What are you reading this summer?

Brian Hughes writes …

What will you be doing this summer? For most of us, summer is a time of recreation. The word “recreation” has its roots in the idea of refreshment and comes from the Latin meaning “to create again”. So how will you be “re-creating” yourself this summer?

God’s Word tells us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Rom. 12:2).  Clearly, God’s Word, the Bible, is our best source of recreation and renewal as we seek the refreshment of our minds, bodies and souls and share time with our families and friends. In addition to God’s Word let me encourage you to make some time to renew your minds through reading books written by faithful saints within the Body of Christ.

As the food we eat is important for the proper functioning of our bodies, what our minds consume is important to our thinking, which in turn influences who we are becoming and what is we do.

Personal reading is important, so important that I believe it should be a matter for prayerful consideration. Perhaps the Lord will lead you to choose something to read this summer that will help in renewing your mind and encouraging your spirit.

I’ve selected 15 books having a Christian theme that I’ve personally read over the last year or so and have found particularly helpful to me. I encourage you to consider adding one or more to your personal reading list – some are available in the IBC library.

Perhaps you would like to recommend some books that have been helpful to you? In so doing, we can do as Paul said to the Thessalonians, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thess. 5:11.

Note: You can find Brian’s list in the Resources section. This will be regularly updated with book lists from other Elders and church members. Why not submit your own reading list?