August Book Recommendations

Here are this month’s book recommendations. I hope you’ll be blessed by these! Please share some of your favorites with us as well.

 

Fiction – 

A Name Unknown by Roseanna White (KU)

The Shadows Over England series and the Codebreakers series by this author are some of my favorite books! She does a fantastic job writing believable, likeable, sympathetic characters in the interesting setting of pre/during WWI. This first book in the series, introduces a struggling “family” of street kids who banded together for survival. The oldest girl takes a risky job for a mysterious patron, but through the challenges and dangers, she ends up finding God. The story has bits of humor, great history, lovable characters, mystery, and romance. I enjoy this book just as much each time I reread it!

 

Non-Fiction – 

The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines

I really enjoyed this memoir that was well-written, funny, and inspiring! It’s told mostly from Joanna’s perspective, with Chip chiming in here and there. They share about the struggles, hardships, victories, and surprises on their journey. Though they are in many ways just an ordinary couple, they have also chosen an extraordinary way of life in serving others, impacting their community, and following as God leads them. Their story is entertaining and uplifting!  

 

Devotional – 

Rose from Briar by Amy Carmichael

This book helped me so much during the worst years of my illness – probably because Amy wrote it during a season when she was mostly confined to bed with an injury. And she wrote it especially for people struggling with health issues. Though the writing and vocabulary are old-fashioned (published in 1933), the truths she shares are timeless. If you know someone suffering with chronic illness, this book is a priceless gift of encouragement.

(KU – available in Kindle Unlimited)

Help, Lord!

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” -Psalm 46:1

“Help, Lord!” 

How many times have you prayed that this week? I’ve lost count. Though I often try to start a prayer with “Thank you, Lord, for…” sometimes I can’t even get that far before the “Help, Lord!” just comes out. 

I’m so grateful that our loving, heavenly Father understands our needs, our weaknesses, our pain. He is always with us, always working in us by His Spirit, and always knows what we need before we ask.

Sometimes what I need is just something simple. Give me one small action or one truth to hold onto in this painful moment…and that’s often what God does.

Recently, the Lord gave me the poem below. It’s simple. Yet it’s been so helpful, as I focus on one thing at a time to find what I need from the Lord in this moment. 

I encourage you to read the poem slowly, with a deep breath in between each word. Let the Lord speak His comfort, strength, truth, and grace to you with each step. 

Jesus is more than able to help us in whatever we face today. He is already answering before we even call. He is with us and for us. He is an ever-present help in time of need. 

Amen. 

 

 

“Help, Lord!” 

 

Breathe. 

Trust.

Release.

Receive.

Embrace.

Rest.

Thank.

Rejoice.

Breathe.

 

(by Joanna K. Harris Copyright 2024)

 

July Book Recommendations

Here are this month’s favorite book recommendations. I hope you’ll be blessed by these! Please share some of your favorites in the comments.

Fiction – 

Winning the Gentleman by Kristi Ann Hunter (KU)

A Regency book with horses – what could be better? I loved this story about a sister and brother who’ve lost everything except each other and her horse. The sister tricks her way into a job as a jockey, while her brother recovers from an injury. And, of course, she falls for the horse trainer. This story has compelling characters, fabulous horses, trick-riding, racing, and true love overcoming all obstacles. =) Seriously though, it’s one of my favorite books, and I reread it often.

 

Non-Fiction – 

Catch a Star: Shining Through Adversity to Become a Champion by Tamika Catchings

I really enjoyed this memoir about Tamika’s life. She experienced numerous challenges and obstacles, both early on and later in life. She shares openly about those and the ways that she overcame to become a champion basketball player (including four Olympic gold medals). I appreciated her humble perspective throughout the book and her heart to serve others. For sports lovers, there’s plenty of basketball details in this book, but more importantly life lessons she’s learned and a testimony of God’s faithfulness. 

 

Children’s – 

Great Grammy’s Black Velvet Hat by Holli Bryce Fry 

This is a sweet book that can help children with impending or recent loss of a loved one, especially a grandparent. In the story, little Lily visits her great-grammy every day. Each visit, Lily tries on a different hat from her grammy’s collection, and Lily learns more about her grammy’s life through them. After Grammy passes away, the family gathers together to honor her life. All the women in the family decide to wear one of grammy’s hats to remember what a special person she was. The story shares a simple gospel message as well, giving comfort to Lily that her grammy is now in heaven with Jesus. 

 

(KU – available in Kindle Unlimited)

 

You Can Thrive

“They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor.” –Isaiah 61:3c 

I stared at the missionary sitting across the table from me. 

 

“What would it take for you to thrive?” she asked me.

 

Several thoughts rolled quickly through my mind. 

 

Thrive? Are you kidding me?

 

I just want to survive. 

 

I’m just grateful I can finally manage the laundromat and neighborhood grocery store on my own. 

 

I just want to avoid any language disasters, getting lost in this city without cell service, or accidentally offending my host family. 

 

Thrive? Are you kidding me?

 

Of course, I didn’t say any of that to the missionary. I was a short-term volunteer, only there for a few months. Thriving was not on my radar at all. I just hoped to manage all the adjustments the best I could and do whatever good I could during my short time there.

 

Our conversation quickly took a different path that day, and I didn’t give the word “thrive” a second thought…for the next four years.

 

Then, one day, I picked up a book, and I was surprised when the author presented a different picture of thriving than I had ever seen. 

 

What do you picture when you hear the word “thrive”? 

