I, Issac, Take Thee, Rebekah

I have a new favorite book!  No more eloquent words were ever spoken of the the sanctity and responsibilities of love than from Ravi Zacharias' I, Issac, Take Thee, Rebekah.  I've read almost the entire book in one day, and I'm no fast reader!  This book touches several important areas when considering marriage, including purity, dying to self, and parental involvement in a relationship.  It's one of the BEST books I've ever read on the subject, and I insist that anyone with marriage on their mind put this on their reading list.

Changed Into His Image

Do you have bad habits that keep tripping you up spiritually?  Is your "besetting sin," whether it be a bad attitude, suffering prayer life or sharp tongue, mercilessly beating you down?  All of us have areas that can be improved on, and I can't think of a better book to help guide you along than Changed Into His Image.

This book is full of examples, illustrations, and step-by-step principles to overcome spiritual stagnancy.  Because there is always room for improvement, I recommend this book to any believer.  We should always be looking for ways to become more Christlike, and Jim Berg clearly shows us how we can, no matter what our "weak spot" may be.

For more information on this and other devotional books by the same author, click here.  You may also find it in my aStore (under the tab "May I Recommend" at the top of the page, directly below the header).  Find spiritual victory as you become more and more Changed Into His Image!

Stay in the Castle

Ever felt like you're at a crossroads?  Stay in the Castle has made a major impact on my life, and the same is true for countless other young ladies.  This small book tells of one teenage girl's struggle to wait for the man God had created for her.  Because this story is true, it has become on of my favorite recommendations.  To read testimonies about how much of a blessing Stay in the Castle has been to readers, click here.

Even slow readers like me will only take 20 minutes to read the whole thing, and it's only $2.50.  No matter what your relationship status, this book will be an encouragement.  I can't fathom anyone not being blessed by it!  Whether you are courting, dating, thinking of getting in a relationship, or dreaming of suitors, get this book!!  It is a wonderful reminder to every young lady to wait on the Lord and Stay in the Castle.

Lady in Waiting

This was required reading for Ladies Class at Heartland Baptist Bible College, but I count it as one of my personal favorites!  Drawing principles from the life of Ruth, Lady in Waiting explains how to serve the Lord to the fullest while single.  Issues such as contentment, purity, and devotion are dealt with clearly and objectively in this helpful book.

A friend asked me if having a boyfriend made the book any less relevant for me, since it was written primarily for "dateless" ladies.  I honestly feel like every chapter can be applied to my life, regardless of my relationship status.  Any unmarried lady NEEDS to read this book!  It's so easy to look at married women with envy, while forgetting that the single woman has several advantages over a lady with a husband and children.

There's nothing more pitiful than a discontent single lady, floating through life while dreaming about the man who will someday come sweep her off her feet.  Lady in Waiting reveals how Ruth was far from this description, and how we need to become God's best while waiting for Mr. Right.

Passion and Purity

Every time I think I've waited long enough to get married, I think about Jim and Elisabeth Elliot's courtship!  This book is an amazing account of their journey to marriage, with all its joy and sorrow.  Elisabeth candidly recounts their victories and regrets while courting, as well as every thought and emotion that swept her mind.

I LOVE this book!!

Even if you're not in a relationship, (or already married) you need to read this.  Elisabeth Elliot went through enough in her extended courtship to be a blessing to any young lady that deals with loneliness, insecurity, broken trust, or impatience.  Be blessed by this account of a lady who really does know how you feel.

America in Crimson Red

This book was required reading for one of my classes last year, but it was amazing!  America In Crimson Red: The Baptist History Of America gives little-known facts about our nation's history.  After this read, you will never view Baptists quite the same way again!

Coming from a varied church background, I never really knew what it meant to be Baptist until I studied it at college.  Now I'm a die-hard! =)  Another great pick is Why Baptist? which deals with Baptist distinctives.  Whether you're Baptist or not, these two books are a great addition to your personal library.

Weather and the Bible

What gives a snowflake its shape?  What is solar wind?  Even if you're not a science geek, you will understand and enjoy Weather and the Bible.  Each tid-bit of information is short and sweet, so even people with the attention span the length of a gnat (like me!) can appreciate it.  I enjoy this book as leisurely reading, but it can also be used to supplement a homeschool curriculum or gift basket.  It's fun to read and is void of all the "millions of years ago" junk.  Finally, the weather from a biblical perspective!

I'm sure you can get this book from any Christian bookstore, but if you purchase it through this link, I will get a small commission.  I say that with every book, I know, but if I fail to mention it I almost feel guilty for trying to be sneaky and make money off of you without telling you.  I just like to give you a heads up, in case you actually did want to buy it.

The Answers Book

You can't go through life without someone challenging your faith.  Public schools and secular colleges endoctrinate their students with reasons to believe in Evolution; do you have any reasons you believe in Creation?  (Note: "Because mommy said so" is not going to convince many atheists.)

