For this Blog Series intro or to check out the other categories, click HERE.
To kick off this blog series, I’d love to share three of the most influential books I’ve read about faith and life application. Please check them out below!
God’s Awesome Promises For Teens and Friends – By Jack Countryman
Believe it or not, I have had this book since I was a teenager, and it has been a favorite since then. It is simply a compilation of Bible verses gathered together by topic. Since I first received it about 30 years ago, there have been countless times that when I was feeling lost, confused or unsure about something in my life, I grabbed this book, looked up the topic that coincided where I was at that moment, and it pointed me directly to the Bible verses that addressed my specific concern or question.
I have continued to return to God’s Awesome Promises even as an adult, and we also gave it to our oldest son when he turned 13. We plan to give copies to our two younger kids when they become teenagers too. I love this book and believe I always will because it brings you the truth of God’s Word with focus and clarity, providing the best lens possible on how to think or proceed in regards to your current circumstances.
Breath as Prayer: Calm Your Anxiety, Focus Your Mind, and Renew Your Soul – By Jennifer Tucker
During one of the many moves we’ve made as a military family, the stress I was experiencing morphed into some pretty severe anxiety. Unlike anything I had ever dealt with before, it felt like an onslaught, affecting me physically, mentally and emotionally, and as I searched for relief, I came to realize that what I needed was a spiritual solution. So, finding Breath as Prayer was like finding a breath of fresh air for my soul.
Amongst pages illustrated with her beautiful artwork, Jennifer Tucker combines controlled breathing practices with the praying of Scripture, aiming to calm your body and turning your thoughts to God and His Word. And it’s not from a new-age or self-help perspective at all, but rather the book is grounded in the Bible and focused upward on Christ. It’s also divided into themes, allowing you to quickly narrow in on which verse would be helpful to pray. There have been multiple times that I’ve reached for this book when my mind seemed to be spinning out of control from the anxiety that was crashing in on me, and it has always been helpful in those moments. I’m so grateful that it reminds me of God’s timeless truth, and it’s a help in time of need.
The Time-Saving Mom – By Crystal Paine
One day as my kids were looking for books at our local library, I wandered over to a section I had never visited before and started perusing through the book titles when one caught my eye… The Time-Saving Mom: How to Juggle a Lot, Enjoy Your Life, and Accomplish What Matters Most. I immediately thought “I need to read this book!” And of course, I checked it out that very day. As I started to read through Crystal’s thoughtful approach and helpful tips, I quickly discovered that her faith and reliance on Jesus was her foundation for life. I also found myself resisting the urge to underline important points in a library book so I soon ordered a copy of my own.
Crystal’s four-step system for time and life management includes Prayer, Prioritizing, Planning and Prep. The book also includes an appendix full of lists, trackers and worksheets that you can personalize to fit your own needs. While I don’t follow every step in her system, I have applied several of her ideas in my own life, and I’ve found them to be useful and effective. I also really appreciate how relatable Crystal is and how she incorporates her trust in Jesus into the book wherever possible. You can find more from Crystal at MoneySavingMom.com and on her podcast, The Crystal Paine Show.
Heather L. Myers 