Lauren Sparks

The Sparks Notes

Help for Reading Resolutioners

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Photo by Ed Robertson on Unsplash

While many are setting New Year’s goals and making promises they may or may not keep, may I selfishly encourage you to consider a reading resolution this year.  It’s selfish only because I am a writer who needs readers.  But reading benefits us on so many levels.

 

Reading improves memory, enhances vocabulary, increases creativity, relieves stress and lowers blood pressure, and makes you more empathetic.  Books provide entertainment, education and keep the brain young.  In my un-asked-for opinion, getting lost in a biography or novel is also a much easier path to self-improvement than going keto.

 

I read about half as many books in 2019 as I did in 2018.  I don’t think I actually spent that much less time physically reading, but I did discover a wheelbarrow load of new podcasts that kept me from listening to as many audio books.  If you are looking for some reading inspiration for 2020, I gladly share what I consumed last year and even divided them into categories – with the tiniest of commentary.

 

Fiction

  1.  When We Were Young by Karen Kingsbury .  I used to read all of her books.  I don’t follow Kingsbury that closely anymore, but I’m so invested in the make-believe Baxter Family after all these years that I have to keep up with anything about them.
  2. The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery.  I’m a fan of hers from way back and discovered an old but new-to-me title.
  3. Gennie the Huguenot Woman by Bette M Ross (It’s a long and weird story why I chose to read this, but it is actually pretty good.)

And that, sadly, completes my fiction list.  When I looked back at my year in books this appalled me.  I resolve right now to indulge in more stories in the months to come.

 

Devotional or Bible Study

  1.  Perseverance:  30 Devotions for Faith that Moves Mountains.  I had to list this one.  It’s the first book I’ve ever been published in.  And I’m proud to be included.
  2. Seeing God’s Hand Through the Art of Sign Language by Connie Rowland
  3. Discerning the Voice of God:  How to Recognize When God Speaks by Priscilla Shirer
  4. Awaken:  90 Days with the God Who Speaks by Priscilla Shirer (I love her)

 

Books on Writing

  1.  The Elements of Style by Strunk and White.  Yep.  That’s it.  I am a student of my craft.

 

Non-Fiction

  1.  Is the Bible Good for Women?:  Seeking Clarity and Confidence Through a Jesus-Centered Understanding of Scripture by Wendy Alsup
  2. Mended:  Restoring the Hearts of Mothers and Daughters by Blythe Daniel and Helen McIntosh
  3. Sacred Ground, Sticky Floors:  How Less-Than-Perfect Parents Can Raise (Kind of) Great Kids by Jami Amerine
  4. Stolen Jesus:  An Unconventional Search for the Real Savior by Jami Amerine (I really dig her raw and honest voice)
  5. When Harry Became Sally:  Responding to the Transgender Moment by Ryan T. Anderson (It’s time for the church to talk about it.)
  6. The Power of Christian Contentment by Andrew M. Davis (a definite struggle for me).
  7. Big Magic:  Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert (For me, this did not live up to the hype.)
  8. It’s a Love Story:  From Happily to Ever After  by Lincee Ray
  9. The Sacred Echo by Margaret Feinberg
  10. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality:  It’s Impossible to be Spiritually Mature, While Remaining Emotionally Immature by Peter Scazzero
  11. Prototype:  What Happens When You Discover You’re More Like Jesus Than You Think?  by Jonathan Martin
  12. The Wondering Years:  How Pop Culture Helped Me Answer Life’s Biggest Questions by Knox McCoy (a gift from my BFF)
  13. Sex, Jesus, and The Conversations the Church Forgot by Mo Isom
  14. Giddy Up, Eunice (Because Women Need Each Other) by Sophie Hudson (I love her podcast with Melanie Shankle.)
  15. Anatomy of a Song:  The Oral History of 45 Iconic Hits that Changed Rock, R&B and Pop by Marc Myers (Just listen to the songs.)
  16. For Young Women Only:  What You Need to Know About How Guys Think by Shaunti Feldhahn (I read this to discuss with my daughter because For Women Only:  What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men was extremely eye opening to me as a newlywed.  The original was much better and I would advise any moms out there to just go with the more “adult” book for convos with your daughter about boys and dating.)

