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Why do you read?

And whatever you do, in word or deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17

We all do it every day. On paper, monitors, signs, phones,....

But why do we read?

  • To see when the spouse will be home for supper
  • To check on the day’s weather to know what to wear
  • To get instructions from a manager
  • To know how fast we can drive
  • To learn how to reset the car’s clock
  • To investigate our child’s latest FB friend
  • To plot out directions from here to there
  • To score well on an exam

And to be encouraged and informed and entertained and transformed and educated and socialized and improved and conversant and on and on.

But whether you’re reading to figure out the meaning of life or reading just to enjoy life, if you know why you’re reading, you’re more likely to hit your target.

And ultimately, like everything else you do,
your aim should be to do it for God’s glory.

Read for his glory.

That might look different for each of us.
I’m working it out my way; you’re working it out yours.
But let’s both keep it as our purpose.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I’m thanking God for these twelve books I read over the spring.

Here’s why you might like to read them too:

     Spiritual living

1. Think: The life of the mind and the love of God
     by John Piper
To learn how to better use your mind to better love God with your heart

2. Max on Life: Answers and insights to your most important questions
     by Max Lucado
To get your questions answered biblically about some of life’s most important issues

3. God in the Yard: Spiritual practice for the rest of us
     by L. L. Barkat 
To be encouraged to take mini-breaks, hanging outside with God

4. Trusting God: Even when life hurts
     by Jerry Bridges 
To build your confidence in God’s goodness even when you’re hurting

5. The Greener Grass Conspiracy
     by Stephen Altrogge 
To remind you that you have it so good so stop complaining

6. One Thing: Developing a passion for the beauty of God
     by Sam Storms
To hear why you’ll find your greatest joy in passionately celebrating God’s glory

7. Love Wins: A book about Heaven, Hell, and the fate of every person who ever lived
     by Rob Bell
To see for yourself what all the noise is about while also digging in the Word yourself

8. Always True: God’s 5 promises when life is hard
     by James MacDonald
To give you promises to hold on to when you’re about ready to let go

     Fiction
9. The Final Summit: A quest to find the one principle that will save humanity
     by Andy Andrews 
To enjoy a story about someone else’s search for life’s meaning

     Biography
10. Heaven Is for Real: A little boy’s astounding story of his trip to Heaven and back
     by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent 
To remind yourself that this life isn’t all there is

11. Pujols: More than the game
     by Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth
To be encouraged by the stories from a faith-filled baseball star

Other

12. Poke the Box
     by Seth Godin
To be inspired to think creatively and live proactively

* * *

What’s one reason you like to read?

What’s a favorite book you’ve read lately?

Spring Reading Thing 2011

10 comments:

Lisa notes... said...

Oops. I forgot to include A Place for Weakness, another really good book that I read with the ladies at Elizabeth's. It's about dealing in a godly way whatever circumstances you're handed.

Barbara H. said...

I'm always impressed by the scope of your reading lists.

Why do I read? To be instructed, encouraged, to see life principles lived out, to visit "virtually" other times, places, and situations, to be stimulated creatively, intellectually, spiritually, and yes, to be entertained.

Susanne said...

I've got Heaven is for Real on my to be read list. Looks like you had a great spring read of lots of different kinds of books. Love your variety.

floyd said...

OK. I officially feel like a complete slug! I love to write and my discipline weekly is to do my Bible study before I write. I don't regret it, but I do miss reading other people work. I still haven't made it through my last Lucado book. I do have it in my front seat in case I get a spare minute during my work day! Does that count for anything?

Amy said...

I like how you wrote your post! I like to read because I like learning. I really enjoyed Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper and Practicing Affirmation by Sam Crabtree

Amy @ Missional Mama

Unknown said...

Good job! I didn't do so well, and really wanted to focus on some more Christian Living books myself. Oh well.

Katrina @ Callapidder Days said...

Great job, Lisa! And love your reflections on reading and reasons to read. I read for many of the reasons you mentioned and more. One reason is to be spurred on to follow God more whole-heartedly.

Thanks for being part of SRT 11!

Trish said...

Awesome way to look at it - I love the idea of knowing your purpose for what you are reading. Thanks for sharing your list!

Nikole Hahn said...

The Final Summit was very good. I reviewed that book. Lots of good lessons in it, too. I read because it helps me to understand people, reach out and improve my mind.

Kara said...

Great list as usual, and great reason for reading!

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