Books to Deepen Faith

Here are two of the best books I know of to deepen our faith in God and to grow in knowing him. Enjoy!

One Thousand Gifts

by Ann Voskamp

One Thousand Gifts is beautifully, exquisitely written - even poetic. Ann Voskamp transparently reveals her own struggles, traumas and failures but teaches us to look for a gift in all things. She learns to look for blessings even in the mundane events of her life. She teaches us to let go of control and trust God. This is a book to read over and over again. Some reviewers found it difficult to read. I did, too, at first. Until I slowed down and took my time. It's not a book to speed read. It is a book to slow down and enjoy every word, each so well chosen.

Lessons I Learned in the Dark: Steps to Walking by Faith, Not by Sight 

By Jennifer Rothschild

Lessons I Learned in the Dark is a profound book about living by faith. The author is afflicted with an eye disease in her teens which leads to blindness. She realizes she will never be able to drive. She wonders, will I be able to finish high school? What about college? Will I have a boyfriend? Will I ever marry?

Rothschild learns how to navigate with a white cane so she can be self-sufficient away at college. Two weeks before going to college she is gripped by fear. Her parents insist she go for two weeks. She goes and stays. In the book she gives twelve lessons she learned through high school, college, marriage and having a child. Her lessons are practical as well as faith filled, profound as well as simple.

For example in the chapter titled Remember What Matters she gives a method that taught her to memorize. This method has helped her on a daily basis to remember where things are. She learned that memory is more reliable than sight! She winsomely shows that we all need to memorize the truths of scripture for our dark times and the daily grind.

Walking in the Dark is full of wisdom and light for walking in a dark world. Jennifer Rothschild has overcome a tragic life-long affliction to become a beacon for others. She is a nationally known speaker and author both because of and in spite of the loss of her sight. Most of us have easier hurdles in life – but we all have some. Applying the lessons in the book will help you run the race and jump over or accept life’s hurdles.

She says “Sometimes it’s only in the adversity we dread that we begin to discover the kind of life we’ve only dreamed of.” Pg 16

“We live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7

Blessings, Dottie