Tuesday, August 25, 2009

What's On My Nightstand - August 2009

I always have more than one book going at a time. However, I seem to have so many going at the moment that I’m starting to feel a bit swamped. The stack on my nightstand is so high I had to move my alarm clock so I could see it. But it’s all good! So, here’s what I’m reading or soon to be reading these days:

Fiction: Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke. This is the third book in the Inkheart trilogy. I have enjoyed the series a lot. In fact, I’m reading the first book, Inkheart, with the boys in the evenings and they are really liking it. They hate when I say it’s time to stop for the night because it’s getting late. “Please, Mom, just one more chapter!” I love it when we stumble across something they enjoy this well. This last book is a bit darker, and the view of death is strange, so as a Christian reading it I’ll have to discuss some things with the boys when we get to this one, but I can’t wait to see how the series ends. I sure hope it’s a happy ending! Or at least a satisfying one.

Nonficition: The bulk of my reading at the moment is nonfiction. I have three separate Bible studies I’m working through – two for groups at church and one that I started before.

Hoping For Something Better by Nancy Guthrie. I’m working on chapter 5 now of this book, and I really am appreciating this study of the book of Hebrews. There are a few things that have sparked mental blog posts, but I have not yet taken the time to write them. I hope I do before I forget. For now, I’ve been journaling quite a bit in my spiral notebook. Old school….

Becoming a Woman of Excellence by Cynthia Heald. A friend of mine had a burden to start a new morning women’s Bible study at our church, and she asked me and another lady to come alongside and help with it. I am glad and excited to do so! This is what we’ll be doing this Fall. We start the first Tuesday of September. I’ve just finished the first chapter, and I’m excited about it. So far, besides the three of us who will be leading it, we have had three women sign up. Hopefully I’ll get to blog some about this, too!

The Lies Women Believe (And the Truth That Sets Them Free) by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I have heard great recommendations for this book, so I was excited when our pastor’s wife announced that our Sunday night ladies’ group would be studying it this Fall. I picked up my copy of the book and study guide this week from the church office, and I just couldn’t wait to get started reading, so I read the introduction and first chapter. It’s going to be good. I don’t think it’s going to be easy….I’m already seeing some places where I think I may squirm, but I’m praying for a teachable heart. Please, God, grant me a sensitive heart and let me see the truth of Your word as we work through these studies!

So, those are the three Bible studies I’m currently working through. Someone asked me to join BSF this semester, too, but I had to say no to something. With the boys needing to be at school at 9AM, I just couldn’t get over to the BSF meeting, and I really have a heart for this Tuesday study we’re starting, so I just didn’t think it wise to take on one more!

I’m also still working through The Ultimate Proof of Creation by Dr. Jason Lisle. Interesting read. A little difficult for me – I’m finding the need to go back and reread to make sure I’ve understood what he’s saying – but very interesting. It’s part of our Creation Museum legacy.

Another nonfiction book I’ve got on my nightstand this month is Life on Planet Mom by Lisa Bergren. This one is from MOPs, and as I’ve agreed to be a small group discussion group leader this year I need to read it, too. I am praying I’ll be a decent DGL this year. I’m not as excited about this book, and I don’t know if it’s because I’m almost past the MOPs stage of life or what. It’s really more geared toward younger moms, and I have to fight the temptation to think I’ve ‘been there, done that’ and be sensitive and try to remember what it was like when my first kiddo was little. Just being honest. Pray for me?

Waiting in the wings are two more I’m wanting to sink my teeth into, but it will probably be a while until I get to them. As you can see, I may have already bitten off a little too much! These two we also bought at the Creation Museum bookstore – loved, loved, loved that bookstore!!! Raising Godly Children in an Ungodly World by Ken Ham and Steve Ham and War of the Worldviews by Ken Ham and other authors. Both of these I’m really looking forward to as well.

Whew. A rather ambitious nightstand this time!

Check out 5 Minutes for Books to see what others have on their nightstands this month!

6 comments:

Lisa notes... said...

I relate to your height problem. My stack of books is so tall I can't see the telephone/answering machine. ha. (Maybe that's a good thing?)

I picked up my old spiral notebook over the summer. There is still something special about those that a computer can't replace.

Two of your books are among my very favorites! "Becoming a Woman of Excellence" really, really helped change my way of thinking about everything I do, and "The Lies..." is a book I need to re-read over and over because I STILL believe too many of those lies.

Blessings on all your studies! Saying a prayer for you right now...

Rebekah said...

Thank you!

When I logged in to say, thank you, I noticed my wacky title. Guess I should have had my coffee before I typed it. It's fixed now.

Kim said...

I really enjoyed Lies Women Believe.l I want to buy the book for younger girls for the young ladies at our youth group can benefit, too.

Good reading list!

Anonymous said...

Your list looks great! I haven't read any of these, so I am glad to add some titles to my TBR list!

Brooke from The Bluestocking Guide said...

I have yet to finish Inkdeath. Here is mine

Nise' said...

Becoming A Women of Excellence is wonderful! Have not got to the Inkheart series yet.