picks-of-the-month-archives

Tramp for the Lord by Corrie Ten Boom

This book is so inspiring! Eric and I have been reading a chapter every night before bed. Tramp for the Lord picks up where Corrie’s first book, The Hiding Place left off, and chronicles her journey to travel the world as a minister of Christ’s love after she was released from a German concentration camp. Corrie’s simple childlike faith and trusting God to be exactly as big as He says He is reminds me what the Christian life is really all about. Tramp for the Lord is an easy, entertaining book to read and a refreshing breath of life to the soul!

Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill

If you want to be challenged and motivated unlike ever before – do not miss this powerful book filled with straightforward, earth-shaking Truth! Maybe it’s just because I am a blunt, no-nonsense kind of person, but Ravenhill’s thunderous approach really moves me and makes me want to stand up and applaud. Even though he writes in the authoritative old-time preaching style, you don’t feel that he is hitting you over the head with a brick. Rather, you feel like he is igniting a fire within the depths of your soul. If you take the Truth in this book to heart, your life will never be the same again! Why Revival Tarries can launch you into new depths of prayer, holiness and intimacy with your King. And BTW, this is one of the most quotable books ever written!

Project Rescue

“Women and children trafficked are considered commodities to be used and reused.” -Dr. Beth Grant, PhD, M.A. US Liaison for Project Rescue

Project Rescue is a multi-dimensional ministry that has pioneered a path of rescue for women and children captured by the horror of sex trafficking. They exist not only to rescue but to restore these victims through the love and power of Jesus Christ. They do this by offering the rescued women and children basic literacy training, Christian discipleship, counseling, vocational training and medical care. They also offer hospice care for women dying of AIDS. So far they have served over 1,000 victimized women and girls in India and Nepal. Plans are underway to open ministry sites in many countries of Eastern Europe as well. Jesus declared that He came to “proclaim liberty to the captives.” If you would like to find out more about this ministry that is putting hearts and hands to our Lord’s call, follow this link: www.projectrescue.com.

Quest for Love by Elizabeth Elliot

February is a great month to be reminded of God’s romantic side. Unlike many current Christian books on singleness and marriage that breed confusion and discontentment, this classic from Elizabeth Elliot creates awe at the beauty of God’s amazing ways, and builds a greater trust in Him. Quest for Love is filled with inspiring stories about God-scripted romance. Instead of making singles feel discontent, it reminds them what they are waiting for – and why they are waiting for God’s very best. It emphasizes the absolute necessity of a life completely surrendered to Christ and a heart that truly puts Him first. Even if you’ve read this book before, it warrants and second and third read. In today’s world, we continually hear the message “hurry up and script your own love story.” This book proves that by leaving the pen in God’s hands and letting Him have His way, we will discover fulfillment, joy and romance in its richest and purest form.

Bloom!

Bloom! is a great a new magazine that encourages girls toward Biblical womanhood. For the most part I have not endorsed or recommended modern Christian magazines aimed toward young women. Most I’ve seen tend to be shallow and promote a self-focused, mediocre Christianity. But recently the editors of Bloom! interviewed me for an article in their magazine, and I had the opportunity to look into their message and ministry. I was impressed by the magazine’s genuine focus on Christ, inspiration toward set-apart femininity, and encouragement toward an outward focused, poured-out lifestyle. Bloom! is published quarterly and can be a wonderful inspiration and encouragement in your set-apart journey. To subscribe, visit…

Christian Alliance for Orphans

Every year, the Christian Alliance for Orphans sponsors a conference called the Orphan Summit. It’s a wonderful place to go for gaining awareness of the needs of orphans both in the U.S. and around the world. Those who attend can connect with others in orphan work around the world and gain loads of practical information on getting involved either domestically or abroad. If God has been awakening you to the “sacred claim” dimension of the set-apart life, I would encourage you to pray about attending the Orphan Summit this year, April 30 and May in Dallas, TX. You can attend as an individual or with a group. For information, visit www.christianalliancefororphans.org/summit.

Set Apart Girl Conference

For those of you who have not heard – we will be hosting a Set Apart Girl conference event June 5-7 in Greeley, Colorado. I am so excited about this conference! It will be a chance to connect with set-apart young women from all around the world. I will be sharing an all NEW message (with some of the classic Ludy stuff mixed in) on practically living out the set-apart life. My husband Eric and my beautiful sister-in-law, Krissy, will also be sharing at this event. (You have probably read Krissy’s story on this website or in some of our books – she’ll be sharing her amazing testimony in person…you will be blessed and inspired just by hearing her talk!) As an added bonus, this conference will take place just a few weeks before my due date of Ludy baby #4 – so all of you who attend will get to share in the joy and anticipation of the next baby arrival! (Hopefully I will not go into labor during the event!) I hope to see you there! For detailed info and registration, click here.

