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!

 

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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

A Tale of Two Movies

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Photo by Lynda Sanchez on Unsplash

Summertime is movie time, and I recently talked my husband into paying good money to go see  The Hustle starring Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson.  Don’t come at me Hatha-haters, I think she is alright.  The main reason I wanted to see it, however, is that it was marketed as a remake of the 1988 cult classic Dirty Rotten Scoundrels with Steve Martin and Michael Caine.  I love Steve Martin and I LOVED this movie, which Rotten Tomatoes certifies at 89% fresh.  Now, I don’t always agree with the Rotten Tomatoes critics, so I was undeterred by it’s paltry 15% rotten rating of new flick.

 

I should have been deterred.  Rebel Wilson, who I think can be charming, has built her career thus far on the cheap and easy laugh.  My husband hates that type.  But he loves me.  Bless him.  So he endured what was, mercifully, a short cinematic disappointment.  The stars, frankly, lacked charisma and the whole thing fell short of the wit and appeal of the original.  I know, I know.  Remakes are never as good as the original.  Except sometimes they are.  I loved The Fugitive (ok a TV show remake, but still a remake), the new Aladdin (critics didn’t really agree with me), Ocean’s 11, The Parent Trap, Freaky Friday and Hairspray!  Even my beloved Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a remake of a 1964 movie called Bedtime Story.

 

As much as I love a good movie (let’s face it, even a mediocre one will do), I think I still prefer reading for both entertainment and enlightenment.  I post here often about my latest literary conquests, as I devour novels and comedic tomes as well as biographies, memoirs, and other forms of non-fiction.  Perhaps my favorite, though, are contemporary works written about the Christian faith.  By studying the stories and research of others, my beliefs are often strengthened, encouraged and challenged.  Some of my recent favorites are:

The Louder Song:  Listening for Hope in the Midst of Lament by Aubrey Sampson

Winning the Heart of Your Child:  9 Keys to Building a Positive Lifelong Relationship with Your Kids by Mike Berry

Stolen Jesus:  A Unconventional Search for the Real Savior by Jami Amerine

Your Future Self Will Thank You:  Secrets to Self-Control from the Bible and Brain Science by Drew Dyck

It’s a Love Story:  From Happily to Ever After by Lincee Ray

Prototype:  What Happens When You Discover You’re More Like Jesus Than You Think? by Jonathan Martin

Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands:  People in the Need Change Helping People in Need of Change by Paul David Tripp

A Practical Guide to Culture:  Helping the Next Generation Navigate Today’s World by John Stonestreet and Brett Kunkel

 

All very different and, in my estimation, excellent works. 

But…much like The Hustle, none of these compare to the original.  The Bible.  The OG.

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It makes no sense to spend more time reading ABOUT the Bible than I do reading the Bible itself.  But I’m guilty.  I mean, when have I ever claimed to make sense?  But I want to do better.  Often, another author can give me insight into a scripture passage that I’ve never seen before, or add a personal story that gives me deeper understanding.  These are good things and one of many ways we can encourage each other in the faith, but the BEST way to get to know God is to go straight to Him and His words.

 

I’m not cutting back on my reading habit.  I wouldn’t know how!  But I want to make sure I’m discerning and seeking God’s voice above all others.  I read recently (yes, in one of my books – the last one in my list) that, “Christian is the greatest of all possible nouns and the lamest of all possible adjectives.  it’s meant to describe a person, not a thing.”  A person can be a Christian.  A book, song or movie cannot.  And just because someone is a Christian doesn’t mean their art has merit for me.  Many Christians have wildly differing views of theology.  So what is a blue stocking  to do?

 

  1.  Give weight to the source of a recommendation.  Not everything labeled “Christian” is worth your time, money and intellectual energy.  When someone I know and trust likes a book, I’m much more likely to pick it up than if I see a review in a magazine.
  2. Hold what you are reading up against scripture.  Does it jive with what you know to be true of God’s character and His commands?  If you aren’t sure about something, research it.  Pray about it.  Ask a pastor, friend or mentor for their take.
  3. Don’t just skim over scripture references.  Look them up.  Read commentary on them or reference the Blue Letter Bible (by app or online) for information on the meaning of words in the original language.  Are the verses used in the appropriate context?  Double check me too!
  4. Use good books to compliment your study, but focus your study on the Bible.  God’s holy word.  That is the true meat.  Our daily bread.  Everything else is gravy.

Happy reading!!

 

Sharing is caring! If you liked this post, do me the huge honor of sharing it to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to make sure you don’t miss anything, subscribe!

 

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

InstaEncouragements, Literacy Musing Mondays, Hello…Monday,

Dream Team link up, The Good. The Random. The Fun.

BloggerClubUK, Tea and Word Tuesday, Purposeful Faith,

GraceFull Tuesday Link-Up, Different Dream,

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,

A Blogging Good Time, 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

 

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