Book Review: 101 Hymn Stories

Just before my May birthday, I was in Goodwill seeking some business attire for my youngest son's internship (at Rolls Royce). I skimmed through their books (although their raised prices put me off). I snapped a quick photo of this book, 101 Hymn Stories, and sent the photo to my husband, hoping he'd mention it to my sons as a gift idea. Alas, I was not gifted this book. However, I found it in audio form on Hoopla through my library. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the simple stories behind so many beloved hymns. If you are interested in hymns, I highly recommend the audio version, since it allows you to hear the melodies with lyrics recited in the background. Indeed, when I think of all the hymns I know, it is staggering. I was raised in church and probably have thousands of hymns memorized. What a great background of theology in my brain. And, to think many of these follow scripture, so I'm planting the Word in my head and heart.

The author, Kenneth W. Osbeck, compiled a second book called 101 More Hymn Stories. Sadly, it is not available in audio form. I found it in paperback, so that will have to suffice. These stories would be excellent to include in church bulletins or sermon illustrations. I've been using the Sing hymnal I received for Mother's Day during my morning devotions. Thankfully, nobody else is awake to hear me as I sing (or croak) two hymns and read the snippets of information provided at the back of the hymnal (not nearly as in-depth as Osbeck's stories). Singing, as Isaac Serrano reminds us in When Life Feels Empty, is an essential spiritual practice lending meaning to our lives.

Book Review: Desperate Prayers

When we discovered our prodigal son's journey, our prayer lives grew exponentially. I don't think I've ever prayed such desperate prayers as those lifted for my son! We rarely prayed together, as a couple, before the fallout of addiction drove us to our knees side-by-side. We have prayed desperate prayers to God. We have prayed importunate prayers, and seen answers that feel miraculous. We are currently in life's darkest moments and we continue to believe in the power of prayer.

This book, Desperate Prayers, by Rachel Wojo, outlines and encourages deep and abiding prayer principles. Rachel is no stranger to situations of desperation. Her daughter, Taylor, endured the neurological degeneration of Sanfilippo syndrome. Care for Taylor was demanding and her life threatened. During the pandemic, Rachel's husband lost his job and their finances were stretched while providing for many children.

Each chapter in the book addresses various desperate needs, with requests like, "God, see me," "God, heal me," "God, guide me," and "God, free me." Here's an example of the prayer principles she summarizes at the end of each chapter: "God will not allow your wilderness to go unnoticed. Prayer is the strongest weapon in your arsenal. Whatever your emergency, God is your eternal 9-1-1 Operator, always by your side.... No prayer is beyond God's reach or reply." She declares, "Desperate prayer is a wise admission, not a weak acceptance."

I found great encouragement in these pages when I read them prior to Trevor's death. I loved her reminder that sometimes God answers prayer, not for you, but for the sake of others (example: The bathing equipment, they petitioned repeatedly for, that finally arrived just before Taylor died. Taylor never even used it, but they were able to give it to another girl who faced significant challenges). Moreover, I loved her reference to that lovely chorus, "My Lord knows the way through the wilderness, all I have to do is follow." She, like Alistair Begg, encouraged me to "pray bigger." We cannot go to God with our "agenda" of what we think is best in these situations. But, we must recognize that He can do so much more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). 

Indeed, we are now clinging to that promise that He knows exactly what we need. Perhaps God's decision to take Trevor in July was merciful! Perhaps he was spared tremendous challenges and difficulties. We have already seen his death spread the good news of God's saving grace to those who might not have listened in any other circumstance. May God bring a bountiful harvest from Trevor's short life!

Book Review: Mattering

Earlier this month, we had the privilege of speaking with a family who met Trevor at the time of his tragic accident on July 3rd. An off-duty officer was visiting at his parent's home when they heard the sound of the crash. The officer and his mother rushed to the scene. Trevor was terribly shaken. Although their interactions were brief, they said Trevor made a great impression on them. The officer said Trevor hugged him and, being a weightlifter himself, he was impressed by Trevor's strength. Trev openly admitted his fault and expressed concern for the other driver. He was genuinely gutted. I'm sure the officer and his mother were both worried about Trevor in the middle of his crisis. They said they continued to think of him for days afterwards, and were then shocked and dismayed to learn of Trevor's death. The mother told me it has changed how she interacts with people, because you never know when an interaction with someone might be your last. Plus, it touched us that they took the time to share these interactions after the fact.

This book, Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose, changed me in a similar way. A graphic on the Amazon page highlights readers who might be drawn to this book. I fit the target audience several times over. It is for "a seasoned parent doing their best" [and feeling like it may not have been good enough], for "anyone who hasn't heard yet how much they matter," for "a retiree wondering what's next," for "an empty nester struggling to find a new purpose," and "a person feeling adrift." Check. Check. Check. Check. Check. After reading the inspiring novel about mattering, Reports of His Death Have Been Greatly Exagerrated, this non-fiction book brings home that fictional illustration. We all long for, dare I say need, deep connection and purpose.

