Reading

We are starting out the year with a collection of books on our "To Read" shelf.
Next up, "The Age of Opportunity" by Paul David Tripp (Ted's brother for those of you who have read "Shepherding a Child's Heart").  Reading this book has brought me back to my "More like Christ" goal time and time again as I contemplate what it means to parent a teen.  (Yes, in just a few short months Brian and I with be parents of a teenager!)  Really we can't expect too much from a teen if we as parents segregate our lives into secular and sacred.  (Well, we can- but we will be disappointed time and time again.)  We will drive behavior changes- and completely miss the most opportune time to impact our children's hearts.  The heart drives our words and actions, and ultimately what we think is hidden will come into the light.
Step One: Encourage vs. Criticize
Step Two: SEEK WISDOM vs. act foolish (most importantly in the way I parent)
I know myself well enough to know that I will not blog much about how step two is transforming my life, but I can recommend the book (even if you just read a few chapters, it is worth it.)  There is an interesting discussion on isolating versus entering culture and what culture really is...

Books on the "Read It" shelf for this year:
10 Second Rule
The Way of the Heart

Please leave a comment if you have been reading anything inspirational/ instructional lately.  We love suggestions.