Several people have asked me recently if I have been reading any good books. Obviously I have been reading a lot for school, but I have also been discovering some gems in my reading for pleasure times.
For those of you who would like to be called to a higher standard of holiness as you live before the eyes of the Lord, I would highly recommend you read Jeanne Guyon, "An Autobiography." I am in the middle of my second read of this book this fall because it contains such deep insight into the heart of our Lord. I am utterly shocked at each page as Guyon writes her thoughts in diary form about the Lord and righteous living from 16th century France. I close this book completely and utterly provoked after each chapter. Guyon's words have been the source of much stirring in my heart in areas of conviction, she has caused me to go deeper in the word seeking increased revelation from the heart of the Lord and even greater, provoked me to endure the trials of this life with joy, hope and perseverance, trusting the will of the Father above all things.
A little excerpt from her season of imprisonment for her faith,
"During the time I was at Vincennes under interrogation, I continued in great peace, very content to pass my life there, if such was the will of God. I used to compose hymns, which the maid who served me learned by heart as fast as I composed them; and we used to sing Your praise, O my God! I regarded myself as a little bird you were keeping in a cage for Your pleasure, and who ought to sing to fulfill her condition of life. The stones of my tower seemed to me rubies: that is to say, I esteemed them more than all worldly magnificence. My joy was based on Your love, O my God, and on the pleasure of being Your captive; although I made these reflections only when composing hymns. The central depth of my heart was full of that joy which You give to those who love You, in the midst of the greatest crosses. I let others think what they please, for me, I find security only in abandoning myself to the Lord."
If you want to read something that compels your heart to see the gospel spread throughout the earth, increasing zeal in your heart, read the biography of Brother Yun called "Heavenly Man." This book utterly wrecked me and made me realize how much I have sought "comfortable Christianity." After reading about Brother Yun's book, the Lord has increased my desire to pray for the church of the west to be awakened in truth and for our hearts to be stirred to see revival come to our land. I would share a favorite quote from this book but, as with most of my favorite books, I have given my copy away.
For those of you who desire a deeper understanding of Jesus as the bridegroom, please read "Song of the Bride" by Jeanne Guyon. This book absolutely wrecked my heart in a new understanding of Christ's love for humanity, and me. This book is basically a commentary on the Song of Solomon. Regarding Song of Solomon 1:6, Guyon writes,
"God takes away that which is non-essential in virtue so that He may strengthen the principle of the virtues. The virtues are still practiced by the soul, though in an exceedingly hidden way; and in humility, pure love, absolute abandonment, denial of self, and the other virtues, the soul makes solid progress. It is through this process that the operation of God seems to tarnish the soul on the exterior; in actuality, it indicates no new defects in the soul, but only an uncovering of the old ones so that, by being openly exposed, they may be better healed."
As many of you know, one of my hero's in life since childhood has been Amy Carmichael. Elisabeth Elliot wrote a biography on her life and ministry called "A Chance to Die." This book is raw, it is real and it exposes the vulnerability of Carmicheal's heart as she ministers to the nation of India. I love that even her faults and failures are not hidden from its readers, it proves that no matter what place of influence the Lord puts people in, He still has us all in the process of healing and transformation. This is one of my favorite books! You can find a favorite quote in the headline of this blog.
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