Reading, Writing & Pondering

  Steadfast Through the Psalms by Lauren Mitchell is a study of the Psalms with readings for both morning and evening for each day. I like that there are twice daily readings, rather than just once a day.  Steadfast Through the Psalms starts out with a section with the author explaining how the book is intended to be used. Then it is divided into six sections--Focus, Praise, Identity, Sin, No Fear, and Destiny. Each reading then includes Scripture and a prayer with space to write your own prayer for each day. I am a writer so I like that idea of writing a prayer each day. I have done similar work in the past and always found it to be helpful to me personally.  At the front of the book, the author says that this information may or may not be new to you. However, the key is to apply what you learned each day. A lot of times we know things but we don't apply it, the author said. I think there is truth to that. I think this would be a nice book to use through the Easter sea...

  Have you ever been stuck in a pattern of negative self-talk? I admit that I have in the past. I do better most of the time now but there are days it can still be a challenge. Maybe we all have those days? Being Fully Known starts off with an introduction where the author explains how she hopes the reader will use the book. The book is divided into three sections and she suggests reading the book over the course of three weeks (21 days) so each section would take a week. She also encourages readers to read the book with another friend or two. This could also be a good book for a study group to use together.  Being Fully Known has three main sections: Beholding, Belonging and Becoming. I previously read this author's book, Sacred Rest, and she shares about that book in this one. I like how she writes in such a way that I feel like she is chatting with just me. She also has a way of bringing things to light. I think I find it easier to rest than to let someone truly know me, ...

I started reading books by Dan Allender about 27 years ago. I learned about him from a Christian counselor that had studied under him. Since then, I have read most of his books. I always learn something from his books. The Deep-Rooted Marriage by Dan Allender and Steve Call is a truly insightful book full of practical advice and many personal stories.  "Story"  is a theme running through many of the books I have read by Dan, including this one. We all have a story that starts with our birth. When we get married, we bring our individual stories together to start a new story together, so to speak, forged of two people. Through this author, I also see story themes in the Bible and this book also includes some Biblical references but it also makes clear that God is not out to shame us and also talks some about spiritual abuse. My family of origin was bathed in shame so I think this is a key reason I like his books. I always feel "safe" with the author's words when ...

  Breaking the Patterns That Break You: Healing From the Pain of Your Past and Finding Real Hope That Lasts by Tori Hope Peterson •  Publisher:  Thomas Nelson (February 4, 2025) •  Paperback:  240 pages At some point everyone finds themselves wondering,  Why do I keep falling into the same patterns that leave me feeling broken? Will I ever move past the pain and experience healing? Is there something wrong with me? While Tori is most known for authentically sharing her childhood journey in and out of the foster care system, in her new book she vulnerably shares the profound ways she finally found relief and healing from the pain of her past. As she marries vulnerable storytelling, therapeutic insights, and biblical teaching, Tori will make you feel as though she’s sitting across from you, holding your hands, and inviting you into a journey that changed her life and can change yours. In  Breaking the Patterns That Break You , Tori gently sho...

    Here Be Dragons by Melanie Shankle wasn't in my schedule to read this week. I just found out about this new book and since I am pre-approved for NetGalley, I immediately downloaded it and it was just what I needed to read. In Here Be Dragons , Melanie tells her story about growing up with the first "mean girl" in her life--her mom. She leans into her story to heal so she can better guide her daughter through the "mean girl" years in high school. The book's name comes from medieval times, when uncharted waters were marked on maps as Here Be Dragons to signify that no one knew what dangers might lie ahead. Similarly, in life, we don't know what dangers lie ahead, especially when our children start middle school or high school.  Melanie wanted to raise her daughter, Caroline, to use her innate skills to be a strong warrior and to also look to God to help her fight her battles. However, before she could really help Caroline learn to fight, she had to h...

    The Adventure Bible and Adventure Bible Guide help bring the Bible to life for kids. The Bible is in the NIV version and has the full text. It could really be enjoyed by someone of any age. However the side bars do target children. This Bible was my son's favorite Bible growing up and now they have updated it and added the guide to go with it--which I think is truly helpful. It is full of helpful Bible information in a bright, vibrant way that is also in bite-sized chunks for better understanding. I also like that they added the Adventure Bible Guide as a companion to the Bible as the kids can learn so much from both. I think they would make a great gift--maybe even an Easter gift, since it is coming up. Adventure Bible Guide: Explore the Stories, People and Places of Every Book in the Bible – an ideal companion to the NIV Adventure Bible:   Explore the Bible like never before! This companion to the bestselling Adventure Bible gives young readers the key detail...

