'22 Reads

The books below are not ranked; you’ll not find here “the best books of the year according to Lianna,” “a list of books I endorse,” or even “my favorite books I read this year.” Instead, my list is comprised of a handful of books that drove themselves into my thinking—in the assorted ways described below—and changed me this year.

Let Me Be a Woman, by Elisabeth Elliot

Elliot pursued exquisite truths about being a woman in this work. Though I did not agree on every point, she elevated womanhood in a way that made me feel blessed to be counted among this sex’s ranks.

The End Times in Chronological Order, by Ron Rhodes

Here was a fascinating look at end times events, and I do happily recommend this book. His thinking is categorically and near-dogmatically biblical—while being thorough and organized.

The Imperfect Disciple, by Jared Wilson

Wilson confessed that he woke up every day for a season not feeling like a Christian. As someone who has struggled with assurance of salvation, I believe I needed to read this book purely for this sentence.

Devotions from the Song of Solomon, by Charles Spurgeon

This book was my lasting delight for weeks, for I listened to it on repeat. The love of Jesus is magnified.

Hinds Feet on High Places, by Hannah Hurnard

Much-afraid’s journey helped me with my own. But I will never forget that in this work, the Lord Jesus leaves Much-afraid while Jesus bounds ahead. And this is simply not what I see Jesus doing with me. He is there, showing himself in the sorrow and suffering. I am afraid that Much-afraid would have had reason for fear if the Lord were not her ever-present help. If anything, this book made me all the more grateful for the presence of Jesus.

Rejoice & Tremble, by Michael Reeves

This book promotes fearing God for His awesome goodness. That every attribute of God calls forth awe for him is what I will remember. God’s goodness is so good, we fear Him.

The Christian Lover, by Michael A.G. Haykin

I adored this little series of letters between Christian lovers across history; it was good for a short Sunday afternoon read. Simple and sweet, the letters provoked reflections on the beginnings and closings (in death) of Christian marriage. “Rejoice with those who rejoice”—so says the Scriptures. And these letters made me rejoice in the gift of marriage evidenced in faithful saints, a source of comfort and friendship and God-facing joy and more. My complaint for this work: too brief.

A Week in the Life of Corinth, by Ben Witherington

I found this book’s depiction of Paul utterly unconvincing. I don’t imagine Paul fading into the background of his own life, even if he is mild in person. Otherwise, quite a few facts were learned that will enrich my studies of 1 and 2 Corinthians and the corresponding times.

The Things of Earth and Strangely Bright, by Joe Rigney

My reflection as I concluded these books: I do sometimes withhold myself from enjoyment because withholding symbolizes the present fallen reality of this earth (that is, we are kept apart from the full experience of God’s presence and joy here). That practice is, perhaps, keeping me from rendering due gratitude to my God for life on this earth.

George Müller: Delighted in God, by Roger Steer

This was a fascinating account; it shows how deeply God honors our faith. In fact, I am moved by this book to see that God loves the faith of his people. Müller’s story will stay with me—it made a deep impression.

Jesus Is Precious

When I woke up this morning, I didn’t expect Jesus to lead me to see ways I’m unfaithful to Him. But He did. And that is His love.

The afternoon commenced with a renewed, steadfast pledge to do better. When I see Him, I want Him to know that I gave it my all. That I sought with everything in me to be His and His alone. That’s what I want. And today, Jesus called me to act on it. “Faith does.”

I have come to long for His love, the kind of love that makes me better, holier, and more righteous. It’s a pure, exquisite love. And, like all with Jesus, it makes me fall in awe.

Moving deeper into faithfulness to Him is a way to show Him that He is the most precious to me. That there is no one like Him. That He is my one and only. It is a way to protect my relationship with Him against any tear or break.

Frankly, I didn’t know I had the power to choose the start of this faithfulness. But He told me it’s what He wanted, what He needed, from me. And, I found the power. For Jesus is precious to me.

Jesus Is My Future

Jesus controls the future. We may know what we want. Or, know what we think we want. But Jesus knows better. He truly does work all things out for our good and His glory. If we can be assured of that, then we can have peace with regard to the future.