Jennifer Breheny Wallace identifies 5 factors in feeling like you matter. 1) "Recognition - your actions are valued, and your absence would be felt;" 2) "Reliance - you feel needed because others depend on you;" 3) "Importance - you're prioritized;" 4) "Ego Extension - others are invested in your well-being;" and 5) "Attunement - you feel deeply understood and meaningfully responded to." These spokes must be addressed in order to have a sense of purpose in life. Much like Brad Aronson's Humankind, this book gives ample illustrations of ways people invest in mattering. I loved the idea of calling a "Code Lavender" for psychological emergencies that require intervention to meet those needs.

So, how do we increase our sense of mattering? Wallace suggests we use the "mattering lens." Ask yourself what part of mattering is lacking: sense of impact, feeling relied upon, prioritized, attuned to, or invested in? The steps are also two-fold (especially for those facing transitions - my hand is raised). First, seek to let others in (read books, listen to podcasts, find others in the same transition to connect with). Second, shift to finding a way to meet someone else's need in the world (use actions or words to tell someone else they matter). Speak into their lives when you get a chance!

I loved this insight, "The surest way to sustain our own sense of mattering is to focus on making others feel like they matter. The shift from 'I matter' to 'we matter' gives us both the long-term resilience and legacy we crave." So, when tempted to say, "Poor me, I have few deep connections and little purpose," I need to take steps to increase connection (just like my addicted son flailed because of lack of connection, I too flail for the same reasons). I need to find things that will give my life purpose and meaning. In the past, so much of my identity was in my writing. When things make that difficult, my purpose takes a hit.

This is a vitally important book. Our society is riddled with loneliness. As jobs get sucked up by AI, where will people feel like they make a difference or their life matters? We tune out and connect virtually, rather than in-person. I'm as guilty as the next. It is easier to sit on my phone seeking fake connection than to take the steps and risks to form real connection. The world is full of people who need to know they matter, who need others to take the time to focus on them and really listen. I'm grateful for these two individuals who made my son feel he mattered, and shared with us his impact on them.

 

Book Review: Your Story Matters

I've had this book, by Leslie Leyland Fields, highlighted in my Hoopla favorites (a sort of to-be-read notation) for months. I'm so glad I finally picked up Your Story Matters. Only 2-1/2 chapters in, I recommended it to my friend, Beth, who is considering writing a memoir and has asked me to help her. This book will help far more than I can. Indeed, I'd venture to say, she could write her book herself by following the instruction and encouragement provided in Your Story Matters: Finding, Writing, and Living the Truth of Your Life.

Each of us has a story. Every story is meaningful and important. When we share our stories, we impact the lives of others for good. Not only that, we process and live out the truths God is trying to teach us through the paths where He leads. So, this is not only a writing book. It is chock-full of encouragement to give our stories back to the Master and share them with the people around us, with purpose. You may not consider yourself a writer. But Fields insists your story matters, whether it is told in a few pages to a handful of friends or written in a book for the masses.

I loved that she referenced quotes by Fredrick Buechner, from his memoir, Telling Secrets. He writes, "It is precisely through these stories in all the particularity... that God makes himself known to each of us most powerfully and personally. If this is true, it means that to lose track of our stories is to be profoundly impoverished not only humanly but also spiritually." 

Fields emphasizes how words flesh out God's redemptive purposes for our pain and trials: "Often, redemption comes simply by bringing language--which is bringing light--to the silence. Every time we lock up a person, an event, even an entire decade in the Closet of Forgetting and Denial, we're robbing ourselves of the strength and wisdom that can come from those experiences. Those events came to us with purpose.... We get to shepherd and steward these burdens, all of them--the beautiful, the brilliant, and the horrid.... We have another chance to reclaim and redeem those moments. And sometimes they are redeemed simply by being faced and called out of the dark. When we can name our ghosts, they haunt us less."

Her questions and prompts at the end of each chapter are invaluable. Her insights come from years of writing and teaching writing. If God is going to use our stories as a witness to His power and purpose, we must be willing to share them. As Fields says, "Our job is to tell the truth, to simply write from who we are, where we've been, and we trust God for the rest." I came away energized to share my story for God's glory!

Book Review: Pray Big

Alistair Begg's little book, Pray Big: Learn to Pray Like an Apostle, is chock-full of encouragement and inspiration for praying. If you have read my blog at all before, you will know I am a huge fan of importunate prayers. These are the kind of prayers that feel impossible, but for God's vast omnipotence. We have seen God answer prayers that seemed outlandish and overwhelming. He can accomplish what we cannot. We never have to fear that we have asked God for too much!

