5 books on my future reading list

More than a Carpenter

I've never read anything by Josh McDowell before but have heard of many people who have be touched by his books.

'More than a Carpenter' is one of his better known, which I recently picked up at a used book store.

"Josh McDowell thought Christians must be "out of their minds." He put them down. He argued against their faith. But eventually he saw that his arguments wouldn't stand up. Jesus Christ really was God in human flesh.

In More Than a Carpenter, Josh focuses upon the person who changed his life--Jesus Christ. It is a hard-headed book for people who are skeptical about Jesus' deity, his resurrection, his claims on their lives. Why is it that you can talk about God and nobody gets upset, but as soon as you mention Jesus, people often want to stop the conversation? Why have men and women down through the ages been divided over the question, "Who is Jesus?" 

Love Story

Have you ever listened to the album 'The Story?' It's a two disc album, filled with moving songs from the perspective of people from the old and new testaments of the Bible. People like Adam and Eve, Moses, Esther, Joshua, Jesus, Paul and many others. The songs are all sung by Christian artists such as Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns and Matthew West.

I LOVE this album! Nicole co-wrote all of these songs. So when I heard about this book, I knew I'd want to read it. Goodreads describes it here:

"Love Story is an exquisite narrative that exposes the emotional and human underside of major biblical events, including Adam and Eve’s dramatic fall in the Garden of Eden, Sarah and Abraham’s struggle to have a child, Mary’s surprise at being pregnant with Jesus, Paul’s trauma on the road to Damascus, and concludes with a triumphant picture of the second coming of Christ. This book is a dramatic connecting point for all readers, inspiring them to grasp the poignant nature of God’s immense, all-consuming love."

Anne Boleyn- One Short Life

After reading To Die For: A novel of Anne Boleyn by Sandra Bryd,  I was interested to read more about her. In Sandra's afterwords she included several helpful books she used for research, and this was one of them.

Was Anne the conniving marriage wrecker the world sees her as? Or was she a woman used by others for their own gains. I've always wondered this about her. Did her growing interest in the things of God have anything to do with her later execution? Did she find Christ and suffer for it?

The back cover says:

"In this well-researched look at Anne, Colin Hamer sets her in her context as a young woman who had come to true faith in Christ, and shows the impact for good she made from her position of influence, an impact we still benefit from today."

C is for Christmas: An A to Z Guide

I love Christmas! It's a time to remember the birth of Christ and be thankful for God's gift of salvation through Him. I love that we have the freedom to celebrate this!

This book looks so interesting. It's an A to Z guide on all sorts of traditions handed down through the centuries. Here's a description:

"Throughout the centuries, so many traditions have woven themselves into the celebration of Christmas that it's difficult to understand just what the season of Christ's birth is all about. Now beloved writer Warren W. Wiersbe and his son, fellow pastor David W. Wiersbe give adults their very own A to Z Christmas primer, cutting through the wrapping paper and pretty bows to expose and explain the backgrounds and reasons for our various symbols and traditions. From angels and Bethlehem to yuletide and Zechariah, the information in this unique collection is sure to enlighten. Anyone who wants to have a deeper understanding of Christmas will love this insightful resource."

Be Still My Soul

I've heard and read so many wonderful things about this book, things like, "Absolutely moving, lingered on my mind and gripped my heartstrings."

Set in the Appalachian mountains, Lonnie and Gideon are forced into a marriage neither wants because of one simple kiss. She is shy with a quiet faith, he a ladies man who resents her.

Goodreads states:

"What will it take for Gideon to give up his past, embrace Lonnie’s God, and discover a hope that can heal their two fractured hearts?"