October 2019 Christian Book Picks

These are my October 2019 Christian book picks in my favorite reading genre. They are great picks for men and women who want to grow in faith. I’d love for you to tell me which ones sound best to you in the comments below.

Breaking Anxiety’s Grip

Anxiety is at epidemic levels in our society today. But it doesn’t have to have a death grip on us. Dr. Michelle Bengston writes poignantly about her own struggles with anxiety in her most recent book. She also writes with authority as a certified neuropsychologist. Her book is filled with compassion, practical tips, and hope.

Dr. Michelle breaks down the big three monsters of fear, worry and anxiety in individual chapters. She then helps you say no to each one with great faith. I truly appreciate her chapter titled “God Is,” where you can meditate on God’s character to overcome anxiety. We can have victory by claiming God’s power and leaning into his love, which she describes in further chapters.

This book is unique because it offers “prescriptions” from Dr. Michelle in each chapter. She has also compiled playlists to give you extra peace. You’ll find links to helpful printables in the book too. It’s an excellent resource for anyone who wants to overcome anxiety.

I received a preview copy of Breaking Anxiety’s Grip from Revell.

Purchase on Amazon or ChristianBook.com

Bible & Breakfast

For the past 16 years, I have enjoyed one-on-one fellowship with God through 15 minutes in my One Year Bible and a cup of hot tea. This practice has transformed every aspect of my life. I never thought about it as having breakfast with God, but that’s exactly what it has been!

Asheritah Ciuciu makes breakfast with God easy in this new, gorgeous book. It’s a combination of devotions and recipes, along with beautiful photography of Asheritah and her lovely family. The recipes are healthy and wholesome. I haven’t made any of them yet, but as a chocoholic, I’m looking forward to the Double Chocolate Banana Muffins most. Many of the recipes are freezer-friendly, so you can make them ahead in preparation for busy mornings.

Each devotion is just the right length for busy women. You could use it exclusively for yourself or easily adapt it for family devotions. The book has room for you to fill out questions. However, I suggest keeping a separate notebook so you can preserve the beauty of this book and reuse it.

I can’t wait to use this book to spark family discussions after my one-on-one times with God. The breakfast casserole recipes are calling my name too! Such beautiful inspiration in this gift-worthy book.

I received a preview copy of Bible & Breakfast from Moody Publishers.

Purchase on Amazon or ChristianBook.com

The Long Walk Home

I’ve always been captivated by the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15. Matt Carter provides a new, important angle on this story for contemporary American culture. He compares our entire society to the prodigal son, who wonders what lies beyond the safety of his father’s home and heads into a life of indulgence. I appreciate his unique insights that are spot-on for this generation.

He provides interesting and sobering statistics about our culture, along with his personal story of how God transformed his life. It’s an engaging read that I had a hard time putting down. There are several spelling errors that could have been fixed with a closer edit. However, overall I enjoyed this book’s wise, yet down-to-earth perspective on a familiar Gospel story. If you have been intrigued by this Bible story like me, you’ll appreciate Matt Carter’s insights as well.

I received a preview copy of The Long Walk Home from B&H Publishers.

Purchase on Amazon or ChristianBook.com

When to Walk Away

Anything Gary Thomas writes, I’m reading. His research combined with powerful truths always hooks me. His newest book may be my favorite one yet. He uses Scripture to deliver helpful and healing advice that may sound different from anything you’ve heard before.

Gary Thomas says that he quotes Scripture more in this book than he has done in any other that he has written. I’m glad he did. He gave me brand-new insights into how Jesus dealt with toxic people. For example, Gary writes that Jesus delivered some of his most powerful teachings after Judas left the group the night before Jesus was crucified. The toxic person’s discharge made way for truth that was not deliverable up to that point. This insight, along with many others in the book, is helping me ask myself, “What am I missing out on from God by staying in toxic relationships?”

He tells us that he wasted 30 years of his ministry believing that standing up to toxic people was wrong. I have wasted many years of my life doing the same, and perhaps you have as well. Gary skillfully tells us how to become free from toxic people, using key scriptures and real-life examples from clients to teach us how. This is an invaluable resource if you are unsure about what to do with a destructive relationship in your family, friendships, workplace, or church. When to Walk Away is on my shortlist of my favorite books of 2019–it is really that good.

I purchased an Audible version of When to Walk Away on Amazon.

Purchase on Amazon or ChristianBook.com

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality

Even though this book was first published in 2014, I am just now getting my hands on it in 2019. How I wish I could go back in time and give myself a copy of it five years ago! It is a life-changing read that is bound to become a contemporary classic.

Peter Scazzero reveals how many of us are emotionally unhealthy, even though we may have spent years in church, attended Bible studies, formed a daily prayer habit, and practiced other Christian traditions. He hooks you with a powerful personal story of his own failings in the first chapter, and keeps sharing them throughout the book. I found this appealing, because he is humble in his approach with this hard-hitting news.

One of the most fascinating parts of this book is about a genogram. It’s like a family tree, but with emotional factors added in. When I prepared one of these for myself, I could recognize so many unhealthy traits that had been passed down unexamined through several generations. Since I deeply wish to break the destructive cycles in my family tree, this book is providing excellent insight and practical help.

I also appreciate his unique explanation about Jesus’ temptation, and the description about spiritual walls we must press through. This isn’t a fast read; it’s rich, deep and healing. It’s an ideal resource if you are going through counseling, or if you are counseling someone else. You can find many other companion resources to this original book by searching on either retailer below.

I purchased my own copy of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality from Lifeway.

Purchase on Amazon or ChristianBook.com

October 2019 Christian Book Picks

So, which book looks best to you? Please let me know in the comments below, and thanks for reading!

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