January Book Recommendations

As we start a new year, have you already set aside a stack of books you’d like to read? I have a pile of good books I hope to read this year. But I’m always looking for new books and authors as well. =) Let me know what some of your favorites are, and here are a few recommendations from me to start the year. 

 

Fiction –

Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer 

I’ve enjoyed all the books I’ve read by this author, but this is one of my favorites. This Texas historical romance is a story of redemption, love, and God’s mysterious ways of working all things for good. An ex-outlaw kidnaps a preacher as a gift for his daughter’s birthday—not knowing that her only wish/prayer is for her father’s salvation. The cowboy-turned-preacher is nothing like the old ex-outlaw expected. Through ups and downs, the main characters learn to trust and follow the Lord’s leading and watch Him do the miraculous in their lives. This story has heart, humor, (a little more melodrama than I prefer, but that’s okay), and a happy ending. 

 

Non-Fiction –

The Good, the Bad, and the Grace of God by Jep Robertson

This memoir about Jep and Jessica Robertson is real, honest, and filled with hope. I appreciate their willingness to share the hard and painful things in order to declare how powerful God’s grace has been in their lives. We all have broken places, but God’s grace is greater, and this couple testifies to that through sharing their story. 

(FYI there are serious issues mentioned in this book, and, while not graphic, it was sad and difficult to read in places. But God’s grace triumphs!)

 

Devotional –

Faith Alive: A 6-Week Devotional for Mothers by Anna Hawkes Cabral

This devotional is also encouraging for women in general, not just mothers. I appreciated how Anna emphasized God’s unconditional love, His power at work in our weaknesses, and His grace to live out daily faith in Him. The devotions are short with a focus verse and a reflection question or action step at the end. This devotional provides a way to pause for a few minutes in a busy day to focus on Jesus and His love for us.  

 

He Calls You Friend

Recently I had the privilege of being a judge in a book award contest. It was an interesting experience and one that God used to remind me of some important truths. 

As a first-round judge, my job was to look for mistakes—typos, punctuation, grammar or spelling errors, etc. I wasn’t looking for all the things the author did well. I was looking for every little mistake that didn’t measure up to the standards of book publishing. It was a very different reading experience than reading for pleasure or reading a book written by a friend. In those cases, I look for the good things. I applaud what the author did well and the parts I enjoyed. And it’s easier to overlook any mistakes that I do see. (I still see them even when I’m not specifically looking for them—occupational hazard.) 

As I thought about this, Jesus gave me such a vivid picture of our relationship with Him. Yes, God is the righteous judge. But He has already judged all of our sin when Jesus took it on Himself at the cross. As a judge, God punished Jesus for my sin, and then God declared me righteous with Jesus’ own righteousness! I no longer stand before God as judge. I stand with Jesus—who has called me “friend.” And while Jesus still sees my mistakes, sins, and failures (He’s God, He sees it all), He looks at me as a friend. Jesus focuses on all the moments I turn to Him, all the times I submit my will to His, all the times I rely on His strength not my own . . . all the good things, not the mistakes. 

I don’t know if that encourages you like it did me, but I hope so. God wants us to believe the truth about Him. And the truth is that He isn’t hovering over us waiting for us to mess up so He can judge us for it. That’s why Jesus came—to take the punishment our sins deserve. And to move us from “defendant” to “friend.”

Take a moment to picture Jesus treating you like the best friend possible. Imagine Him looking at all the good things about you, cheering you on, encouraging you in every godly decision, reminding you how precious and loved you are . . . That’s who He is. That’s how He sees you.

There’s another lesson I’ve learned in this process: I don’t want to act like a judge. Being a book judge is hard enough. You’d think that grammar and writing have a standard set of absolute rules, but they don’t. There are many areas where it could go one way or another way, depending on the context, genre, style of the writer, etc. The same is true in life. While some things are absolute truth and clearly right or wrong, there are many choices that could go one way or another way. I don’t want to judge other people, especially over things that are not absolute truth. I’m not the author of their story. I’m not the one who knows everything. And I’m not perfect. Only God is qualified to be the judge because He is all those things. He is both righteous and gracious.

At the beginning of this new year, I feel like this message is so important to carry with us. If you’re like me—a sinner, saved by God’s grace—I want to remind you that Jesus calls you friend. May that sweet truth transform the way you see God and how you think He sees you. And for those who don’t yet know this message, I want to tell them that Jesus took their place so that they can be judged righteous before God—and come to know Him as their friend. Such a gift still astounds me. I pray it will be a theme we carry all year. 

He calls you friend.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” –John 15:9-15

December Book Recommendations

It’s the last month of 2024. This year has flown by! I hope you’ve enjoyed these monthly posts with book recommendations. Here are the last three to close this year. I hope they’ll be a blessing to you! 

