'With stories, I can see with other eyes, imagine with other imaginations, feel with other hearts, as well as with my own ... Good stories introduce the marvelous ... strengthens our relish for real life. This excursion sends us back with renewed pleasure to the actual world. It provides meaning ... It takes us out of ourselves and lets us view reality from new angles. It expands our awareness of the world.'
Once Upon a Wardrobe
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Welcome back, all you who truly delight in the treasured experience of reading!
Here's a handful of links, previews, and Kindle deals. And I'm interested in your insight on devotional reading and all that makes quiet time with the Lord a richly worshipful experience.
As usual, there's alot to savor, bookmark, and talk about! Put your feet up and settle in.
JAN KARON
'Very intrigued by the sight of a Jan Karon book I was unaware of!'
'I had not seen that book by Jan Karon either. I will have to look it up.'
A Jan Karon title was pictured in this pile of books recently and several of you noticed it wasn't from her acclaimed Mitford series. So I pulled together this little list for all you Mitford fans ... I think you'll find some surprises worth considering.
Patches of Godlight: Father Tim's Favorite Quotes
2002
Jan Karon's Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader
2004
A Continual Feast: Words of Comfort and Celebration, Collected by Father Tim
2005
The Mitford Bedside Companion
2006
Bathed in Prayer: Father Tim's Prayers, Sermons, and Reflections
2018
BRENE BROWN
My nephew got a free copy of Brene Brown's Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience at a conference and asked me if I'd like it. Uh ... yes please and thank you very much.Like many of you, I find Brene's work to be intriguing and enlightening, although I may not agree with all her conclusions and could do without the occasional 'language.' A quick glance at the table of contents and you'll see that she unpacks about 87 emotions and experiences and 'gives us the nuanced language to fully understand our feelings and express them to others.'
I'm in.
This coffee-table-ish volume is looking beautiful as she waits patiently to be read. I'd love to hear your thoughts if you've made your way through her pages.
January 2022 Christian Book Picks
Sarah Geringer
Books Shape Our Thinking
Barbara Harper
Book journaling tools for every reader
Anne Bogel
10 Books I Recommend
Lisa Burgess
An 8 year old slid his handwritten book onto a library shelf - it now has a yearslong waitlist
Kelly Gormly
KINDLE DEALS
{grab them - these go quick!}
Patti Callahan
$1.99
Changes That Heal: Four Steps to a Healthier, Happier YouDr. Henry Cloud
$3.99
Kathy Lee Gifford
$1.99
James Herriott
$2.99
Karen Kingsbury
$3.99
C.S. Lewis
$2.99
Max Lucado
$1.99
Gordon MacDonald
$2.99
Joni & Ken Tada
$2.99
Barbara Brown Taylor
$1.99
DEVOTIONS
'Marvel at the awesome wonder of being able to commune with the King of the universe any time, any place. Never take this amazing privilege for granted!'
These days find me making my way through Genesis via
her.Bible: A Women's Audio Bible. There's something very reasssuring and comforting in hearing God's Word read by a woman, amen. I've been wanting to find this kind of resource and am delighted to share this New Living Translation with you. Do check it out. Fabulous.
And yes, praying without ceasing ... and singing off-key versions of old hymns at the most random times, day and night.
More and more, I'm constantly aware of the Lord's presence, devoted to cultivating my relationship to Him, even as my faithfulness to a specific time and place shifts and changes. I've stopped beating myself up over not having my interactions with the Lover of my soul nailed in stone. He knows my heart.
Like any quality relationship, it's necessary to invest ourselves in keeping it fresh and vibrant. I find myself leaning forward when someone talks about how they draw close to the Lord during their quiet time. You've got your Bible, yes. A devotional book? Music? Journaling? Dance? Prayer calendar? Art supplies? Daily examen? Time and place? Do tell ...
From my 💙 to yours ~
Linda
you make my day
when you
& share &
leave a comment
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'So many books to read and so little time.
I have now taken to watching films like
Doctor Zhivago or Les Miserables
with captions on so I can say
I've read the books.'
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Thank you for quoting me, Linda.
ReplyDeleteDid you know that I never read the books I write until they are published? I then buy a copy and read the books for the first time. I get really surprised at the endings of my novels.
Also, devotionals and humourous books - available from www.holyvisions.co.uk and AMAZON.
God bless.
😃 Yeah, I'm surprised at the way things often end up in life ... and writing!