At first, I listened to this book on my library's Hoopla account. This was such a blessing because it is narrated by the author himself, with his delightful Scottish lilt. How I would love to hear Begg preach in person! For now, I settle for clips I find on Facebook. As I listened, I wanted to pause and take notes, but I was walking on the treadmill. Instead, I snagged a paperback copy from my local church library and took notes after listening.

Begg encourages the reader to pray with great scope and purpose. We don't want to merely bring God our shopping list of needs and requests. We pray out of dependence and out of strong trust in God's almighty abilities to intervene. We must recognize our great need of Him. We cannot fix problems in our lives on our own (I felt this deeply in our walk with an addict). Begg gives 5 qualities Paul prays for the Ephesians: focus, hope, riches (not wealth, but a spiritual inheritance), power, and love.

We need to see what we really have. He writes, "Too often, as Christians we live like someone who has been given a full-board ticket on a cruise ship, and who sits on their deckchair eating crackers and drinking water because they haven't realized that all the food is free with their ticket." Paul reminds the Ephesians that they have been given "every spiritual blessing." A bit further on, Begg writes, "There is nothing you can ask for, or think of asking for, about which he does not say, I am able to do better than that." 

Begg peppers these pages with lines from famous hymns. This was such a blessing. His words inspire my praying. I loved this line: "Small prayers betray a suspicion that we have a small God." But by bigger, Begg is not encouraging things like health, wealth, and happiness (your general wish list), but rather "to be filled with his fullness, to be able to grasp the unknowable love of Christ, to live for the treasures of your future inheritance. We must pray for our own sake, for the sake of others, and for His [God's] sake. May my prayers be big, bold, and importunate, revealing trust in a big God.

Book Review: Where Prayer Becomes Real

I struggled to get into this book on prayer, Where Prayer Becomes Real. Writers Kyle Strobel and John Coe present a sufficient argument that in order to be real with God, we must be honest in our prayer. After reading one hour, I set the book aside for almost a week. I couldn't bring myself to give up on a prayer book, though. They outline 5 types of prayers: praying the psalms, prayers of intention, prayers of recollection, prayers of examine, and prayers of intercession.

If ever one wanted to see an example of honest praying, you only need to visit the psalms in the Bible. David and others pour out their heart, their lament, their worship, and their praise. I think my favorite sections were on praying The Psalms, examining your days and life, and interceding for others. The authors identify a common struggle. "When tragedy strikes and we pray, sometimes it feels like the smallest possible gesture. But intercession is no mere gesture. Intercession is a prayer of faith, and we are present to another to carry them, in the Spirit, to the Father." They argue for the importance of being present to the individuals we are lifting to the throne. [I wrote this review in June, but I feel the significance of this deeply now!]

At the end of the book, Strobel and Coe present mini callings for prayer. They suggest, 1) you must intend to be with God as He really is; 2) resist turning to fantasy and prayers of magic; 3) be honest with God in about your heart's longings without cleaning them up to be more acceptable; and 4) live in the truth of who you are in Christ. While this wasn't my favorite book on prayer (probably J. C. Ryle's Do You Pray?), it did spur me on to greater honesty with God in the face of personal trials. 

Book Review: By Design

Susan Hunt's By Design was on my personal shelves. I used this as supplemental reading with my morning devotions. The book was written in 1994. If feminism was encroaching at the time of publication, it has since exploded. Indeed, many women will be angered if they pick this up today. I, however, am a complimentarian. I believe in God's design for men and women. I embrace this call to complement one another as He prescribed.

Susan Hunt writes first to define women's distinctiveness and society's distortions. Secondly, she outlines the various aspects of a woman's role as helper. Each chapter begins with a mini-biography of a godly, role-fulfilling woman. These are engaging and inspiring vignettes. We read of Sarah Martin's prison ministry, Ann Hamilton's legacy, and Elizabeth Fry's Newgate prison transformation. The most stirring mini-biography provides the story of Valetta Steel, author of Thrice Through the Valley (a book I'd love to find and read). Her faith in the midst of abundant trials and tragedies encourages me to press on through my own trials and tragedies. I will keep this book, if for this mini-biography alone.

I needed Hunt's words about the role of helper-supporter. Marriage can bring its own trials. Hunt reminds the reader, "When you get married, you step to the front lines of a war zone, and the enemy is not your mate... the real enemy of your marriage knows the effectiveness of the 'divide and conquer' strategy.... The only way you will survive this conflict is to recognize and stand together against your common enemy and to embrace... the original American Dream of propagating and advancing the Gospel of the Kingdom of Christ in every remote neighborhood, apartment building, suburb, mobile home park, condominium, and retirement village in our country." Oh, how the enemy is seeking to divide and conquer in the midst of our grief. We covet your prayers.

