Friends, let’s read a book together this summer! I’ve always loved leading a group of individuals through a book during the summer months. Our conversations typically occur over a cup of coffee at my kitchen table or in a local cafe. But this year, I thought it would be fun to take the matter online. I wanted to connect with friends in other states and of course you, too. I chose what I think will be a fantastic book for us to dive through together and plan to have a weekly discussion with you (even if just two of us show up).
I decided that this summer I wanted to read Love Idol by Jennifer Dukes Lee. It’s subtitled “Letting go of your need for approval and seeing yourself through God’s eyes.” Here’s a snippet of what the book is all about:
We all want someone to think we’re sensational. We desire to be recognized, to be valued, to be respected. To be loved. Yet this natural yearning too often turns into an idol of one of God’s most precious gifts: love itself. If you, like so many of us, spend your time and energy trying to earn someone’s approval—at work, home, and church—all the while fearing that, at any moment, the facade will drop and everyone will see your hidden mess . . . then love may have become an idol in your life. In this poignant and hope-filled book, Jennifer Dukes Lee shares her own lifelong journey of learning to rely on the unconditional love of God. She gently invites us to make peace with our imperfections and to stop working overtime for a love that is already ours. Love Idol will help us dismantle what’s separating us from true connection with God and rediscover the astonishing joy of a life full of freedom in Christ.
Here’s how things will work. Each week, we will read approximately two chapters. It won’t be that hard even if you’re busy or not a big reader. Today, you need to grab a copy of the book – either from the library, a book store, on Kindle or order a physical copy. You have one week to read the Introduction, Chapters 1 & 2. That only around 30ish pages friends. No big whoop. NEXT Monday night at 9 pm EST, I’m inviting you to join me at a Google Hangout. If you’re anxious about technology, don’t be! Also, know that I’m learning how to use Google Hangouts right along with you. 🙂 Go ahead and click here to get the app downloaded or set a reminder on your Google account. Even if you can’t join us live, the hangout will be archived on YouTube and you can catch up at any point.
I’ll also be summing up my thoughts and sharing them here each Tuesday this summer, too. So even if you miss the hangout, you can interact with what you’re learning in the comments section.
Reading is SO important to your debt slaying journey. Books of value that grow your mind, your faith, your imagination – they will fuel your journey and can keep your heart content during a fierce battle. I have a feeling this book will do just that.
Here’s the tentative schedule for the summer.
June 16: Discuss Introduction, Chapters 1 & 2
June 23: Discuss Chapters 3 & 4
June 30: Discuss Chapters 5 & 6
July 7: Discuss Chapters 7 & 8
July 14: Discuss Chapters 9 & 10
July 21: Discuss Chapters 11, 12, & 13
July 28: Overall Reflections + a Special Surprise!
Crack out your highlighter, journal your connection to the text, ask a friend to join you. Let’s journey toward freedom together in this read!
Gain inspiration to pay off debt! Check out Inspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free on Kindle or Pre-Order Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After (due out November 2014).
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal or maybe even something for free, you also help our family pay off our mortgage early. And for that, we royally thank you!
[…] friends! I recorded a few of my thoughts from last week’s reading of Love Idol. You can watch them below (if you subscribe via RSS or e-mail, you’ll have to click over to […]