This entire post was written in the note section on my phone or on my laptop in the car.
Crazy.
I'm sure this is a common practice for some bloggers, but not this one.
No way.
Typing this post, book by book, on my phone or in between cities on road-trips is just a small representation of how crazy this year has been for us.
Crazy in the best way!
We relocated, got a new home, new city and so many new & old friends. I've been back and forth to Kenya twice and Uganda once, traveled domestically for HVG & leading worship, finished homeschooling 7th & 4th grade, packed up and headed to Scott River Lodge to serve for the summer. We have loved our summer crew and hate to see the season come to a close! July was the busiest of times for us. A wedding, leading 2 weeks of marriage retreats, Houston Project, Kenya, all while shepherding our SRL Summer Crew.
CrAy. Fun. But CrAy.
That said 2017 has held some sweet reading but little time to document. I hope these little reviews are helpful and you find some great reads to add to your wish list!
I started 2017 reading this book with a little texting book club. (friends who don't live around each other but want to read the same books! It's fun!) I had already read quite a bit of NT Wright's works but jumped right on in with my friends knowing this book was a compilation of essays he had written on different subjects. If you don't know that ahead of time, you may find this book repetitive so understanding Wright's purpose and that each chapter is "stand alone" really helps the reader engage in each subject. He covers topics that cover a wide array of contemporary subjects and,
like he so often does, Wrights brings in literary & sociological history to support Biblical
ideas. This book is a good “group” book
as its subjects are ones that don’t have to be read together. It also makes for a great reference on contemporary topics
such as Christian involvement in politics, women in ministry, evolution, Christian's need to be involved in environmental movements, etc.
I can not say enough about this book. This is a wonderful bedside table book but
also a morning encouragement book. You
will breeze through these pages as if you were talking to a friend who loved
you deeply enough to speak into some of the harder parts of life. Shauna is
gracious and kind as she shares from her own experiences of being a friend, a
mom, a wife, and an adult child of parents in ministry. I took so many life lessons
from this book as if I was learning from a mentor just a few years ahead of me
in life (although I think I’m probably older than her! ha!). I recommend this book to anyone in the daily
grind of life who needs to relinquish some anxiety over being perfect. I
actually put off reading this book because the title made me think I probably
need the opposite book, HA! (I struggle with being too present that ALL THE THINGS get dropped! Eeee!) But boy am I glad I picked it up! I needed it more than I ever could have
known. 
I wanted to start this review by saying, “this one is for
the artists in your life.” But that
would have been a gross understatement.
In this book Erwin McManus outlines for us, with great passion, in true
McManus form, the Biblical ideas of artistry. He pleads with the reader to find the artist
inside of you. He contends that we are all created in the image of God, the true
& purest artist, so deep within all of us, we have the desire to
create. Art takes on so many forms and in
this book Erwin allows you the freedom to search your soul for creativity. While this book breathes life into all the “creatives”
out there, I believe this book could make a huge impact lives from all spheres
of society.
I have been deeply impacted by the ministry of She Reads
Truth, so when I heard the co-founders wrote a book together, I was in the
pre-order line! Staying true to there heart
to get Scriptures into the hands and hearts of women (and now men!) around the
world, this book is full of Truth. The
authors take turns chapter by chapter telling stories from their lives,
testifying to the reader of how God was near to them in good times and bad and
that the Word of God is alive and active and helpful for encouragement and correction.
This book was like a drink of water, refreshment to the soul. Filled full with Scripture, you will be so
deeply encouraged by this book and the testimonies in it. 
This is one of those books that by watching friend after friend be deeply impacted by it,
I decided to pick it up. I have read all
of Jennie Allen’s previous books and have really enjoyed and recommend each one. Nothing to Prove sits right up there with all
of the others! This book is fitted with wonderful questions at the end of each
chapter that don’t let you move on from the thoughts you just read. Jennie stops you in your tracks and helps aid
true change in your heart and mind, reminding you that you are loved by God and
you can be you. I recommend this book for book clubs, bible study-like small
groups and the like. Her questions and insights are worth discussing and have
the potential to be life giving and life changing.
What an incredible book!
Vernon read this to our family out loud each morning to begin our
day. I had read parts of it before but
going through it all together as a family was a delight. This book takes the entire story of Scripture
and puts it in a beautiful narrative as if you were sitting around a campfire
among exiled Israel. This book brings clarity to the story of the Bible to all
ages. We recommend it to all people. It is helpful to those who grew up hearing
all of the stories but are unsure how it all fits, as well as it is helpful to
those who have never heard the good news of Scripture. And boy is it
beautifully written, easy to read and even easier to listen to.
Happy Reading, y'all!
Thanks for stopping by!
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