Stories of God's Love -- Carol Kent & Jennie M. Dimkoff

So Long, Insecurity, by Beth Moore, will strike a chord with women everywhere. Beth speaks truth into the lives of readers, showing them how to deal with their innermost fears, rediscover their God-given dignity, and develop a whole new perspective - a stronger sense of self. Women of all ages and backgrounds will resonate with this message of security and discover truths that will free them emotionally and spiritually and lead them to a better life as they walk with God.

 

With:  Reimagining the Way You Relate to God -- Skye Jethani

Instead of life over, under, from, or even for God, what leads us into freedom and restoration is life with God.

Why are American Christians, who have more access to biblical teaching than any other people in history, failing to experience the freedom of the Christian life? Why are pastors, those closest to the work and ministry, burning out at an alarming rate? Why do many church members, who give large amounts of their time and wealth to Christ and his kingdom, secretly question the legitimacy of their efforts? And why are spiritual seekers dismissing the validity of the Christian message?

Is it possible we've misunderstood the call of the Christian life?

With explores the narrative of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and the stories of faithful women and men throughout history, to show that we were created to be with God, and that restoring this connection is his mission. When we neglect this calling in favor of a life over, under, or even for God, we will not know the freedom Christ intended. But a life lived in rich communion with God cultivates faith, hope, and love in a way that transforms both us and the broken world we inhabit.

Practicing the Way of Jesus: Life Together in the Kingdom of Love --Mark Scandrette

Take a casual survey of how people practice their faith, and you might reasonably conclude that Jesus spent his life going door to door offering private lessons, complete with chalkboard and pop quizzes. We think about God in the comfort of our own minds, in isolation from one another; meanwhile the world waits for a people to practice the way of Jesus together. Mark Scandrette contends that Jesus has in mind something more lively for us: not a classroom so much as a kingdom, where our formation takes place not only in our heads but in our hearts and our bodies, and in the company of one another, in a way that blesses the world we've been entrusted with. In Practicing the Way of Jesus Scandrette draws from his experience as a spiritual director and leader of an intentional community, as well as the best contemporary thinking on kingdom spirituality, to paint a picture of life lived together, in the way of Jesus--which is another way of saying life lived to the full.

Enemies of the Heart: Breaking Free from the Four Emotions That Control You --Andy Stanley

Break free from the destructive power of guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy.

Divorce. Job loss. Estrangement from family members. Broken friendships.

The difficult circumstances you are dealing with today are likely being fed by one of four emotional forces that compels you to act in undesirable ways, sometimes even against your will.

Andy Stanley explores each of these destructive forces—guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy—and how they infiltrate your life and damage your relationships. He says that, left unchallenged they have the power to destroy your home, your career, and your friendships.

In Enemies of the Heart, Andy offers practical, biblical direction to help you fight back, to take charge of those feelings that mysteriously control you, and to restore your broken relationships.

Includes a six-week discussion guide—a valuable resource for small groups!

Caged -- Molly Venzke

Aggie, a 67-year-old black Cajun, has just stepped into her worst nightmare. Her two granddaughters have disappeared, and the only clue she possesses is a forgotten laptop. Aware she only has a short window of time, she feels helpless to save them, as her money and influence are scarce. Desperate to get her girls back, Aggie risks everything to cross paths with Richard and Lottie DuMonde, two of the wealthiest and most connected people in New Orleans. Certainly, once they hear her story, they will help. But what Aggie doesn't foresee is the dark world she's about to step into, or the dangers accompanying the rescue needed to bring her girls home. CAGED is the first novel in the Justice Trilogy.

What Women Fear: Walking in Faith that Transforms -- Angie Smith 

A woman's faith in God is challenged by the first question Satan asks Eve in the Bible: "Did God really say you can’t eat from any tree in the garden?" That seed of doubt and the story it begins to unfold breed a concept of fear still haunting each of us on some level every day-the idea that our actions could ruin something beautiful, and God might not have control of things.