I have some questions in to Jesus, questions about the future that He sees fit not to answer. I seem to always have questions for Jesus about the future. And here’s what I am learning to see: Jesus is my future.

If I can be assured that the future will be for my good, that the future will be for Jesus’ glory, and that Jesus is my future, I can have great rest.

I think I used to view the future as a frightening unknown. And I am not saying that I still don’t. My mind travels there. But more deeply than ever, I believe that Jesus being my future means that I need not fear.

When has He ever failed me? Never. Never. Never. And, He won’t. He won’t. Why, friends, do I even need to remind myself of that? It should be a superfluous, redundant thought. But I think in a human way. And, He sees fit to allow reassurances that I shouldn’t need. It is His mercy.

Jesus is my future. That’s all I need to know.

When We All Get to Glory

“When we all get to glory, what a day of rejoicing that will be/ When we all see Jesus we’ll sing and shout the victory”—so goes the popular hymn. Can you imagine the victory shouts of glory? Can you imagine the day when sinning will be no more? Can you imagine the day when all will be pure and glorious at last? God has given us the victory in Christ Jesus. We have victory over sin, the devil, lies, hurt, pain, death, and hell. We have victory over ourselves, our own carnal ways. We have victory in our relationships. We have victory in our eternal trajectories. We have victory in enjoying God forever.

Think about how it will feel to finally see Jesus. I think that He’ll rejoice with each of us over the fruit, the good Christian fruit, in all of our lives. So merciful is He. I think He’ll welcome us with open arms. And then, we’ll be so happy to praise Him, the only Savior, forever. Can you imagine looking into His eyes? I’m drawn in by the thought—how beautiful His eyes will be to gaze into! How beautiful simply to observe Him and see how He acts and what He does! How majestic to see Him praised by myriad people shouting “great is the Name of the Lord!” For His Name is very great, even as He is perfect.

God Is Near

God is near through our trials and tribulations. Do you know the friendship of God? He is ever-loving toward us. And there is nothing that can separate us from Him. No temptation can ever ultimately pull us from Him, who believe. He is most lovely and long-suffering with us. His love and goodness fill us.

I have known the nearness of God in my lowest moments, in my darkness moments, in my moments of fiercest battle with sin. I have known the presence and help of my God when in gravest trials. And I have known the nearness of my God through the day-to-day difficulties of a life not at all what I expected or hoped.

I have known the presence of my God, and His continual care and leadership of me. How good it is to be in the care of the Almighty, who fiercely protects, who does all for His own. How good it is to be a living sacrifice, and tell God we would go wherever and do whatever he pleased. God is near, friends. God is near.

Thankfulness

What freedoms I have! I have the freedom to pursue God, to learn from my mistakes, to gain closer fellowship with Him. I have freedom to choose Him and learn about Him more through books and schoolwork. I have the freedom to write here, and express what He is doing within me. I have freedom to read the Bible, journal, and pray—and reach out to Him from the depths of my being.

From where I stand, I have a very wonderful life. I have a happy little life, right here is a country town where the snow lays over the bare tree branches as the pines are replete with tree-glory in the winter shade. I have a beautiful little life with my family and daughter who is daily delighting me with who she is becoming and what she is learning.

I have my God, who is so very patient with me and my progress. And I have many gifts from Him—not excluding a cozy home that already feels like mine just a few months after moving in. And, I have a schedule that lets me linger, truly linger, in prayer with Him both in the mornings and in the afternoons.

I am looking with thankfulness to my life, and I see much reason for gratitude.

Wretched Woman That I Am

“Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24). I am in agreement with the Apostle Paul. Wretched woman that I am! Jesus has to remind me to steer away from the same sins repeatedly. And then, I tend to minimize my sins before Him. Finally, doubts enter my mind. And all of that adds up to my pronouncement.

Paul would not have written it if it were not true. Oh, I am glad to find a friend in Paul—not glad that we both consider ourselves wretched or that we have existed in such states. But I am glad to know that Jesus saves those in our condition. How kind and gentle a Savior He is. Truly. He firmly steers me aright.

