Next October many churches will observe the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. I am on my church’s planning committee for the activities for 2017 which include our pastor’s 50th year of ordination, our church’s 150th and the Reformation observance. Quite a year, isn’t it? A New Book about Katharina and Martin Luther A new book by my friend, Michelle DeRusha, called Katharina and Martin Luther officially releases next week on January 31. I am on her book launch team and was lucky enough to read an early copy. I am thrilled to have this resource for helping me teach others in my church about the life and love of Katharina and Martin. This well researched and wonderfully written book is essential for anyone wanting to know more about how they lived and how they found each other. I knew some things about Martin Luther, but not very much about his wife and former nun, Katharina. Michelle offers an insightful glimpse into what marriage and the rights – in honesty, the lack of … [Read more...]
Where Do You Find Hope?
Where do you find hope? I am an optimist. I work hard as an adult to be positive, look on the bright side and find the good in others. I’d like to think I am a realistic optimist, not a Pollyanna. But I will confess: when things don’t go as planned. When dreams and hope shatter. When it seems everyone else gets all the luck, the blessings and the good fortune, being hopeful become more difficult. Where do you find hope when feeling helpless? I found a refreshing surge of courage in a book I just finished: Through the Eyes of Hope by Lacy Buchanan with Bethany Jett. Through the Eyes of Hope is Lacey’s story about her oldest son, Christian, born with a rare birth defect called Tessier cleft palate. His face didn’t fully form together and the division included up through his eyes – he is also blind. This is a book of hope. Lacey is very honest and raw in sharing her struggles with her complex pregnancy, the issues with the birth defects, and bad news upon bad news … [Read more...]
Broken Crayons Still Color – A Book and a Blessing
“Every one we meet loves someone, longs for something and has lost someone.” This expression reminds me that all of us are broken. Every single one of us carries hurts in our heart, sores in our souls, and wounds in our self-worth. All of us are broken crayons. Where do we find hope in the midst of heartbreak? How do we grow from the kicks and cuts from life? I know praying, speaking to a spiritual director, journaling, listening to God’s word – all gives me strength to face a new day. But another key practice is hearing the stories from others – how they survived. How they learned and transformed a tragedy into a triumph. How, as Michael Hyatt wisely advices, take a bad circumstance and ask yourself, “What does this experience make possible?” Broken Crayons Still Color – A Book My friend and mentor, Shelley Hitz, just released her newest book, Broken Crayons Still Color. Don’t you love that title? Shelley has poured her heart into this book and takes us on a journey … [Read more...]
7 Days of Soul Care – A Book Review and a Spiritual Practice
Soul Care Soul care? How do you take care of your soul? I believe health is multidimensional. Most of the time we think about our physical health when we consider wellness and beneficial activities for our health. Occasionally we consider our mental and emotional health and may at least once a year on April 15th ponder our financial health. How do you practice caring for your soul? With intention? With regularity? With daring risks of leaps out of your comfort zone? Or even the small steps of living each day in love with God? What is soul? It's like electricity - we don't really know what it is, but it's a force that can light a room. Ray Charles 7 Days of Soul Care 7 Days of Soul Care - A Guide to Letting God Do the Extraordinary with Your Ordinary by Dolly Lee is just now being released and is a wonderful, simple book to help you focus on taking care of your spiritual health. This book will accompany me on my next retreat or could be used as a daily devotion. … [Read more...]
Words To Live By – Book Review
Words To Live By – Book Review I love words. I love to discover new ones and play with familiar ones. My favorites ticked the tongue and stir the soul. The best ones though, stick with your spirit and emerge as words to live by. What if you could pray and ponder over 52 ordinary words that would lead to an extraordinary life? I discovered a neat newly published book called: Words to Live By – One Word a Week Devotional by Linda Gilden and Dalene Parker and also unearthed a real treasure. Each week one simple word is highlighted followed by five devotionals. For example, ordinary words like listen, change, wait and trust. Quick reads for your morning quiet time with perfect illustrations and applications. Many of us chose an action word for the year: here is a similar technique to invite you closer to God through a word a week. I think journaling about the chosen word would also deepen your experience. Many of the entries end with a question to carry with you for … [Read more...]
Dwelling Places – Book Review
Looking for a new devotional to nourish your spirit? I highly recommend Dwelling Places – Words to Live in Every Season by Lucinda Secrest McDowell. I am part of her book launch team, so received this book in exchange for fair review, but must tell you its words are a gift to me and will continue to enhance my walk with God. This has quickly become a favorite devotional of mine. Dwelling Places is a year around, 130-day devotional based on a single word for each day, a Bible reading and a reflection for those days. The author divides the book into four sections: Fall (dwell), Advent (shine), Lent (renew) and Summer (grow). A great devotional and one of those resources you could use if you need to lead devotions before a meeting or small group. “I awaken to the sound of heavy rain encompassing me, This second floor sleeping porch contains one piece of furniture: a large bed surround on three sides by floor to ceiling windows, setting me high among the trees. Sliding down … [Read more...]
7 Books & 7 Quotes about Books
Books Books – I love them. I have piles on my nightstand, stacks on my desk, and too many on my bookshelves so my hubby tells me. "Do you really need another book?" he asks. " Do you need air?" I answered with a glare. I should own stock on Amazon. And I will be truthful – I support our local library too. I borrow quite a few of the books from their shelves – share the love, right? I enjoy reading other people's blogs about what they have read or are reading, so thought I would share a few with you this week. Most of the following books I have read since the first of the year. Hopefully you will find a couple of new books to enjoy! 7 Books The Gift for All People – Max Lucado I love how Max Lucado writes – inspirational stories and powerful word images. This book is a collection of short devotional stories focusing on God's gift of love and grace for all of us. My only disappointment is the book isn't original – it is composed of stories taken from his earlier … [Read more...]
Let’s Celebrate My Birthday!!
Happy Birthday To Me! It's my birthday today (March 18) and guess what? I have a gift for you! The past few years I have loved blogging and getting to know so many of you. So it is time to give back. Starting today through Sunday (March18-20,2016) my newest book Whispers - Being with God in Breath Prayers is FREE as an e-book. YIPPEE!! Go to amazon or just click on the icon below to download. The best birthday gift I could receive is for my words to bless your walk with God. Whispers is only available through Sunday so don't wait. Tell your friends! Invite them to this blog and ask them to sign up on my email list. Share on social media. Write a review of the book on Amazon. But most of all, have a great day and weekend. I know I will cause it's my birthday!! … [Read more...]