I love reading! You probably guessed that if you didn’t already know.  These are 8 suggestions from books I’ve read over the past two years so some are new, most have been around for a while, and all I feel better for reading – either in expanding my perspectives, challenging my thoughts, or celebrating others.

Note: This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This doesn’t add to the cost for you, but allows me to earn a small commission. I only share products I personally use and recommend to my friends. For example, all of these books are on the bookshelf across the room from me and I have gifted copies to people I love! 

Devotional

100 Days to Brave by Annie F. Downs: Summer 2018 I finished the 100 Days to Brave devotional. It runs perfectly between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend! I appreciate Annie F. Downs for a lot of reasons, but mostly because she doesn’t separate joy and faith. Instead, she celebrates the joy and freedom found in her faith walk better than most 30-somethings I’ve seen. I love seeing someone model a faith which is serious about becoming more like Christ while seeing laughter and smiling as part of the process. The 100 Days to Brave devotional framed each day with scripture, a story from Annie, and a question for journaling (or if you’re like me, deep thinking while driving instead). College students and faculty can enjoy this devotional! You can find it at Amazon (100 Days to Brave), Target, and other book selling locations. You can follow Annie on Instagram – she often will check-in on day 1, 25, 50, and 100 over the summer! @anniefdowns 

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Beach Read

Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People by Bob Goff: If you don’t know Bob Goff… get to know him this summer. Bob shares a collection of short stories sharing his personal experience showing love to any and everyone he meets in his unique and personal style. The stories are phenomenal and inspiring! While Bob’s sense of adventure may far exceed mine, his ability to encounter others where they are and engage them in conversation is powerful. Bob puts his cell phone number in his books and answers when people call. I’ve called! He really does answer! Entering college or working at one – setbacks and difficult people are realities. Let Bob speak encouraging stories to your heart over the summer! His other book, Love Does, is another great read! Find Everybody Always here on Amazon.

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Bible Workout

I would not have picked this up off the shelf because I am guilty of picking a book by its cover! The Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series has been a game changer for my personal Bible study routine! The commentary includes historical context, information about the original language, relevant examples, and is written with personality! Commentaries can be academic – this series balances academic content with an active voice behind the writer making for an enjoyable and informative reading experience! I started with Acts and loved it! Find Exalting Jesus in Acts on Amazon.

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Brain Workout

C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity or The Screwtape Letters (or both): I’m a big fan of reading something that will require some more brain power over the summer than you may have in the tank during the chaos of a school year. C.S. Lewis is one of the go to authors for looking at faith from different perspectives. If you haven’t read Mere Christianity, definitely read it this summer. It takes me time to read and process it – I read it every other year – and something new catches my thoughts each time. If you have read it, instead read The Screwtape Letters for an interesting satirical view on the enemy at work.  If I could do it again, I would get this C.S. Lewis collection as I’ve read almost all of them individually and would challenge us all to read through his full collection.

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Bible Study

Seamless by Angie Smith: Seamless is one of the best Bible Study workbooks out there for understanding the big picture of the Bible from beginning to end. There is more focus on the Old Testament than New Testament; however, if you struggle to connect the dots between the Bible stories you grew up learning – this is for you. Angie created a seamless process to not only understanding key stories, but also the connections between each major event, and connecting the events to the coming of Christ. The 7 week study is perfect for the summer break. You can work independently or with a group of friends! The weekly group questions are more conversational based upon the daily study. The worst part about this Bible study is that it targets women only – guys, you’ll learn so much too! You can purchase from Lifeway or on Amazon (click here for Amazon).

Order a copy of Seamless TODAY! I’ll be working through Seamless again this summer and would love for you to join me! May 13th we will start week one and I’ll share my first summary on May 20th! You will read my takeaways and get Seamless Study Guides I created to help me remember all the great things Angie helps us learn! Be sure to subscribe for the weekly email! 

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Rainy Day

Remember God by Annie F. Downs: What can I say…I really appreciate Annie’s voice and perspective on all the things. This summer I can see myself rereading Remember God, curled up in my reading chair on a rainy day. Remember God encourages us to do just as the title suggest – remember God works even when we don’t see evidence, remember God is always present even when we don’t feel it, remember God when life is great…remember God. Isn’t that a great rainy day reminder? That on a gloomy and rainy day, God is still God – talk about some life metaphors. Annie writes Remember God much like that of a personal journal or talking to a friend. Find Remember God on Amazon.

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Hot Take

Learning to Speak God from Scratch: Why Sacred Words are Vanishing and How We can Revive Them by Jonathan Merritt: Of all the books I’ve read over the past year (which would be around 50-60), this book stands out in a category all on its own. What Jonathan explains in this book is part of what I wrestle with as a teacher in the public classroom. That not only is religion “banned” from the classroom, but even words relating to it feel uncomfy. However, do you know how powerful and valuable it is to talk about what the word grace means and how to show it to one another as teachers and students? I can tell you – game changing. Each chapter in Merritt’s book details a word sacred in the faith-community and examines it in light of today’s culture. Really interesting read to help personally construct definitions of highly used terms in church world and to consider how you can revive the language in your daily conversations. Find Learning to Speak God from Scratch on Amazon.

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Professional Development

Finish: Give yourself the gift of done by Jon Acuff: I read a lot of leadership development type books – a lot. My doctoral degree focused on leadership so partly out of enjoyment and partly out of habit, I tend to pick-up books of this genre often. Finish by Acuff easily comes in top 3 for this category. Jon address critical points of crisis and success during the goal chasing process with accuracy and humor. I use tips and techniques from Finish for myself and for coaching students. Great summer read to prepare you for success next semester (students and teachers alike)! Find Finish on Amazon. 

Enjoy!

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Made it to the end? Good job!

I was on a radio show earlier this year and it was just released to the podcast! Check out my conversation with Theresa Rowe about college ministry!

https://www.shapedbyfaith.com/podcast/octc-cornerstone-campus-ministry/