There is an abundance of books available that inspire, encourage, exemplify, or promote a shining life for Christ. Once you search one or two on Amazon, you can't help but follow the trail to find a related book, and another and another--all powerful tools in learning to shine brighter for Christ.
Problem is, I am a slow reader. Or rather, I used to think of myself as a slow reader. It took me f-o-r-e-v-e-r to finish a book. By the time I finally finished it, I hardly remembered anything from the beginning of the book and wasn't really sure what, if anything, I gained from the experience. Except confirming that I do not enjoy this past-time called reading.
But I knew I was missing out on something. On this beautiful world of amazing ideas and life-changing words secured safe in the written page.
So, I made reading a book each month part of my monthly resolutions for 2012, and have read one (sometimes two) books a month since January.
The key was finding topics and books that interested me. Also, giving myself guilt-free permission to ditch any books I didn't enjoy, and not starting books that really didn't pique my interest. Of the 14 books I've read so far this year...
>> A couple specifically renewed my desire to shine brighter for God (7: an experimental mutiny against excess and a beautiful offering)...
>> Some encouraged a better lifestyle (in defense of food, the happiness project, fifteen minutes outside)...
>> A few shared surprising tidbits on life that felt like messages directly to my life from God (the joy of doing things badly, god never blinks, gift from the sea)...
>> Others pointed me on my way to improve my God-given writing ability (you are a writer, bird by bird)...
>> Some spoke to various aspects of faith and relationship with God (fearless, praying the scriptures for your children, sex god)...
All of them have impacted my life in a positive way and, I feel, have brought me in some way closer to God and shining brighter for Him in real, day-to-day ways.
Daniela from Sacred Glimpses, shares how a book helped spur her to shine brighter...
One of the reasons this book impacted me so much is because God has placed the issue of human trafficking and child slavery on my heart. It is a social cause that weighs heavy on me and I long to make a difference in helping to eradicate this problem. Due to the multi-facetted nature of this human rights issue, it often seems daunting knowing how to help.
What our family has chosen to do at this time is to provide financial support to organizations that are addressing some of the issues that make children at risk for human trafficking, child slavery, and prostitution.
On a more personal level, I am currently trying to secure an interview with a former prostitute to gain insight into that darkness and hopefully discover how to bring light to street corners. Once the interview is complete, I will feature it on my blog, Sacred Glimpses. My hope is to raise awareness through this post and others like it. In shedding some light into the suffering that is plaguing millions of women and children around the world, I am hoping to be able to play a small part in bringing restoration and healing. <<
>> DISCLOSURE: Underlined links are generally affiliate links. If you buy anything through them, I get a very small commission at no extra cost to you. Just a little effort to get paid endorsing stuff I already use and believe in.
