My friend Laura has been reading a devotional about marriage. My sil, Brandy has been reading one about your heart. Kristen is reading Beth Moore. Momma Roar started a new blog about Stormie Omartian’s Prayer books. I’m notorious for starting a devotional and then never finishing one. Now that I’m a for real sahm without a ton of outside responsibilities, I’ve been looking for a devotional book to start. Any suggestions? Read anything that’s changed your life? Or at least made you happy to keep reading?
Hey, Amanda! Josh sent me your blog and I can’t believe it’s been so long in such a short period of time!! Great to hear you are doing so well. My sister-in-law gave me this book and it’s AWESOME – Tender Mercy for a Mother’s Soul by Amanda Thomas. Check it out and let me know what you think. Stay in touch!
Beth Moore, Beth Moore, Beth Moore!
Captivating is also a great read! There is a workbook to do that makes it more of a devo.
Annie Dillard’s HOLY THE FIRM is non-specific in terms of religion but it is one of the most spiritually powerful little books you will ever come across. It will give you an entirely new perspective on living, dying and leading a worthy life…
I am notorious for reading 3 books at once and finishing one only by refusing to let myself read another until I scratch one off of my currently reading list! I just think that is my way!
I’m a huge fan of Come Away, my Beloved by Frances J. Roberts. It’s amazing. It’s not so much a devotional, as it is conversations from the Lord to us/you. It’s a great read before bed, or if you can only steal away for a few moments. I *heart* it!
I am currently doing David (90 Days with a heart like His) and Streams in the Desert…
I also sometimes do Praying the Names of Jesus…
Well,you know I recommend the study that I am doing. But I also think it depends of what God is speaking to your heart right now. Maybe look for a topic that fits what season you feel you are in right now. Beth Moore is Great too!
I have to second the Beth Moore, all the books/devotionals I have done of hers have been GREAT! This September I am doing a book study by Nancy Leigh Demoss called The lies Women believe and the Truth that sets them Free can’t wait to start that one! I am currently finishing a book study by Linda Dillow called Calm My Anxious Heart a women’s guide to contentment and it is really good and convicting too 🙂 I hope you find something you like and can learn and grow from.
I’m like you….I start one but rarely finish it. The last one that captivated me was Beth Moore’s Daniel series. I’d do it again, all the way through, in a heartbeat! But, I recommend the video series and not just the workbook! And before that, it was her Believing God video/workbook. And before that, it was NOTHING 😉 Ever.
I have heard great things about the book that Tonya is talking about up there. One of the women’s Bible study group at church is starting that very soon.
Even though I haven’t finished it yet, “Praying the Names of God”. I think thats what its called. Its great. But I’m like you, I start it but never finish it.
I have just started a study..How To Have a Mary Heart in a Martha World, and LOVE IT so far. I also read alot of Joyce Meyer’s studies on finding peace, Lord knows I need it 🙂 I think it is significant to read and ‘devote’ to what is laying heavy on your heart at the moment.
I’m here reading for the suggestions. 🙂 I tend to read several books at once, one of which is normally a devotional. But my suggestions are yours or others mentioned.
I like one called “101 Uses for Duct Tape”. Very practical applications for your life! OK…seriously, I do love Beth Moore, too. Can’t go wrong with her. I’m reading Captivating right now. I’m going to read it through first, then go back and do the workbook. I’m weird like that! I also like Max Lucado. He’s just so practical.
I’ve got a couple I’m doing right now that I really like. The first is more of a Bible study–it’s broken down into five days a week–Jennifer Kennedy Dean “The Life Changing Power in the Name of Jesus”. Incredible. Then for times when I might not have as long “A Closer Look for Women”. It’s more of a devotional, but doesn’t have little stories (I don’t like those), it’s all from Scripture, but then it challenges you on how to apply it to your life. Good stuff!
Thanks for posting this. What a great reminder of something that I need to get back into doing. Let us know what you choose.
Have you ever read a wee little collection of prayers by John Bailie – The Diary of Private Prayer? It’s marvelous. Not a devotional book that you read, but one that you pray through in a month.
Delicious, vital.
(Thanks for all your encouragement re: the emergency brake/marriage fiasco!)
reading Julie Garwood’s novels is always entertaining: the bride, paigan, the gift .. and her whole collection is amazing.
Amanda, I AM THE SAME WAY AS YOU! I have over a dozen devotional books, and always start them (and love them!) but never hardly finish one and I feel guilty about that, but part of me feels good about having even started it since my attention span is just not that great! I feel ‘at least i try’ and DO get SOMETHING out of them. If you find one you can’t put down, tell me!
One book I am working through right now is published by InterVarsity, and it is called “Search The Scriptures.” It is a 3-year program. They give you several questions to answer for yourself each day, as you work your way through the Scriptures — these are thinking and reflection questions, and they really force me to take a serious approach to my daily time in the Word…