Reading, Writing & Pondering

  Are you looking for a good Bible study on the book of Ruth? The Way Home by Tessa Afshar is an in-depth study that would be great for either a group study or to do on your own.  The Way Home is a six-week study about both Ruth and relating the Bible to a life with sub-title of "God's invitation to  new beginnings." The book starts with an introduction from the author. Then the six week study sections. Each week includes five days worth of study with Bible readings, questions and prayer. I was also pleased and surprised to find a recipe section with recipes that Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz  may have eaten at this time in history. They looked to be easy to follow and fun to try--especially if you are in a Bible study group. I think it would also be fun with my family but I am a "foodie." There is also some extra sections in the back for those who are using the DVD with the study, which I did not do.  All in all I really liked this in-depth study. I found it to be help...

My Heart, Ever His by Barbara Rainey is a beautiful collection of prayers for women. What I especially love about this book is that it is beautiful to look at and the prayers are beautiful--but they are real too. My Heart, Ever His has 40 prayers in this book that are written to encourage women to talk to God honestly and openly. These prayers are transparent and so down-to-earth. I could relate to so much of what she was saying in them. In the introduction, Rainey invites the reader to think of these prayers as being in the same style as the psalms. Many times, the psalmists prayed honestly and openly baring their whole hearts. While the prayers are not all "happy-life-is-great prayers," they do include praises for God even though she stars some of them out honestly. It took her years to realize that God is not offended by our honest feelings and complaints but instead He knows our feelings anyway. However, she notes that the psalms almost always end in words of prais...

In Want and Plenty by Meredith McDaniel is a beautiful book--both in content and in design. Drawing from the book of Exodus and other Scriptures, McDaniel shares her heart and Scripture woven together to speak to Christians today. Each reading shares some encouraging words and Scripture for the reader to think about.  There are some questions also throughout the reading along with a set of questions at the end of the reading. In Want and In Plenty is designed to use alongside your journal in order to get the most out of it--in fact part of it is intended to be guided journaling. The questions at the end of the chapter are ones that truly provoke you to think about how things are in your own life. At the very end, McDaniel includes a song to listen to that goes along with the chapter. I like how In Want and In Plenty is designed. I like the gentle illustrations between the chapters. I like the questions that make me think. I like the song at the end that further helps me t...

I have been getting (In)Courage readings since they began and have often been inspired and encouraged by these on-line posts. While they are good to read, I am a huge fan of books (obviously) and it is so nice to have readings in a book form with the new Women of Courage forty day devotional . This new Women of Courage devotional book does have forty days worth of devotionals in it. Each one starts with a brief Bible passage, followed by a heartfelt reading, and concludes with a prayer for the day. What I especially love about this book is that each reading features a woman from the Bible--both Old and New Testaments. Some have names like Leah, Ruth, Dorcas, and Esther, while we don't know the names of others like The Bleeding Woman or the Woman Caught in Adultery. Yet, each woman teaches us something about courageous living for God each day. The Women of Courage Forty Day Devotional also groups each of the readings into topical sections so you can just be encouraged by wome...

There is a little circle in the upper left corner of the cover of Bible and Breakfast by Asheritah Ciuciu that says, "Feeding our bodies and souls together." I love that idea--of starting my days with Jesus and a healthy breakfast. Some days may not go as planned but this could be the goal for 31 mornings anyway. Bible and Breakfast is a beautiful book all the way around. The colorful pictures of healthy food dishes on the cover and throughout the book inspire me to eat healthfully and to spend time with both my family and our Bibles as we do so. This book starts out with an introduction to both the Bible reading plan and the recipes. There is also a section with frequently asked questions/answers in the beginning. Ciuciu addresses people of all ages that may be using this book and offers ideas on how to get the most out of it. She also offers ideas on how to get the most nourishment for your body from the recipes. Each devotional includes a "snack on the go"...

Do you struggle with some hurts or emotional wounds from your past? Joyce Meyer shares how she overcame past hurts of abuse, abandonment and betrayal in her new devotional, Healing the Soul of a Woman Devotional . Healing the Soul of a Woman Devotiona l is based on Meyer's book, Healing the Soul of a Woman . While it contains some of the same material, I especially like this devotional because it gives me just a portion of the material to think about every day for 90 days. Each daily reading includes a Bible verse, a brief devotional reading and is concluded with a short "Declare This" statement. In the introduction, Meyer encourages readers to say the declaration out loud. She says that there is something very powerful that happens when you believe and say the declarations out loud. She also includes a prayer that I like in the introduction that she encourages readers to pray before they begin the readings. I truly appreciate how down-to-earth Meyer is in her writin...

I spent a lot of my high school years as a people pleaser and being a "nice" girl. I wasn't a Christian yet, but I went to church and thought that was how best to get close to God--to be a good person and nice to everyone. Many of those traits continued after I became a believer. Sharon Hodde Miller tells us in Nice that that isn't exactly what following Jesus looks like. In Nice , Miller contrasts living a life of niceness to living a life in the Spirit of God and how those fruits differ. In the first part of the book, she shows us the fruits of in-authenticity, corruption, cowardice, cynicism, self-righteousness, and sentimentality. Interestingly enough, I found this book to be more convicting than I expected and was surprised to find that some of those traits applied to my way of living. As I have matured, I thought I had gotten rid of a lot of my people pleasing ways, but Miller showed me that I still have some work to do. In the second half of the book, she...

