Ruth Myers' 31 Days of Praise was another book from my own shelves. I enjoyed supplementing my morning devotional time with short passages from the book. The book is broken down into sections. In the first section, praise is introduced and encouraged. The second section offers 31 different daily readings that emphasize praise. The third section makes a case for the importance of praise in our worship of God. For the final section, a few pages suggest further acts of praise.
I don't often highlight in books, but as I had already highlighted some passages before, I continued the practice as I read. On Day 11, I appreciated the expression of gratitude for past trials that became raw material for God's blessing in my life and the lives of others. I found these words so helpful: "Thank you for the things in my past that appear to be limitations, hindrances, bad breaks... the wounds of old hurts, the unmet emotional needs, the mistakes or neglect of other people--even their cruelty to me, their abuse." I have suffered abuse at the hands of family members (abuse that, when confronted, yielded only justifications and rebuttals), yet I must thank God for even those trials that "were permitted by [God] to make me see my need of [God] and prepare my heart for [His] Word." I must pray for him to help me wipe clean any slate of grievances.
In Day 12, I needed this humble reminder, "You ask me to do absolutely nothing to earn Your forgiveness--no striving to measure up, no self-punishment, no prolonged remorse, no self-blame, no deeds of penance.... You don't hold a pair of scales and ask me to pile up enough good works to outweigh my sins, my failures, my unworthiness... it's all by grace through faith."
This book provides a humbling reminder of God's grace, His power to redeem, and His desire to reign victorious in our lives. It is a useful tool for promoting praise in our private worship times. I recommend the book as a small supplement to daily meditation. May I praise God daily (even in the hard)!
I'm not generally a movie-goer, but this year, I've viewed 3 movies (2 in theaters) I highly recommend. All 3 were on my 2026 bucket list. Last month, I wrote up a whole movie review for my favorite movie of the year, A Great Awakening. It was powerful! Definitely a must-see! I saw it twice in the theater and would have happily gone again, if it had remained in our local theaters longer. To be honest, I might even consider purchasing the DVD eventually.
I was anxiously awaiting May 8th, the release day for the Netflix movie adaptation of Shelby Van Pelt's outstanding book, Remarkably Bright Creatures. The big draw was Sally Field playing the main human character, Tova Sullivan. Man-oh! Man-oh! It did not disappoint. When I wasn't laughing, I was wrecked with tears. Once again, I found myself raving about the movie to anyone who would listen. I watched it again on Wednesday night with my youngest son. He loved it! I hope to watch it some weekend with my husband (a very reluctant movie-goer).
Sometimes readers worry that a movie will not live up to the book (because so many don't deliver). This fit those rare occasions when the movie actually hones the book and conveys the essence clearly. The movie cut away much of the background information for the drifter character, Cameron. But, in doing so, it gained strength for the bond between Tova and Cameron. My heart ached with the grief they each carried (Tova for her dead son and Cameron for his dead mother), grief that deepened their friendship. Add in the excellent narration of Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus, and the relationships resonated abundantly. I did see a few readers on Facebook mourning the loss of things like the missing house key, but the majority are raving about how well the adaptation communicated Van Pelt's intended story. The emotional impact is strong, characters well-developed, and take-away profound.
My third favorite movie of the year is another unexpected one. When I first heard the premise of Remarkably Bright Creatures, I didn't think I'd like the novel because it includes, well... a talking animal. Seriously. But some storytellers can pull off talking animals. On Tuesday ($6 day), Sean and I went to see The Sheep Detectives. Sean's girlfriend was bummed when she found out because she had wanted to see it, too. Thankfully, it will show later at the $5 theater near her.
I was expecting a humorous little talking animal tale about a flock of sheep solving the mystery of their shepherd's murder. I loved the idea that the shepherd read to his sheep each night from mystery novels, assuming they couldn't understand because they were only sheep. This movie was fun and entertaining, yes. But, it also led to a great deal of deeper thought about biblical metaphors. The movie stirred reflection on how we, as sheep (sometimes as shunned winter lambs), often go astray. The shepherd saves us from danger and destruction. He calls us by name.