Books That Should Be Required Reading

  1.  Night by Elie Wiesel (hard, but important)
  2. The Louder Song:  Listening for Hope in the Midst of Lament by Aubrey Sampson (taught me so much about being real)
  3. Winning the Heart of Your Child by Mike Berry (even though my kids are older, this book motivated me to change my parenting)
  4. Your Future Self Will Thank You:  Secrets to Self-Control from the Bible and Brain Science (A Guide for Sinners, Quitters and Procrastinators) by Drew Dyck  (Just look at the title!  Do you not fall into one of those categories!?!)
  5. A Practical Guide to Culture:  Helping the Next Generation Navigate Today’s World by John Stonestreet and Brett Kunkle
  6. Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands:  People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change (Resources for Changing Lives) by Paul David Tripp (All church members should read and apply.  It’s really about being a good friend.)

Books That Will Make You LOL

  1.  I Ain’t Doin’ It:  Unfiltered Thoughts From a Sarcastic Southern Sweetheart by Heather Land (If you like yourself at all, get it on audio and prepare to need to change your underpants.)
  2. by Melanie Shankle (one of my all-time fave authors and speakers)

Christmas Books (Saved for Last Because You Won’t Need Them for a While)

  1.  Because of Bethlehem:  Love is Born, Hope is Here by Max Lucado
  2. Christmas Joy:  A Novel by Nancy Naigle (the delightful book equivalent of a Hallmark Christmas movie)
  3. Christmas in Georgia by Celestine Sibley
  4. Touching Wonder:  Recapturing the Awe of Christmas by John Blase (LOVE!)

I hope you found something here to intrigue or inspire.  If you did, do me a solid and order from my link so I get a small commission.  It helps me keep the lights on this site.  I would also love to hear about your favorite recent reads in the comments.  I need some inspo too!  Happy reading!

 

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!

 

And look up these great writers I link up with every week:

InstaEncouragements, Literacy Musing Mondays, Hello…Monday,

The Good. The Random. The Fun.

BloggerClubUK, Tea and Word Tuesday, Purposeful Faith,

GraceFull Tuesday Link-Up, Hearth and Soul Link Party,

Let’s Have Coffee, Welcome Wednesday, Recharge Wednesday,

Worth Beyond Rubies, #TellHisStory Link Up, Porch Stories,

Encouraging Word Wednesday, Tune In Thursday,

Stories of Hope, Moments of Hope, IHeart Verse Link Party,

Legacy Link Up, Fresh Market Friday, Feature Friday Time,

Friendship Friday Blog Hop, Faith on Fire, Traffic Jam Weekend,

Faith ‘n Friends, Dancing with Jesus, Grace & Truth, Booknificent

Top 10 Posts of 2019

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Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash

To kick off the new year, I want to thank each one of you for helping me live my dream.  A friend asked me once how I knew I was called to write.  The only answer I could give her is that I HAVE to write.  I’m compelled.  I get an idea and I can’t rest until I’ve fleshed it out and typed it up.  That any of you would take the time to read something from my research and imagination is a gift that I don’t take lightly.  Through the miracle of the internet I get to do what I love.  And who knows, maybe one day it will be more than just a hobby.  But in the meantime I pray that we will continue to connect, laugh together and learn more about our God and King together.

 

In thinking about what to write about in 2020, I looked at my most viewed posts from last year.  The topics ranged from infertility to love letters, from personal struggles to silly stories.  So before I launch into new topics, I decided to present to you a roundup of the 10 most popular blogs on my site last year:

 

10.  When Your Busted Flip Flop Speaks to You  June 20, 2019

I had a sandal blow up.  And it made me think.  Walking through a public bathroom in my bare feet is like stepping into a new day in willful disobedience to God.  It’s unwise and leaves me vulnerable to more scum and filth than I care to imagine.  And while in this human body my obedience won’t be perfect (sometimes it will look more like the busted sandal shuffle than a victory lap), the effort to stand in God’s will and under His protection is worth it.

 

9.  My Favorite Bible Study Tools  September 19, 2019

It can be challenging to stay connected and engaged when the most important part of my day is often sliced up into bite sized chunks.  But I have a feeling some of you might relate to a harried schedule.  So I shared my favorite Bible study tools and where to buy them.