In What Women Fear, acclaimed writer and speaker Angie Smith admits, "fear is a major part of my testimony" and talks openly about her treatment for anxiety as a child. Giving a voice to the problem, she says, "I truly believe every single one of us struggles with some type of fear, whether it's fear of flying or fear of being 'found out.' Maybe you don’t worry about dying, but you get sick thinking about the fact that you might fail."

Rather than suggesting that those who truly love the Lord would never fear, Angie blends her own experiences with those of men and women from throughout Scripture to help us start dealing more effectively with these true, human emotions. Whether it’s a constant "What if?," a nagging fear of abandonment or betrayal, fear of your own or someone else’s death, fear of trusting God's plan, or even the fear that God's existence is a lie, Angie will walk you through stories of others who have simultaneously loved God and struggled with fear. Join Angie and discover how to let Jesus redeem this struggle as only He can, that He will be glorified, and you will be transformed!

How to Stay Christian In College -- Budziszewski, J.

Going away to college can be exciting, scary, wild, or all of the above. And don't think Christian colleges are always a fail safe alternative. As students trade home life for dorm life, they leave behind their church, their friends, their families--their major networks of support. What should they expect when they arrive on campus?

How to Stay Christian in College is an interactive guide that lets students know what to expect and reassures them that they can attend school and still maintain their faith. Filled with anecdotes, resources, and much more, it prepares, equips, and encourages high school and college students to meet the challenge of living out their faith at school. It examines different worldviews and myths that students encounter at college, giving them the tools they need to meet the challenges ahead.


3 Questions -- Rod Loy 

Tired of reaching and striving, searching for achievement and recognition without finding lasting satisfaction? Three Questions challenges the reader to approach life, success and relationships from a different perspective. Three timeless questions from the book of Galatians will challenge the reader to form a new grid for key life decisions.

  • “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people?” (Gal 1:10) The first question addresses our motive. Who are we living for? Who deserves our love and loyalty?
  • “Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?” (Gal 3:3) The second question focuses on our source of power and wisdom. Do we trust our own abilities, or do we depend on the One who bought us?
  • “Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?” (Gal 4:16) Are we willing to speak truth to the people around us?

The key to finding the right answers is asking the right questions!

The Other 80 Percent: Turning Your Church’s Spectators Into Active Participants -- Scott Thumma & Warren Bird 

Thumma and Bird listened to thousands of church members' voices to discern what motivates less connected, inactive members to move toward a life of discipleship and of living out the faith in community. The Other Eighty Percent includes a wealth of creative ideas that can expand what it means for people to engage more fully with their church. The authors reinforce the idea that spiritual growth is directly related to participation and involvement and that spiritual nurturance of the entire congregation should be at the heart of this effort.

Same Life, New Story: Change Your Perspective to Change Your Life -- Jan Silvious 

Move from what is to what can be by changing how you think and talk to yourself.

Using powerful character studies of ten women from Scripture, as well as modern-day stories from her work as a professional life coach, Bible teacher Jan Silvious helps women choose new stories instead of dumping, or wallowing in, their old lives.

Naomi, Leah, Rahab, Deborah, Hannah, Anna, Jehosheba, Abigail, Naaman's servant girl, and Elizabeth round out the cast of characters who, with their own stories, help readers find new perspectives with amazing results. Chapters include:

  • Realize it's time
  • Don't be held hostage by the past
  • Ask yourself good questions
  • Change your "I can't" to "I can"
  • Delete the drama of the day
  • Forget the "What might have beens"
  • Discover the power of wisdom and courage
  • Get past the resistance of fear
  • Choose to bounce back
  • The last chapter has not been written yet

Have you read a book that would be helpful to women in ministry and/or leadership positions?? We'd love to hear from you and maybe include your review on this page!! Contact us at: nwwomen@northwestministry.com