The movie addresses deep concepts amid animal hijinks. The sheep must contemplate leaving the safety of the fold, consider death and grief, and wrap their heads around the concept of God. Sean and I tried to communicate the clever scene discussing God, but couldn't remember it enough to do it justice when regaling my husband. I found a movie reviewer who captured the scene well. I didn't feel like it made light of God or led to nonsensical views. Personally, the whole movie made me think about God and our relationship to Him. Here's how Daniel Blackaby reviewed the God-explanation scene:
"There is a humorous moment in which the sheep walk through the church grounds, and one sheep tries to explain God to the other. God is a shepherd, but also a lamb. He also “damns people”, but this only leads the other sheep to assume God must be giant beaver. God is invisible, but he is also bread, and people eat him every Sunday, says the one sheep to his increasingly confused friend. Some viewers may feel this dialogue makes light of God or equates faith in him with nonsense, but I found the honest questions endearing."
The movie is family friendly and could open up conversation about the deep scriptural metaphors portrayed in the movie. God is, indeed, "complicated," but I welcome even humorous tales that drive home spiritual truths. The writing is incredibly clever and witty. It holds appeal to children and adults alike. Good shepherds, bad shepherds, beloved sheep, wayward rejected sheep - we each can find God and ourselves in this story. May I be an attentive sheep and listen to my Shepherd.
Now that I have read Between the Mountain and the Sky, I would love to see the documentary. Maggie Doyne's story of her gap year and mission to meet the needs of young Nepali children is inspiring. Would that every young woman identified and chased their dreams with abandon! Maggie is an extraordinary example of love's driving force for good. The number of lives she touched is probably immeasurable.
Maggie Doyne was drawn to the plight of a child banging a rock in the river in Nepal. Her dream of helping that child go to school grew into a vision for a children's home and school. With the help of Nepali friends and guides, Maggie spent her life's savings and began to tackle the dream bit by bit. When funds ran dry, she held a garage sale, sparking the attention of the media. Who knew she would end up adopting over 50 children. Over the years, her dream has been embraced by several philanthropic organizations eager to highlight her cause.
This is a deeply human story. It is not just about money thrown at a problem. Maggie invested her all into this dream. She loved, even when love cost much pain. Her story is heart-rending and motivating at the same time. Full of ups and downs, her journey is fascinating to read. If you've read the book or seen the documentary, I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Surprisingly, I've never read a David Baldacci novel before. The name is familiar and popular, but this was my first foray, with Strangers in Time. Isn't this cover beautiful? I snagged the audio book version from my library and was really enjoying listening to the narration. Sadly, it came due (large hold list) and I was able to finish reading the book in large print, hardback form (less demand). I'm wishing I'd been able to hear the whole novel.
Charlie Matters is a 14-year-old who knows his way around London. He knows his way around rules, as well. When he robs The Book Keep bookshop, his conscience gets the better of him and returns the money and the book. Ignatius Oliver, the owner, insists on giving him the book. Charlie is tempted to sell the book. It could bring him 5 pounds and that might go a long way to helping Charlie and his grandmother keep up with bills.
Molly Wakefield is returning to her posh London home, after a spell away in the country for safety. She expects to find her mother and father at home, but is greeted by only her nanny. She hires Charlie to help her look for her father, but they have no success. Charlie, Molly, and Ignatius weather the storms of war together and look out for each other. They each carry heavy personal burdens, but bearing it together lightens the load.
The narration sucked me into the story. Yet, I had a harder time staying riveted when reading on my own. The book has likeable characters and brings wartime London to life. It is quite like many other WWII novels, but the writing is clean and good. I would be willing try another by this author, but perhaps not another war novel.
This was February's read for the Christian Fiction Reading Challenge I joined. At one time, I picked up Katherine Reay's Dear Mr. Knightley. It wasn't the right timing for me, and I set it aside. This time, however, I was enthralled by Reay's well-woven story of an alleged forgery. I listened to The English Masterpiece on Hoopla and loved the distinct, alternating narration of the two main characters, Lily and Diana. It made my morning exercise and chores slip by unnoticed.
