Lauren Sparks

The Sparks Notes

8 Books You Should Listen to Instead of Read

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Happy Audiobook Appreciation Month!  What?  You didn’t know?  It’s ok.  You don’t need to get me anything.  But I am gifting you a little something.

 

I usually keep multiple books going at a time.  And I don’t play favorites with formats. 

I like paperbacks and hardcovers, audiobooks and electronic.  I buy, borrow and check out.  It usually makes no difference to me.  A good story is a good story.  But there are a few books I’ve consumed over the years that I’m partial to on audio.

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 So here are:

 

8 Books You Should Listen to Instead of Read

 

  1.  Chasing Vines:  Finding Your Way to an Immensely Fruitful Life by Beth Moore  In addition to it being the winner of the Christian Book Award for Best Audio Book of 2021, I just love her southern drawl.  Sometimes soft and often passionately exuberant, I loved hearing about how her once in a lifetime trip with her daughters inspired her to dig deeper into scripture.
  2. I Ain’t Doin’ It:  Unfiltered Thoughts From a Sarcastic Southern Sweetheart by Heather Land  Listening to this book was like seeing a stand up comedian.  Laughing until crying, tears running happily down my face and my leg.  Give yourself this gift!
  3. The Polygamist’s Daughter:  A Memoir by Anna LeBaron with Leslie Wilson.  This true story is so unbelievable that hearing straight from the source lends credibility and also empathy from the listener.  Both add so much to the overall experience.
  4. Love Does:  Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World by Bob Goff  The author’s childlike enthusiasm and sheer delight in other people both encourages and inspires me to love others better.  You can hear it in his voice and feel it in your heart.
  5. Unbroken:  A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand  It’s been years since I put this audiobook on CD in my car to listen to while running errands.  It is so gripping that my then 11 year old daughter requested I not listen to it without her in the car!  It was almost like watching a movie of this story – which you can do now too.
  6. Food:  A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan  I know Gaffigan’s humor isn’t for everyone, but I think he is hilarious.  And he relishes nothing more than making fun of his chubby eating habits.  It’s a master class in comedy.
  7. As You Wish:  Inconceivable Tales From the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes  If you love this cult classic movie as much as I do, these behind the scenes details are a true delight.  But I consider hearing them from farm boy Wesley himself icing on the cake!
  8. Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen Although I liked Springsteen in the 80’s, like everyone else, I would not now consider him a favorite artist.  It may have something to do with the hour we waited for him to start a concert we attended.  But that’s neither here nor there.  His story, read in that unmistakable voice, reminds me why he’s The Boss.  From humble beginnings to living legend and personal failures in between, I almost felt like I knew him.

 

I realize that these are all non-fiction books – with the exception of Unbroken (which is based on a true story).  I tend to gravitate that way, but I consider it a character flaw.  I’ve made it a personal goal to read more fiction.  So I would love recommendations in the comments.  What novels should I listen to (or read)?  And again, Happy Audiobook Appreciation Month!

 

 

Now for this week’s featured post from the link up!

 

Instaencouragements.com kicked off their summer bible study using the book Seeking Him by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth and Tim Grissom.  The first post in the series, written by Julie, called Revival:  Who Needs It had me talking back to the screen.  “I need it!”  “Our country needs it!”  “We ALL need it!”  Read it.

 

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1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate)

 

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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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New Waze for Reading God’s Word (and No, That’s Not a Typo)

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Happy National Day of Unplugging!  I can’t think of a more needed observation for most of us (self included).  I encourage you to turn off the screens, put them out of sight if possible and do something active, do something fun, and/or do something educational.  If you study the bible or want to, might I suggest trying Verse Mapping?

 

As a member of the Bible Gateway Blogger Grid, I happily accepted free copies of the NIV Verse Mapping Bible, the NIV Verse Mapping Bible for Girls, and the Verse Mapping Bible Study Journal to take for a test run.  It’s been a while since I tried a completely new to me Bible study method and I honestly think this one holds the potential to offer deeper understanding and increased knowledge of God’s Word.

 

Kristy Cambron, the creator of this version of the method, lays out five steps to “mapping” a verse or passage.  In short:

  1.  Verse – Select one you would like to study.  Let the holy spirit lead you, use the topical index in the back of the bible guide, or start at Genesis 1:1 and work your way through the Bible.  Choose the verse that feels like the right fit for you on any given day.
  2. Design – Look at the passage in 2-3 other versions and note any repeated words or phrases.
  3. Develop – Look up these key words in Hebrew for OT or Greek for NT.
  4. Actions – Notice what’s happening in and around the passage.
  5. Outcome – Write a 1-2 sentence summary of what you learned and how to apply it to your life.

The journal provides much more detailed instructions on these steps and how to make your study time really count.  I included photos here of my first completed map (with help from the author).  Please excuse the poor penmanship and photography skills.

The main idea – use these tools to think like a researcher.

 

This Bible contains 350 partially completed verse maps to get you started and give you ideas for how to use this system.  Cambron includes 70 blank maps as well.  The girls’ version provides the same quality product in a design that appeals to tween and teen girls.  And both versions give you note taking space in the margins.

 

The Journal is not necessary to facilitate verse mapping, but accommodates those who prefer not to write in their Bibles or need more room to explore their research and conclusions.

 

These tools have me excited about the prospect of shaking up my daily time with the Lord, and I want to offer you the chance to try them too.  I am giving away 1 copy of the NIV Verse Mapping Bible next Friday!  To enter, subscribe to my blog using the box on the right hand side of this page.  You will also receive my e-book for free after subscribing.  Or if you already subscribe (thank you!!!), follow me on instagram and twitter, then comment your completion on this blog post when finished.  Entries will close at 12:00 CST on Thursday March 4, 2021.

 

And now for this week’s featured post on the link-up.

 

Today I want to highlight the Grace and Gratitude Link UP #7.  Carrie definitely taught me a lesson on showing grace and giving gratitude this week.  She endured the same wacky winter storm that I told yall about.  Instead of the moaning and groaning that most Texans (again, myself included) wallowed in, Carrie showed class and a positive attitude by giving thanks to God for bringing her through and appreciation for the Power company employees that worked so hard to rectify the situation.  Thanks so much, Carrie.

Grace and Truth_Rules

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

 

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Grace and Truth_Meet Hosts

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

HEATHER HART & VALERIE RIESE – Candidly Christian
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Now Let’s Link Up!

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Sharing is caring! If you liked this post, do me the huge honor of using the buttons below to share it to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to get these essays emailed to you once a week, subscribe!

To find some great places where I might be sharing this post, click here.

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