I am currently reading a LOT of great books!
No, not the entire stack above — just 2-3 three titles in there. ☺️
In just one month I’ll wrap up a two-year spiritual direction course and several months afterwards, a spiritual transformation course. These offered me dozens of great reads on soul care, patterns of restful living, the Enneagram, relationship with God, self and others…and MUCH more.
I’ll continue soaking in the messages of each book and article read, and the retreat sessions attended. All this interaction impacted me in significant ways. The transformation experienced so far in my life feels amazing.
I enjoy God in ways unknown to me before. I welcome his delight in me (this comes in baby steps).
My personal relationships continue to deepen as I practice staying open to community. I’ll always lean towards introversion, being an Enneagram 5 and INFJ on Myers-Briggs. Still, I found I really enjoy people (groups, outings, etc) more than I thought!
I feel more confident, less afraid of making mistakes, and more aware of how I contribute to a healthy or not-so-healthy environment around me. My passion for empowering/giving voice for the underprivileged or marginalized, especially women and children, has grown stronger within.
Soooo much goodness from these programs! Really, so much goodness from wholeheartedly pursuing God.
Some titles in these pictures I suggest reading within a course or alongside supportive coaching. Unless you have experience in the lingo and context of spiritual direction or transformation, the information shared could fall flat.
I certainly would have received it this way a few years ago.
I also did not enjoy every book — some I questioned the theological background and others were simply too dry for my taste.
That said, several books rise to the top as great for reflective reading:
David Benner books
Ruth Haley Barton books
Sacred Rhythms (highly recommend)
Invitation to Solitude and Silence
Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership (for those involved in Christian ministry)
All this deep spiritual reading benefitted my life in BIG ways…
…but I’m ready to put away some learning this summer and chill with light-hearted fiction.
This feels a huge statement for me to make. I typically read parenting, theological, educational, and nutritional types of books. I LOVE to learn. But my brain needs a pause.
So if there are book titles or authors you recommend — please email them or comment below. This girl rarely roams the fiction part of a library or bookstore; I clearly need help.
Maybe this summer I’ll update on great fiction titles read! ?
Those books sound good!!! I LOVE that you have a passion for giving voice to the marginalized. I do, too. (I am ENFJ. 🙂 Similar to you only extroverted. 😀 )
Fiction–anything by Jan Karon! Such sweet books with a lovely grace-filled Christian orientation.
Thanks Christa, appreciate the recommendation!
I recommend Elizabeth Goudge. I particulary enjoyed “The Scent of Water”, “The Little White Horse, and “The Dean’s Watch”
Thanks Debra! – I’ve heard the Scent of Water is a great read.
Hi, Daniele!
A few fiction favorites I’ve read recently are The Language of Flowers (Vanessa Diffenbaugh), Last Christmas in Paris (Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb), Before We Were Yours (Lisa Wingate), and A Fall of Marigolds (Susan Meissner). Although it’s not fiction, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (Rebecca Skloot) was also fascinating. I’d be interested to know what others recommend, too! Love, Elizabeth
Thank you Elizabeth! I’m going to compile all the recommendations I’ve gotten and put them in a post. ☺️ Appreciate you sharing some titles.