I loved, too, that the author honed in on my verse of the year, 2 Corinthians 2:14. In this section, she mentions a scene from Pilgrim's Progress when Christian and Hopeful approach the River of Death before the gates of the Celestial City. When they step in, Christian begins to sink and cries out, "I sink in deep water; the billows go over my head; all His waves go over me." But Hopeful replies, "Be of good cheer. I feel the bottom and it is good." (This same passage was emphasized in the book about depression, Companions in the Darkness.) Those times (some I'm enduring now) when God knocks the props out from under us, cause us to hit bottom and recognize God's strength and solid foundation.

Author Spotlight - Sarah Trent

Several months ago, I began noticing Sarah Trent's writings on Facebook. She always nails emotions I have experienced. Her expressive writing communicates deep emotional anguish beside steady foundational faith. Readers come away encouraged and inspired. My faith has been invigorated by Sarah's writings. I think her words will minister to you, as well.

Sarah's writing is heartfelt and deeply moving. I have shared several of her pieces on my Facebook wall. She touches on grief and doubt, comfort and faith. 

On March 26th, I prefaced her post with a quote used in my book, Watching the Wayward: Psalms for Parents of Prodigals. I wrote, "Doubt and questions do not negate faith - they express it with tears and hope - as Sue Bohlin expresses, '[God] receives more glory through limping people who are dependent on Him, than healthy people who breeze through life independent of Him.'" 

Here is the devotional Sarah shared that day:

"You believe God is good…

but your heart still trembles at what His goodness has allowed.

You say it with your mouth, He is faithful, He is kind, He is just, but your chest tightens when you trace the outline of your own story.

Because somewhere between what you know

and what you’ve lived, there is a tension that feels like it might tear you in two.

You have seen too much to call this easy.

You have buried things you never thought would die. You have watched prayers fall to the ground like shattered glass,

sharp enough to cut you when you try to pick them back up again.

And still, you whisper, God is good.

But it doesn’t come out like a shout.

It comes out like a question wrapped in trembling.

You are not faithless.

You are wounded.

Because there is a difference between doubting His character

and struggling to reconcile His permission.

You don’t question who He is,

you question why He allowed this.

Why He stood still

when everything in you was breaking.

Why He remained silent

when one word could have stopped it all.

Why His hands, that formed galaxies,

did not reach down and interrupt the unraveling of your life.

And somewhere deep inside,

you wrestle with the quiet ache of it:

If You are good… why did this happen?

But this ache does not disqualify your faith.

It reveals it.

Because real faith does not exist in the absence of pain—it is forged in the presence of questions

that have not yet been answered.

It is the kind of faith that sits in the ashes

and still turns its face toward heaven,

even when heaven feels unbearably still.

It is the kind of faith that weeps at the feet of Jesus and says, I know You could have stopped this…and I still don’t understand why You didn’t.

And yet, it does not walk away.

Listen…

God is not threatened by your grief.

He is not offended by your confusion.

He does not recoil at your questions.

He steps into them.

The same God you call good

is the God who entered suffering Himself,

who did not explain pain from a distance,

but wore it in His own body.

He knows what it is to cry out,

to feel the weight of what was allowed,

to carry a story that looks like loss

before it ever looks like redemption.

So when you say,

“I believe You are good, but I don’t know how to be okay with what You allowed…”

He does not silence you.

He draws nearer.

Because somewhere in the sacred space

between your belief and your breaking,

He is doing something you cannot yet see—

Not wasting.

Not overlooking.

Not ignoring.

But weaving.

Thread by thread,

through tears you did not choose,

through nights you could not escape,

through pain that felt unnecessary and cruel,

He is crafting a redemption

that will one day make your trembling voice steady again.

Not because you will forget what happened,

but because you will see what He was doing

in the parts you thought were abandoned.

And one day, not today, maybe not soon,

but one day, your voice will rise again,

not as a question,

but as a knowing:

He was good… even there.

Until then, you are allowed to grieve what has happened while still clinging to who He is.

You are allowed to say,

“I trust You… but this hurts.”

And that is not the absence of faith.

That is faith, with tears in its eyes

and heaven still in its sight."

I had no way of knowing, at that time, that the words would ring even truer after my son's untimely death. How apt the above devotional is for the emotions I'm currently battling. I take great comfort in Sarah's words and thoughts. They reflect my struggles well and fix my gaze back on God. That is why I snapped up her devotional book, Launch Out into the Deep, when it became available in early April. You can read my book review of her book here. Her effective writing drove me to seek an interview for an author spotlight and she kindly agreed.

Q1: I've been following your inspiring pieces on Facebook for 6 months. I'm trying to place them in a category. Would you call them poems? Micro-essays? Devotionals? Or merely social media posts?

Sarah: I have always called them devotions, but I’m not sure what the perfect term would be! Most of them are simply love notes from the Lord.

Q2: Your writing clearly reveals that you have endured great losses and challenges in your young life. If comfortable, can you share the deep waters you've survived? What helps you endure? What is key to rising above challenges, in your view?

