May Book Recommendations

Here are this month’s recommendations of a recent release, a classic, and a powerful devotional. I hope you’ll be blessed by these books. And please let me know some of your current favorites as well. =) 

 

Fiction – Wishing for Mistletoe by Robin Lee Hatcher

If you’re looking for a sweet Christmas story to cool you off this summer, I recommend this book! I loved that the main characters actually lived out their relationship with God daily–reading the Bible, praying, and submitting their wills to God. The plot is pretty basic, a burned-out writer meets a single dad in a small town. But I enjoyed the characters’ journeys of facing their fears and growing in their faith. And, of course, there’s a cute dog, a bakery, and a happily ever after. =) 

 

Non-Fiction – How to Be a Christian without Being Religious by Fritz Ridenour 

This book is a classic! I read it during college, and it’s still helpful today. If you or any friends aren’t sure how to share the gospel clearly, this book is a great help. It provides simple wording to explain how Christianity differs from religion, along with fun illustrations to help you remember the truths. For example: Religion is man reaching up to God, and Christianity is God reaching down to man. The focus is on how Christianity is a relationship with God, not a religion. I highly recommend this little book for anyone wanting to learn how to share the gospel more simply and effectively.

 

Devotional – Resilient Hope: 100 Devotions for Building Endurance in an Unpredictable World by Christine Caine 

This book is appropriately titled. I’ve been encouraged and strengthened by these relevant devotions. Christine shares experiences from her own life and stories from biblical characters to illustrate practical truths that help us continue to run our race with our eyes on Jesus. Each chapter has a passage of Scripture, a devotion, and a closing prayer to help apply the truth shared. If you’ve been fighting discouragement or feeling weary, this devotional is a great help! 

 

Serve Small – Guest Post

This month I’m happy to share a guest post from my new friend, Cheryl. I hope you’ll be encouraged by her words!

 

Grace to Serve Small – by Cheryl Balcom

 

Do you feel that what you do is too small to be of use to the Lord? Or that it is insignificant compared to the offerings of others? Do you think that the resources you have are not big enough, splashy enough, and don’t reach far enough to make a difference? 

 

Sometimes I wrestle with this too. 

 

Our calling may be to use our financial position to bless others in need or to fund an important ministry. Our calling may also be to invite a widow to dinner and let her share what she’s learned in her life. It may be to faithfully care for someone who has physical or mental difficulties. 

 

The ways we minister are as varied as we are! Some of us may feel like we don’t have much to offer, or we may have a severe challenge we think would prevent us from ministering to others. 

 

Annie Johnson Flint lived from 1866 to 1932, and from a young age she loved to experiment with verse. However, as a young adult, she began to experience symptoms of severe arthritis, making her unable to complete just her third year of teaching primary school. Her affliction grew worse, so much so that she eventually was no longer able to walk.

 

She was still able, however, to clumsily grasp a pen between twisted fingers and write out her beautiful poems of worship to God. Though she rarely left her house, she was able to minister profoundly through her writing. And her poems were made into greeting cards and published in magazines around the world. 

 

She went to be with the Lord when she was sixty-five, but what a gift she left behind for those who long to praise Him here on earth! 

 

I pray today that if you think you are hindered by your current situation and are unable to serve the Lord or minister to others, you will be encouraged by Annie’s story and her poem (below).

 

In the past, there were times when I believed I needed to do a “big” thing to honor the Lord, like adopt a child, go to Africa on a mission trip, or make hefty donations to large ministries. However, God has taught me through the years that the most important thing I can do is to remain faithful, no matter what He lays before me. 

 

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV).

 

Every Sunday, my husband and I pick up our adult daughter, who has Williams Syndrome, and my mother-in-law, who has Alzheimer’s, and we bring them to our home for lunch and a visit. It’s not fancy, but we are doing our best to love the precious people God has given us to love. He has not called every one of His followers to do the “big” things listed above, but He has called us to be faithful, no matter where He places us. 

 

I often tell my kids that the best way to change the world is to start by loving the person right in front of you. It may seem obvious, but those small, faithful acts of love can result in changed hearts. And not just for the one who receives them. 

 

If your heart is filled with a big desire to honor God and love and serve others, don’t let the size of your opportunity hinder you. The enemy would love for you to think, “That’s not good enough. Why bother?” Instead, see every small interaction, every kind word, every little thing you do as a way to share God’s love. He will let nothing go to waste. 