ANSWERING THE GUY QUESTIONS

The Set-Apart Girl’s Guide to Relating to the Opposite Sex

Okay maybe it seems odd that I would choose my new book as this month’s pick! But I’m so excited about this message and I believe it can equip and encourage you in a powerful way. Answering the Guy Questions tackles some of the toughest questions I get asked about guy/girl relationships. It gets very specific and practical. It also addresses the issue of modern male mediocrity - it will give you a vision for how you can help the guys in your life experience true manhood as God intended it to be, in all of its glory, strength, nobility and honor. If you have every been discouraged, disgusted, depressed, or even defeated by the state of modern guys, this book can infuse you with vision, hope, and a practical means of doing something about it! I also love that this book is short and to the point - a very easy read if you don’t have a lot of time! Hope you enjoy it!

FIND THIS IN THE STORE

THE VOICE OF THE MARTYRS

As American Christians, it is all too easy to get caught up in our comfortable little existence and forget about the persecuted church around the world. Our Christian brothers and sisters overseas are facing violence, torture, torture, imprisonment and poverty because of their faith. Hebrews 13:3 exhorts us to “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them - those who are mistreated - since you yourselves are in the body also.” We are called to stand with these precious lives suffering for Christ, even from a distance. Voice of the Martyrs, the ministry that was started by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrandt (two of my spiritual heroes) is a wonderful tool to help us stay connected to the needs of the underground church around the world. At their website, www.persecution.com, you’ll find loads of information about the state of the persecuted church worldwide, as well as many practical ways that you can get involved to help them. Eric and I received their free Voice of the Martyrs magazine and it’s always such powerful, convicting, and eye-opening read! If you aren’t already connected with the Voice of the Martyrs ministry, I’d encourage you to check it out!

VISIT THE SITE!

THE SET APART GIRL CONFERENCE

June 5-7, 2009 in Greeley, CO

For those of you who have not heard – we will be hosting a Set Apart Girl conference event June 5-7 in Greeley, Colorado. I am so excited about this conference! It will be a chance to connect with set-apart young women from all around the world. I will be sharing an all NEW message (with some of the classic Ludy stuff mixed in) on practically living out the set-apart life. My husband Eric and my beautiful sister-in-law, Krissy, will also be sharing at this event. (You have probably read Krissy’s story on this website or in some of our books – she’ll be sharing her amazing testimony in person…you will be blessed and inspired just by hearing her talk!) As an added bonus, this conference will take place just a few weeks before my due date of Ludy baby #4 – so all of you who attend will get to share in the joy and anticipation of the next baby arrival! (Hopefully I will not go into labor during the event!) I hope to see you there! For detailed info and registration, click here.

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www.BRAVHEARTEDGOSPEL.com

The NEW Bravehearted Gospel website is loaded with powerful truth and profound insights into the current erosion of the modern church. If you have not yet read Eric’s book The Bravehearted Gospel – the Truth is worth fighting for, I would strongly recommend it! The Bravehearted Gospel is the foundation of everything that Eric and I believe. It’s the “deeper message” behind all that we speak, write, and teach. Whether you have yet realized it or not, American Christianity is in crisis. You can’t just walk into any evangelical church these days and expect to hear undiluted Truth. Rather, it’s far more likely that you will hear a sappy, watered-down, twisted redefinition of Christianity that tickles the ears but leaves the soul dead. We are not at a time of peace in modern Christianity – we live in an age when we must stand up and fight for Truth, even among the ranks of so-called believers. The Bravehearted Gospel can inspire and assist you in this life-or-death battle. www.braveheartedgospel.com presents a call-to-arms for anyone who is frustrated, confused, or disillusioned by the corruption of Truth in modern Christianity. It’s all about bringing the “manly stuff” back to the church – restoring the true Biblical, historical Gospel of Christ to our understanding of Christianity once again. At this website, you’ll find a collaborative blog from some modern-day men of God that know how to share undiluted Truth with thunder and authority. You see video clips that powerfully capture the essence of the true Gospel. You’ll find audio messages that can challenge and inspire you toward Christ like never before. I hope you will join our bravehearted.com community today – we need desperately need both men and women who are willing to bring back the “manly stuff” for the sake of Christ.