This book contains well-researched information about the creation account, Noah's Flood, and dinosaurs.  Finally, you can be ready for questions like, "Doesn't the Grand Canyon prove Evolution?"  "What happened to the dinosaurs?"  "Where did Cain get his wife?" and "Where did the races come from?"  The Answers Book is easy to understand, so you'll know exactly what you're talking about when a curious friend tries to confuse you with a scientific question.

You'll find that this affordable book is a wonderful investment.  The amount of information you get in such a small book is incredible.  I love it and highly recommend it to any Christian desiring to learn more about defending the faith.  If you choose to purchase it, buying it through this link on my blog will earn me a small commission.

Pilgrim's Progress

Pilgrim's Progress is such a classic, how can I not have it under Favorite Books?!  I've read this abridged and unabridged, listened to it on tape and even read a children's illustrated edition.  If you ask me, if you're going to read it, read it in ye olde, unabridged, un-fooled-around with version!  Seriously though, the language is beautiful, the story timeless, and the author a Baptist!  =)

If the thought of reading it makes you gag, at least buy the mp3 and listen to it.  It's simply the best.  It was required reading for me growing up, but I look back at it with fond memories.  Sermons on discouragement still make me think of the slough of despond... A good buddy reminds me of Christian's friend named Faithful... Messages on the emptiness of carnality brings back memories of Worldly Wiseman and Vanity Fair.

Trust me, it's good.  Pilgrim's Progress  (If you happen to purchase it through the link on my blog I get a small percentage... and that's really good!)    =)

In Search of the Mountain of God

This is one of the most exciting, eye-opening books I have ever read.  I am not a bookworm by any means, but I could not put this one down!  Filled with adventure and danger, this true story will keep you wondering what on earth is going to happen next.

Deep in the Arabian desert stands a mountain with a scorched peak, a huge rock split from top to bottom, and an altar engraved with images of cattle.  Surrounding it is an grove of acacia trees and boundary markers. Not far, an underwater land bridge stretches from the tip of the Sinai peninsula to the shore of Saudi Arabia.  This, many believe, is the real Mount Sinai.

The perils Bob Cornuke and Larry Williams endured to smuggle themselves, pictures and videos in and out of Saudi Arabia are recorded in this book.  Many people, not just them, have put themselves at great risk to expose the real Mount Sinai to the world.  Even though there are several teams and families who have made the same adventure, I invite you to read this particular account because it is the one I've grown to love.

Even if you're not an avid reader, you will love this book.  If you're stubborn and refuse to read it, at least watch the movie. The Search for the Real Mt. Sinai  Remember, if you do want to buy it, I will make a small commission if you make the purchase through clicking on one of the links on my site.

Hell's Best Kept Secret

Sharing the Gospel can seem like a daunting task.  What if the person you witness to is a cultist or atheist?  What if they claim they "said the prayer" but their lives are spiritually fruitless?  How do you start witnessing to a total stranger?  What about close family that think you're just a religious fanatic?  Is there a method you can use to witness to anyone, regardless of their religion, race, or age?

Jesus witnessed to everyone from religious to heathen, and He didn't have to change the way He presented the Gospel to cater to their ethnicity or gender.  Sadly, very few Christians know what this "secret" is and how to use it.  In this book, Ray Comfort explains how to use the Law to speak to the conscience, instead of getting into an intellectual argument over whether God exists or whether Jesus is God.

The book is titled Hell's Best Kept Secret because the enormous lack of knowledge of this method is ultimately keeping millions of souls from coming to Christ.  You cannot expect to win a battle for someone's soul if you don't have the appropriate weapons.  This short but concise, easy-to-read book clearly explains how to plant a seed of Truth in the heart of any unbeliever -- by using the Law of God to go straight to their conscience.

Hells Best Kept Secret

(Just a reminder, if you purchase the book through this link, I will earn a percentage of the cost.)

Created to be His Help Meet

This is an amazing book, even if you're like me and not technically a help meet yet!  I highly recommend it to anyone who desires to have a heavenly marriage.  One of the things I discovered through reading this book is that in many cases, it is the wife who can turn a not-so-perfect marriage around and make it glorious.  You will learn how to do this without being a nag or usurping authority.

Reading this book is like drinking from a fire hydrant!  Drawing truth from the Bible, Debi Pearl explains how to recover from a poorly-started marriage, recognize your divine calling as a woman, refuse to harbor the poor-me attitude, and reveal what needs your particular man has and how to meet them.

I've had this book since before Tim and I started dating, because I wanted to be ready when the time came for me to start thinking about someday becoming a help meet.  There's nothing wrong with being thoroughly prepared, and that's why I recommend it to any young lady.  There's even a section on modesty, and all of us could use a reminder about that!

The link below takes you directly to information about the book on Amazon.com.  Just FYI, if you purchase Created to be His Help Meet through my link, I earn a percentage of the cost.  I wanted to make sure I let everyone know so you won't think I'm trying to be sneaky and earn money off of you without you being aware. =)