 

Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough” (Matthew 13:33 NLT). 

 

“In A Small Place”

from He Giveth More Grace: One Hundred Poems by Annie Johnson Flint

 

Fret not because thy place is small,

Thy service need not be,

For thou canst make it all there is

Of joy and ministry.

 

The dewdrop, as the boundless sea,

In God’s great place has part;

And this is all He asks of thee;

Be faithful where thou art.

 

In thee His mighty hand can show

The wonders of His grace,

And He can make the humblest room

A high and holy place.

 

Thy life can know the blessedness

Of resting in His will;

His fullness flows unceasingly,

Thy cup of need to fill.

 

His strength upon thy weakness waits,

His power for thy task.

What more, O child of all His care, 

Could any great one ask? 

 

 

Cheryl Balcom is the author of Winds of Grace: Losing My Father, Surrendering Control, and Growing in Faith, a memoir inspired by tracing the hand of God through the pages of her prayer journals. Cheryl also writes to help the perfectionist find peace in God’s perfect grace at cherylesperbalcom.com. She and her husband live on five acres tucked in the corner of southwest Michigan, where they enjoy watching wildlife wander through the yard. 

April Book Recommendations

Here are this month’s recommendations of books I’ve enjoyed. I hope you’ll find them encouraging and entertaining as well! 

 

Fiction – Love Overboard by Shannon Sue Dunlap 

 

This story was laugh-out-loud funny, heartwarming, and entertaining! Four elderly ladies who live onboard a cruise ship are the self-appointed matchmakers for staff and guests in need of help in the romance department. Their current targets, Lacey and Jon, are not very cooperative, requiring drastic measures. Of course, in the end love triumphs, and the wily ladies foil some drug runners while they’re at it. This story is clean with a Christian message of forgiveness and trusting in God. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and can’t wait for the next book in the series! 

 

 

Non-Fiction – Heart of A Champion: True Stories of Character and Faith from Today’s Most Inspiring Athletes by Steve Riach

 

This book is a fun and inspiring read for any sports fan. Each chapter is about a different famous athlete, describing their challenges, successes, and faith journey. Through their stories, the author illustrates specific character traits such as commitment, leadership, teamwork, integrity, and compassion. I enjoyed reading about God’s work in the athletes I’d heard of as well as those I wasn’t familiar with. This book reminded me that there are many people living out their faith and making a difference, even if we never hear about them in the news. A great read for young people interested in sports as well!

 

 

Devotional – 31 Days of Trusting God by Jerry Bridges

 

I’ve loved everything I’ve read by this author, so it’s no surprise that I absolutely love this book! My theme for this year is trusting God, so I was thrilled when I came across this devotional. Each chapter is powerful, convicting, and encouraging. Bridges is able to put profound truths into simple words that stick with you. Each chapter has a clear focus on one meaningful truth and plenty of Scripture to strengthen our hearts. I plan to reread this book often for the beautiful reminders of who God is and that He is infinitely trustworthy. 

 

We Are His Body

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” –1 Corinthians 12:27 (NIV)

On Easter Sunday I spent some time worshipping God while listening to songs by Keith Green. His Easter song always makes me feel nostalgic and reflective. It takes me back to Easter when I was a teen, when we got up early and had a sunrise church service on a little hill near our house. Our small group sang Easter hymns acapella as we watched the sun rise in the sky. It’s one of my favorite memories. 

And that got me thinking about Keith Green. As a teen, I read the story of his life, No Compromise, written by his wife after his life was cut short by a plane crash. He was a prolific songwriter and had quite the ministry before he died. But I wonder, did he have any idea how far-reaching his impact would be? 

Somehow, I doubt he could have imagined that all these years later people would still be listening to his music and inspired by his life. Maybe he saw himself as ordinary, just following Jesus and doing what God led him to do.

It got me thinking…if the Lord took me home to heaven tomorrow, would those who know me feel like the world is a poorer place without me? 

I hope so. 

I don’t know how far-reaching any impact from my “small” life will be, but I hope that the ones I know and love have felt Jesus’ love through me. 

And I know if the question was reversed, for all the “ordinary” yet incredible people I know, I could say a resounding yes! The world would be poorer without you. No matter how “small” your life may feel, I want you to know that I see you. 

