MY FAVORITE THINGS

Dec 8

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Day 8 - Read Great Books!

One of my very favorite things to do every day of every year is to curl up with a great book. I confess ... I am a read-aholic and every time I walk into a bookstore or library, I find myself praying the same prayer that I did in the fifth grade, “Jesus! Let me live long enough to read all of these books!”

Let me challenge you in 2013, don’t just read the “twaddle” of the day but read books that will stick to you ... like oatmeal does!

I love the taste of Chinese food but I am always ravenously hungry about 20 minutes after I eat it! But now ... when I eat a bowl of tasteless oatmeal, there are no hunger pangs for hours.

It is the same way with books: if you only read “twaddle” you will never be filled up nor satisfied. However, if you challenge yourself to read some of the greatest books ever written, there will be a satisfaction and completion about your life that will astound you!

“He who walks with wise men will himself be wise.” -

Proverbs 13:20.

One way that we can walk with the wise men and women of the ages is to read the books that have been written by the greatest minds and hearts of every generation.

My challenge to you, as you ponder with what you will fill your mind and heart in 2013, is to read a life-changing book every month. Not all of these suggested books are “easy reads” but I can guarantee you that they are all “worth-it” reads and that each book will add wisdom to your life. These are my suggestions for 2013:

January

: “The Circle Maker” by Mark Batterson

February

: “A Severe Mercy” by Sheldon Vanauken

March

: “Not My Will” by Francena Arnold

April

: “The Applause of Heaven” by Max Lucado

May:

“Stepping Heavenward” by Elizabeth Prentiss

June

: “Ruth, A Portrait:The Story of Ruth Bell Graham” by Patricia Cornwall

July

: “I Declare” by Joel Osteen

August

: “Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy” by Eric Metaxas

September

: “The Pursuit of God” by A. W. Tozer

October

: “When I Lay My Isaac Down” by Carol Kent

November

: “Evidence Not Seen” by Darlene Rose

December

: “Two From Galilee” by Marjorie Holmes

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Carol McLeod

Carol says, “I am just a girl who is head over heels in love with Jesus ... passionately addicted to His Word ... and find all of the joy that I need in time spent in His presence." Carol is a Christmas-aholic, loves ACC basketball and the beach! Like all menopausal women, she is overly fond of chocolate and enjoys a good read. She doesn't like cleaning her house and is an expert in carry-out dinners. She hates to shop … loves to jog … and somehow finds time in her busy life to hang out with small children. She is the kind of woman that you could laugh with over lunch, cry with over disappointment and shout with over a victory! But … if you need her official bio … read on! Carol is an author and popular speaker at women's conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. She also hosts highly successful Just Joy! outreaches. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. Carol has written three books, "Holy Estrogen!", "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart" and "Defiant Joy!" which was released by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Her teaching DVD, "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart", won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming. Carol has also been featured on YouVersion (the smart phone Bible app) with several devotionals, including: "For the Journey Set Before Him", "Jolt of Joy", and "Joy to YOUR world", " Carol has a daily radio program, "Defiant Joy! Radio" which is available in several national markets including Youngsville PA, Warren PA, Buffalo NY, Roanoke VA, Norfolk VA, and Nashville TN. A 1977 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Music and English, Carol has the distinction of being both the first Women's Chaplain and the first woman to speak at the university's Vespers. Carol currently serves on the ORU Alumni Board as chaplain. She is married to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Craig, who serves as senior pastor of Life Church, a church near Buffalo, NY. Craig and Carol have been happily married for nearly 37 years and are the parents of five children and three delightful daughters-in-law. Craig and Carol are thrilled with the joy of being grandparents to five precious grandchildren! Carol has written three books, "Holy Estrogen!", "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart" and "Defiant Joy!" which was released by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Her teaching DVD, "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart", won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming. Carol has also been featured on YouVersion (the smart phone Bible app) with several devotionals, including: "For the Journey Set Before Him", "Jolt of Joy", and "Joy to YOUR world", " Carol has a daily radio program, "Defiant Joy! Radio" which is available in several national markets including Youngsville PA, Warren PA, Buffalo NY, Roanoke VA, Norfolk VA, and Nashville TN. A 1977 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Music and English, Carol has the distinction of being both the first Women's Chaplain and the first woman to speak at the university's Vespers. Carol currently serves on the ORU Alumni Board as chaplain. She is married to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Craig, who serves as senior pastor of Life Church, a church near Buffalo, NY. Craig and Carol have been happily married for nearly 37 years and are the parents of five children and three delightful daughters-in-law. Craig and Carol are thrilled with the joy of being grandparents to five precious grandchildren!