One lesson I learned early is how reading influences my life. What I read can influence me for good or for bad.
Being in a senior living facility where I don’t have to cook, or clean, or do my laundry, gives me plenty of time to read and I am grateful for that. But I don’t want to waste my reading time on all the junk mail that I receive every day. I read books and reading a variety of books maintains my attention. Every day besides the Bible, I try to read:
- A Bible commentary
- A Christian biography or Christian subject
- A history and/or a current political book
- A fiction, mystery, or adventure
I talk on my cellphone not read on it. I watch TV for news, sports, and a few good programs. I am not against TV as long as it doesn’t replace reading good books. As I age and need stronger and stronger glasses, I have found that I can read as many books as I want on my iPad (or kindle) and adjust the print size. Quite an advantage.
I will be recommending books from time to time on my blogs, and this week I want to tell you about one of the best books I have ever read. It’s called Gentle and Lowly and is written by a friend of mine, Dane Ortlund. Dane used to work for Crossway Publishers where the Rosemary Jensen Bible Foundation orders all the Bibles we send to Africa. Dane has recently left Crossway to pastor a church in Naperville, IL. His book Gentle and Lowly is like a devotional that needs to be read a little at a time and slowly. It simply tells us how much God loves us personally and individually. That’s what we all need. I know I do and this book has reached into my heart like few other books have. It’s available from Crossway or on Amazon. I hope you will get a copy to read again and again.
I’ve been looking forward to a book recommendation from you! I still use the original God’s Attributes in Prayer in the binder you gave us on your retirement from BSF and have given the published one to many friends as well as Living the Words of Jesus. I’m sure Dane Ortund’s will become a new favorite.
ReplyDeleteI’m reading Gentle and Lowly right now and it is one of the best books I’ve read as well. I’ve recommended it to a number of ladies in my Bible study. Thank you Rosemary for that gift! It’s based on a treatise by Thomas Goodwin a Puritan pastor and theologian from the 1600s. Excellent to read as well.
ReplyDeleteI ordered Gently and Lowly this morning and read the first chapter. I think I will choose to read the same chapter multiple times. There are so many excellent principles that I need to remember so that I can share them.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rosemary for recommending this book.
Yes!!
DeleteOh my goodness!!! As I just went to read your blog, I put down this very book!!!! I am in Chapter 12, A Tender Friend !!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm currently using "For the Love of God," by D.A. Carson for my daily devotional reading. Vol. 2 was a gift from BSF 1999 or 2000, and I enjoyed it and the M'Cheyne daily Bible readings so much that I purchased Vol. 1 to use the next year and have alternated using them for a read through the Bible in 2 years a number of times since. I look forward to checking out Dane (Ray Ortland's son?) Ortland's book for 2021.
ReplyDeleteHi, Judy.
DeleteYes, Dane is Ray Ortlund's son. I know you will enjoy his book.
Thank you for sharing the wisdom God has given you with us here in your blog. I look forward to reading each one you write. I will definitely get a copy of this book!
ReplyDeleteRosemary, thank you so much for your recommendation of Dave Ortlund’s book. I bought it for my Kindle last night as soon as I read your blog. (My eyes are older, too!) I am only just finishing the 4th chapter and have been so blessed by it already. It has brought me to tears and has also brought me great joy as I rejoice in the love our Savior has for us. I hope you are settling quickly and easily into your new life. And I’m very thankful you have not completely retired from God’s work! “May the Lord bless you, and keep you. May He make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May He lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.“ Amen.
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