  Yours, Not Hers by Kari Kampakis is a teenage girl devotional that I think could benefit pretty much every teenage girl out there. Yours, Not Hers includes 40 devotions encouraging girls to stop comparisons and love their own life. In the introduction, Kampakis shares, as a speaker, how she meets lots of teen girls. She is also raising 4 teenage girls. She said she thinks the world today is harder and darker than in previous generations. Teen women need a lot of support and encouragement to make it in this world today. This book can be a source of encouragement.  I like that Yours, Not Hers is an guided journal. I think many of us can discover more about ourselves when we pour our words on paper and reflect on them--more so then when we just sit and ponder ideas. Each day's reading starts with a Bible verse, then a story related to the verse that young women can hopefully relate to, space to write and answer questions, and then a final thought on the issue of the day from...

Things have been stressful in my part of the world the past few weeks. As a result, I have been looking for lighter reads. Maybe you have too? First Love, Second draft by Becca Kinzer is her third rom com book.  First Love, Second Draft focuses on a divorced couple--Gracie and Noah Parker. This couple started out happily married and then several years later, struggled with infertility/miscarriage and the marriage dissolved. Those issues are dealt with in this book, so there is a bit of heaviness as they seek to work their problems out. However, much of the book is indeed a lighter read.  Gracie is on deadline and she took a fall from a horse that resulted in some injuries. Noah has a break in his baseball career so he returns to the small town in Illinois where Gracie lives to help her out. Along with watching this couple navigate life, the reader gets to watch Matt and Rachel as they try to decide if they want to move from friendship into more. There are other characters in ...

    Where I Found You by Betsy St. Amant is one of my favorite reads this year so far. I love that it is a mix of mystery, romance and quirky Southern small-town characters.  Noah Hebert's grandfather passed away a few months ago and left him an old inn, which Noah has been working to restore. The restoration is taking a lot of his funds so when Noah's lawyer lets him know there is more inheritance to come---if he can only follow the clues to solve the puzzle. Magnolia Blossom Cafe Manager Elisa Bergeron is surprised to also get notice from Noah's lawyer that she too can have part of the inheritance if she works with Noah to solve the puzzle. After some challenges at work, she really feels like she needs the money.  The real challenge is that the Bergerons and the Heberts have been in a feud for a few generations. Along with that, Elisa and Noah had a summer romance years ago but let their families drive them apart. Can they work together now?  I have always lo...

  Heather Kaufman has a way of bringing the Bible times to life for me through her books. Before the King is not exception. This is Joanna's story. Joanna's family is wealthy and they work to be accepted among the higher circles around Herod at the time. However, they harbor a secret. Joanna's sister has an illness that was not only misunderstood at the time but it was feared.  In time, Joanna meets a rabbi who preaches a new kingdom and heals the sick. I love the interactions with Jesus of Nazareth. It helps me see what that may have truly been like as I read this book. I liked how well the author portrayed some of the family dysfunction at the time as well as the challenges of an illness like epilepsy in that era. I think her writing is well-done. The story kept me turning pages. I also enjoyed the romance that developed in the book. If you enjoy Biblical Fiction and have not yet read one of Heather Kaufman's books, I highly recommend Before the King . I received a ...

    You are the Boss of You: Cultivate the Mindset and Tools to Live Life on Your Terms •  Publisher:  Regalo Press (February 4, 2025) •  Hardcover:  272 pages From the founder of the multimillion-dollar wellness company Alaya Naturals comes  You Are the Boss of You , the A-to-Z guide for living an empowered, purpose-driven life inspired by your most authentic self. You Are the Boss of You  is a uniquely actionable and compassionate body of wisdom that addresses the ten most essential building blocks of a truly inspired life: · Defining boundaries · Soothing yourself · Softening perfectionism · Redefining your self-concept · Honoring sleep · Healing trauma · Feeling it all · Creating your rhythm · Advocating for yourself · Building your future In this uniquely refreshing guide to accessing emotional freedom and connecting with your inner guidance, Shauna Brittenham Reiter takes readers on a deep-dive into the process by which she relieved her...