We were listening to the radio one day and they gave a statistic that 70% of all high school graduates don't read a single book after they graduate. I was astonished by this and Josh remarked "you make up for at least 3 of those people". Very true.
A few years ago at a women's conference the speaker made the following statement..."Read things that matter". I was personally convicted and decided to read different kinds of books. Now I wasn't reading smutty novels or anything but I do enjoy fiction. Her point was that what you are reading is what is going to rattle around and stick in your head. Since then I have tried to read more biographies...especially those of Christians.
I do still pick up a novel and will never give up Jane Austen but wanted to share a quote from a very powerful book that I recently finished. The book is "The Heavenly Man" (thanks for the copy Brian McGhee!) by Brother Yun & Paul Hattaway. "We are absolutely nothing. We have nothing to be proud about. We have no abilities and nothing to offer God. The fact that he chooses to use us is only due to his grace. It has nothing to do with us. If God should choose to raise up others for his purpose and never to use us again we would have nothing to complain about."
Even though my reading time is not as abundant as it was pre-children I still manage to make time. I know that several people look at this blog and I would love for you to make yourself known. Please post a comment. Let me know who you are, how we know each other, and tell me a favorite book or better yet recommend a book for me to read! Please don't make me feel like a dork...REPLY!!!
10 years ago
10 comments:
Growing up in Peru where life was slow and easy, we were a family of readers. It was not unusual for all 6 of us to be sitting in the living room after supper, each with their own book.
But then life changed and children came and I no longer had those long, uninterrupted hours to finish a book.
Strangely enough, about 8 years ago I happened to see a few of Oprah's book reviews and it was then that I made a commitment to myself to begin reading again. And oh, how great it has been!!
I love to read nonfiction about Christian women especially. Cherry is a reader too and she will even bring them to me from Texas to share. Being retired has also provided me once again with whole afternoons to spend inside the cover of a great book.
So... two of the ones I've read recently that I would recommend are "The Same Kind of Different As Me" by Ron Hall and Denver Moore and "The Shack" by Wm P. Young. (I keep a running list of what I want to read next and have even asked for a couple of books for Christmas. Do you know about half.com?)
Keep Reading!!
Sherry
This is a really great post, Reebs. I started reading Crazy Love (Overwhelmed By A Relentless God) by Francis Chan. I'm not finished reading it, but I can already tell you that it's good. ps...your Josh quote about your reading is hilarious.
Hey Rebecca! One of my favorite books of all time is "A Severe Mercy" by Sheldon Vanauken. It's the most amazing love story... all true... and it includes some letters from CS Lewis, who Sheldon was friends with. I could read it a million times!
Don't worry Rebecca, you're not a weirdo for reading...I like reading more now than I did in school FOR SURE! Since I'm a nerd, i mostly like reading historical fiction or nonfiction, but the book I'm reading right now is called "Sacred Influence" by Gary Thomas. I've really liked it...it's about "how God uses wives to shape the souls of their husbands" (that's what it says on the front cover). BYEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
BEX!! You are not a dork. Other than the Bible the one book that changed my life was "Called to Die" the Chet Bitterman Story. Mr. Sam Hollinger loaned it to me to read...I think I'll try to find me a copy to reread now and I'll loan it to you when I am done. I am so thankful that God chose to give you to me as my sister and my friend.
Hey Rebecca...I love your post and agree with your choice of reading material. It is hard to fit in with a crazy schedule but it is good for the mind and soul. I read a lot when I am traveling, the most recent is "Why Men Die First"..no, it is not what you are thinking (though the people on the plane were)!! It is by Dr. Marianne Legato, she goes in to vast detail about what happens biologically and mentally to men in our society. I feel it is necessary to inform myself as well as others of the options of healthcare for men (boys) out there as well as how to lenghten their lifespan (since they die average 10 yrs before women). It is a scary yet very informative book, a great read. Thanks again for the great post! Good luck in the 5k!
It's no fun when you have blog readers who don't introduce themselves, is it? I totally understand! So for everyone who doesn't know me...I'm Shelley. And I really know Rebecca through Josh. My husband and I spent a lot of time with Josh at Clemson while we were all there. Glad to keep up with you guys through the wonderful world of blogs!
As far as books, I'm one of the ones that your reading makes up for! Our family's current favorite read: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.
Hey, it's Lindsay Metcalf! I don't ever have time to read. Between Charlotte, working part time, finishing up the house...and I have begun to associate reading with work, reading takes a backseat. Visit us at www.metcalfmetamorphosis.blogspot.com. I'm pretty sure I sent you an invite, there's a password on it (sorry we're privacy freaks!)
Have you ever heard of Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss? I loved it so much. it's kind of a novel/diary, but so many things to learn from it.
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