When I lived in London, I visited the Tate Gallery (purchased a lovely card game of painting sets). How fun to return to that setting, albeit in an earlier timeframe! Lily eagerly anticipates the 1973 opening of a Picasso exhibit she helped prepare. Her boss, the art curator, Diana Gilden, hopes to advance in her job as a result of their work. Instead, with one uncontrolled whisper of "forgery," Lily has put everything in jeopardy. Lily's own asperations of showing a painting in an upcoming Emerging Artists Exhibition may be foiled, as well. But, as we all sadly learn, once words slip out, you cannot undo them.
What follows is a carefully plotted chase to determine the truth behind the painting and its provenance. The insurance company calls up an American detective, Conor Walsh. When he finds a student studio full of Lily's copies of the masters, suspicion shifts to Lily. Walsh and Lily feel pulled toward each other, but the mystery remains the focus. She is closed off to others, but will she open up to Conor?
I loved the pacing, and the characters were well-drawn. Lily's back-story was interesting. I was thrilled to explore the world of early-70s London. The writing was such that I forgot there was a puppet-master pulling the strings. My mind was gripped with the unfolding mystery. I'm so glad I read this book, and I cannot wait to seek another Katherine Reay novel.
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My favorite passage of all came toward the end of the book, when Lily is ruminating on the assessment of talent. Her words, about painting, could equally apply to writing. "Next week, I'll find out how far I'm willing to stretch, how vulnerable I can make myself, and how much of myself I'm willing to splay onto a canvas. Whether the art world chooses to laud my efforts or eviscerate them is beyond my control... As Picasso taught me, the act of painting is the vivisection of one's soul, splayed out before the world in a two dimensional format. And in art, as in life, success lies in holding nothing back. The world can hate it, but I can still have a marvelous time."
I appreciate author Jordan Raynor's weekly book recommendations (although, I realize, many he hasn't actually read). When he mentioned Gretchen Saffles' book, The Well-Watered Woman, I noted it on my endless reading wish list. Then, I experienced a God-thing a few months back, repeatedly encountering the story of the woman at the well. Each time, the teaching held a little different angle. By the fifth time, it was clearly something God wanted me to camp on for a time. So, I returned to this title and checked out the audio version. This is an excellent, Bible-rich book.
The Well-Watered Woman encourages readers to seek the well of living water, the word of freedom, and the way of fruitfulness. Every chapter presents a hypothetical thirsty woman. This taps into each of our longings and needs. She outlines the transaction: bring your nothing; receive His everything. She asks, "Are you trusting in Jesus plus something... or are you trusting Jesus alone?"
The Word is our water - Deposit truth so you can withdraw during times of drought.
The Word is our protection - "We fight from the victory of Jesus, not for victory. Victory has already been claimed at the cross."
The Word is our roots - "Every desert season has a purpose--nothing is wasted in the kingdom of God."
I loved her encouragement to look for gospel intersections everywhere. It brought me back to my verse of the year (2 Cor. 2:14) and my daily pursuit to live out the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. I loved another beautiful section where she spoke of often overlooked wildflowers. Growth may be ongoing, even when it is underground or unnoticed. Some blooms take years to develop and bud. Moroever, she reminds that the well-watered woman lives a counter-cultural life. Does my life look too much like the world? Do I blend in or stand out for God?
For more from this author, seek her ministry, The Well-Watered Woman, which she has based on Isaiah 58:11 ("And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not." KJV)
The First Time I Saw Him is the riveting sequel to Laura Dave's best-selling book, The Last Thing He Told Me. This book sits at #61 in Suspense Thrillers on Amazon. It is, again, a page-turner. I cruised through in a few days. It was a fairly clean read. No unnecessary blood, guts, and gore and only mild cursing (for emphasis in the crisis moment).
The book picks up where the first installment left off, with the missing husband making a momentary appearance in Hannah Hall's life. Within pages, she receives an anonymous warning to flee because her and her daughter's lives are both in danger. I do wish I had taken time to re-read the first book, to remember more of the elements leading up to this mystery. Still, it could be read as a stand-alone, I'm guessing. The author sums up enough to get the reader up to speed.
Thankfully, these books provide good talking points. They are likely popular with a younger audience because of Reese Witherspoon's endorsements. The first book is now a series on Apple TV. As an older reader, it is always beneficial to keep in touch with what young people are reading. I wonder if my daughter-in-law has read these two books. Maybe I should ask.