MUSIC

A lot of girls ask me what kind of worship music I listen to. It’s sometimes hard these days to find truly worshipful music that draws me closer to Christ – where the lyrics are grounded in truth, the music is tasteful and un-distracting, and the artist is humble and truly deflects attention back to God. But here are a handful of songs I’ve been listening to lately that have really blessed me in my times with Christ:

Sweet Jesus by Selah and Jill Philips is a beautiful, intimate worship song that I’ve listened to over and over again during my quiet times. The first time I heard this song was the night that we brought Kip home from the hospital. We’d just gone through the emotion of adopting a new baby and I had just realized I was newly pregnant – so this song reminded me to cling to my Savior for strength, peace, and courage.

You Are My Stronghold by Watermark expresses the principle of Sacred Fortification that I wrote about in Set Apart Femininity. When we abide in Christ, He offers us protection and supernatural strength from all that would try to thwart His purposes in our life. We are not to live a fearful, worried existence – but one that has a constant childlike trust in the King of all kings. I’ve found this song to be a refreshing reminder that fear has no place in the life of one who abides under the shadow of the Almighty.

Captivated by Vicki Beeching is an intimate worship song that turns my gaze to my Savior in a profound and powerful way. It reminds me of the old hymn “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” – letting the rest of the world fade into the background as we gave upon His glory and grace. I listened to this song a lot during our recent trip to California as I walked along the beach at sunset and pondered the majesty of my King.

The Scottish Chiefs by Jane Porter

Eric, Annie and I have been reading this book aloud for the past several weeks, and I have to say I believe it’s one of the most profound books ever written. It was first published in the 1800’s, so it takes a while to get used to the old-fashioned, flowery language. But one you do, it’s hard to put down! This book captures the amazing true story of William Wallace, fighting for the liberty of Scotland. Wallace exemplifies Warrior Poet manhood in a way that is almost unheard of in our modern times. In so many ways, the story is a picture of Christ and what He did for us. There is also a female character in the story that epitomizes true feminine mystique and Christ-like beauty. The Scottish Chiefs is a powerful read that leaves you longing to pursue the honor, nobility and self-sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I hope you will get a chance to experience this amazing story!

REVIVE OUR HEARTS MINISTRIES

A couple weeks ago, I had the privilege of traveling to Little Rock, AR to record radio interviews for Family Life Today and the Revive our Hearts radio broadcast with Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Eric and I greatly enjoyed our time there, and I was especially blessed to spend some time with Nancy and learn more about her passion for calling women to a deeper walk with Christ. Nancy has some wonderful books, radio programs and other resources on her website www.reviveourhearts.com - if you are looking for ways to take your intimacy with Christ even deeper, this is a great website to visit!

MUSIC

Last month I recommended a few of my favorite worship songs. Here are some more that I listen to often:

Before the Throne of God (Shane and Shane)

Jesus Paid it All (Aaron Keyes)

Psalm 62 (Aaron Keyes)

How Deep the Father’s Love for Us (Phillips, Craig and Dean)

Most of these are old hymns that have been re-made by modern artists. I don’t always like the way some modern artists re-cast the old hymns, but all of the songs above are truly reverent, worshipful and Christ-glorifying. Just yesterday I took a long walk with these songs on my IPod and it was like being ushered into His presence. Next time you feel overwhelmed or discouraged, I would highly recommend this as a way of being refreshed, renewed and reminded of who He truly is!

PUREFASHION.COM

I recently heard about a ministry called Pure Fashion – a program that offers teaching, mother-daughter teas, and fashion shows promoting modesty and purity for girls ages 14-18. I’ve been very impressed by their Christ-centered focus and the genuine love for young women that motivates their work. If you are a teenager looking for resources that can help you dress in a Christ-honoring way, or if you work with teen girls that need encouragement in this area, I would recommend visiting this great site.

GIRLS GONE WISE

I was recently introduced to a gifted author and speaker named Mary Kassian, and her website for young women, www.girlsgonewise.com. I’ve really enjoyed exploring the articles, blogs and book reviews on this great site, and have been encouraged and refreshed by Mary’s like-minded heart and passion for undiluted Truth. Mary unabashedly tackles the dangers of modern feminism and points her readers to true Biblical womanhood in a pull-no-punches way, much the way I do in my books. That’s probably why I feel she’s a kindred-spirit! (Eric recently featured her article on the dangers of the popular book The Shack at www.braveheartedgospel.com If you have a chance to check out Mary’s website, I believe it will inspire and motivate you down the narrow way of the Cross!

CHILDREN’S CUP

www.childrenscup.org is doing some amazing work with vulnerable kids in Africa and Vietnam. For some gripping stories and photos that help personalize the need of orphans around the world, take some time to check out this compelling website and consider helping this vital ministry.

