Books And Beats 9/25

Happy Monday, friends! Here at The Five Sixteen Co. we have a mission to equip you with truth and resources to let your light shine -- so, we're popping in to do just that! Here are a few books, beats (music), and Bible verses to carry you through the week.

Books we're loving:

Pilgrim: 25 Ways God’s Character Leads Us Onward by Ruth Chou Simons

Don’t walk, run to get this new book from Ruth Chou Simons. Twenty-five theologically-rich and gracefully-written devotionals interlaced with Scripture, hymns, and beautiful artwork to encourage even the weariest of hearts. It is a must-read and would make a wonderful gift for moms, sisters, and friends.

Surprised by Joy - The Shape of My Early Life by C.S. Lewis

I’ve been on a real C.S. Lewis kick lately. Most recently, his spiritual memoir, Surprised by Joy. If you enjoy his other works like The Chronicles of Narnia series, Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, etc., I encourage you to dive into the story behind the man who wrote them.

Beats we can't get enough of:

Have Mercy by Paper Horses

When some of your favorite artists join forces and start a band, it’s hard to listen to anything else. Leslie Jordan, Jess Ray, Taylor Leonhardt, and Sandra McCracken are incredible storytellers and lyricists on their own - together, they are even more wonderful. Paper Horses is the perfect folky blend of each of their voices and musical styles. They’ve released three songs so far: Have Mercy (my personal favorite), Hope Has Come Near, and An Honest Word - each song draws your mind to the honest struggles of a Christian and anchors your heart to the hope-filled truths of the gospel. I can’t wait to hear more from this group.

to know you - Citizens

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about Christian music - about the lyrics, the melodies, the accessibility of their music to be translated from streaming platforms to church settings. This release by Citizens is a clear picture of what it looks like for an artist to release an awesome full-production version of a song and a version that an average church can actually use. I’ve had both versions on repeat recently, particularly when I’m alone in the car where no one can hear me sing along at the top of my lungs.

Bible verses we're meditating on:

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” - Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬-‭16‬