DeleteThanks for sharing the link to your resources, Victor! I know people will be checking them out.
I love to read it is my favorite way to pass time :) Currently for my morning quiet time I am reading through a Chronological Study Bible (I never have before), I do the 5 minute devotional from First 5, write in my prayer and gratitude journal, and have a nonfiction book (or two) going as well. I am also reading through The One Year Women in History Devotional. Great post Linda, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCindy, I really appreciate you sharing what's working for you. One year I read through the Bible chronologically and the time frame made God's Word come even more alive.
DeleteYou've given us a great stack of helps today 📚! I'm grateful.
Linda— can you tell Cindy how much I am enjoying the One Year Women in History Dev. What a splendid walk this is through these ladies Christian life, everyday normal life things. It is a great contrast to reading about famous,driven, celebrity women who I can’t relate to.
DeleteCindy ... looks like you've found a kindred spirit in my friend Carol 👭!
DeleteTry Softer was a book I enjoyed. I have Brene's book, need to start reading it.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Try Softer really spoke to me last year 😇. I agree with you on that one and getting ready to pick up Brene's ... as soon as I finish up a bunch of library books!
DeleteI didn't realize that Jan Karon had published some inspirational books, so I'm really glad to know that. Right now, I'm over "booked" at home, and have to hold off on ordering any more temptations - lol!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the recommendations, Linda!
Blessings!
I picked up a bunch of them back in the days when you could go to a fabulous bag sale and fill it for $5!
DeleteDon't see those too much any more 😕.
The Brene Brown book is next to my comfy chair waiting for me to start. Thanks for the Kindle deals. Think I'll grab one...or two.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a number of us have Brene ready to go 📕. So glad you found some Kindle treats today!
DeleteThe Pursuit of God is very good isn't it? I love the Sarah Young devotionals and have several that I use. I have never read anything written by Max Lucado that I haven't loved. He has always been one of my favorites. After reading in your last post about the app Soul Space I checked it out. I was thrilled to hear such a soothing voice. I have only done a few of them thus far as I am trying to get in the habit of simply having it on my phone. I hope your week is going well dear Linda. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteOh I'm so glad that SoulSpace is speaking to you, literally, Cindy! Yes, I like the reassuring gentleness of her voice and the background music, the message, and lack of incessant chatter. I'm in process, too, in making this a steady part of my day, followed by reading/listening to the her.Bible audio ☀️.
DeleteIt's like God is calling us to something deeper these days. He knows we need it.
Always appreciate your recommendations, Linda! When I clicked on SoulSpace just now, I read, "His love turns mistakes into miracles." I almost cried! Just last week at Bible study I admitted that regret for past mistakes still bother me from time to time. Oh, how I'd like to embrace the truth of that quote! I know it's within God's power to do just that--turn mistakes into miracles. / As for my quiet time: most mornings I include Bible study, a brief entry in my gratitude journal, a devotional reading, scripture memory review, and prayer. (Sometimes I spend more time journaling than studying, in an effort to access the benefits of reflection.)
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love when God sends us the perfect word at our time of deepest need? Often we don't even realize how tender and painful that need actually is.
DeleteWhat a wonderful Savior!
Thanks for sharing the spiritual practices that you're finding helpful. I admire your walk with Christ, friend 👩.
I'll be so excited to hear what you think about Atlas of the Heart. I got so much from it. Her precise definition of each emotion really challenged my lackadaisical use of some of them. Thanks for sharing my recommendation post!
ReplyDeleteEveryone is talking about this book, Lisa 📕. I'm thinking maybe it'll be our next Book Club read? What do you think?
DeleteReading is my favourite activity, although it does get less time these days due to my work schedule. I've been wondering about Brené's new book. I've read all her other books and the quotes I've seen so far from this new book of hers are similar to what she has written before. So, am curious about what others will think about it!
ReplyDeleteI'm curious and intrigued, too, Lynn. This might be the first time I've chosen a Book Club selection that I haven't even read yet 😉 !
DeleteThe little boy's book in the library and how the librarians handled it delight my heart, Linda. :) Thank you for all the goodies here. I just ordered Changes That Heal. The preview on Amazon really drew me in. And what you said here is so helpful and encouraging - "I've stopped beating myself up over not having my interactions with the Lover of my soul nailed in stone. He knows my heart." Yes! Love and blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteHenry Cloud is always always spot on. I respect him highly. He's got a talk show every day. Superb!
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwDZWOu-Elk
My devotional last year was New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp. Excellent, deep insights.