 

Fiction –

Partners by Grace Livingston Hill

I love almost all of the books by this author! This one is a fun, slightly shorter read, and it’s set at Christmas. Two lonely people in a boardinghouse find an abandoned baby and become “partners” in trying to save his life. In the process, they find God’s love and a new family. It’s a sweet, entertaining story as only Grace Livingston Hill could write them. If you enjoy classic, heartwarming stories, you’ll like this one. 

 

Non-Fiction –

The Way of the Warrior by Erwin McManus 

As we reflect on Christmas and look toward a new year, it seems that peace is something we all need. It’s easy to get focused on the struggles we face, but Jesus offers us the gift of peace inside—regardless of what’s going on around us. Jesus has already won the victory, and the way of the warrior is to stand in that place of internal peace He gives. While we know this is true, it’s often hard to live it out practically in the midst of our trials. This book helped me to think differently and to discover ways to experience more of God’s peace in my life. I hope you’ll be blessed by it too!

 

Devotional –

Streams in the Desert by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman

This year-long devotional is one I’ve read over and over again. It’s full of comforting, encouraging, and strengthening truths. Even though it was written almost one hundred years ago, this book continues to comfort readers today, because the author wrote out of her own sufferings as she found comfort in God and His Word. As we begin a new year, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by trials, I hope you’ll find understanding and encouragement in this devotional.

Have a blessed new year! 

The Everlasting Light

 “The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.” –Isaiah 60:19-20

 As I read this passage in Isaiah 60 recently, I thought of other verses that also refer to light . . .

 

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” –Isaiah 9:2

 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” –John 1:1, 4-5

 

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” –John 8:12

 

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to gives us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” –2 Corinthians 4:6

 

At Christmas, we celebrate that Jesus came to be our Savior. And how glad I am that He did! But this year, I realized that He isn’t only the light of the world who came . . . He is our daily light . . . and He is our everlasting light! 

 

Whatever we go through today, Jesus is shining His light in our lives—and the darkness cannot overcome that. 

When hope is hard to hold on to, Jesus is our everlasting light—reminding us that one day we will be with Him in His glory. 

And miraculously, no matter what we go through, Jesus can shine His light through us—so that others can see Him in us.

 

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” –2 Corinthians 4:7

 

I know what’s it’s like to feel like a weak, cracked, chipped, weary, clay pot. I’m sure you have too. Even then—the light of the world, the everlasting light—Jesus is still shining on us and through us. 

 

I hope you’ll take a moment to think about that today . . . 

 

I pray Jesus’ presence and peace will comfort and encourage you today. And may these truths fill your heart with hope as you begin a new year.

 

The light of the world has come. He is with us. He is our everlasting light. 

November Book Recommendations

Here are some favorite book recommendations for this month. I hope you’ll be blessed by these. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Fiction –

The Clause in Christmas by Rachael Bloome

I enjoyed this uplifting story of a young woman searching for answers, direction, and meaning in her life. She inherits a house from her unknown grandmother, but it’s conditional on her completing her grandma’s “Christmas calendar” of activities. Of course, there’s a charming small town, a handsome lawyer, and plenty of Christmas, as the heroine discovers who she wants to be and finds her home.

(This book is not “Christian fiction” but it’s a sweet, inspirational read.)

 

Non-Fiction – 

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund

A friend gave me this book, and they were right about how wonderful it is! Every chapter reveals more of Christ’s heart for us. We can’t fully grasp how loving, merciful, gracious, kind, and good Jesus is…but this book sure helps! I’ll warn you that it isn’t light reading. There are many quotes from classic Christian writers, which aren’t always easy to understand. But the deep truths presented are so powerful and freeing! I highly recommend taking the time to read, meditate on, and be transformed by the truths in this beautiful book.

 

Devotional – 

Conversations with the Most High: 365 Days in God’s Presence by Jennifer Kennedy Dean (KU)

This year-long devotional has a unique format that offers quick daily encouragement. Each day starts with either a short prayer to God or a brief word as if God were speaking to you, His child. That is followed by a relevant quotation from other Christian authors, both classic and contemporary. These bite-sized thoughts give you something to consider throughout the day and practice God’s wonderful presence with you. 

 

(KU – available in Kindle Unlimited)

Grief and the Holidays - Guest Post

This month a precious woman of God, who was like family to me, went to be with Jesus. I’ve been rejoicing and grieving. I’m so grateful she’s healed and dancing streets of gold with our Savior! I rejoice that I’ll see her again in eternity. But I’m mourning the loss for all of us who loved her. Life here will never be the same without her.

