Intentional Reading - Fourth Quarter 2025

Bible, Prayer, Intentional Growth, Writing, Literature

“I have found that trying to become more like Jesus yields better results than trying to become a better me.” ~Anonymous

Bible

ESV Psalms, Read by Kristyn Getty, is published by Crossway Books. [5 hours and 46 minutes] 5 stars.

It is a delight to hear Kristyn Getty read the Psalms with her Northern Ireland accent.

Psalms and Proverbs Audio Bible – NIV by Zondervan and narrated by George W. Sarris. [6 hours and 36 minutes] 4.5 stars.

Sarris is a dramatic narrator who reads thirty-one daily tracks, each comprising multiple Psalms and one chapter of Proverbs, for each day of the month. A pleasant listening experience in a devotional format.

Psalms and Proverbs: NLT is published by Tyndale and narrated by Mike Kellogg. [6 hours and 4 minutes] 4 stars.

It was good to hear the New Living Translation, but it’s not my preferred translation. A pleasant listening experience.

The Psalms provide emotional depth and spiritual connection, while Proverbs offer practical guidance for navigating life's complexities. When combined, they form a complete spiritual exercise, nurturing both our inner spiritual life and our outward interactions. ~C.E.

NASB Audio New Testament narrated by Stevens B. Stevens. [Audiobook 16 hours and 52 minutes] 5 stars.

Stevens is committed to reading the Word of God without sound effects or background music, giving a precise rendering of the New Testament in the NASB 1995 edition. The books are not listed, but both the books and chapters are quietly announced at the beginning of each chapter. There are 260 chapters.

1, 2 Peter – 1, 2, 3 John – Jude, The Word of Promise Next Generation Audio Bible: ICB by Thomas Nelson. [Audiobook 1 hour and 4 minutes] 4 stars.

A word-for-word reading by young actors with enjoyable musical accompaniment and dramatic special effects.

The Passion Translation: The NT with Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Songs by Brian Simmons. Audiobook narrated by Brian Simmons. [36 hours 23 minutes] 5 stars.

Brian Simmons reads the NT with instrumental music playing in the background. Simmons adds a historical summary before reading each new book of the Bible.

Letters from Heaven by the Apostle Paul by Brian Simmons. [2 hours and 41 minutes] 5 stars.

Simmons highlights Paul’s writings by reading Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and 1 and 2 Timothy. This is a pleasant listening experience and a good rendering of Paul’s letters. Simmons reads with instrumental music playing in the background, and he adds a historical summary before reading each new book he highlights. There are 36 chapters.

I hope you will take the opportunity to experience the Word of God through audio Bibles, which are a tremendous resource for “reading” the Bible multiple times throughout the year.

I enjoy listening to the Bible while sitting indoors, cooking, cleaning, and driving.

You can pick your favorite translation and decide if you prefer it with or without musical accompaniment. I enjoy alternating between translations and reading styles, as each offers a “fresh listening experience” of God’s Word.

So teach us to number our days, so that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. ~Psalm 90:12 NASB

Prayer

I asked Him to give me the prayers He wants me to pray and to give or withhold anything according to His plan for me. Nothing is too big to ask Him. It is God’s business to decide if it is good for me. It is my business to obey Him. ~Elisabeth Elliot

Prayer – Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God by Timothy Keller and narrated by Sean Pratt. [Audiobook 9 hours 4 minutes] 5 stars.

Prayer is both conversation and encounter with God. ~Timothy Keller

Prayer turns theology into experience. ~Timothy Keller

The infallible test of spiritual integrity, Jesus says, is your private prayer life. ~Timothy Keller

Paul’s Prayers – 30 Powerful Prayers to Ignite Your Prayer Life by Lisa Kay Hailey Blair. [Print 87 pages; Kindle 205 pages] 5 stars.

Blair does a two-page layout of Paul’s Prayers. Each contains five sections: Prepare Heart, God Insights, Keys to Understanding, Prayer (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication), and Take Away.

