A friend recently commented that I always seem to be reading the same book over and over. Although initially defensive (what’s so wrong with rereading Little Women for the 10th time!?), I realized that maybe it was time to pick something new. 

If you’re like me and looking for something fresh to read this spring, Alliance’s Women’s Ministry Director, Tera Lind, made a list of some of her favorite books that a few women won as prizes at our Encounter retreat. Check out Tera’s list and their descriptions below. I hope you find a new favorite! 

1. Fully Alive- Susie Larson

"We cannot keep ignoring the mental and/or emotional symptoms that are trying to get our attention. Fully Alive is an uplifting guide for anyone who longs to know the health, freedom, and wholeness that Jesus wants for us."

2.  At Your Best- Carey Nieuwhof

"Influential podcast host and thought leader Carey Nieuwhof understands the challenges of constant pressure. After a season of burnout almost took him out, he discovered how to get time, energy, and priorities working in his favor. This approach freed up more than one thousand productive hours a year for him and can do the same for you." 

3.  Ruthless Elimination of Hurry- John Mark Comer

“'Who am I becoming?'
 
That was the question nagging pastor and author John Mark Comer. Outwardly, he appeared successful. But inwardly, things weren’t pretty. So he turned to a trusted mentor for guidance and heard these words:
 
'Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life. Hurry is the great enemy of the spiritual life.”'

4.  Kisses from Katie- Katie Davis

"Katie Davis Majors left over Christmas break of her senior year for a short mission trip to Uganda and her life was turned completely inside out. She found herself so moved by the people of Uganda and the needs she saw that she knew her calling was to return and care for them. Katie, a charismatic and articulate young woman, adopted thirteen children in Uganda and has established a ministry, Amazima, that feeds and sends hundreds more to school while teaching them the Word of Jesus Christ."

5.  You and Me Forever- Francis Chan

"In his latest book, Francis Chan joins together with his wife Lisa to address the question many couples wonder at the altar: “How do I have a healthy marriage?” Setting aside typical topics on marriage, Francis and Lisa dive into Scripture to understand what it means to have a relationship that satisfies the deepest parts of our souls."

6.  Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family- Paul Tripp

"In this life-giving book, Paul Tripp offers parents much more than a to-do list. Instead, he presents us with a big-picture view of God’s plan for us as parents. Outlining fourteen foundational principles centered on the gospel, he shows that we need more than the latest parenting strategy or list of techniques. Rather, we need the rescuing grace of God―grace that has the power to shape how we view everything we do as parents."

7.  Rhythms of Renewal - Rebekah Lyons

"If you're ready to conquer stress and embrace the peace that your soul longs for, New York Times bestseller Rhythms of Renewal is your new go-to guide to transforming your life, one day at a time. Join Rebekah Lyons as she invites you to trade your anxiety for the vibrant life you were meant to live through four profound rhythms: rest, restore, connect, and create."

8.  Calm my Anxious Heart- Linda Dillow

"Experience the contentment and joy that comes from trusting God, whether it is through:
-Contentment in circumstances
-Contentment in self-image
-Contentment in relationships
-Trusting God with your questions and worries"

9.  Streams in the Desert- L.B. Cowman

366 Devotions

"Everyone goes through difficult seasons, tough losses, and moments that feel unbearable. In today's world, people thirst more than ever for reassurance and guidance. Streams in the Desert provides a river of wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration to weary travelers."

10. Spiritual Leadership - Oswald Sanders

"With more than 1 million copies sold, Spiritual Leadership stands as a proven classic for developing such leadership. J. Oswald Sanders, a Christian leader for nearly seventy years and author of more than forty books, presents the key principles of leadership in both the temporal and spiritual realms. He illustrates his points with examples from Scripture and biographies of eminent men of God, such as Moses, Nehemiah, the apostle Paul, David Livingstone, Charles Spurgeon, and others."