And from this view, acknowledging more and more of my real need for Jesus, the cross appears absolutely marvelous. That God would die for sinners, while still sinners! That God would die for me! It is beyond my understanding.

How I Love Jesus

Oh, how I love Jesus! He is all. Wonder of wonders. Master and Savior. Friend and Counselor. Guide and Companion. King and Lord. Ruler of all. Gentle Shepherd. He speaks to my soul with a calming voice. He arouses my attentions with commands. He enlivens my senses with His interactions. How I love Jesus.

There is no one like Him. There is no one who approaches His warmth, kindness, His power and majesty. Eternity will be marvelous—bowing before the one who condescended to love us.

I think about how God regretted that He made man (Genesis 6:6). But still, He came to die for our sins, to save us from wrath, for the joy! He is ever giving me the reorienting truths of His Word, and comforting applications of His kindness.

Jesus is my sweet melody. He is my reason. He is my Word. He is the one I marvel at. How I love Jesus!

Queen of Fears

Have you ever known someone with more fears than me? I would venture to say you have not. It is my fear that keeps me from greater closeness with Jesus. It is my fear that keeps me from communing with Him as I so desire to do.

Will you join me in condemning fear? Jesus did not give us a spirit of timidity—but of power, love, and sound judgment (2 Timothy 1:7). I can sometimes fear that I am not solidified enough in who I am, or that I will be swept away down a foolish path. But I put my faith in Jesus, who has led me out of every pit. I put my faith in Him that He would redeem me from anything that comes upon me, or any ways I am misled. He is the Shepherd who goes after the one lost sheep—and that lost little sheep is me.

I don’t fear losing my salvation because Jesus is my Shepherd. He has promised me eternal life. And, that is the future I have. I don’t fear being lost to sin, because I have a Shepherd who plucks me from the grip of the enemy. I don’t fear that I will develop a wrong pattern of thinking that will alienate me from God. For, Jesus is my perfect, never-failing intermediary with the Father. And Jesus straightens my paths—even my paths of thought. Isn’t He good? May I not be the queen of fears anymore. Amen.

With Jesus, I don’t need to fear.

He Wants Me

Jesus wants me. This, the foundation for life and living. He wants me in relationship with Him. He wants me to know Him. He wants me near to Him. He wants me to know that He rejoices over me with singing. He wants me to know that I am the apple of His eye.

Thinking about Jesus wanting me, wanting a relationship with me fills me—as with elation. Nothing is better than this: to know that the God of all creation, the eternal one with matchless name, wants me. And He wants me to know Him more; He wants to unveil more of Himself to me. I am wrapped in Him, in His wanting of me. It’s so good. Oh, I am happy in Jesus.

Do you know the sweetness of the presence of Jesus? Do you find yourself satisfied with Him every day? Cherish no sin in your heart, become a living sacrifice, live by faith and give all to find the sweetness of knowing Jesus and being known by Him. And I will keep these before my eyes too. Still, I know that He has wanted me from before all time, and that hasn’t changed through sin and doubt. He wants me.

He Honors our Faith

Jesus will never leave or forsake me. It’s what I know, deep down. Sometimes, the events of this world pull at me. And resultantly, I have less clear an image of Jesus with me, watching over me, and leading me. I fight to keep my sense of Him as near, as if before my eyes. I am richly blessed to know Him. And I want no enjoyments of earth to make my sense of Him and His goodness less crystal. I need faith.

My mind can also sometimes ache with anxieties. I ask Jesus for His comfort. He gives it. And I remember to put my faith, all my confidence of faith, in Him. How my mind is relieved at the exercise of faith! How near He is to my enlivened senses! How He honors faith! Never can we be disappointed by putting our faith completely in Jesus. He works through our faith. And many gifts come to us when we exercise it. How many saints of old have known this, lived by faith in the Master? And we can know it too.

He Calls Me Higher

I sat with Jesus this morning, near to His heart—where He tenderly and so graciously keeps me as His own. I sat and felt Him call my thoughts of Him higher. And my mind lifted; my disposition lifted. Who I am is so directly connected with who He is; I am in Him, united.