HINDS FEET ON HIGH PLACES by Hannah Hurnard is an easy-to-read classic on the deeper Christian life. Simple yet profound, it’s an allegory of the journey Christ wants to take each of His children on - dying to self, overcoming fear, and being implanted with HIS divine enabling grace to live a victorious life for His glory. This book had a deep and lasting impact upon me many years ago as I was learning what it meant to live a set-apart life, and I’ve recently picked it up again and been equally blessed. It’s can be great addition to a time of prayer, worship and journaling – reminding us what intimacy with our King is all about.

APPOINTMENT IN JERUSALEM by Derek Prince

If you were inspired by Lydia’s story in this month’s article, The Sacred Opportunity of Singleness, here is your chance to read more of her incredible journey. This is a novel-like true story about Lydia’s life and ministry – written by her husband Derek years after they were married. Lydia’s story proves that we can never limit the amazing things God will do through one simple life that is yielded to Him!

WHEN GOD WRITES YOUR LOVE STORY - the 10-year revised edition

For those of you who haven’t heard, When God Writes has officially been out now for ten years! It’s so hard to believe. I have twenty-something girls who tell me that they read this book when they were in middle school and now they are married with a baby or two! This makes me feel kind of old! To celebrate this books 10-year anniversary, we’ve released an updated, revised and expanded version. It includes loads of new material and a study guide at the end of each chapter – perfect for small group discussion or personal study. To learn more, visit our STORE.

WWW.STARVINGSOUL.ORG

I was recently introduced to a great resource for young women struggling with eating disorders, insecurity, shame, perfectionism, etc. Through this ministry, Anita Couch shares her personal story of being set free from an eating disorder and finding her fulfillment and identity in Christ. Unlike many other organizations that focus on applying psychology, rather than Gospel-truth, to this area of women’s lives, starvingsoul.org is extremely Christ-centered. If you have struggled with these issues or know someone who is in the midst of this battle, I would encourage you to check out this website! www.starvingsoul.org

SACRED SINGLENESS, the Set-Apart Girl’s Guide to Fulfillment and Purpose

My NEW book on singleness has just been released! If you have read the articles in this magazine for the past several months, you’ll know that I’m passionate about encouraging single young women to use this season to the fullest for the glory of God. There are a lot of confusing messages out there today about singleness, and many single girls feel inadequate, incomplete, and insecure as a result. This book is filled with historical and modern-day examples of what God can do through a single young woman who is fully devoted to him. It also includes an interview with Krissy, my sister-in-law about her journey as a Christ-focused single young woman. I hope you will be blessed and encouraged by this message!

WRESTLING PRAYER, a passionate communion with God

Eric and I have also released a new book on prayer. It’s an inspiring message about the power of importunate, consistent, passionate, faith-filled praying. If your quiet times are need of a boost, this book offers an infusion of faith and confidence that can turn your prayer life upside down.

BRAVEHEARTED THOTS:

For those of you who haven’t been following our Bravehearted Thots – they are short, powerful audio/video messages that freshly inspire listeners down the narrow way of the Cross. Recently, we’ve organized and updated all the Bravehearted Thots here. If you want to gain a fresh vision for the Gospel-life you are called to live, I would encourage you spend some time watching and listening to these soul-stirring messages!

A MODERN-DAY AMY CARMICHAEL:

One of my friends recently introduced me to the life of a remarkable young woman named Katie – a twenty-one year old girl from the States who gave up her comfortable life in order to live in Africa and pour herself out on behalf of children in desperate need. She’s adopted several of children of her own. Her blog is inspiring and such a wonderful reflection of the true Gospel of Christ. It’s also a reminder that God can use any willing vessel for His glory – even if we don’t have a lot of training or experience, all we need is a fully surrendered heart. I’d encourage you read about Katie’s astounding journey: http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com.

TAKING ON THE TWILIGHT/NEW MOON CRAZE:

Someone recently sent me an excellent article, written by a college senior, about the dangers of the Twilight series. As many of you know, I’ve spoken strongly against these books and movies. I believe that when we participate these kinds of things, we are literally playing with darkness, no matter how “pure” they seem on the surface. (You can read my article on Twilight HERE). If you have been tempted to jump on the Twilight or New Moon bandwagon, or have friends or daughters who have become caught up in the craze, I’d encourage you to read this article by Molly Wyer, published on Breakpoint’s website: http://www.breakpoint.org/features-columns/articles/13509-new-moon-new-opportunity.