What I’m Reading {April 2019}

Can you believe we are halfway through April? This year is sailing by … and I’m not reading nearly as much as I’d like. But I am hoping that will change a little as we move into summer. I’d love to dig into some really good fiction over the summer … so if you have recommendations, PLEASE leave them in the comments!!

WHAT I’M READING {APRIL 2019}

BIBLE STUDY

I always start by sharing what I’m studying. As you probably know, I’m teaching through Exodus this year at my church. We have four more weeks left this semester and we will get through Exodus 18. I’ve outlined the second half of the book to teach this fall. But I’ll be taking at least a month off from studying Exodus. I’ve learned over the years how important it is for me to give myself a break sometimes.

For my personal Bible study, I’m mostly in the Pastoral Epistles — 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. I’m using the ESV Illustrated Scripture Journal and I love them.

I‘ll be teaching through the gospel of John next year so I’m reading through it regularly as well. I’m using my ESV Illustrated Scripture Journal and my ESV Journaling New Testament, Inductive Edition as I read. LOVE having all the space to make notes!

QUIET TIME

I’m still using New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp. And then spending time in the recommended passage at the end of each day’s reading. Lately I’ve been reading the devotion My Utmost for His Highest or Streams in the Desert as well. I love both of these classics. I am also reading through Psalm 139 as I pray through it for Casiday this month.

And I’m also using the Pray the Word journal based on Daniel this quarter. I typically set aside a few minutes after I get home from the gym and before I start anything else to use that resource.

NONFICTION

So I didn’t start either of the books I mentioned last month … but I am reading three others. 🙂

The Art of Amen: A Creative Prayer Experience by Catherine F. Bird — Actually, I finished reading this one over the weekend. I’d read an early copy for endorsement but the actual book arrived and I loved reading through it again slowly. If you are looking for some great ideas for developing a deeper prayer life, you need to check out The Art of Amen.

Shiny Things: Mothering on Purpose in a World of Distractions by Amanda Bacon and Anne-Renee Gumley — Another book I had the great honor to endorse. I honestly can’t think of a single mom who won’t be encouraged by this one. Anne-Renee and Amanda are such generous guides for all of us seeking to parent in this chaotic culture.

The Next Right Thing: A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions by Emily P. Freeman — I adore Emily and basically everything she does. Her podcast by the same title is one of my favorites. {Side note: We actually roomed together at She Speaks a few years ago — when I met Anne-Renee and Amanda … and she also endorsed their book!} At any rate, I’ve had a few big decisions on my plate over the past few months and Emily has been a wise companion through her podcast and now book. I’m on chapter four and have already underlined at least half of what I’ve read. These two sentences from the first chapter will tell you much about the reason I am finding this book so helpful:

The decision is rarely the point. The point is becoming more fully yourself in the presence of God.

The Next Right Thing, p. 16

Yes and amen.

FICTION

Two Weeks by Karen Kingsbury — Karen’s newest book released and I had pre-ordered (as I always do) so it showed up on my Kindle. Y’all, I loved this story! It may be my favorite of her books. I don’t want to disclose too much and spoil it for anyone. But I will link to the book below so if you want to know more you can check it out. It is a Baxter Family book and if you have loved Ashley’s story as much as I have, you don’t want to miss this one!

So, you know my affection for YA fiction, right? I started the Secondborn series and read the first two books. {The third doesn’t release until June.} I liked them. The story is compelling and the writing is good. But they do have some “mature” content.

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Okay, that’s all I’ve got today! I’ve had several people ask me about how I do my quiet time and personal Bible study. I talked about those last week when I did a takeover of the Enjoy God’s Word conference Instagram — but we didn’t save them. So I’m planning to do them again, probably next week.

Speaking of the conference, it starts one week from today! Would love for you to get your ticket now. Learn more here.

Be sure to drop a comment with a fiction recommendation. I’d love to load up my Kindle for the summer!

xoxo,

Teri Lynne

Recommended Books & Resources

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ESV Study Bible, CSB Study Bible, and NLT Illustrated Study Bible {these are the study Bibles I use the most || ESV Illuminated Scripture Journals — Pastoral Epistles and John || ESV Journaling New Testament, Inductive Edition ||(in)courage Devotional Bible {this is what I use for my daily quiet time} || New Morning Mercies || My Utmost for His Highest || Streams in the Desert || April Prayer Calendar || Pray the Word Journal || The Art of Amen || Shiny Things || The Next Right Thing || Two Weeks || Secondborn || Enjoy God’s Word online conference