What’s On Your Nightstand? – September

Due to a raging migraine that started last Tuesday and then lasted for 3 days, this never got posted.  So, although I am a week late, it is still September, so, I am posting it now.  I hope that doesn’t bother anyone.

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With the start of our new, and surprisingly full, fall schedule, some of the books on this list have not changed much – or at all – since last month.  And, in an utter lack of self-control 😉 I have also started a few new books before completing the others.  And, I remain unrepentant…  🙂

 

I did finish Karl Graustein’s Growing Up Christian, my review can be found here.  It was a wonderfully insightful look into the lives of kids who have, or who are growing up in the church.  And, whether you grew up as a “church kid,” or are now currently ministering to (or raising!) them, this is a must-read!!

 

I also read through Paul Tripp’s War of Words in preparation for co-teaching our women’s Bible study.  But, I am going to leave it on the list, as I am now reading through it again, with the ladies!

  

This month, on my nightstand, I have:

 

 

The Mother at Home, by John Abbott – I think Jason picked up this book for me not too long after Hannah was born.  And, I have yet to read it!  But, my sweet friend, Debra, read it recently, and highly recommended it!  So, it has finally been taken off my shelf and added to the stack for this month!

 

The Joy of a Word Filled Family, by Dr. John Barnett – This is a recent addition to my reading list.  My husband read it not too long ago, and has been raving about it ever since.  I am only a few pages in, but already it looks promising.

 

So Much More, by Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin – After watching their “documentary,” The Return of the Daughters, I was intrigued by their strong emphasis on the importance of the father/daughter relationship.  It seems that there are all sorts of wonderful books and resources out there that address the importance of mother/daughter or father/son relationships.  But, very few, at least that I have found, seem to address the important role that a father is called to play in the life of his daughter, and the honor and respect that is owed him on the part of the daughter.  I am only a few chapters in, but I am very much looking forward to seeing how these two young women deal with some very weighty, and in some cases controversial issues.

 

Womanly Dominion: More Than a Gentle and Quiet Spirit, by Mark Chanski – I am still reading this book along with the Girl Talk Book Club.  Pick up a copy and join the fun!!

 

The Family Worship Book, by Terry L. Johnson – This book is a wonderful resource for family devotions!  It practically breaks down why you should do family devotions, offers practical help for how to do them, and also includes suggestions and resources for what to do.  It has been a great follow-up to Voddie Baucham’s Family Driven Faith.

 

The Jesus You Can’t Ignore, by John MacArthur – From the moment I saw the tag line on the envelope from Grace to You, “Sometimes, it’s okay NOT to be nice!” I knew this book was a must read.  While I wish I could say I began devouring it the moment it arrived, sadly, I have not even cracked the cover yet!  But, it is at the very top of my to-be-read list, and I cannot wait to get started.

 

Right Thinking in a World Gone Wrong, by John MacArthur and the leadership at Grace Community Church – This arrived in the mail, as a gift to my hubby, from The Master’s Seminary.  But, since he has absconded with my copy of Bruce Ware’s Big Truths for Young Minds, I claimed this one!!  These men – pastors, elders, and leaders at Grace Community Church – take on issues of everyday life in the areas of Entertainment and Leisure (internet dating, video games, and “the cult of celebrity”), Morality and Ethics (divorce and remarriage, abortion, birth control, and euthanasia), Politics and Activism (the economy, environmentalism, racism, and illegal immigration), and Tragedy and Suffering (the problem of evil, hope, hardship and trials, and the gospel) from a biblical perspective.  I have not made it past the introduction, but I am looking forward to the rest.

 

For the Children’s Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School, by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay – In the second chapter the author (who happens to be the daughter of Francis and Edith Schaeffer) says, “Twaddle.  If I were to have to label much educational material today, I’m afraid it would definitely be twaddle.  How colorfully and scientifically our generation talks down to the little child!” (pg. 16)  I couldn’t agree more.  So much of what has already been said in this book – and, I am only in chapter 4 – has truly resonated with me, and my own philosophy on Christian education and homeschooling.  I am looking forward to seeing how Macaulay practically works out some of the ideas and convictions that she has shared so far.

 

Raising Children for Christ, by Andrew Murray – Anyone else notice a theme here?  Yes, I am reading a ton on the family, raising children in and according to the Word, and helping them develop a Christian worldview.  More than anything, I want my daughter to grow up to know, love, and serve the Lord.  And, I am always on the lookout for resources that will help me to be the kind of parent that practically points her to the cross.

 

War of Words: Getting to the Heart of Your Communication Struggles, by Paul Tripp – This is the book of choice for the fall section of our women’s Bible study.  As I am helping to teach this section, I have already read it through once in preparation.  As a group we are only a few chapters in, but the second time through is proving to be just as convicting and thought-provoking – if not more so!!  The discussions have been wonderful, and I am looking forward to what the Lord will do in our lives, and in our church, as a result of studying how we can have hope as we struggle with what James calls, “a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:8)

 

I’d love to know what you are reading (or planning on reading) this month!  Please leave me a comment if you participated…  And, check out the other lists over at 5 Minutes for Books!