Books  

(This list will be updated periodically with the newest entries at the top and older ones toward the bottom--keep scrolling.  If you can't find what you are looking for, send me an email using the tool found under the Contact tab above.  Happy Reading!)

 

The Story of Christianity by Justo L. Gonzalez

"Without understanding the past, we are unable to understand ourselve, for in a sense the past still lives in us and influences who we are and how we understand the Christian message."  This is a must read!

 

Natural Spirituality: Recovering the Wisdon Tradition in Christianity by Joyce Rockwood Hudson

Ever wonder what happened to the God who spoke to the men and women of the Bible and why God seems to become silent? This book intends to help the reader reclaim the "natural spirit of God that comes to them every day and night through the meaningful events of their waking lives and through their dreams."  Just as holy men and women of the bible recognized this living spirit and allow it to guide their lives, this book helps those seeking a deeper relationship and understanding,  bring the spirit of God back into our awareness.  It is meant to be a compliment to a life lived in a community of  prayer, praise, and caring.

 

The Unfolding Drama of the Bible by Bernhard W. Anderson

If the thought of studying the Bible overwhelms you, this little 113 page book is a great place to start.  It helps the reader understand the Bible as a source of "living human language that reveals the dramatic involvement of God in our personal lives and in our history".

 

Deeply Woven Roots: Improving the Quality of Life in Your Community by Gary Gunderson

This is a wonderfully inspirational description of how churches can become wholeperson health centers for their communities in which individuals are cared for body, mind and soul.  "The most important thing to understand about a readwood tree--and about a community--is how it passes life on.  Where does the next generation come from? Redwood trees don't usually spring from individual sees: they spring from the roots of older trees...not only are they tangled together at the top, they are inseparable at the bottom, where their roots are deeply woven together".

 

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown

Have you ever noticed that the same challenges keep popping up no matter how many times you change your situation?  Do events in your current life seem to be unraveling the life you had planned for yourself?  "The unraveling is a time when you are challenged by the universe to let go of who you think you are supposed to be and to embrace who you are" say Brown.  In this book she provides 10 guidepost to help you navigate the path to true-self discovery.

 

Everyday Sacred: A Woman's Journey Home by Sue Bender

Published in 1996, this is an oldie but a goodie.  I keep pulling this book off of my bookshelf and re-reading it.  It is packed with simple wisdom and poetic truths. For example, "There's a sweetness in surrendering to something I will never be good at, and still finding pleasure in doing it.  Looking awkward doesn't seem as important as it used to."