National Women's Missionary Auxiliary

Literature Recommendation, Cindy Allen 3^rd Vice-President

 I wanted to share with you a Bible study series  that my Sunday School class has enjoyed, and I think it would be equally great for WMA ladies.  The series is Explore the Bible edited by Dr. Tony Evans.  I have used Nehemiah, Exodus, and Matthew.  The series is informative and easy to use.  It is published by Lifeway and can be ordered online at lifeway.com.

Also, I want to remind everyone about The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.  I read the book years ago, as I’m sure many of you did.  This year I have been reading it again and it is still a GREAT book.  I highlighted lots of good information the first time I read it and I am finding this time new things are jumping out at me. 

Isn’t God great how he reveals what we need just when we need it?

Sheila Walsh knows this feeling all too well—and the hiding and shame that result from it. But in this six-session video study, she shows how using spiritual disciplines such as confession, prayer, and meditation on Scripture helped her break free from this cycle of despair and experience newfound joy as a child of God—fully known, fully loved, and fully accepted. She reveals that while we will never be completely “fixed” on earth, God’s power can be made perfect in our weakness. He is waiting to accept us—having already promised to love us, heal us, and carry us through to the end. Our brokenness can be the beginning of something beautiful, and accepting the fact that we are broken can be the key to finding God’s strength in the middle of the mess. This study guide includes video discussion questions, Bible exploration, and in-between session study materials that will help you practice the spiritual discipline Sheila is discussing each week as she leads you and your group members through the journey of brokenness. Sessions include:

 

Tow Sacks by Buddy Johnson

Buddy Johnson is no stranger to many in the BMA.  He spent most of his life on the mission field in Mexico, planting churches and loving people.  In this autobiography, he shares the call that God placed on his heart during an event filled trip to Mexico in 1971.  The road was not always easy but the blessings were abundant, not only for Buddy but for many, many villagers in Mexico.  You will meet interesting characters, fall in love with the family, and learn some great history.  But most of all, the book will remind you that God has some task for all of us and if we have the courage to follow him, he will certainly “lend us Tow Sacks” too.   And as Buddy reminds readers at the end of the book, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Matt 9:37-38

I joined the prayer team at church, and I will be honest, it wasn’t because I am the greatest prayer but because I wanted motivation to do better in this area.  The leader of our group bought each member a book by Priscilla Shirer, Fervent: A Woman’s Battle Plan for Serious, Specific, and Strategic Prayer.  This is one of the most exciting books I have read in a while.  It is broken in to 10 strategies to a better prayer life.  Each strategy is combating a device the devil uses to weaken not only our prayer life but our Christian walk.  I have not made it through all the strategies but I am soaking in the ones I have read and trying to apply them to my life.  I think this book would be a great study for any individual or group.  It will be a great addition to this study to view the movie War Room.