Theologically Deep and Sweetly Relatable Books By Women in 2017

One of my greatest joys is reading theological substance written by other women. I love gleaning Biblical wisdom from my sisters. Below are some highlights. May I encourage you to purchase one or two for the ladies in your life for Christmas? It’s well worth the investment in their spiritual lives (or your own!), not to mention the importance of supporting the publishing of theological depth by and for women. 

Refresh: Embracing a Grace-Paced Life In a World of Endless Demands by Shona and David Murray

This book communicates important and deep truths in an easy-to-read way. I actually managed to read it during breaks backstage while helping with my daughters’ musical. I felt like I was receiving wisdom from a big sister. I don’t know one woman who doesn’t experience at least some stress everyday from the demands placed on her life. We’re all rushing to make dinner, get to Pilates, finish Bible study, get the birthday gifts in the mail, tuck our kids in, go on dates with our husbands, and make organic, locally sourced, fresh snacks for all our guests.  

Shona and David Murray approach the exhaustion of this life with the timeless grace offered through Christ alone. Shona, herself a medical doctor, mother of five, pastor’s wife, and a woman who recently experienced a real physical and emotional burnout, delivers grace and life to the reader. She doesn’t offer lists of dos and don’ts. The book will not leave the reader feeling more condemned or more behind, but rather refreshed. She offers a biblical perspective and frees us from the tyranny of the demands all around us. I dog-eared numerous pages so that I can return again and again. I love what she said about body theology, sleep, materialism, perfectionism, comparison, indiscipline, media intake, and more. She does not offer a magic formula. Rather, she helps the reader renew her mind to God’s good design for us, his daughters, to thrive. David Murray's book Reset: Living a Grace-Paced Life in a Burnout Culture is currently a Best Seller on Amazon and I believe Refresh should be too. 

I have zero reservations imploring you to get this book. For all the women. 

Wilderness Wanderings: Finding Contentment in the Desert Times of Life by Stacy Reaoch

Best read as a 25-day devotional, this book is chock full of the truths of scripture, historical accounts of how the Israelites wandered in the desert, and how we might apply these stories and truths to our own lives. Stacy writes in a way that is highly relatable, but also with theological depth—I love that combination! While it may seem to some that the Old Testament offers little to us today, I could see myself in each story as she shared the Israelites’ experiences and how they are similar to our daily walks as women in 2017. Stacy shows us that the Word of God is, in fact, useful for us now, even though it was penned thousands of years ago. 

Each day Stacy takes the reader through a brief story of the Israelites, a Biblical principle related to that story, and an example of how it might be rightly applied to ourselves. I found myself agreeing with and being challenged by her words on every page. I was especially struck by her words on contentment, coveting, complaining, fear, perseverance, joy in trials, pride, and more. 

I think this book would be a blessing to any woman (note, though, that it's not just for women! Don't be surprised if your husband grabs it off your nightstand for himself.). It might be especially encouraging to a woman who desires to get theological depth, but feels short on time because of her stage of life. 

Alive in Him: How Being Embraced by the Love of Christ Changes Everything by Gloria Furman

I love this book and reviewed it here earlier this year. I used it as a resource for teaching through Ephesians several times. It's a great read for anyone wanting to dig deeper into Paul's letter to the Ephesians and why it matters for us today. 

Keeping Place: Reflections on the Meaning of Home by Jen Pollock Michel 

Oh how this book made me weep in very good ways. It's the perfect read for a global nomad or anyone who longs for an earthly home or our heavenly home. I reviewed Keeping Place earlier this year here.  

Below are some other books you might consider reading or gifting. While I have not read them myself, many of them are in my queue on my nightstand. They've all been recommended to me by trustworthy readers and reviewers, so I know you can't go wrong. I praise God for these ladies who have faithfully served the Lord and the body by writing these books. It's no small thing to be a woman, theologian, writer, and servant in so many spheres at one time. I deeply respect these sisters and encourage you to read their words.