These past few years, my husband and I have done a lot of moving. I understand how it feels not to belong somewhere. More importantly, Kristen Strong in her book, Back Roads to Belonging , shows us she understands how it feels not to belong somewhere--and ways to feel more like you do belong. Back Roads to Belonging starts with the author's introduction. I especially like in the introduction where Strong points out that she doesn't expect that reading her book will leave you never feeling you you are struggling to belong again. Instead she says, "Rather, I believe this book will be a song for your heart and soul, a regular tune to come back to whose melody points you toward your Father in heaven who gives good gifts, including a sense of belonging." Throughout the three sections of Back Roads to Belonging , Strong shares her story of trying to feel like she belonged in various places as she moved around with her military husband. I so appreciate how she shares ...

Surprise! Do you like surprises? The Jesus Who Surprises by Dee Brestin offers a look in to how Jesus showed up in various places in the Old Testament and how He shows up today when you least expect it. The Jesus Who Surprises is a Bible Study through the Old Testament. It is divided in to three parts: How the Story Began (The Books of Moses), How to Live in the Story (The Psalms) and How the Story Will End (The Prophets). These three sections make up a total of 13 lessons. The beginning of the book includes a brief section on how to use the book and Bible study followed by an optional get-acquainted Bible study. In the back of the book, there are also facilitator resources with hints for leading a group and notes for each lesson. The Jesus Who Surprises is such a good study. I have done Brestin's studies in the past with groups of ladies and found them to be both informative and the learning fun. The Jesus Who Surprises does a good job of tying the Old Testament stories...

Sarah Beth Marr says in the introduction of Whispers and Wildflowers that hard work is a good thing and she doesn't recommend we go back to flip phones. However, in our busy world we could all use a retreat from our hard work and technology at times. Whispers and Wildflowers was written as a thirty-day retreat to enjoy day by day. Marr encourages the reader to slow down, savor Scripture and draw closer to God each of those days. However, she says to use the book however it works best for you. In Whispers and Wildflowers , Each day's reading begins with a a selection to read and reflect on for each day. She then has a couple of pages dedicated to journaling called Garden Moments for Your Soul. Then the reading ends with a prayer--and there is extra space to write more to the prayer or to write more thoughts about the reading. My husband and I love to garden. In fact, I used to garden with him for dates before we got married as he lived on an acreage and I in an apartment....

I have read that loneliness is epidemic in our society today. People are often mobile and moving more often. Then connection are often through social media and less often in person. But it doesn't have to be that way. Girls' Club by Sarah, Sally and Joy Clarkson tells how to make lasting friendships in our world today. Girls' Club is written by each of these women-- a mother and two daughter. Early on with her two daughters, Sally formed their Girls' Club. For this family, that meant that the girls got together on a regular basis and made a commitment to get to know each other better through talking, through time together and through special events that they attended together. In spite of some challenges through the years with moves, personality differences and occasional conflicts, the girls worked it out so they would be support system for each other. As an only child, I can't tell you how much this appeals to me. It sounds wonderful even with the challenges...

A Simplified Life: Tactical Tools for Intentional Living by Emily Ley is as beautiful as it is practical. It is a feast for the eyes and following Ley's guidelines would surely give peace to your home. A Simplified Life walks readers through the process of simplifying ten key areas of life: Space at home, personal style, meal planning, schedule, finances, hospitality, technology, self-care, motherhood, and faith in God. Through each area, Ley will help readers declutter distractions, put the tools in place to keep things running more smoothly, and help readers establish routines that work for their life. I wish I had had A Simplified Life when I was a young mother. Now my son is 16 and I have figured a lot of these things out on my own by now. However, I think this would be a great book for a woman in her 20s and 30s who is just starting her family and trying to keep everything running smoothly. Ley offers a lot of practical helpful tips. There are also a lot of lovely pi...

The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner is quite obviously the story of Sarah Hollenbeck. As the book starts out, Sarah isn't a Christian. Instead, she is living a rather interesting and comfortable life after having become the bestselling author of well-known steamy romances. As the story unfolds, Sarah accepts Christ and then must figure out how to live life after becoming a Christian and figuring out how to live for God after writing a "scandalous" book. It also doesn't help that Sarah has started attending a new church and a whole new set of struggles. I laughed out loud more than a few times while reading The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck . I don't think humor is easy to write and can sometimes come off sort of canned in fiction books--but not in this book. I am not sure I found Sarah Hollenbeck's life to be quite believable in a couple of places, but I did enjoy the story all the way through the book. It was a different sort of rom...