He wanted my mind to think of Him as noble, great, wise, high and lifted up. These thoughts should immediately follow from thinking of Him and His name. How much help my mind needs with regard to all things spiritual! But this is who He is—my mighty King.

So, I reflected today on Him as King of kings and Lord of lords. And I read about the millennium, in which He will reign for 1,000 years on this earth. I read about how He will shepherd with an iron scepter—in Revelation. He will establish righteous order on the earth. And, I read in Psalm 72 about His fame, and how the nations will glorify Him with gifts, and how He will reign from sea to sea and over all the earth. And I read about how He alone is the one who works wonders. No one is like our God.

Do you not long to see that day—when the whole world will give Him glory and will contribute to the greatness and fame of His name? What a contrast to this day! But the enemy is running out of time—and the day will soon come when our God will be glorified in His world and by the people He has made. How great is our God! Every knee will bow.

Lift, lift, lift my thoughts of You.

Nothing, But Crowned with Everything

When I imagine going to glory, I think of the song “Rock of Ages,” which says, “Naked, come to Thee for dress.” I think of flying to Jesus with absolutely nothing of my own. And then, I think of Him crowning me with everything precious and good. And this is His choice—to take me and my nothingness and crown me with this everything. May this precious image stay with me always. May I ever remember that I offer Jesus nothing. I come to Him naked, empty, lost, and vile—and He clothes me, fills me, finds me, and makes me clean.

My Jesus, my Jesus. Look what you have done for helpless me. Thank You, thank You, thank You for the welcome to glory that you are planning for me. I accept because it pleases You for me to accept your good gifts, for me to accept that You crown me with faithful love and compassion. And I accept because I am so needy for You. Thank You for wanting me.

He Works with Us

Jesus works with us. Have you noticed that too? He converses with our spirits, and He walks with us as we give what we have to offer—and He waits for more. He works goodness out of us through continual interaction.

This is the grace of God: that He hears us when we say we are concerned, that His ear is toward us when we say that we need help, that He makes the way for us when we don’t see the path forward. In all of these ways He works with us.

But I mean even something more—something I am just now learning experientially about Him. He does not give up on us when we are struggling to obey. He does not leave us when we are wresting and don’t have the perfect response to give to Him.

He works with me—He works goodness out of me, and doesn’t leave. It’s a grace that He affords that makes me marvel. For He deserves everything, immediately. But when I struggle, when I wrestle, when it takes me some time to obey, He still stays. Gracious God! Why does He stay with someone like me? But He does. He does. He does.

And I yearn for the immediate and perfect obedience of glory, and for immediate obedience here.

Coming Home

Coming to Jesus is like coming home. I want to know Him in a close way all of my life. I want to trust Him as my Lord and Master every minute. I want Him to know and feel from me that I follow Him alone. I think back over the course of my life: I don’t have anything to offer Him, not really. I have so largely built my spiritual life on self-righteousness instead of true humility and spirituality. But He has still sustained me and enabled me to get where I am today: with Him still. And I want to say so publicly: He has done it all in and for me. And I have done nothing.

Jesus, when you come to get me, when you come to take me home—it will be the happiest moment of my existence that I can presently imagine. In the meantime, may I build well: may I build with materials that last, that will withstand the purifying fire that is to come. You are so perfectly holy, so good and true—wise. What can I do but long to know you and be wrapped one day in your actual arms. Oh that day!

While you have me here, I choose to be a good follower of yours and take the lessons you have been teaching me, and live with you and for you. Never do I want to lose closeness with you—what a gift for this sinner saved by pure grace. Let me now build well, as you lead. I bow. I love you. Amen.

Surrounded by Love

I am thoroughly enveloped by the love of Jesus. Do you know what I mean? There is love all around me. I see it in the way He is with me: in the truths He brings to me, in the change He elicits in me, in the care and concern He has for me, in the reassurances—near continual—that He gives to me, in the answers of Himself He gives to my cries for Him. His love surrounds me.

I am safe in the love of Jesus. God is love. I’ve never known a love like His, like fire—so pure—like continual sacrifice—so giving—and like understanding friendship—so gentle and kind, such that I am baffled and have no mental category to place how He treats me. God is God. I fear Him. I honor Him. I worship Him. I enjoy Him. I love Him. I wait for Him, to know more—oh, that I may know more. I lean toward Him, that I may have more precious dispensations of knowledge of Him.