I see you raising your kids to love Jesus, teaching the next generation, nursing the hurting, pastoring, mentoring, cleaning, taking meals, leading small groups, caregiving, writing, singing, bringing laughter, giving your time, energy, and money to love your neighbors, strangers, and people overseas you’ve never met who have yet to hear the gospel…

Isn’t it beautiful how God expresses His grace and love in myriad ways through us, His kids? Together our lives create a masterpiece lovingly designed by the Savior who lives in us. We are the body of Christ. We are His hands and feet and voice – in all the “small” places and everyday ways.

Yes, friend. I see you. I thank God for you. I hope you remember that your life is lighting up this dark world. And I pray you’ll keep on following Jesus and doing what God leads you to do…one day at a time. You can pray the same for me. =) 

“Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” –Ephesians 4:15–16 (NIV)

March Book Recommendations

Here are this month’s book recommendations with some recent releases that have blessed me. I hope you’ll enjoy them too! 

 

Fiction – Highcliffe House by Megan Walker

If you like sweet Regency stories, this one was quite enjoyable! I liked the two main characters. They had such different perspectives, which were both reasonable yet limited, and thus put them at odds. The story flowed well, and both characters eventually began to see beyond the surface and adjust their perspectives. I liked the seaside setting for a change from the usual London background. The climax and resolution were satisfying as they got their unconventional happily ever after.

 

 

Non-Fiction – Becoming Like Jesus by Cynthia Heald

This topic is something I’ve been praying about lately, and I was excited to discover Cynthia’s new book! Each chapter includes some personal reflections from her experiences, relevant quotes from other Christian writers, and a brief study section with verses to look up and questions to consider. As always, Cynthia’s writing is both practical and inspiring. I appreciated this encouraging exploration of becoming more like Jesus.

 

 

Devotional – 365 Truths for Every Woman’s Heart by Holley Gerth

I’m really enjoying this daily devotional! Holley’s writing is always encouraging, and I appreciate her insights about daily life with Jesus. It’s easy to forget how wonderful He is, how much He loves us, and how sufficient His grace is for every need. These devotions are quick yet powerful. Each day includes a verse, a brief devotion, a prayer, and a question for reflection or application. Even if you only have a few minutes a day, this book is a great encouragement!

 

Come Away

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” –Matthew 11:28–29

How long has it been since you turned off all the noise and spent some uninterrupted time letting your soul breathe? 

I admit, I don’t do this often enough. 

Sometimes when I hear Jesus calling me to “come away” with Him, I think of my to-do list...or I let some physical pain get in the way...or I yield to distractions.

What boggles my mind is that no matter how many times I don’t answer His call, He doesn’t give up on me. In that still, small voice, He still invites me to lay everything aside and just be with Him.

And every time I do answer His call, I’m overwhelmed with the sweetness of His presence and the wonder of His love!

This week I was reminded of something I wrote years ago. It’s still true today. I hope it encourages you. 

 

Love's Call

 

Have you heard it? 

...the quiet whisper on the wind

...the sweet melody humming in the silence

...the gentle rhythm inviting you to dance.

 

Have you ever paused and felt a sense of being called, beckoned, drawn?

 

Have you wondered what it is that stirs your heart?

...that makes you yearn for something you can't explain? 

...that causes your skin to tingle with anticipation, for you know not what?

 

What is it?

 

I will tell you. 

 

It is Love. Calling You. 

 

It is the voice of your Creator, Savior, Father. 

 

His love for you is so super-abounding that in every moment it calls out to you, sings over you, pours out on you.

 

Whether we hear it or not, Love is always calling. 

Saying,

"Come to me. 

Delight in me.

Receive from me. 

Rest in me.

Dance with me.

Let my love for you fill you up to overflowing."

 

For years I heard Love's call, but I didn't recognize it, I didn't understand. A stirring. A yearning. A longing. But what did it mean?

 

Little by little, I began to see. My Father-God doesn't only want to save me. He wants to love me. He wants me to experience His love. He wants me always close to Him. He wants my heart to thrill when I think of Him. He wants me to rest in His strong arms. He wants me to hear His voice. He wants me to live every moment knowing how great He is and how loved I am. 

 

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”

–Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)

 

Love is calling. Do you hear Him?