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A lot of people like to curl up with a blanket, hot cup of tea, and a good book during the cold winter months. Not me. I was pretty much comatose on the couch in front of Netflix, due to the tooth infection that never ended (it really did end. When I got my tooth pulled. I showed that infection.) and spending almost two months on painkillers because of it. All kidding aside, I would never be a good pill-popper. My pain pills not only rendered me unconscious and useless to a functioning society, they also gave me severe reflux and took away my ability to eat Indian food. *sad face*
I had good intentions to read a lot this winter, but it just didn’t happen. Now that I am feeling better, and have a new resolve to dedicate daily time to personal development, I have been reading at least 2-3 books a month. My lovely husband got me a Kindle Paperwhite for Valentine’s Day, and my old Bibliophile heart, that vowed to never love a book without a cover, has been reading books right and left.
So here is what I have been reading in March, and why you should probably read these books too.
How To Live In Fear by Lance Hahn is about a pastor’s journey to living with severe anxiety and panic disorder. A lot of people like to joke about their anxiety, or, “I’m so OCD, I can’t stand chipped nail polish!” True anxiety disorders are debilitating, and nothing to joke about.
The church is less-than-competent at dealing with a lot of issues, but mental health issues may be at the top of that list. My experience in churches is that there is a certain personality type that is catered to, and that personality type is not someone for whom even walking in the door is sometimes a major feat. Imagine being the pastor and leader of a church, and experiencing a full-blown panic attack behind the pulpit.
This book shares Lance Hahn’s personal story, but also gives tips for dealing with anxiety from a Biblical perspective. He doesn’t downplay anxiety – or its crippling effects. But he does remind us that, as Christians, we have hope.
We only ‘walk through’ the valley of the shadow of death – we don’t camp out there.
If you deal with anxiety or love someone who does, you will want to read this book, and it releases today!
First Steps To Wealth by Dani Johnson is the book my essential oils team is going through this month. Let me preface this by saying, I am pretty skeptical of books claiming to have the secret to life and wealth. But I am really glad I gave this book a shot, because it has dramatically changed my attitude and outlook on my goals and vision for my life.
She talks about the 2% and the 98%. 98% of people die broke and unhappy, while 2% leave a legacy. What’s the difference? Their vision. If you are a fan of Dave Ramsey’s some of these principles will sound familiar. She lays out 12 steps to wealth, like having a vision, and the law of reaping and sowing.
Whether you are into network marketing and direct sales, or just looking for a great personal development book, this is worth a read. Especially since you can get it for free here.
How To Have A 100% Organic Raised Bed Garden By Susan Shipe
The other day I was musing on Facebook about planting a bigger garden this year. Last year we planted several different things, but the only plants that survived a groundhog snacking escapade were the tomatoes. A few days later a package from my sweet friend Susan with her booklet on organic gardening.
If you are a newbie to gardening – raised bed or otherwise – this book is a must-read! She covers everything from her beginnings as a gardener who didn’t know what they were doing, to pictures of her beautiful raised beds and flourishing gardens now. She also has diagrams and recipes to use your newly-grown produce.
This is a great little read, and is free on Kindle Unlimited!
Simply Tuesday by Emily P. Freeman I added this book to my Kindle library a while ago, like when everyone else was reading it, but didn’t get into it. Remember, I was Netflixing!
Simplicity is an important value to me, so the theme of this book is really appealing. I’m not very far into it yet (these are a lot of books for just one month!), but the concept of slowing down and making the most of each moment is a great reminder.
I don’t want to live my life in such a hurry that I’m always closing the fridge door with my foot and scribbling out birthday cards in my car at the last minute. I want to make bread, or at least find the time to toast it.
On March 21 I am also starting this If:Gathering study called I Believe, which is a study of the Nicene Creed.
So those are my March reads! Have you read any of these books? I’m all ears for suggestions on what to read in April!
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