When the idea for the monthly discussion group/ reading club first came to me, the reading was not supposed to be of the Christian “guided self-help” genre. I wanted us to grow our minds beyond reading about our faith.
But I’m making a change this month.
Last week I shared this month’s reading topic: Service.
Please choose any book on any aspect of service that you would be interested in reading. A neighbor is reading about the Salvation Army. You could read about that organization or any other, or a biography on one who has served others or our country. (And with today being Veteran’s Day, I bet you could find a lot of books on military service and service to our country with a quick web search.)
Please feel free to stretch this topic in any way you’d like to make it work for you: you could read about hospitality, or basically anything that is about putting others first or honoring others through action.
I am reading A Woman After God’s Own Heart, by Elizabeth George. I worked through the study a few years back, but now I think it is time for me to really read the book. I know my heart has been changed a lot since I did the study and I bet God has more for me to hear in those pages. Initially I picked it up so I could get a refresher on serving my family. But God quickly reminded me that this book is about serving him. And when I serve him first, I will then be able to do all he has designed me to do, and serve the others I am intended to serve.
Already this book is helping me to align my life in a better way. Today’s SOAP message came out of the first few pages, and it couldn’t have come at a better time for me.
I’m reading it with a journal handy so I can jot down ideas and Bible verses that stick out at me. And then I hope to conclude each reading ‘session’ with a prayer about those notes. So far it has been very valuable. And it’s setting my focus in the right place.
So… have you read any good books on service lately? Or do you have any plans to read one this month and join in the discussion?
Leave a comment with any book ideas and we’ll all report back November 25 with a review of our book. I have a feeling I’ll be writing about mine a few more times, before then, though.
Leave a Reply