Sarah: I have had 4 miscarriages. Several of those have been extremely traumatic, and one of them almost took my life as well. Those are things I NEVER would’ve chosen. And honestly, some days, I still battle with WHY? What is the purpose? Although I would never have chosen this road, this grief, for myself…I have been able to reach people I never would’ve been able to otherwise. One of my most traumatic miscarriages, I remember begging the Lord for this to not happen, this to not be my reality. And he said, “if it has to be Gethsemane, will you love me anyway?” And to be honest, I didn’t always love him. I would be angry, and hurt, and frustrated with the things he had allowed. But there came a point in time where I had to decide that either God was God or he was not. He was either good, or he was not. He was either faithful, or he was not. Sometimes in those deep, dark places…we have to decide whether we are going to believe he is God or not. Even if nothing feels right, nothing is right, nothing looks good. I have to choose him. I have to choose whether “though he slay me, yet I will trust in him.” That’s a hard place to be, but if you’re going to make it out of the darkness, I truly believe you have to come to that place where you choose him anyways.

Q3: Such true insights! Even when the outcome is not what we believed God's will would bring, we must choose Him anyway! For years I kept my writing mostly to myself. In my own deep waters, with our prodigal son, God gave words (prayers) to articulate the struggle and I felt convicted that others might find blessing in their expression. Can you tell us what started your writing journey?

Sarah: I started writing “devotions” in high school. I loved to study, and I loved to write. I didn’t have social media at the time, but I had a little email list that would read them. My dad printed them all and has kept them.💛 I slowed down on writing when I began working full time and got married. When I experienced my first miscarriage, I stopped altogether. I had no desire to read my Bible for myself, much less to write for someone else. I had my first live birth, and had PPD. During that season, I began to write again, and share them on Facebook. I was a little concerned about what people would think or say, but I desperately needed an outlet. During my second miscarriage, I began to write more. And I stopped caring what anyone thought. Everything was raw and real. And it has increased since that point.

Q4: Pain certainly drives us to prayer and writing. You are a mother of small children and a photographer. How do you carve out time to write? What is your greatest writing challenge, and how has God carried you through that?

Sarah: None of my kids have been good sleepers! They have all been rough through the night. But that is when the Lord usually helps me the most, in the night, when no one else is aware, and I’m sitting up with a baby or toddler who hates sleep. One thing I do struggle with is burn out, just being exhausted all together. So I am trying to do better with “breaks” and realizing that I don’t HAVE to show up every day if it’s too much. The people I live with have to come first💛

Q5: Your posts receive great response and interaction. Did the following come quickly for you?

Sarah: No, the following was NOT quick. I posted for several years with very little engagement. But that was fine, I was doing what I knew I needed to do, and that was enough. I remember the post that really grew my page, was one about Mary’s mother. And how she likely raised Mary to be who she was. My following went from a few people that I knew for the most part, to over 10 k over night! With that came A LOT of trolls and nasty comments as well. Even a few death threats (people are insane). But that’s when my page began to grow some💛

Q6: That's crazy! Another impressive aspect is your depth of dependence on God's Word. Each piece draws heavily on biblical verses and principles. Can you tell us about the process between the Word and the writings? Are you in a passage that triggers a response? Do you begin with an idea and find support from God's Word?

Sarah: It’s a bit of both! Sometimes I draw from what I’m reading in God’s Word and begin writing from a passage, other times I’m driving down the road or up in the night and I have a thought and then I search for evidence from God's Word. My opinion means nothing unless it has God’s Word to back it up!

Q7: That's exactly the same process I followed in writing the prayer poems in my book. Sometimes God prompts something in response to God's Word. Sometimes God prompts ideas and provides wisdom from His Word. I think your words resonate with many. We all carry burdens. Do you feel "called to create" (as Jordan Raynor puts it)? What do you want your words to accomplish as you post them on Facebook?

Sarah: The Lord has opened a huge door for me, as far as posting on social media. I feel like I need to steward that opportunity well, and that’s why I definitely think it is an avenue of ministry. Especially in this season of my life!

Q8: I've been blessed by your ministry and believe you are stewarding well! Your first book, Launch Out into the Deep, was published by Redemption Press in April. It is a collection of devotional thoughts. I was a happy winner of a physical copy. Since I had already purchased the e-book, I sent my copy off to a very good friend whose burdens are unusually heavy. What led to the publication of that book? How did you determine its framework and what pieces to include?

Sarah: They actually reached out to me about publishing! That book was a total God thing and an answer to prayers I had prayed for quite a while about wanting to have a book in print. I cannot say enough good things about the team I worked with, and how they individually walked with the Lord. They were so kind and patient with me in my ignorance of the publishing process. Yet they took my mission and goal with my book so seriously!

