On Saturday I had the priviledge to spend the morning with a group of young ladies, Franklin & Marshall students, at their JCrew retreat. JCrew is a Christian club that began seven years ago on the F&M campus. This group strives to provide an opportunity for small group Bible Studies, a place where the ladies can grow deeper in their relationships with friends, sisters in Christ and the Lord. I enjoyed being with them and hearing about their current studies and life dreams, wishing I could have spent longer with them. I am sure there were many amazing stories of God’s work in each of the ladies lives all over the room!!
I shared with the ladies the encouragement and challenge I find in Psalm 63. David talks about his soul three times in this Psalm and describes it in this way: “My soul thirsts for God,” “My soul is satisfied in God,” and “My soul clings to God.” 1. Thirst 2. Satisfaction and 3. Cling. Our souls are made with a thirst for God, we do not have to work one up!! It is just there, by God’s design!! Our souls will only find true satisfaction in God, nothing else satisfies!! And when your soul knows that satisfaction is in God alone, then your soul will want to cling to God!!
I told the ladies I would put up on my blog a list of books that I have read over the last several years that have encouraged my soul in finding satisfaction in God and in clinging to Him. So ladies here it is:
Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow
I first did not think this book was for me, I would not consider myself an anxious person. But I started reading it anyway, because I respect Linda Dillow and have been challenged by other books she has written. Then as I read the book I saw how very needed it was for my life and walk! It is a good one!!
Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
This is an enjoyable and thought provoking read!! I laughed out loud several times and sat pondering my Christian faith and actions after several chapters. You will enjoy it, and it will make ya think!
The Organic God by Margaret Feinberg
I recently wrote another blog on this book and author, click here to read that 
The Epic by John Eldredge
I love to look at the entire story of the Bible instead of just its parts. (That is something I could go on and on about!! – but some other time!) This book does a great job of opening our eyes to God’s overall work and story; His epic! (you can listen to it live on the author’s web site!)
The Hour That Changes The World by Dick Eastman
In this book you will learn and be challenged to pray an hour a day that will touch not just your life but the world! It breaks the 60 minutes into 12 five minute sections with a chapter on each. I was really challenged in my prayer life and grew in how to pray for not just myself but the needs of the world as well.
The last one is out of print, but worth trying to find in my opinion!!
God Up Close by Doug McIntosh
This is a book on how to meditate on God’s word. It includes tools for how to study the Bible, but moves beyond studying to meditating. I found it refreshing and it literally changed the way I spend my personal time with God. After many years of being a “got to read two chapters (or so ) of the Bible a day” and then all is good, kinda girl. This book challenged me to be more concerned with how I was meditating on God’s Word and not so much how much did I read. After reading this book is when I decided to spend a year in Psalm 63 taking it one verse a month. It was a great encouragement.
Ladies, I hope this is an encouragement to you and that the Lord will help you to thirst for Him like no other, to find your satisfaction in Him alone and to cling to the almighty – because He is so much more than worthy.
Thanks for letting me join you!!