 

I had thought of thriving as being at the height of success (whatever success is for you), like a garden in full bloom. To me, thriving meant being your best, doing your best, and living a life where everything was great! 

 

And that always seemed out of reach for me. 

 

What if I told you that the basic definition of thrive is “to grow well”?

 

Consider that – to grow well.

 

Not be the best. Not do the greatest thing you could possibly do. Not have the dream life. But simply grow well – regardless of circumstances, challenges, trials, suffering, loss, weakness, etc. The beautiful reality is that none of those things can stop spiritual growth. In fact, they can actually enhance our spiritual growth.

 

It’s in trials, hardships, and weakness that we are more likely to run to Jesus for His comfort, wisdom, and strength. The more we run to Jesus, the more He transforms us to be like Him. He grows us in grace, in truth, and in godliness.

 

That is thriving. 

 

In nature, and in our lives, thriving doesn’t only happen when conditions are perfect or when there’s no opposition. Thriving is something God implanted in His creation, with very few elements required. A little water, a little sun, a little time…and growing things grow. 

 

God created you and me to grow as well. We have the water of His Word and His Spirit. We have the Son of life living in us. We have the eternal God as our refuge and strength. We have everything we need to thrive! 

 

For me, it was my mindset that needed changing. I needed to believe that I can grow well by growing even a little every day. A little time in the Word. A little gratitude expressed. A little smile for others. A little whispered prayer. A little faith, like a mustard seed.

Sure, I’d love to spend a lot of time in the Word and have a lot of smiles every day. But when life is crazy, when the pain won’t relent, or when we get blindsided yet again…it’s the little things that help us keep taking the next step forward – that help us keep growing.

 

So, I’ll you ask the same question that took me by surprise years ago. 

 

What will it take for you thrive?

Today, right where you are, what will help you to grow well? 

What little thing can you do, believe, receive? 

Whatever you’re facing today, even if your only goal is survival – hold on to the hope that God created you to grow. And by His grace, He will keep growing you, little by little, day by day, for His glory. 

 

You can thrive.

 

“…for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” –Philippians 2:13

 

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever! Amen.” –2 Peter 3:18

June Book Recommendations

To my great delight, I recently found a whole stack of books on sale for $1 or less! I still read more ebooks than paperbacks, but it’s fun to hold an actual book in my hands sometimes. Here are some of my favorite book recommendations for summer reading. I hope you’ll enjoy them as well! 

 

Fiction – 

Picture Perfect (Weddings by Design Book #1) by Janice Thompson (KU)

This is a fun, lighthearted romance about two wedding photographers. Hannah feels like she’s in competition with fellow photographer Drew. Of course, sparks fly, and Hannah eventually realizes partnership is better than competition. Hannah’s character is also Irish, and the story is filled with humor and her family’s crazy antics and traditions. This is one of my favorite novels by Janice Thompson. If you’re looking for an easy-going, humorous, clean, Christian fiction book, you’ll enjoy this one! 

 

Non-Fiction – 

The “Do What You Can” Plan – 21 Days to Making Any Area of Your Life Better by Holley Gerth 

I so appreciate the approach of this book! It’s not easy to set and reach goals when life is crazy or during particularly busy seasons. This book helps us think smaller and take little steps forward one day at a time. This results in progress and helps us feel encouraged about what we can do, instead of focusing on what we can’t do. This is a great book to reread often and follow the little steps for whatever area we’d like to experience progress in. 

 

Children’s – 

Hippocephalus: A tale of hippo hope for kids facing medical challenges by Beka Burns 

This book is a great resource for families who have children with medical needs. It’s sweet and fun to read, while explaining in kid-friendly language about medical procedures and doctor’s appointments. It’s a somewhat long book, so it’s better to be read in installments than all at once. If you know a family whose child has medical needs, I hope you’ll pass along this book to them!  

 

(KU – available in Kindle Unlimited)

 

Living with All My Heart

I’m excited to announce that my friend Kati and I recently published a new children’s book!

https://gracepossible.com/product/all-my-heart-ebook/

The idea for this book came after I’d been reading in the Psalms, and I noticed the same phrase used often.

 

“I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart….” (Psalm 9:1)

“I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart….” (Psalm 86:12)

“I seek you with all my heart….” (Psalm 119:10)

“Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.” (Psalm 119:34)

I started thinking about this idea of living with “all my heart.” Of course, I want to live that way! Of course, I can’t do it. 

When questioned, Jesus answered that the greatest commandment in the law is to love God with all your heart (and all your soul, mind, and strength). (Mark 12:30) However, Jesus didn’t say, “So, go do it.” Jesus knew that as sinful human beings, it’s impossible for us to keep this commandment. If we could love God with all our heart, Jesus wouldn’t have needed to come as our Savior. Praise God, Jesus did come and He fulfilled the law. He loved God and He loved others perfectly.

 

Now, since we do have Him as our Savior, and we do have the Holy Spirit living in us, we can grow in this way of living wholeheartedly day by day, (though still imperfectly). I think the key to this kind of life is explained in 1 John 4:19: “We love because he first loved us.”

 

God’s love for me is perfect. It is unlimited. It is powerful. It is eternal.

 

The more I understand and experience God’s love for me, the more my heart responds with love for Him, and the more I live out of love instead of selfishness or self-reliance. Understanding God’s love for me more and more leads me to loving God more and more. It leads to living more with “all my heart.” That’s how I want to live. 

 

We hope that our new book encourages children and helps them understand this simple truth – that they can live each day with all their heart, as the last line of the book says,

“Because my heavenly Father loves me always with all His heart.”