Lost In the Prairies.....Found by God

Last week I had a comment from a reader inquiring about what books I was reading and what inspired me.  I had to think about that.  There is a lot that inspires, but not a lot of what I read really does this.  I tend to read a lot of fiction with a few non fiction books thrown in and they are not always very inspirational.  When I do read non fiction I read either a history book or biographical book.  Some of these have been inspirational as I have been able to see how God works or been challenged to change my views.  This year though I have challenged myself to read more non fiction Christian books, namely the studies I have purchased and always intended to read but are currently collecting dust on my shelves.  I promised myself that I would read at least one of these a month. 

However, I have completed many books.  I know its a shock.  To be honest some books I completed in studies, but there have been a few that I have read on my own.  I thought I would share my top 5 non fiction study books that have challenged me, inspired me and encouraged me in my walk.

The Bad Girls of the Bible, by Liz Curtis Higgs

This was the #1 selling book after I became a Christian.  The title spoke to my evil hidden humour.  I thought all the girls in the Bible were good like Mary, boy did this book take away those blinders.  This book spoke to me in a deep and personal way as I was a former Bad Girl.  The best part was it wasn't preachy because Liz herself was a former Bad Girl gone Good.  She was redeemed and renewed just as I had been.  I learned more about my walk in that book then I had during my profession of Faith classes. (Sorry Pastor Phil).  I learned about grace, love, truth, courage, etc..  When I met Liz at a conference I had her sign my book.  I have recommended this book to many new and young Christian woman who are a little unsure of their walk.  It takes away the false representation that only good girls can be used by God.  God uses imperfect people to do His work and tell His story.

No Other Gods by Kelly Minter

Ok, I did this study with my Babes, but this book still changed my life.  I had to look at myself deeply and realize what I was truly worshiping and it wasn't always God.  It wasn't even TV as many struggle with.  I was worshiping my little "g" gods, my friends.  I placed those relationships first.  This book enabled me to acknowledge my idolotry, but also reminded me and guided me to the one I should always have been worshiping. 

The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel

After I became a Christian I had a tonne of questions.  I think we all did.  I wanted them immediately answered.  I never felt that I was getting the answers that I wanted or were necessarily accurate.  These two books answered many of my questions.  Where they couldn't answer my exact questions they enabled me to let go and trust God.  I may not have all the answers and others smarter than I may not have the answers, but God has the answers.  These book encouraged me to trust that alone.  That I didn't need the answers to believe.  God was worth more than my little questions.  Sometimes I still struggle with trust issues and let those lingering questions take over, but then I remember the God that redeemed me and restored me and I trust.

David: Seeking A Heart Like His by Beth Moore

These are just some of the books that have perfected my faith.  I am hoping this year in my study of Contentment that God continues to teach me through other's words and stories.  I already see Him doing this in the books I have been reading this month.  

What are you reading?  What has inspired you?

Linking up with the cool Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood at Finding Heaven.

In the air of some changes going on in the prairies, I have been lead to get back into regularly posting.  I've done a few different meme's on Mondays.  I tried to do my own Martha's Monday, where I wrote about how I organize my life.  It was fun but once I let everyone know what I do, I had nothing else to write about. 

Last year I participated in Music Mondays.  I also participated a few years ago in a meme called the Sacred in the Ordinary.  These meme's allowed me to look at the small things that God does in my life, whether it was a song or a first tooth.  I find that too many times I'm too busy looking at the big picture.  I'm a visionary.  I see the big things and can plan big things.  It's the little things I either tend to ignore or forget about. There is something sacred in being able to see God in the miniscule and not just in the grandeous.  It's looking through all the messiness that life throws at you and still being able to see Him through it all. 

Every Monday I will be sharing what God has been showing me through the messiness of life.  It is my personal belief that this walk isn't clean and crisp and straight or narrow.  It's wide and twisted and mucky and messy.  It's about the ups and the downs, but through it all God is there with us.  

Recently I found an anthem to how I long to live my walk with God.  A song that inspires me to push through the messy and focus on what God is calling me to do.  It's also a song that makes me want to crank up the volume in the swaggin wagon and drive around town like a true cool soccer mom.  Ok, maybe it's not that cool, but I have driven around town with this song blaring.  It's infectious and I hope that it inspires you as it inspires me.