Q9: I love how your writing honestly addresses lament, while leading to worship. Some consider the expression of lament as something sinful, a distrust of God in some way. I'm with Mark Vroegop (author of Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy), who views lament as evidence of faith when it leads to worship. What helps you move from loss and grief to praise and worship? Is it a saturation of scripture? A shift in perspective? The prayers of others?

Sarah: We have an entire book of our Bible called LAMENTATIONS, yet most people don’t know anything about lament. It’s such a taboo topic. Even Job’s friends thought he must’ve sinned somehow to experience such pain. Job’s story ends with the latter end being better than the beginning. But the whole book is included. The whole story is there, the good, the bad, and the ugly parts. We need more people who are willing to say, “yes, this isn’t great, this STINKS. But the latter end is coming. This is not the end.” Instead of a bunch of platitudes that don’t actually help. I think lament is a beautiful thing, and a necessary thing. It’s worship, and it’s inviting God into where you are. I hope the things I write encourage people to be more open, and hide less. Because God is the God of good times, and bad. The latter end is coming, just like Job’s, so I can worship Him here.

Q10: As you continue writing on Facebook, do you have plans to publish another book in the future? What topic might you choose for such a book? What is the best way for my blog readers to find your writing?

Sarah: I would love to write more books! I’m just waiting for the Lord to open doors. I have several “in mind,” but I would love to do one from the perspectives of biblical characters. I have written several devotionals on those topics and I think I have enough for a solid book! But whenever, and whatever doors the Lord opens…I want to be ready to walk through them. I have Facebook, Instagram, and a substack as well! A lot of people who enjoy reading, subscribe to my substack, because it’s sent to their email and no socials are required! I would love to have any one follow along💛

Many thanks to Sarah for fielding my questions and sharing her inspiring work. I hope you take a moment to read some of her writings and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, or Substack. I encourage you to purchase her book. The beauty of the paperback copy is that you can interact with the pieces by writing in the allotted space after each devotional. However, the e-book allows easy access on your phone or Kindle, while out and about, needing some words to bolster and inspire. Thanks again, Sarah! May God continue to bless and multiply your gifts.

==========

8/22/26 Addendum: Someone informed me that Sarah's work had disappeared from Facebook. I contacted her and she shared this infuriating news:

"Hi Wendy

On Tuesday, meta removed my ENTIRE page on instagram and Facebook (including photography pages) with no warning. I never received an email or any kind of notification that it was coming. I also never received a reason as to why. I’ve appealed the decision, of course, but still have not received any response at all. I was devastated. And heartbroken, because I had no way to let people know what had happened.

I created new pages last night, and I’m having to start from scratch. Meta wouldn’t even allow me to use my regular email to create a new account, nor would they allow me to simply use Sarah Trent as my Name. I had to put my middle name in as well, to trigger them to allow me to make a new page. It’s under Sarah Elaine Trent on Facebook, and taming_trentss on instagram! Thankfully my substack was untouched. So all the content is still there! 

Please pray for me as I try to start over"

Book Review: God's Smuggler to China

This 1981 book, God's Smuggler to China, by Brother David, has a foreward by Brother Andrew (the original "God's Smuggler"). In both ministries, the Lord closed the eyes of border guards so Bibles could infiltrate closed countries. Once again, God laid a burden upon the heart of His disciple to take God's Word where it was needed. Many doubted he could penetrate the closed borders of China, but God does the impossible time and time again. Brother David's convictions remained undaunted. 

I did not take the time to note various examples of God's abundant provision. However, I do recall a story of young children whose parents were killed or imprisoned. They had one small allotment of rice left, but they cooked it up, deciding to depend on God for food the following day. Like the Biblical story, every day they approached the jar of rice (in scripture it was oil), there remained enough for another day. Whether unexpected commotions drew the border patrol workers away or comments diverted them, God accomplished the impossible to get His Word into China.

There may come a time when American believers face similar persecutions. For now, we seem very soft. Too many have Bibles and fail to even open them. Do we value and honor our Bibles the way we should? Would we be willing to face torture without denying Christ? These books about the Open Doors ministries will lead you to consider the depth of your devotion. I'm glad I had both books on my shelves to supplement my devotional reading. For me, I will increase my prayer efforts for the persecuted Church.

Book Review: His Redeeming Love

This is actually my second time reading through His Redeeming Love by Jonathan Edwards. The first time, I wasn't cataloguing my extra devotional reading. This year, I started writing reviews for those extra books I consume during my morning devotions (most from my own shelves). The book is part of the Life Messages of Great Christians series, published by Servant Publications. I loved how the acknowledgements highlighted the names of individuals who prayed for the compilation process. How cool is that?