This was a labor of love written by me in 2023. It is an excellent resource for studying the Apostle Paul's prayers. And a wonderful springboard for praying.

On Earth as It Is in Heaven: How the Lord’s Prayer Teaches Us to Pray More Effectively by Warren W. Wiersbe and narrated by Mike Lenz. [5 hours and 5 minutes] 4.5 stars.

The Father hears us and knows our needs even before we ask. The Son intercedes for us and knows how we feel in every situation. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us and directs our requests according to the will of God. ~Warren W. Wiersbe

Intentional Growth

To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven. ~Ecclesiastes 3:1 WEB

On Being a Servant of God by Warren W. Wiersbe and narrated by Adam Verner. [4 hours and 12 minutes; Kindle 146 pages] 4 stars.

Wiersbe addresses principles of life for ministry leaders. Topics include: effective ministry, pitfalls, dealing with failure, managing success, staying in the Word, loyalty, integrating ministry and family life, etc.

Wiersbe approaches these principles like a “fireside chat” or as an older, wiser minister sharing his wisdom with someone new in ministry. The primary audience is ministers, but this book could be helpful for any lay leader who guides a group, as it addresses the heart, the mind, and work-life balance.

Wiersbe offers sound advice, religious reflections, and spiritual acknowledgements of walking in faith.

Everyday Faithfulness – The Beauty of Ordinary Perseverance in a Demanding World by Glenna Marshall and narrated by Nan McNamara. [4 hours 39 minutes] 4.5 stars.

Marshall speaks to the needs of discipleship. This would be a good resource for a new Believer. And it would be an excellent resource for a Believer struggling to discern the difference between legalism and walking in the disciplines of the faith to grow.

12 Faithful Women: Portraits of Steadfast Endurance by various authors and narrated by Sarah Gammage. [5 hours and 15 minutes] 4.5 stars.

The twelve women are: Helen Roseveare, Helen Ahn Kim, Sarah Edwards, Corrie ten Boom, Phillis Wheatley, Susannah Spurgeon, Wen Wei Chieh, Catherine de Bourbon, Lillas Trotter, Hannah More, and Joni Eareckson Tada.

I learned interesting details about each woman and her walk with the Lord. Each life shines the love and light of God in her own way.

Walk a Little Slower " was written and narrated by Tanner Olson. [1 hr 50 minutes] 4.5 stars.

Olson had me alternating between bursts of laughter and tears. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to his thoughts on life. Olson’s poems reflected childhood memories, personal growth, intentional living, and love.

Writing

Many Christian writers feel guilty about ‘promoting’ their work. It feels like vanity to ask for attention in a noisy world. But lighting a lamp just to hide it under a bowl is not humility. When your goal is to feed the hungry, visibility isn’t vanity. It is stewardship. ~Grant Herbel

The Writing Life by Annie Dillard and narrated by Tavia Gilbert. [Audible 2 hours 37 minutes] 4 stars.

Pulitzer Prize winner Annie Dillard shares her insights about the writing life. A humorous, tongue-in-cheek book about the art, craft, and task of writing a book.

It should surprise no one that the life of the writer is to the point of sensory deprivation. Many writers do little else but sit in small rooms recalling the real world. This explains why so many books describe the author’s childhood. ~Annie Dillard

Writing with Heart: Crafting Stories that Connect with Your Readers by C.A. Mason. [Kindle 122 pages] 5 stars.

Mason calls us to authentic writing. Setting parameters for writing about trauma in a vulnerable, yet life-giving manner.

Literature

I enjoy reading Joe L. Wheeler’s Christmas in My Heart series. Wheeler’s print books feature delightful drawings, and his audiobooks provide a great listening experience while cooking or relaxing.

I highly recommend these collections of turn-of-the-century Christmas stories, available in multiple volumes and formats.

Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of His grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace. Every day should be a day of relating to God on the basis of His grace alone. ~Jerry Bridges

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! ~Lisa