nawinter.com

I hope that everyone reading this is having a good summer (as my kids would remind me – it only officially became summer a few days ago.) I know many people have more time to read in the summer months; oddly enough, my reading production decreases because I don’t commute as much during these months and a lot of books I consume by listening to them. The books below form an eclectic mix, but perhaps one of them would be what you are looking for to add to your summer reading list.

• A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracted World by Paul E. Miller – This book was recommended to me and I commend it to you for your consideration. It is an easy read, but don’t let the lack of difficult words be confused with a lack of depth. This volume packs a bunch and if you struggle with how to pray or what to pray, this book is bound to help you deepen and strengthen your prayer life. 
• Gentle & Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers by Dane C. Ortlund – For the faithful Christ follower who is feeling weary or far from the outpouring of God’s love, this book is sure to encourage. Throughout this publication, the author reminds readers of who Christ is, and what that means for all who He has redeemed. Ortlund writes in a humble and unassuming fashion, which only increases the impact of his description of God’s all-surpassing care for His kids. If you want to have a better understand of Who Christ is and how He relates to His children, spend time with this book.
• Relationships: A Mess Worth Making by Timothy S. Lane & Paul David Tripp – It may seem like the last thing we need is another book on relationships, but I have to believe that the reason that they keep getting written is because relationships are so integral to our lives, and we haven’t yet figured out how to always honor God through them. While this book may not offer any revolutionary insights, it is filled with good reminders of how God uses our relationships with others to further His purposes. If, like me, God created you to be an independent introvert, these are reminders that are frequently needed. This book may be especially impactful for anyone who is tempted to withdraw from challenging or difficult ministries because of the complications that relationships can bring. 
• The New Covenant Ministry of the Holy Spirit by Larry Pettegrew – Someone asked me this past week what the difference between a talent and a spiritual gift was. Because I had just finished this book, I had a more robust answer than I otherwise might. This book is written by an academician and is therefore fairly dense, but the density is also due to the weightiness of the subject. If you want to enrich your understanding of the third person of the Trinity and His work in history and in lives of Christians today, this book will help you accomplish just that.