Kindle Unlimited gave me 3 free months when I went to cancel said membership. Naturally, the bookworm that I am, I said yes and paused all other books to read whatever struck my fancy that was included in the subscription service. Below are those books and a few favorite passages.

Biblical Minimalism, Cheryl Smith

Cheryl Smith stood one day in her dream house and heard the Lord speak startling words to her spirit: “You are allowing this house and this yard to hold you prisoner.” God was calling her and her family to unload their home, most of their possessions, and to embark upon a life of simplicity which she now describes as Biblical Minimalism. The past few years God has invited me into practices of simplicity, so I enjoyed reading her story of following God and making decisions for their family. There’s no shame or guilt thrown and it’s quite practical. She doesn’t speak prescriptively, because she knows her path won’t be everyone’s assignment, which I also appreciate.

“Biblical minimalism is not just about having fewer material possessions, sparse décor, or a specific number of outfits. It is a complete, whole-person release of anything unlike Jesus, a letting go of everything that hinders us from following Him wholeheartedly and single-mindedly and relinquishing all that brings us under bondage to this earthly, temporary life. Though on the surface it appears that much is lost in the minimizing process, the truth is, everything is gained as we surrender our will to His and stop clinging to what competes with Him for first place in our lives.”

Friendship with God, Jamie Moore

Easy read. Encouraging content. Great reminders. Nothing super groundbreaking.

“We are all seeking what we think will satisfy us. We are all seeking life, joy, peace, and purpose. The truth is you can choose to seek after the Father’s face in Jesus—or not. If you run after those other things, they may be good for a little while, but they will not ultimately satisfy. So, be selfish. Seek the one thing that will actually bring you joy and life—the Father. He is waiting. Take a minute right now. Close your eyes and picture Jesus. Hand him the trash-fruit you’ve been eating and seeking. Confess your sin and shame. Ask Him to forgive you and bring you back to the Father. Then receive the Father’s embrace. Receive His joy. Receive His tears as they wash away the smeared stains of guilt, shame, brokenness, and sin. It is here, forgiven and loved, that we enjoy the presence of the Father. This is life—with Him. This is joy—His face. This is what you have been longing for—the joy of the Father’s presence. This radical grace is the soil for friendship and intimacy with God the Father. To grow in friendship with the Father, we need to give time to Him, have conversation with Him, and do things together.”

Grace Based Discipline, Karis Murray

I’m not a huge fan of her writing style but there is good, applicable content in this book. Not my favorite, but not unhelpful.

“Parenting (and disciplining) our kids the way God does requires that we see our Father for who He really is. It’s hard to copy a picture you can’t see.”

Fifty-Seven Words that Change the World: A Journey through the Lord’s Prayer, Darryl Johnson

My favorite Darryl Johnson book is easily Discipleship on the Edge, so I was intrigued to skim through this one of his. It’s an easy book to read that one could pick up and receive some edifying insight. 

“Throughout church history pastors and theologians have spoken of the Lord’s Prayer as “the sum of the Christian life.” Everything we need to live the Christian life is embodied in the Prayer. It dawned on me a few of years ago that the Lord’s Prayer also gives us a very helpful outline for discipling one another into maturity in Christ. We first learn God’s name, God’s character, who God is and what God is like. Then we begin to learn what his kingdom is all about, and how to live in it while living in the world. Then we begin to learn his will, his pleasures, his great purpose for his people and for the world, discovering how he wants us to cooperate with him as he fulfills his gracious plan. Then we learn to trust him for our bread, for our sustenance. We learn to take greater risks for him, as we can trust him more. Then we learn forgiveness; we begin to experience the grace and mercy of God that cancels all our debts, and which then frees us to extend mercy to others, even to our enemies. And then we begin to understand the nature of the spiritual battles in which humanity is caught; we learn how to stand against the onslaught of evil’s temptations.”

Rhythms of Rest, Shelly Miller

I enjoyed this book. Good, practical content.

“Ultimately, an acute awareness of God’s voice resounds through busyness and transforms what we do in work into an everyday state of being, rooted in confidence as his beloved children. Sabbath as a rhythm of life changes the questions of life from how to who. Sabbath is a weekly reminder that God cares more about who you are than what you do.“