I often think of the value mentors have had over my life. I mean, incredible value. No way to properly say "thank you" value. I have had several people in "real life" to be thankful for, but also have experienced some incredible mentoring through books over the years. I didn't grow up in a christian home, and had very little to "look up to" in my own family, so the Lord has provided much mentoring to me through books.
John Piper, Kay Arthur and Beth Moore have woken early with me faithfully over the years and hundreds of cups of coffee, and led me deep into the Word and the heart of God. (See absolutely any book or Bible study written by one of them.)
Brennan Manning helped me to know, without a doubt, that no matter what I am covered and free in the grace of God. (The Ragamuffin Gospel)
The biographies of Isobel Kuhn, Hudson Taylor, D.L. Moody, The Schaeffers, Jim Elliot, and George Mueller (to name very few) have given me inspiration and awe at God's delight in providing for us and using our daily lives to do His will as we live a life of simple faith.
Elizabeth George and Martha Peace helped me shape a vision for my role as a wife. (A Woman After God's Own Heart, The Excellent Wife, respectively)
Sally Clarkson, Voddie Baucham, Elisabeth Elliot, and her Great Great Grandfather H. Clay Trumbull have spurred me on and provided excellent vision for my role as a mother. (See absolutely anything by Clay or Sally Clarkson, or Elisabeth Elliot, Baucham's Family Driven Faith, and Trumbull's Hints on Child Training.)
George MacDonald and G.K. Chesterton are just, well, incredible.
Noel Piper and Edith Schaeffer have given me valuable insights into how we can build traditions into our family's life and special occasions, and how to make our home special. (See Treasuring God in our Traditions and The Hidden Art of Homemaking, respectively.)
To be honest and less-serious, Pottery Barn has been a great help with finding my own decorating "personality", to make my house our home.
Dave Ramsey has had a tremendous affect on how we view our money, and in a world gone plastic, he encourages us that it's good to "act our wage".
America's Test Kitchen/Cooks Illustrated has taught me how to cook- really cook, and know why things happen the way they do and how to pick a recipe apart and know what's going on.
This is my short list. Would it be safe to say, I'm recommending these?
Who inspires you?
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
I'm just curious, but have you actually had any mentors that you personally talk with face to face? Thank you for this post! It speaks to the very heart of what I'm needing these days.
Wow - I never thought of authors as mentors but you're absolutely right. I would have to say Gregory David Roberts who wrote Shanatarm is a mentor for writing this incredible novel about finding grace and beauty amongst poeverty and despair.
I love this post and will be printing it out for when I need a new book! Am loving the Mission of Motherhood.
My Nana inspires me. She is an AMAZING Christian woman who has been through insane things (we are talking unthinkable) in her life and is the most devoted person to God that I have ever seen.
What a great post!
I just heard about Beth Moore last week. (I know, where have I been?)
But, I heard she is amazing, and I can't wait to pick up one of her books. :)
Again, what a great post!
This is GREAT. Now I can stop emailing you over and over asking you about another book:) I assure you, I will use these suggestions many times over.
Thanks, Megan!!
Post a Comment