As we head into this holiday season, I know for some people it’s going to be more painful than joyful. I’m grateful today to share a guest post with you from a friend who understands about grieving during the holidays. I hope her story and insights encourage you. And please consider sharing this post with someone you know who is hurting in this season. Grief can feel isolating, but you are never alone.

 

Hugs and prayers,

-Joanna

 

Guest Post by Becky Avery – Grief at Christmas 

 

Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. Homes and churches are trimmed with lights and trees. Christmas music is piped through the stores. Friends and family are planning their annual celebrations. There’s a palpable excitement in the air practically everywhere from November until the New Year.

 

For some of you though, this year is different. The thought of attending celebrations brings heartache rather than excitement. The music that once brought joy doesn’t have the same effect. You’ve lost someone you love. You’re grieving, and the whole world feels different. It’s like there’s a bubble around you deflecting the joy that everyone else radiates.

 

Losing someone you love is always hard. The first year is the hardest. There are birthdays and holidays that you now have to do without that person.

 

I lost my mom in 2020, and the first Christmas without her was hard. Dad did his best to make things as “normal” as possible. He put up the tree, trimmed it with all the ornaments, and partially decorated the house with lights. He tried, and I appreciated his efforts, but it was different. Mom always brought the magic of Christmas.

 

The second year was a little easier—until Dad got sick suddenly and ended up in the hospital in a coma right after Christmas. He hadn’t even taken down the tree. My brother and I stayed at his house for the six weeks he was in the hospital. I stared at that Christmas tree every day, refusing to take it down until he came home.

 

Dad never came home, and the tree stayed up for months. Neither my brother nor I could take it down. It was as if taking the tree down was admitting that Mom and Dad were gone for real.

 

I spent the next ten months keeping so busy I couldn’t think and assuring people that I was fine. I even started to believe it. Then Christmas came again. 

 

I attended all the family celebrations. I made food for my in-laws’ parties, wrapped presents for everyone, and even played their games. Though I was surrounded by my closest friends and family, I had never felt so alone. I could barely be around my own brother because it was such a painful reminder of the family we no longer had.

 

On Christmas Eve, I cried through the whole church service. I couldn’t stop. I tried to concentrate on the miracle of Christ’s birth, but the tears streamed down my face as I looked at the families around me—while I sat there alone.

 

The problem was that while I had smiled and ignored the pain, buried the grief and repeated the mantra that they were in a better place, I didn’t let myself grieve. My brother had wrapped himself in a dark grief blanket that I feared would smother him. I knew I couldn’t be in the same dark place he was, so I buried all the emotions in a deep hole inside me. Eventually, the hole was so full, the emotions came bursting out.

 

I don’t have all the answers on how to overcome grief. I’m not a doctor, and I don’t have a counseling degree. I’m just a Christian woman who has lived through it, and I’d love to share some things that have helped me.

 

1. Talk about them.

This can be tricky, because I know from experience that talking about those who have died can shut conversations down . . . and quickly. People get uncomfortable. I don’t know why. Maybe they don’t know how you’ll respond. Whatever the case, if you want to talk about them, talk. Keep their memory alive!

So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. –John 16:22 (ESV)

 

2. Honor their memory.

Do something that you know they would love. Bake cookies or make gifts. Go for a drive to look at Christmas lights. Do whatever it is that will make you smile while thinking of them. 

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. –Revelation 21:4 (NIV)

 

3. Give yourself some grace.

If you have invites to ten holiday celebrations and that’s too much, say no. Say no to bringing a dish, no to the white elephant, no to the ugly sweaters. But don’t lock yourself away so much that it adds to the grief. Say yes to something. Sometimes just getting out can help a little.

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. –1 Peter 5:7 (ESV)

 

4. Allow yourself to grieve.

Allow yourself to feel the feelings. But remember you don’t have to do it alone. Talk to people. Let them know how you’re doing and what you’re feeling. Talk to God all the time. Pray for him to help you, and, most importantly, be open to that help. God will show up in the most unexpected ways, but you have to be open to receiving those gifts.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. –Matthew 5:4 (ESV)

 

I am praying for you and praying that God sends the love and comfort you need in this Christmas season.

 

Becky Avery is a Michigan girl, who is back home again after living various adventures in other places. After unexpectedly losing both her parents, she drew even closer to God. Now her mission is to help others dealing with loss. Her writing offers empathy and hope from one who understands. 

Her first novel, "Escaping Christmas," is a story about two siblings processing their grief by traveling to a tropical resort to escape Christmas. Things don't go as planned, but they learn and find new hope along the way. You can connect with Becky on her website at https://beckyavery.com/