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Three of Our Favorite Books – Have You Read Any of These?

 

Several years ago, we felt like God was asking us to do something different. Life was busy, full, and predictable – and we knew He wanted us to step out of our comfort zone and trust what He had for us. We had no idea that the “unsettled” feeling would lead us to full-time missions, but we knew we had to be obedient.

Besides scripture and the counsel of wise friends, God used some really good books to speak to us through that season of searching and transition.

If you happen to find yourself in a season of transition, or you’re looking to deepen your walk with the Lord, or just want a good read, consider checking these out. There are so many great books out there, but these were really meaningful to us.

Book 1:  Making Room for Life – by Randy Frazee  (it’s now re-published as Real Simplicity)

Here’s a brief summary:

What If You Could . . .

  • get all your work done by 6:00 p.m.?
  • eat dinner with your family every night?
  • form deep, satisfying relationships?
  • naturally blend the world of church with your everyday life?
  • spend hours a week on your hobbies?

You can! Real Simplicity reveals how to make these things a reality. Not by working faster or having more gadgets, but by simply choosing a lifestyle of conversation and community over a lifestyle of accumulation. The Frazees’ practical, motivating insights call you back to the kind of relationships and life rhythms you were created to enjoy. In Real Simplicity, Rozanne and Randy show you how―and why it’s so important―to balance work and play, establish healthy boundaries, deal with children’s activities and homework, bring Jesus to your neighbors, and build authentic bonds with a circle of close friends.

This book addressed the busyness we felt. One of our favorite quotes from this book was:

“While I want to achieve all that God wants me to achieve, and I sure do want my life to count, I’ve come to realize that God has established boundaries that we must adhere to – a rhythm, if you would, that keeps us healthy, happy, and productive.”

If you’d like to get it on Amazon, here’s the link.

 

Book 2: Anything by Jennie Allen

What if you told God you would do anything . . . and He took you up on it?

Anything is a prayer of surrender that will spark something. A prayer that will move you to stop chasing things that just make you feel happy and start living a surrendered life that matters.

Join Jennie on an adventure to discover your anything, those things that actually mean nothing until you know the God truly worth giving it all up for. And when you do, that will change everything.

One of our favorite take-aways from this book was:

“I believe that being willing to abandon everything requires being willing to go anywhere – and willing to let go of everything.”

If you’d like to get it on Amazon, here’s the link.

 

Book 3: The Mission-Minded Family by Ann Dunagan

In a mission-minded family, there’s a God-infused energy. There’s a focus on God’s worldwide purpose and there’s a passion for the lost. There’s a spiritual depth and hunger that reaches beyond the maintenance mode of cultural Christianity. A mission-minded family emphasizes leadership, calling and destiny. There’s a prevailing attitude of self-sacrifice and an emphasis on total submission to God’s will. There’s an unmistakable and contagious joy. Dunagan, who wrote The Mission-Minded Child, brings the same perspective to what it means to be a mission-minded family. This book includes suggested activities for families to participate in together as well as resources to help families develop the desire to be more missions-focused. She discusses the need for families to balance and prioritize their everyday lives and delves into what a family’s finances would look like if they were focused on missions.

This really spoke to us:

“We all know, at least in our heads, that prayer is important. Yet how many of us honestly believe that our prayers, the simple prayers of our far-from-perfect family, can really make a difference?  If we could comprehend, deep down in our spirits, the true power of prayer, we would all pray more – and the difference would radically impact our lives and the lives of everyone around us.”

If you’d like to get it on Amazon, here’s the link.

What are some of your favorites? We’d love to hear them — especially if you’re in a season of transition. Leave a comment below!

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  1. Tom & Gwendy Reeser
    March 7th, 2018 at 16:18 | #1

    Thanks for including us in your blog. Your reports have been encouraging. Also, love your pictures.

    • dmajohn
      March 11th, 2018 at 06:17 | #2

      Thanks for being a part of this crazy journey!

  2. Gordy Fredeen
    March 8th, 2018 at 05:32 | #3

    Deep, penetrating thoughts, available to everybody. The difference is, you have taken them seriously, obeyed the call, demonstrated to your kids what your priorities are. God is pleased. His kingdom is being advanced. Bravo!

    • dmajohn
      March 11th, 2018 at 06:16 | #4

      Obedience is the only choice that makes sense! Praying for you, Gordy!

  3. Alvina Rempel
    March 9th, 2018 at 06:00 | #5

    Dustin and Michele
    So much enjoyed your blog!
    Read it with great interest!
    It was great reading about the books that had helped you to make the transition!
    Enjoyed the way you introduced the books, then gave a sentence summary!
    Having been a librarian in my teaching and earlier days, I still find my interest in what books people do read!
    Many blessings to you!
    You remain very special to us!
    Blessings and prayers!,lkm’

    • dmajohn
      March 11th, 2018 at 06:14 | #6

      Thanks Alvina! You’re special to us, too!

  4. Tanja
    April 2nd, 2018 at 07:03 | #7

    Thanks so much for these recommendations!

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