Transforming Reads

This post is from my new Kindling page:  Transforming ReadsI love to read. I love entering the lives of the characters in the stories I read.  I used to do it a lot more.  I can remember in high school bringing 1500-page books home over holidays and always finishing them. Now  I have to fight for reading time—my list/stack to read is so big.  I am always getting new recommendations, and discovering new delights.In Transforming Reads  I am just beginning to create a list of some of the books that have influenced me.  Many of these are recent, some are from the past.  This is not at all an exhaustive list.  I will add and subtract in the days and months ahead.  I am sure you have many others on your list.But here is a first pass to gather some Transforming Reads in hopes that God might use some to impact your life as well, to be kindling for your heart and mind.Strengthening My SoulThe Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen—a personal life journeyEmbracing Grace by Scot McKnight—a gospel for all, being embraced by graceThe Beautiful Ache by Leigh McLeroy—the hurts of life that produce beautyAlmost anything by Amy Carmichael—simple and profound insights into God’s WordWidening My WorldHalf the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Sheryl WuDunn and Nicholas           Kristov—a profround look at the status of women around the globeTerrify No More by Gary Haugen—harrowing but hopeful stories of rescuing young girls from traffickingThe Help by Kathryn Stockett—the stories of black maids working for white families in Mississippi in the 1960’sSnow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See—a novel about girls and women in China in the mid-1800’s The Girl in the Orange Dress by Margot Starbuck—a memoir of an adopted girl searching for a father who does not failMaking Me Think The Prodigal God:  Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith by Tim Keller—an outrageous God who pursues the rebellious ones he lovesThe Blue Parakeet by Scot McKnight—reading the Bible as story, with tradition rather than through traditionWhen Life and Beliefs Collide:  How Knowing God Makes a Difference by Carolyn Custis James—what you believe about God is your theologyLost Women of the Bible by Carolyn Custis James—amazing fresh vision of God’s intentions in creating womenThe Gospel of Ruth:  Loving God Enough to Break the Rules by Carolyn Custis James—this story of Ruth and Naomi is no sugary romance, but a battle for redemptionLives that InspireNot Less Than Everything:  The Courageous Women Who Carried theChristian Gospel to China by Valerie Griffiths—incredible stories of how God used (mostly) single women to take the good news to the interiorA Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elizabeth Elliot—Amy went to India as a missionary and became the mother to thousands of rescued children The Heavenly Man:  The Remarkable True Story of Chinese Christian Brother Yun by Brother Yun and Paul Hattaway—a story of persecution and faith and miraclesDevotionalsIntimate Moments with the Savior by Ken Gire—powerful telling of encounters with the Savior   (and the other 3 books in the series)Many Amy Carmichael books:  Whispers of His Power, Candles in the Dark, Edges of His Ways, Gold by Moonlight