The introduction to His Redeeming Love acknowledges that Edwards famously preached about sin and hell. However, it highlights his main message: "Though we sin and deserve divine retribution, God has provided a way of rescue through His Son, Jesus Christ. If we accept God's free gift of salvation [emphasis mine], we not only escape punishment, we receive everlasting life in heaven." Each day's reading provides a thought for the day, a passage of scripture, and insights from Edwards, as gleaned from his books or sermons. This is followed by questions to consider and a prayer to offer.

I felt especially convicted on Day 18, "Blessed are the Meek." Edwards speaks of the person who feels the injuries of others intensely (a struggle for me). To this, he asks several questions. "[Are] the injuries you have received from others... more than you have inflicted on God?... Do you not hope that God will continue to bear with you in your shortcomings as He has in the past, and that in spite of everything, He will exercise toward you His infinite love and favor?" Finally, he asks, of course, if God can be long-suffering, why can't you? I admit I struggle. I want to do better, but often revert to protecting myself rather than enduring.

The final section of the book (and the part I remembered most) lists Jonathan Edwards' 70 resolutions. Many of them feel redundant, simply worded in similar ways. But, they are excellent goals. Resolve to live with all might, as if it was your last hour. When you see sin in others, recognize it in yourself and repent. Never speak ill of others in a dishonoring way, only for their good. Study God's Word. Make peace. Be honest. Make nightly, weekly, monthly, and yearly reflections. Live to have no regrets. Imitate what is praiseworthy. Here's one I need: Instead of fearing misfortunes, focus only on duty, reviewing the benefits of your previous afflictions. Speak benevolently and cheerfully. I would love to have the passion and devotion of the great revivalists Jonathan Edwards or George Whitefield.

Mid-month Mention: Hospitality and Building Community

I do not have the spiritual gift of hospitality. For several years, we invited my parents and sibling families to our spacious home just after Christmas. While I enjoyed the opportunity to see them all, the stress of making arrangements and meals always shattered me. One year, my sister attempted to alleviate that stress by insisting on making a huge meal of roast beef and yorkshire pudding. That year was even more stressful. I much preferred when we settled on an order from Papa Johns (although, one year, they assumed our large order of 8 or 9 pizzas was a prank call and we had to wait there while they actually filled the order).

Having said that, the Lord has been nudging me in this area. Not only did He direct me to my verse for the year (2 Corinthians 2:14: "Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him."), but he is convicting me through others I'm encountering. I somehow stumbled upon a new-to-me author, Sue Donaldson, author of  Never Alone: The Power of Invitation and the Grace of Belonging in an Isolated World. I received a newsletter with a description of one of her "Wine Nights." It sounds amazing! She invites women into her home and stimulates conversation with great ice-breaker questions. You can purchase her question ideas in her book, Say Something Special: 252 Conversation Starters, The Ultimate Guide to Stimulating Table Talk. I hope to get a chance to read those books soon.

In the meantime, while I continue to pray for God's guidance on how He may be asking me to step out in faith, I keep discovering more encouragement. I recently followed a Rabbit Room substack article to a video lecture by Andy Patton (The Darkling Psalter). Patton's lecture, "The Lost Art of Community," is not only full of book recommendations and summaries, but also inspires hosptality and community building. I went in thinking I would skim the 28-minute lecture, but was riveted through the whole thing. He offers excellent analogies to flesh out his main points. He talks about subverting modernity, creating space with common agreement, accepting imposition for the sake of community, and the importance of propinquity (when circles of life overlap).

I am not at the point where I can foster a new community (many distractions of the unstable life with an addict), but I took note of his recommendations: 1) Start small, and 2) Gather around something. In brainstorming groups I would love to initiate, I think of several categories. The first obvious one is a desire to gather around books - perhaps start a new book club. The second, similar, is a desire to gather with other Christian writers - perhaps start a writer's group. The third, more practical and desperately needed on my end, gather with non-judgmental parents walking the difficult road with a wayward child. I realize all these categories already have groups in existence near me. However, that doesn't negate that niggle from the Lord. It may still be in developing stages within me. I may be too busy with the monumental task of preparing to downsize into a smaller residence. For now, I spend time in prayer and seek His wisdom and guidance.

If you're lonely and aching for stronger connections, if you're interested in building community, why not take a moment to explore Sue Donaldson's books or Andy Patton's lecture. They are sure to light a fire under any desires or convictions you might entertain. Who knows, this might be a tangible way to follow that verse from 2nd Corinthians. Every day, I pray to be a fragrance of the knowledge of Him. Maybe soon, he'll have me put feet and hands to the words.

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I wrote this post prior to our son's death. God has a sense of humor. He forced me to put feet and hands to words (although, I don't think anyone really expected much out of me - it is not like they were wanting me to stress about feeding all the relatives coming for the funeral, but even just making my home - so often in disarray - available for visiting is stressful to me). And, I suppose, he is giving me more time to focus on discerning where I could live out the verse in 2nd Corinthians.

