I have always loved to read. When I was a kid, I would get so involved in a book, I’d try to walk and read at the same time, which resulted in quite a few bumps, bruises and unfortunate falls. I would hide my book under my napkin on my lap, thinking I could it wasn’t obvious my mind was a million miles away.
I still find myself staying up too late, engrossed in a book, telling myself, “Just one more chapter.” Last year, I read over 150 books.
So, when I say these three books made a huge impact on my life, I don’t say that flippantly. While the Bible is still the ultimate source for me, these books were transformative in many ways – even the fiction one. I hope you’ll add them to your reading pile, and they bless you as much as they have blessed me!
Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy With God in the Busyness of Life
by Joanna Weave
As someone who often feels overwhelmed by my list of to-dos, this book was a breath of fresh air for me when I first read it probably 10 years ago. The book is based on a short passage that is only recorded in Luke 10:38-42. Jesus came to the home of Lazarus who lived with his two sisters, Mary and Martha. Martha is the doer. She welcomes Jesus into their home while busy with preparations. She gets annoyed, however, to find her sister Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet. When she says something to Jesus about it, expecting Him to maybe rebuke Mary, Jesus surprises Martha by say, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” I love this book because in a culture (even church culture) that emphasizes doing over being, Joanna Weaver shows how important intimacy with God really is. Without it, we lose the why for our do which leaves us burnt out. When I first read this book, I was heavily involved in women’s ministry in my church, but I felt God asking me to step away because I had some heart issues with which I needed to deal. This book felt kind of like a heavenly blessing to step away, and the result was growth I couldn’t have experienced if I had stayed so busy.
Follow Me: A Call to Die. A Call to Live.
by David Platt
Unlike the previous book, I first read this book a year ago this month. I remember being so incredibly convicted after reading this that I spent the entire day sobbing, repenting and praying. While I have always known in my head the importance of evangelism, this book opened my eyes to some truths that I was missing – even as a Sunday school teacher and someone who volunteers in the community. It put into words the restlessness I had been feeling with “church life.” To say, I have not been the same since is an understatement. The bottom line is that being a “good” Christian involves way more than attending church and reading your Bible. Those things are supposed to equip you to follow Jesus – not be the sum total of your Christian life. As someone who has grown up in the church, I had kind of bought into the whole church bubble life. This book opened my eyes to the reality that Christianity is so much more in every sense. If you are feeling like your Christian life is a bit stale or you feel like there should be more to it, read this book! I promise that you will not be the same when you finish the last page!
The Yada Yada Prayer Group: Value Edition (Yada Yada Series)
by Netta Jackson
This is actually the first in a series of books about a group of women who call themselves the Yada Yada Prayer Group. The story starts out from the viewpoint of Jody, an elementary school teacher, who attends a women’s conference. She is randomly put into a group of women to pray. During their prayer time, one of the women’s sons is shot. From there, the group goes to the hospital and a bond is formed. The group starts to meet after the conference and the book follows Jody as this prayer group of vary diverse women changes her life. This book, even though it is fiction, really transformed my prayer life. It made me want to learn to pray Scripture and about the importance of praying together. I also really connected with Jody grew up as a “good Christian girl,” and saw everyone else’s needs but her own. I have read the entire series which each deal with different topics. The books are now available in Kindle format, as well as, the original paperbacks.
Do you have a book that has transformed your life in some way? I’d love to hear about it!
Blessings, Rosanne
p.s. (Just so you know, there are affiliate links in this post. This means that, at no cost to you, I will receive a small percentage of the purchase price if you would happen to hop over to Amazon and buy one of these books.)
2 Comments on 3 Books That Changed Me
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So many books have had such an impact on me! It’s really hard to narrow it down.
I would have to say that *Give Them Grace* by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Jessica Thompson has really challenged me not just in my parenting but in my walk with God and understanding of the gospel as it applies to my daily walk with God.
Andrew Murray’s book on Humility challenged me so much in the way I look at myself in relation to God and others.
I know there’s lots more– these are just the two that are popping into my head this morning. I, too, read a ton. They have this tendency to jumble up in my brain. I know there are certain authors– Beth Moore and Warren Weirsbe come to mind– whose books always challenge me and cause me to grow! 🙂
Thanks for sharing, Erin! I will add them to my list of things to read! I’m always looking for a good book! 🙂