I place myself in His care and under His control. And He takes me ‘neath the shadow of His wing. Thank you, Jesus.

Press On

Press on. These are the words on my heart today. I don’t understand all that God has been doing in my life. But these I know: God has a good plan for me, God cares for me personally and dearly, God is with me, God sacrifices for me, God teaches me in love, God pursues me, God is drawing me to Himself, God is helping me walk closer with Him in the truth, God will never leave me, God has purchased me with His precious blood, and all is grace.

So, I press on. I will admit that I am weary some days, that my spirit seems to fold at times, and that I have to remind myself to fully assume my self and move into my life. But press on. I press on through being reborn, through knowing that I am not who I was, through letting the rebirth of Jesus wash over me anew. For then, I remember that the calling is heavenward. It is Jesus. And, I don’t want my hands to be empty when I see Jesus. I don’t want my hands to offer nothing to Him from this life. I want to hold out goodness for Him. So press on, toward the heavenward calling, toward fellowship with Jesus, toward reborn life. Press on. Look up, and press on.

Joy

Jesus is reminding me of joy. I can choose joy. I can choose to enjoy my relationship with Jesus. There is much I have to work on with Him. Much work in surrendering that I have to do with Him, and more. I want to be closer to Him than I am. But, I can choose to enjoy the sweet and close relationship that I have with Him right now.

Jesus has been faithfully with me, providing for me, protecting me, sustaining me through all of life’s trials. And I know that He will always be my ever-present help, as the Scriptures say. He will never leave me or forsake me. He has met me in my darknest moments to pull me up and show me that as long as I have Him—and I always will—I have hope.

I celebrate this relationship, this one closer than any other. This one who has opened my heart and my eyes, who has lifted my countenance, who has taught me how to have faith and know goodness and grace. I celebrate this relationship with joy, saying, “Look how far we’ve come, thanks to You!” and “Look at what we have together!”

I can rest and enjoy.

All the Treasures

It’s a verse that comes to mind again and again: “In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). Do you not also long to uncover more of the beauty and brilliance of Jesus? For all eternity, we will praise the treasures found in Him. I desire to see layer after exquisite layer of His wisdom and knowledge, the God-Man who died for us and lives to bring us to glory.

He is continually upending me with a graciousness and generosity I’ve never known, with a tenderness I’ve never felt, with a leadership that is wise, with provisions and answers to prayer that are love, with tastes of Himself that are otherworldly in goodness. He is beyond my comprehension, and I desire more, my God.

How lost are those without Jesus! How hopeless are those who do not find in Jesus their ultimate treasure! And this is the truth: in Jesus is the treasure of the ages that we will never exhaust. Drink of Him and be satisfied. Eat of Him and be full. He will be the wealth of all the nations, the focal point of all eternity, the Lord of the Sabbath. Seek Him, and find.

Jesus' Strength

Jesus allowed Himself to become vulnerable: a babe in a manger, one tried like us, submitting to the cross.

Can we agree that His meekness is ultimate strength? That His ability to be tender and meek is the way we are softened and brought to humility? And, it is the way we are saved. Let us hold his tenderness and meekness in highest regard—that His vulnerability allowed for the ultimate victory and His tenderness enables us to be reached in our sins. He pulls us out with His strong, ever-able arm, as we love more and more the humility of the God-Man and long to be like Him in His beauty.

Strength can be misunderstood. Strength is not necessarily dominance, though Jesus is God and demands all worship and praise. Strength is not necessarily being commanding, though Jesus commands us to follow Him and will defeat His foe with a breath. Jesus demonstrated strength in being unafraid of what was ahead for Him—in enduring the cross with joy. He demonstrated strength in His submission to the cross. This is frankly a strength that I don’t fathom. I am stopped.

He did what was necessarily to complete a mission of truth and grace—of love. And in His moment of greatest human frailty, His death, and His moment of greatest sacrifice: He triumphs. His very submission is the victory.