Reading, Writing & Pondering

    Over the past few years, I think many of us have faced some big challenges, between the pandemic and life afterwords. In the midst of all of this, I don't know about you, but my faith has changed. Some days I do struggle to feel God. Midnight Hallelujah by Ebie Hepworth is a helpful book for those going through difficulties that leave the reader feeling like God is no where to be found.  From the Publisher:   If you’re disappointed with your life, struggling with faith, and frustrated with a seemingly silent God, Midnight Hallelujah dares to speak hope into the silence. Ebie Hepworth invites you into her dark nights and imagined conversations with Sarah, the mother of Isaac, who kept her company through them as she bridges our modern struggles with timeless biblical truths. If you are navigating life’s deepest valleys this book will help you: feel less alone as Ebie confides her own stories of grief showing up when least expected; know what it means to str...

  This Wasn't the Plan by Mac Bridges and Kenz Durham recently released from Thomas Nelson Publishing.  This wasn’t The Plan by Mac Bridges & Kenz Durham was written for women who felt their life hasn’t gone according to their plan. This book first helps you understand why you may be stuck. The second part of the book talks about different ways that you may be stuck in life. Maybe you can’t forgive someone? Maybe you don’t feel like you are living out your true calling? Or maybe it is something else. This book invites you to think and reflect so you can learn and grow.   From The Publisher:   Have you ever looked at your life and thought,  I thought my life would look better than this by now .  This book is for the woman who feels stuck—in her career, relationships, emotions, or calling. It’s a guidebook for the one who feels like she’s just enduring rather than embracing life to start moving toward the life you really want. If you’ve ever felt lo...

  Have  you found yourself in a time of struggle and uncertainty? Maybe you are facing your own dark night right now. What to do in a Valley: Trusting God to Breathe New Life into Your Dry Bones by Jabin Chavez is a book that may be helpful for you right now. All of us go through difficult times at one time or another. It is different for all of us--yours may be financial, relational, job-related, health-related or something else entirely. In any case, What to do in a Valley is a new release from Thomas Nelson. This book could serve as a guide to help you through your challenge(s). The author has faced his own challenges and writes from experience. He is easy to understand and relate to. From the publisher:  Take life’s valleys as not mere challenges but divine appointments designed to refine and strengthen your faith in this deep exploration of Psalm 23:4-6. You may be at your worst, but that’s when God can do his best work in your life. Take heart and use this opportun...

  Do you enjoy writing, coloring and drawing or other artsy things? Exploring Psalms and Proverbs: A Creative Coloring Journal from Jacqui Grace is a fun new creative journal that gives prompts and pages to do all of those things. I read through this Exploring Psalms and Proverbs creative journal completely but haven't yet had the time to start writing or creating in it. I received my copy while I was on a trip. I wish I had received it before I left. I think this would be fun to take along on a relaxing trip. Actually, I think it is fun to do any time. If you have some pens/pencils along, you could do this book almost anywhere. There are a couple of crafty project guidelines, like painting a rock, that you may need to do at home, but most of it is portable. This creative coloring journal is both relaxing and one that will cause you to think and reflect on God. I like that aspect. I like that it is divided between Psalms and Proverbs. There is so much to learn in both o those boo...

  Do you enjoy a good mystery? The Undercover Bookshop by Katherine Reay is set during 1950 and highlights how the World War left lingering issues and doubts among people. I have read several books by this author and I enjoy the way she weaves history into the story too. The Undercover Bookshop is a mystery featuring amateur sleuth Gemma Brown as the main character. Gemma moved to a small Cotswold village of Great Rollright in England. She is a reader and loves a good mystery. However, she is not a good baker. After making some baking errors, Gemma spends time with Ursula Beurton, who is an award-winning baker in town. However, there is a lot more to her than baking. When  Gemma visits Ursula, things don't always add up. Soon Gemma is embroiled in a mystery for real--not just one she is reading in her detective novels. I enjoyed getting to know Gemma. I also enjoyed her boyfriend, Charlie, as well as the other characters in the novel. Ursula was also likeable for the mo...

  After the Fall by Deborah Clack is the second book in the Shelter and Sky series. This book could be read as a stand-alone, but like most series books, would be even better if you read Even After This  first. Penelope Reid is currently working as Harlan Holcombe's manager. However, Penelope grew up in the foster care system and she has skills she thinks would help the girls at the ranch and she wants to give back so she hopes to become the manager of Twelve Bluebells Ranch, which is a halfway house for women who have aged out of the foster care system.  Luke works security for the ranch and is there to investigate some vandalism before Harlan and Meredith Harper's wedding. Luke had his own tough upbringing and he, too, got attached to the halfway house ladies at the ranch as he hopes to keep everyone safe--even after the wedding. After the Fall had some light moments, but this book also dealt with some heavy topics. I could relate to Penelope's migraine headache stori...

  Faithfully Dissident Daughters by Chelsea Kim Long was an interesting read for me. There was much I could relate to with author. There was also much for me to think about. According to the author, "To be faithfully dissident means accepting each part of your story and trusting that authenticity is the way to abundant life." I like that thought and I think the older I get, the more that is true for me.  Faithfully Dissident Daughters is divided into 4 parts: Awakening, Breaking, Liberating, and Expanding. I also have gone through some changes in my faith over the past few years. I have not studied as deeply as this author so I can't verify all of her words. However, I can say that she backs them all up and speaks clearly in her work. I don't necessarily agree with everything but there is much that I do relate to.  I enjoyed reading this book. I don't read non-fiction quickly but I like to learn. I journal, use page markers to annotate and I reflect. I received ...