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?

February Book Recommendations

Here are this month’s book recommendations. I hope you enjoy them! Let me know what some of your favorites are as well. 

 

Fiction – To Win A Prince by Toni Shiloh 

I think this book has one of the best character journeys. The former prince Ekon experiences demotion, humiliation, struggles, and quite a learning curve as his entire life changes. Along the way, he discovers surprising things about himself and his family that cause him to genuinely search for answers and meaning in life. His journey to faith is so well portrayed, and the final plot twist was incredibly moving. The other main character, Iris, also learns an important lesson, that only God can change a person’s heart. If you enjoy meaningful Christian romance, this is a worthwhile read! 

 

 

Non-Fiction – Good Leaders Ask Great Questions by John Maxwell

As a life coach, I naturally ask a lot of questions. This book had great insights about the kind of questions that are helpful and meaningful. It also covered how to listen well and other qualities of an effective leader. Knowing the best questions to ask ourselves and others can help us to grow, learn, work, lead, and serve more effectively. I really enjoyed this great resource!

 

 

Children’s – The Treasure Tree: Helping Kids Understand Their Personality by John Trent and Gary Smalley

This fun book helps children understand the different personality types in ways they can relate to. The four animal characters represent different ways of how we think and relate. The characters have to work together using their unique strengths to reach their goal. This story helps kids better understand others, as well as identify their own personality traits. Great for family reading and discussion time!

 

He Sees Me – Guest Post

This month I’m happy to share a guest post from my friend Haley. I hope her testimony of God’s faithfulness and presence encourages you today. 

 

He Sees Me – by Haley V. Craft

 

These past two years have been an extended exercise in faith for me and my husband. We’ve walked through loss, health crises, legal challenges, publishing delays, and generally put our bank account through some fights that have left it a bit more bruised than we care to admit.

 

It’s been so discouraging, and all that pressure became crushing when we got some more bad news. First, it became clear that we will have to get a new car, despite our best efforts to get our cars paid off. It was yet another financial hit at a time when we were still trying to recover after having to replace my husband’s transmission.

 

Then I discovered that the physical copies of my book, which I had just launched the day before, wouldn’t be delivered in time for an event where I had been put in the lineup of speakers specifically to testify about how God had brought me through all the challenges of my unusually complicated publishing process. 

 

I felt so defeated. How would we ever be able to afford a house? How would we ever afford the expenses of having children? All our goals and dreams seemed to fly another million miles away.

 

The next morning, I got up, turned on that day’s episode of Daily Audio Bible, and started getting ready for the day as normal. When the recording got to the daily passage in Psalms, this is what I heard:

 

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord,

And He delights in his way. 

When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, 

Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand. 

I have been young and now I am old, 

Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken 

Or his descendants begging bread.” 

–Psalm 37:23–25 (NASB)

 

If there has ever been a time when I experienced, more than just believed, the truth that God sees us and our struggles, it was at this moment. I was drowning in fears of financial failure and how that would affect our ability to care for our future children, and God met me right there through a few verses of Scripture written thousands of years ago.

 

Experiencing this reminded me of Exodus 3 when God told Moses that He had seen the oppression and pain of His people. The word translated as seen in our Bibles, doesn’t just refer to physical sight in the original language. It also carries a connotation of understanding something by experiencing it.

 

God wasn’t just saying that He saw what was going on from a distance. He was there with His people, experiencing their pain and providing the rescue they needed. That’s the God we serve! He’s not just interested in walking with us through the garden of Eden. He’s the God who joins us in the valley of the shadow of death, bringing with Him everything we need to make it through.

 

I don’t know about you, but just the thought of the Almighty being willing to come meet me in those dark and scary places relieves the tension in my shoulders. There is rest to be found in the truth—rest from fear and rest from despair—and I pray that you lean into that rest. Especially on the difficult days.

 

“The Lord said, ‘I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings. So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey'” (Exodus 3:7–8a NASB).

 

*I recommend Haley’s new book Practicing Swordplay. It’s a practical, powerful guide to overcoming the enemy’s lies and confidently walking in God’s truth as the victor you are in Christ! 

 

Haley V. Craft is a follower of Jesus and a life-long learner who fell in love with the power and beauty of language when she was in college. When she’s not teaching, she loves encouraging others to discover God’s fingerprints in the ordinary. She and her husband live in Mississippi where she enjoys making her students laugh, writing, and hobbies like designing jewelry and enjoying the sunshine with a comfy chair and a good book. You can connect with Haley V. on her website where she writes a weekly devotional: https://haleyvcraft.com/