ReplyDeleteNow I am using a DevotionalCommentary by Lawrence Richards. It is lengthy and the first 5 books are bringing me down at times. God is truly detailed oriented, big time! But it is helping be sooooooo thankful for living in this age of grace.
Glad your day went well today!
I always lean forward when you share what you're reading , friend ... grateful with you for the grace that God keeps showing us in this broken world we're living in 🌎.
Deletexo
I laughed out loud at Victor's comment!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, My Friend!
Yep, he's always got something to say ... where does he get this stuff from?!
Delete😂
Changes that Heal is on my to read list!
ReplyDeleteOutstanding, friend. I hope you'll do a review 📝!
DeleteOrdering Your Private World is one of my all-time favorites. It impacted my life at a crucial time many years ago and I have read it more than once. I saw some others that I want to check out. Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteDonna, hi! Yes, I've appreciated MacDonald's work over the years. This one's a classic, a must read, isn't it 👓 ...
DeleteLove your list as usual. I am slowly digging into Atlas of the Heart too.
ReplyDeleteI've been surprised at how this book is on so many readers's radar. That tells me something 💭 ...
DeleteWhat great round up - I read both Callahan's books and loved them. I was introduced to Amanda Dykes last year and have read, and really enjoyed, three of her recent books. I have Your Is the Night on my shelf and ready to crack open soon - if you haven't read her - I highly recommend Blessings on your weekend, Linda!
ReplyDeleteJune, good morning 🌞! And thanks for introducing us all to a new author. I'm off to find out more about her work ...
DeleteThanks for the book recommendations, Linda. I bought Jan Koran's Bathed in Prayer book. I haven't read the Mitford series, so I appreciate that this will be a "best of" or summary of the series in one book.
ReplyDeleteQuiet Time: I like to worship with music. And I appreciate audio Bibles. I will listen to one version, then switch to another version. It really keeps the Word fresh.
Devotionals: I don't use devotionals in the morning, but I'm reading several in the evening before I go to bed: One Word for Today for Spirit-Filled Living: A 90-Day Devotional (someone recommended it last month & I'm thoroughly enjoying it!); Delighting in God by A.W. Tozar; Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin. These are the three I'm reading in the evening.
Audio-Devotionals: I recently listened to several of Matt Redman's books which are devotional in nature: Blessed Be Your Name & Indescribable & Mirrorball.
Happy Reading/Listening!
Lisa, I respect your walk with the Lord and the deep work you do in presenting biblical insight. I really appreciate all the resources and ideas you've shared with us. I know I won't be the only one who'll be gleaning from them.
Delete📚
Thanks for sharing the richness of your faith. I'm grateful that our paths continue to cross.
Thank you for all these wonderful book recommendations Linda! So many good books, and so little time to read! I didn't know Jan Karon also did inspirational writings. My absolute favorite, hands down, of all times devotional is My Utmost For His Highest. It is a classic, and with such deep penetrating thoughts and subjects, I find myself always challenged by this devotional. I read the Bible book by book. I also like to study subjects and words. My study takes me all over the Bible most days! I go on a lot of rabbit trails, as I am often researching subjects for the bible study group that I teach. Of all the titles you suggested, I absolutely love AW Tozer. Have read many of his books. The Pursuit of God is a wonderful one! Thank you for sharing these titles Linda, have a blessed weekend!
ReplyDeleteMarilyn, hi! Yes, AW Tozer is a favorite, a hero of the faith. And you're prompting me to pull My Utmost off the shelf and add it to the mix!
DeleteThanks for the bit of insight on your research and study of God's Word 📝. Fascinating. You've added so much to our conversation today. I'm grateful.
Thanks for the mention! I loved the story about the boy putting his hand-made book on the library shelf. I've never read Brene. I have a couple of books of Jan Karon's quotes Father Tim kept. I hope to read The Four Loves this year. I've had Ordering Your Private World on my shelf for ages and need to actually read it sometime.
ReplyDelete📚 Barbara, you always have a great big pile of resources to share with us all! When / if you get to spend time with Ordering Your Private World, I'll look forward to reading your review.
DeleteHave a wonderful weekend, friend ...
This February I’m trying my hand at writing devotionals—and using photos to illustrate each one. They say nature is God’s second book, so all of the devos are based on what I’ve learned about God through nature.
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love the combination of writing and photography! They go together like hand and glove, don't they, Anita 📸.
Delete