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Hello again, and welcome to another Quick Takes Friday thanks to Conversion Diary. This week I thought I might list some of the books that I have read over the years that have really made an impact on my life. Many of these would be good books to read during Lent so hopefully there is one on here that you haven't read yet! I haven't exactly planned this out, so let's see if I can come up with six of them!
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If you are a regular reader of this blog, you knew I would start off with my all time favorite recommendation for growing in holiness, "In Conversation with God". If you only can spare a few minutes a day to read a good meditation, this would be the book to get. Also, if you are like most of us and are strapped for cash, you only need to by Volume 2 which will cover Lent through Pentecost.
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I still haven't finished it but I feel very confident in recommending "Jesus, Our Eucharistic Love" by Father Stefano M. Manelli. This book about the Eucharist is beyond description. Every section gives you so much to think about and so much to aim for. Someone gave me my copy so I'm not sure how easy it is to find this book, but it is definitely worth the effort!
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"Abandonment to Divine Providence" by Jean-Peirre De Caussade is another great book. I first got this book about 7 years ago and when I picked it up to read it I thought that maybe it was the French translation because I found it impossible to understand. When I picked it up a few years ago, however, I had no problem devouring the information and using it to change the focus of my days. This might be one of those books that you can only read when "it is your time"!
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Along those same lines is the book "Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence" by St. Claude de la Columbiere. This book is a bit more "hands on" as it gives you some very practical examples of how to trust completely in God. It's hard for me to say which one I liked better. I read them a few years apart, so this one was a good refresher course to the one above.
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In a slightly different genre, I really liked the book "A Mother's Rule of Life" by Holly Pierlot. I really was able to see the spiritual side of scheduling after reading this book. Her concept of a rule for your life helped me to form the spiritual side of my organizing workshop. Read the book to get the idea and then host one of my workshop's to help you put it into action!
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My last recommendation doesn't come from a Catholic source but it was one of those life changing books. I'm referring to the book called "Created to Be His Help Meet" by Debi Pearl. I can't say enough about how this book opened my eyes to the way that men's and women's roles in marriage have been distorted. This book made me see that, even though I stopped wearing pants years ago, I forgot to give them back to my husband. A must for every Christian married woman (or those about to be married). You can order it here.
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I did it! I came up with six books that should keep you busy for quite awhile. Happy reading!
i found you through conversion diary.
ReplyDeletei also love the book "created to be his help meet." it is life changing. it seems like i was a completely different person before i read the book. not that i have it all together now, but wow, my focus sure is different!!
With you all the way until the not wearing pants part......
ReplyDeleteAfter I read the comment from Anonymous, I realized that I should state that my decision to not wear pants was totally independent from reading the "Help Meet" book. I decided to go with skirts and dresses a few years before I rightfully turned the reins back over to my husband.
ReplyDeleteI have Abandonment to Divine Providence, but I couldn't get through the first chapter! Maybe I'll pick it up again and see if it doesn't make more sense this time.
ReplyDeleteI do disagree with your endorsement of Debi Pearl's book. I think she goes too far, laying much blame for the husband's behavior at the wife's feet. Sometimes, no matter how good of a wife one is, men sin and have to be responsible for their own actions.
I did much enjoy Holly Pierlot's book, though!
Didn't that Debi Pearl write the book about spanking your children. I hated that one. Anyway, there is a really good book out printed by Magnificat that has daily meditations from the letters of St. Paul. Very fitting for this year.
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