summer reading

Ah, summer.  It is a great time to change gears, find a new pace, and most of all, find a quiet corner with a good book.  There have been so many good reads at my fingertips, I have found it hard to read one book cover to cover without delving into several at once.  In so doing, I have experienced what Ann Voscamp so aptly described as finding that books "begin to have a conversation with each other."

Here's what is whetting my reading whistle right now:

Right Brained Children in a Left Brained World by Jeffrey Freed and Laurie Parsons

Admittedly, this book is about 15 years old and in some ways already outdated (his description of Apple's goals by the year 2005 are a bit eerie to read), but it was a fascinating exploration of right brained thinking.  There are some nifty ideas for teaching the subject areas to children who think in pictures rather than words.  I have one or two right brainers here, so it will come in handy to review when school begins again.

You Lost Me by David Kinnaman

This Barna researcher sheds a fascinating light on why young adults may be leaving the church.  Sometimes it seems he may be asking more questions than he answers, but the questions he raises are good ones.  So much thought-provoking, soul-searching data, which seems to take the temperature of our church culture quite accurately, even as we struggle to come up with a diagnosis and treatment--which is truly impossible without the guidance and help of the Holy Spirit's discernment.  Once again, the subject of brains being inundated with images comes up, as we are raising a generation of young people who are increasingly picture/image oriented.  I'm encouraged to know that God has given us both His word and His image through the incarnation of His Son.  I trust He will bridge the gap as He equips His church to declare the message of salvation to this generation.

The Shaping of A Christian Family by Elisabeth Elliot

I have read this one before, and am enjoying even more the second time through with my children at much different stages now.  It is encouraging to read how God took two ordinary people who were sold out to Him and equipped them to raise a family who then carried out such a godly legacy.  One of the most exciting things I have discovered is a way to organize prayer requests that really works, after at least 10 years of being in process!  Elisabeth's father advised his son to have 3 categories, and organize requests under things prayed for each day and then under Monday, Tuesday, and so on.  My three categories are ministry, people, and personal, and now I have a plan that includes praying for each member of our extended family, friends, and our supported missionaries at least once each week.  It's been refreshing and delightful to bring these things before the Lord, and amazing to watch how He is answering.

Invitation to Silence and Solitude by Ruth Haley Barton

This is refreshment to a soul that is thirsting for the renewal of time alone with the Lord.  Based on Barton's own journey of solitude as well as insights from Elijah's experiences, there is so much here to drink in.

What about you?  What are you reading this summer?  Please leave a comment, because the summer is only half over!  Besides that, I'd love to hear what you are enjoying and have it here to share with others.