 

8.  One Verse, One Resolution, One Hope  January 17, 2019

While lots of my friends and fellow authors picked a word for the year to be their focus and inspiration in 2019, I related to Jami Amerine from Sacred Ground, Sticky Floors when she said, “If I picked a word for the year, it would be obscene, and I try not to cuss.”  That’s where I was this time last year.

 

7.  Knight in Polished Armor  January 6, 2019

There are many romantic things I could have said about my husband on our 20th wedding anniversary. He is kind, loyal, hardworking, loving, strong, smart, God-honoring and easy on the eyes. But I’d like to highlight his heroism and outstanding service in the battles of life. With him and our Heavenly Father, I don’t fear the enemy, and the skirmishes are conquerable.

 

6.  For the Love of a Cow January 4, 2019

We flew to California for one day passes to Disneyland.  We had to.  We were on a mission to get my special girl Shelby to see a life-sized Clarabelle Cow.  At least that’s what we thought we were doing.  We didn’t find her.  But we found a lot of joy together as a family.

 

5.  Dumpster Fire Day  August 22, 2019

I think we’ve all had days like I describe here.  I decided to share mine just in case I have EVER given you the impression here on my blog or in real life that I have all my chili together.  I want to assure you that I am just like you. ONLY WORSE.  The End.

 

4.  10 Scriptures on Perseverance:  Navigating Life’s Troubles  February 22, 2019

I was (and still am) beyond excited to be published in a devotional compilation and hope you will all consider ordering a copy – or many – if you haven’t already!  You can find info on the book and ordering details at https://devotableapp.com/perseverance.   I’m also got to host the creator and owner of Devotable, Landen Melton, as a guest blogger.

 

3.  Just the Way We Are  September 5, 2019

I’ll never get over the fact that God uses someone as messy and faithless as me.  And He uses a 14 year old blonde haired beauty with a natural singing talent and a heart to invite.  He also uses a retail manager who does EVERYTHING with the utmost integrity.  And He uses a 19 year old who thinks like a two year old and wears her heart on her sleeve.  It’s the kindest thing I’ve ever witnessed.

 

2.  A Different Kind of Mothering  May 9, 2019

I got to share with all of the interwebs about my sister here.  And I pray that God will inspire and raise up other women to mentor and “mother” children not born from their bodies.  The world needs more believing women loving and nurturing those in their sphere of influence.

 

1.  A Letter to My Parents on Their 50th Wedding Anniversary  June 6, 2019

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 NIV

Dear Mama and Papa,

50 years is quite a legacy. When I saw the scripture verse above, it reminded me of you. I won’t overly romanticize your relationship just because it’s lasted this long. I know that neither of you is COMPLETELY humble, gentle or patient 100% of the time. We are a fully human, fallible family. But as great as I do think you both are, I know it takes lots of “bearing with one another in love” to make it to a 50th anniversary. If the world took that commandment more seriously, many, many more marriages would go the distance.

 

Looking back through my blog is a lot like reading a journal of what God has done in and through me.  I hope you will click on some of the links and read these words again – or for the first time.  And I pray you will continue to be reader friends into the new year.  Thank you!

 

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!

 

And look up these great writers I link up with every week:

InstaEncouragements, Literacy Musing Mondays, Hello…Monday,

The Good. The Random. The Fun.

BloggerClubUK, Tea and Word Tuesday, Purposeful Faith,

GraceFull Tuesday Link-Up, Hearth and Soul Link Party,

Let’s Have Coffee, Welcome Wednesday, Recharge Wednesday,

Worth Beyond Rubies, #TellHisStory Link Up, Porch Stories,

Encouraging Word Wednesday, Tune In Thursday,

Stories of Hope, Moments of Hope, IHeart Verse Link Party,

Legacy Link Up, Fresh Market Friday, Feature Friday Time,

Friendship Friday Blog Hop, Faith on Fire, Traffic Jam Weekend,

Faith ‘n Friends, Dancing with Jesus, Grace & Truth, Booknificent

 

Lastly, my posts may contain affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy anything from one of these links, I will receive a few pennies to help offset the cost of this website at no additional charge to you. Thank you in advance for your help.

 

 

 

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