Kari's Blog

Quite a while back Andrew and I started talking about how we had the desire to study something together. After thinking about it a while we decided to start reading books together…no, it’s not like we sit around every evening reading aloud from our book selection…but to read a book that would help us grow closer to God, and in turn grow closer to one another.

Total Forgiveness by R.T. Kendall was our first book to read. We would read a chapter a week and then come together to discuss parts that were interesting to us or challenged us. Let me just say, it has been a great experience. So many times he sees things in ways that I do not, and we are able to challenge and encourage each other through that. And man, oh man, did that book challenge me! I always thought I knew how to forgive people, until I read this. It’s like…”what? you want me to forgive that person who said nasty things about me and then pray for God to bless them???”  From personal experiences, the Bible and Jesus’ example R.T. teaches you what total forgiveness is, how to know you’ve totally forgiven, when you are right to judge, forgiving and forgetting, and then how to forgive totally. It’s an awesome book, I recommend that everyone read it.

The book we are reading right now is called Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper. I read this book during college and loved it and now am excited about reading it again. It’s amazing how being in a different point in my life can make a book I’ve already read seem brand new. Right now I’m thinking and praying about this: “But whatever you do, find the God-centered, Christ-exalting, Bible-saturated passion of your life, and find your way to say it and live for it and die for it. And you will make a difference that lasts. You will not waste your life. ” (Piper) Whew! These are the kinds of things that Andrew and I talk about with our books. What a great way to grow closer together! I recommend this book as well.

And on top of that I plan to do some easy reading. Dana (my mother-in-law) gave me a book series that she likes so I think I will try that out! I love reading during the summer and am really looking forward to it!

So, go out and get those books and…Happy Reading!