What I Read Instead

I am ridiculously, notoriously bad at reading the books on my reading list.

Like, seriously.

I envy the people who can put together a list of books to read and then actually get through the books on their lists. There are lots of people who do it. I am just not one of them.

Last year, I wrote out a list of books that I'd like to read in 2016, and I read exactly...

none.

None of them.

Nope.

I actually looked through that list again just now and went, "Ooooooh, yeah. I really want to read that!"

But just because I haven't gotten to any of the books I wanted to this year doesn't mean that I haven't been doing any reading. Its just, you know, none of the reading I planned on. Ha.

The Advent Devotional Wish List

Ah, Advent.

Can you believe that we're only one short week away? I can't. It came up quickly this year.

One of my favorite things about Advent, though, is the books. Yes, I might overdo it with Advent devotionals, so I've limited myself to just one a year. And this year it seems especially tough.

Preparing the Way

I know preparation.

For four years, I served in the office at a Bible Camp- processing registration forms and preparing, always the preparing, for a new group to encounter the love of Christ.

I sent emails, gathered details, prepped rooms, made door signs and name tags, printed schedules, coordinated with leaders. When I wasn't actively serving one group, I was preparing for the next one. Always, always preparing.

Most of the time, I enjoyed working to make the best possible experience for our guests.

I'll be honest with you, though. Being the prep person is not glamorous. It's often thankless, unnoticed, and unappreciated. Serving well as one who makes the way for others requires the right attitude. I don't usually have very much of that right attitude. I get bitter, tired, worn out, grouchy and impatient. Serving and preparing requires humility.


As we think about preparation, I can't help but think of John the Baptist. After all, he was the voice in the desert, crying "Prepare the way of the Lord!" And like any great servant, John's preparation was marked with humility.


I'm honored to be guest posting today for Kris Camealy! This post was inspired by her new Advent devotional:  (affiliate link) Come Lord Jesus: The Weight of Waiting.

Read the rest of this post at Kris Camealy's blog-->

DISCLOSURE: In order for me to support my blogging habit, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. You may see a full disclosure by clicking on my "About" page. I will only promote products that I use, enjoy, or take a shine to. All opinions and reviews are my own and are not influenced by any compensation I may receive.

What Good Is Jesus? A Book Review

They fold their hands to pray; friendship bracelets, colorful elastic hair ties, and beat up watches adorning their wrists. As I lead them in a quick closing prayer, I can’t help but wonder if my wisdom, limited and learned the hard way, is even making a difference to them.

After all, the span of ten years between us seems a really far gap to bridge. They never knew a time without Facebook, or even with internet that made that “bee-boo-bee-boo, rrrrrrrr” sound as it connected.

As we talked in our discipleship meeting, I was a little stunned and very impressed with the knowledge, the eloquence, of these five eighteen-year-olds. I remember eighteen as bumbling and unsure, but these young women have been asked for their opinions and thoughts since they could type. And they know what they want.

They want to make a difference. They want to learn to serve. They want something more and bigger and meaningful.

They want to know why Jesus affects their lives. What good is Jesus, anyway?

"I Didn't Want to Be That Girl!": A Study Review

I am insecure.

I worry about saying the wrong thing, about hurting my marriage, about wearing the wrong pair of shoes to the retreat and having people talk about me.

I'm concerned with what people think. I'm concerned about my deep, hard-to-root-out sin. I hate that I have such weak self-control.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again-- I am quick to point out my own mistakes and flaws.

I think many of us are. 

We see these things in our lives and think, "Ugh. I didn't want to be like that."

"Seamless": A Study Review

I am so blessed to be part of a church that puts an emphasis on small groups. Three years ago, brand new to the area and a newlywed, a lady I'd only just met came up to me after the service one Sunday and asked if I'd joined a group yet.

Being the socially awkward person I am, I picked at my thumbnail and tried to get out of committing to anything.

Luckily, the small group study they were working on was a couples study... so I could hide my odd extroversion-but-sort-of-shyness in Trevor's self-assured friendliness.

Three years later, here I am, just finishing up co-leading a group study myself! Yeah! I know! Crazy.

To be sure, it wasn't until we started getting involved with a small group that we finally started branching out a bit in our new town and making some non-co-worker friends. And we've been so, so blessed by the friendships and studies we've done.

Long story short, don't pick your fingers awkwardly. Just say yes and get involved in a church. You need it.

The Whole Story of the God Who Loves: Christmas! A Book Review

**This post is a book review, and contains an affiliate link**

I don't know when it was, exactly, that I started following Natasha Metzler's blog, but whenever it was, I became hooked. She writes so honestly and so beautifully, and her words about redemption and healing have many times been a catalyst for healing in me.

So, when I found out that she'd written a children's book for Christmas, I signed up for the "launch team;" both because I wanted to give back to such a wonderful woman... and also because I just really wanted to read the book!

I was not at all disappointed. Natasha's beautiful writing, her commitment to Truth, and her inspirational voice shine through in Christmas!.

Christmas! includes 25 well-known Bible stories, from creation to the resurrection. Natasha does a wonderful job of connecting each story to the overarching theme of the Bible: the God who loves. She explains each story in language a child would understand, without watering down the powerful truth of God's love leading up to the cross.

One thing that I really liked about the stories that are highlighted in Christmas! is that she included some biblical stories that you don't usually see in children's books (like the story of Hosea). She deals with delicate topics in a very tactful way, and uses the stories you don't typically see to really enrich the understanding of the redeeming love of God.

The illustrations are unique- I really love the textures that are used. The pictures are interesting, vibrant, and illustrate the Bible stories, but are abstract enough to spark imagination.

The only thing I didn't enjoy immensely about Christmas! is, well.... it's title.

I'm afraid that with a title like Christmas!, this wonderful book may be packed away with the tinsel and reindeer jammies, which would really be a shame. While there are 25 stories (perfect for reading one story a night leading up to Christmas), this book is definitely not only a Christmas tale- it's really more a story-version of a children's Bible.

I'd recommend this book, at any time of the year- and I'll also be purchasing a hard copy for myself to add to my little collection of children's literature.

If you'd like a copy of Christmas!, you can you can buy it on Amazon now!

DISCLOSURE: I received a digital copy of this book to read and review. No other compensation was provided.  You may see a full disclosure by clicking on my "About" page. I will only promote products that I use, enjoy, or take a shine to. All opinions and reviews are my own and are not influenced by any compensation I may receive.