Because of Bethlehem by Max Lucado

We used Because of Bethlehem: Love Is Born, Hope Is Near by Max Lucado as our advent book/video study option. The series encouraged us to step back from the busy-ness of the season and the challenges of the pandemic to reflect on Christ's birth and what it means for us. It comes complete with an advent devotional/study guide. (224 pages)

This video-based series encouraged us to:

• Revive our wonder that the One who made everything chose to make himself nothing for us.
• Rekindle our connection to the Christ of Christmas who offers lasting hope.
• Lay down our endless Christmas to-do list and receive what Jesus has already done.
• Heal our heartache by embracing the God who is always near us, always for us, and always in us.

The Advent devotional guide content focused on:

• Week 1: Hope
• Week 2: Peace
• Week 3: Joy
• Week 4: Love
• Christmas Eve / Christmas Day

If you haven't read anything by Lucado, I highly recommend him!! 

How Happiness Happens by Max Lucado

 COVID-19 got you down? Looking for ways to pick yourself back up and have joy restored? Then check out Max Lucado's How Happiness Happens: Finding Lasting Joy in a World of Comparison, Disappointment, and Unmet Expectations. Lucado points us to the "one anothers" in the Bible to remind us that:

• Happiness is not selfish
• People are a joy - yes even that pesky co-worker
• There is strength in choice
• Happiness happens when you give it away

We recently did this as a book study at a church. The study guide and DVD are great, too!

208 pages.

The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis

People are stupid and they never recognize that they're stupid.. I've been thinking it forever. But maybe that's the point he's making. We miss our own flaws. He makes the faults of the characters so obvious so that maybe you'll see yourself in the pride, the greed, the selfishness, the moral relativity...

I love the idea of the Gray Land...Because isn't that so much like our world. It offers us things that are good, but mediocre; things that will never truly satisfy or bring peace.

It was almost heart breaking to watch people walk away...but free will, man...

160 Pages

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

I love fact that these originally were broadcast as talks over the radio, and they were only later compiled into a book. The chapters about chastity and christian marriage were amazing, and I wanted to send them to my best friend right away, because she would relate to them. I might have snapped my fingers at some of his lines and made some mic drop motions while I was driving... I must look so funny.

227 pages

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

The story of an experienced uncle demon trying to teach his (amateur) nephew how to win souls for hell through letters. We don't get to see what the nephew writes though...
C.S. Lewis made the demon's hatred hilarious and yet undesirable. And I loved how the demons referred to humans as "hairless bipeds," and it made me think of Scar's hatred of Simba in the Lion King..
You almost wonder if the demons are jealous and envious of the humans, even though they're sickened by them.

The last chapter had my eyes watering, and I needed to call my mom and talk about my feelings.


209 pages

Soul Keeping: Caring For the Most Important Part of You by John Ortberg

John Ortberg returns with another book on how to deepen your spiritual life. This time, he looks at how to keep your soul healthy so you can stay in tune with the will of God. Some comments, such as being too busy can be a soul-drainer, were helpful.
208 pages.

30-Day Church Challenge by Bob Hostetler

The subtitle of this book is Discover How You Can Reach Your God-Given Potential. The book, based on Acts, provides thirty daily readings and challenges to engage the reader in five key areas: community, worship, growth, stewardship and outreach. According to the introduction, the book is designed to "stir and stretch everyone in the church - those who are new and those who have been engaged for awhile...to do more than change your habits...[to] change your life." I was involved in many discussions throughout the 30 days and  found that everyone who took part in the challenge found at least one part of the book that really spoke to them, helping them to grow in their walk of faith. A thought-provoking, engaging read that if the lessons learned are integrated into who you are, what you say and what you do, really can change your life. 160 pages.

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver

I don't know about you, but I sometimes have trouble finding the proper balance between being a do-er (a Martha) and being a worshiper (a Mary). This book takes the Bible stories involving sisters Mary and Martha and looks at them from a fresh perspective. Can you be both a do-er and a worshiper? The answer is a resounding, "YES!" The important part is to figure out when you should be doing which piece - and sometimes they can  be simultaneous. This book can help you discover how to center your life (and work) in a worshipful way. It includes a study guide that should prove helpful for individuals and in group settings. 256 pages.

Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman

The complete title of this book is Not a Fan: Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus. In humorous, but thought-provoking  ways Idleman challenges people to examine their faith to see if they are a faithful follower of Jesus or only a fair weather fan. Starting with examples of followers and fans found in the Bible, Idleman quickly provides illustrations from the present to point out the areas in our lives where we might stray in our commitment to Jesus. If books by John Ortberg, Max Lucado or Francis Chan help you grow in your faith - add this author to your list of must reads. I highly recommend the author and this title in particular! 220 pages.

Everyday Blessings by Max Lucado

Daily devotions that use Bible verses and a narrative to encourage readers in their spiritual growth. The digital version could use some editing, but I still found the messages inspiring. Based on many of Lucado's books. 400 pages

Traveling Light by Max Lucado

This book takes a closer look at Psalm 23, going verse by verse and sometimes word by word. I learned some things about shepherding that I never knew, so this favorite psalm of many now makes more sense. Included at the end is a study to help you make connections to other parts of the Bible as well as apply the text to life today. Not one of my favorite books by Lucado, but it still made me think and grow.  220 pages.

God's Story, Your Story by Max Lucado

Like the vast majority of Lucado's books, this one makes you think about what it means to live a life of faith. In case you can't come up with questions and correlations on your own, it even has a study guide. Our church used the video on Sunday mornings to help facilitate discussion. (I didn't see most of the videos due to other commitments, but I am told it is good.) 288 pages.

As One Devil to Another, by Richard Platt

A fun piece, constructed as a fiendish correspondence in the manner of C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters.  In a series of letters, Slashreap, an older devil,  attempts to mentor a newly graduated devil, Scardagger, in his first attempt to win a soul for Hell.  This format allows Platt to comment on how easy it is to distract humans, with our vanities and foibles, away from God.  This is written with wit and humor, but gets quite preachy at times.  184 pages.

Bad Girls of the Bible by Liz Curtis Higgs

In a light, breezy style Liz Curtis Higgs provides a fresh look at some of the famous and infamous women in the Bible. She first tells a similar story in a contemporary setting, then looks at the biblical story in more detail. She provides a pithy summary of important points followed by questions to help make the study more personal.I didn't always agree with her discernment of the stories, but they were always thought-provoking. 288 pages.

The Me I Want to Be by John Ortberg

Do you ever say or do something and then regret it moments later? How frequently does it happen? Weekly? Daily? Hourly? Every couple of minutes? This book, subtitled Becoming God's Best Version of You, helps the reader explore ways to grow personally and spiritually. It reminds us that we are all unique and so what works well and is right for one person, may fail miserably in the next. The gifts and passions we feel inside and the way we are "wired" have a purpose and can help identify where we can do the greatest good. It suggests that we all need mountains that get us out of our comfort zones and challenge us, so we keep growing. 264 pages.

When the Game Is Over It All Goes Back in the Box by John Ortberg

Using his self-deprecating humor and excellent storytelling abilities, John Ortberg reminds us that it isn't the "stuff" we gather that matters, it is what we do with our lives that counts. I especially appreciated his chapter on contentment called "More Will Never Be Enough." In it he tells the story of a spiritual seeker who interrupted his busy life to spend a few days in a monastery. "I hope your stay is a blessed one," said the monk who showed the man to his simple cell. "If you need anything, let us know, and we'll teach you how to live without it."

Personally, I prefer Ortberg's books God Is Closer Than You Think and If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat. But When the Game Is Over It All Goes Back in the Box has a good message, too, and is well worth to reading. 256 p.

Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom

Mitch Albom was asked by his rabbi, Albert "Reb" Lewis, to give his eulogy. Mitch agreed, but in order to do him justice, decided to meet with Reb on a regular basis to learn more about his life on a more personal level. Their discussions lead Mitch along a faith journey that also is impacted by another clergyman, Henry Covington, a reformed drug dealer struggling to keep his church in Detroit afloat . Have a Little Faith quickly draws you into the lives of all three men and offers many insightful comments about what it means to live a life of faith. 272 p.