In our culture of perpetual selfies and Social Media "Look at Me" postings, Free of Me by Sharon Hodde Miller, is the counter cultural prescription that we need to read. Free of Me is divided into 3 parts. Part One: Self-Distracted shares much of Miller's story. Part Two: Seven Mirrors, talks about when we make seven areas of our life about us: God, Family, Appearance, Possessions, Friendships, Calling and Church. In Part Three: How to Be Free of Me, Miller talks about ways we can set ourselves free from loving ourselves so much and turn to loving God and others more. Each chapter starts with a quote, then goes into the topic and ends with a Focus Verse, a Focus Prayer, and Discussion Questions. Free of Me would be a great book for a book club discussion and these questions could be quite helpful. However, they are also good to just reflect on with a journal if you are doing the book by yourself. On the front cover of Free Of Me is an endorsement by Ann Voskamp...

 I am a huge fan of publication design both for books and magazines. My journalism degree included an emphasis in magazine design. Along with a love of publication art, I also relish good cookbooks. I have a fairly extensive collection that I read just like novels. With my interests, I found great pleasure in Leave Me Alone With the Recipes . Cipe (Pronounced C. P.)  Pineles was one of the most influential graphic designers of the 20th century. This  spent many years working for Conde Nast publications as their first female art director and even taught design classes, as well as other notable work. I found her story to be fascinating. The first part of the book tells her complete story, as much as the authors have known. The four women who collaborated on this project all have an interesting connection to Pineles and publishing themselves. The main part of Leave Me Alone with the Recipes features Cipe Pineles beautifully painted food pictures and hand-written fa...

Holley Gerth has been a favorite writer for many years. She always inspires me to be my best self. That doesn't mean I need to be perfect, rather I just need to be all ME. Fiercehearted is her latest inspiring book for women of all ages. Fiercehearted includes 40 chapters intended to encourage women to become more Fiercehearted. You may ask, just what does it mean to be a Fiercehearted women? Gerth will tell you just what that looks like in the most beautiful eloquent prose at the start and the end of the book. Then each reading will show you a bit about what that looks like in her life. Each chapter is it's own story that stands alone so this is an easy book to pick up and read any time. I liked reading it at the end of each day to give me something good to think about before going to bed. They would also be a great way to start the day, along with your devotional readings. At the end of Fiercehearted , there are discussion questions to go along with each chapter, which ...

Church of the Small Things by Melanie Shankle from The Big Mama Blog tackles the question we women all ask, "Is my ordinary, everyday life actually significant?" I know right now it is hard to imagine my less than glamorous life as having any significance, but Shankle shares how God actually does care and He uses the ordinary in my life for good things. In Church of the Small Things , Shankle shares her life stories with a sense of humor to remind us all that we can find meaning in the mundane and ordinary moments may truly be the most special moments when all is said and done. At the end of several chapters, Shankle has fun lists that are darn near worth the price of the book alone: Things I Wish I'd Known about God When I Was Younger,  Things That Keep Me Up at Night, and Things I Wish I'd Known When I Became a Mom, and more. I'll be honest, Shankle is close to my age. I totally get her humor and her stories that include some childhood reminiscing that I...

Women Who Move Mountains by Sue Detweiler invites women to pray with more confidence, boldness and grace, as the cover says. However, Detweiler also says that this book is a book inviting readers to be real with God and to receive his Strength and healing where it is needed through prayer and conversation with Him. This first part of Women Who Move Mountains has 21 chapters about learning to pray more intimately with God. This book has guidelines to go through the book yourself or to be a part of a women's study group. The odd-numbered chapters explain how to transform your relationship with God and share stories of women today and in the Bible who "moved mountains" with their prayers. The even numbered chapters show how to apply those prayer principles to your life. Detweiler suggest journaling in answer to the personal questions she asks at the end of the chapters. She also includes a downloadable prayer journal through her website. The second part of Women Who...

You Can Do This by Tricia Lott Williford is an inspiring read if you are in need of more confidence and encouragement. I honestly think this covers most of us women of all ages.  Williford starts out in the introduction of You Can Do This by sharing that she wrote this book to us readers but for herself to remind herself of how she got the confidence when she needs it again. She also shares how she would like us to pull up a chair to the kitchen table with her and realize this book is for both her and us. We need to know that we can get the most out of the book as readers when we do the suggested exercises at the end of each chapter. This is a great book to use with your journal. It would also be great to share with another friend, a counselor, or a study group. You Can Do This will inspire you to think and help you grow, as well as entertaining you with Williford's stories and the Bible stories she referenced. Williford shares lessons she has learned on knowing our ident...

Promises For You Coloring Devotional offers 60 days worth of devotionals for discovering God's hope and love. Each page includes a Bible verse (in the New Revised Standard Version) and either a question or something to write about in the journal that relates to the reading for the day. The book also suggests that if you want to write more than the page has room for to get another piece of paper and keep going. Good idea! This book is also not written in any certain order so you can either start at the beginning with the devotions or jump around to the ones that speak to you that day. The last page if this devotional also has a brief page on how to accept Christ and follow Him. The pages in this devotional are made of nice, thick white paper with dark-printed whimsical coloring designs on every one. Because the pages are so thick, markers work fine, along with colored pencils. However, I did test a Sharpie marker in an inconspicuous spot and it bled through, so I would encour...