Book Review: It's a God Thing!

Inside the front cover of my copy of It's a God Thing!, I found a notation stating I won this book at the 2001 Write-to-Publish Conference. I know I read the book back then. Still on my bookshelf, I picked it up again to supplement my daily devotional reading. What an inspiring book for anyone who wishes to spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ! (2 Cor. 2:14) That sounds like Larry Baker's theme verse.

I started to explain that Larry runs a salon and cuts hair in Fort Collins, Colorado. Then, I decided to Google him. Oh, my! What sad news! Last June, Larry went missing and his body was found in Watson Lake. I found a You Tube video of a news clip highlighting how dear and personable Larry had been. How wonderful that his message still resonates through his book, It's a God Thing!: Inspiring Stories of Life-Changing Friendships.

Larry used his fun and friendly personality to woo and win others to Christ. He greeted others and became a true friend to them. He did not immediately pressure them by sharing the gospel, but waited until they asked him the source of his joy and peace. Even then, he walked gently into the question, offering to give them only as much explanation as they wanted. The stories Larry shares in his book prove that being a friend is the thing of first importance. Whether connecting with addicts or jet-setters, Larry offered a hand of friendship and a heart for God. Without building a bridge, you cannot meet on the same side. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone wanting inspiration for forming relationships that effectively change lives through the knowledge of Christ.

Book Review: Launch Out into the Deep

I discovered Sarah Trent on Facebook. She interacts with scripture passages and provides inspiration and encouragement to those of us struggling in deep waters. The pace of her poetic offerings amazes me. She has a photography business and raises 3 children on their family farm. So many of her posts resonate deep within me and I've shared a few of her posts to my Facebook wall. As young as she is, she is clearly no stranger to suffering, yet relies on God to get through everything.

Launch Out into the Deep is a 31-day devotional. Each entry is followed by reflective questions to consider. I wanted to enter her contest to win a paperback copy of this book, so I purchased the ebook, read it in 3 installments, and left a review. [Side note: I have been frustrated by Amazon's review policies. Up until this point, I believed I could only leave reviews on my ebook purchases. Amazon requires a certain purchase amount to leave reviews, but always offered a review form at the completion of ebooks I read on my Kindle app. I would love to support authors I appreciate but my husband does not like me using his Prime account to leave my reviews. I rarely purchase from my Amazon account because he has Prime. Now, I discover that even those ebook reviews I thought I was leaving are not airing as expected because I have not met the purchase requirement. Frustrating!] 

I plan to revisit this book, reading through the devotions one day at a time next month. It is so good, it needs to be savored. Plus, I did not take time to ponder or write answers to the questions posed at the end of each entry. However, here are some snippets I gleaned to share:

- "In a world that tries to define you by your failures, your status, or your scars - Jesus defines you by your Father."

- "When I'm too tired to hold on, You don't shame me - You hold me."

- "He does not ask me to explain what aches beyond language. He knows."

- "Sometimes, the miracle isn't in the multiplying. Sometimes, it's in the offering."

Sarah has a beautiful way with words. Each sentence reverberates in my soul. She articulates what many of us feel but cannot adequately express. Her pieces are rich with biblical foundation and spiritual insight. I will continue to follow this author on Facebook and in her books.

* Yay, I won the contest! Sarah sent a copy of this devotional to me. I was able to send it as a gift to my dear friend, Lisa, who is struggling in very deep waters. How I pray it ministered healing to her weary soul!

Book Review: A Sketch of the Life and Labors of George Whitefield

After experiencing A Great Awakening in the theater, I returned home raving about the powerful movie. It provided such a clear and accurate presentation of the gospel. Though your sins be as scarlet, Christ offers to wash them white as snow if you accept His free gift of salvation, bought for you in a transaction on the cross. George Whitefield was a revival preacher during America's Great Awakening (1734-1743). His story is fascinating and I wanted to delve deeper. A commenter on Facebook mentioned J. C. Ryle's book, A Sketch of the Life and Labors of George Whitefield. Ryle is the author of one of my favorite pamphlets, Do You Pray? I couldn't wait to explore his research into Whitefield. I borrowed it in audio form on Hoopla the next day.

I believe J. C. Ryle presented this as a lecture at some point. He gives a very direct description of Whitefield's life and ministry. He affirmed something mentioned in the movie, "He was immortal until his work was done." Whitefield preached a clear and concise gospel. He addressed man's complete ruin by sin, man's complete redemption by Christ and complete justification before God by faith in Christ, and man's need of regeneration by the spirit. His cry was convicting, "While ye were sinners, Christ died for you." He explained the transaction: the just for the unjust. He asserted even the vilest sinner could stand complete and righteous before the throne of God through Jesus' sprinkled blood that washes the blackest sins away. One has only to believe and be saved, to ask and receive, to wash and be clean. This is the pure and true gospel.

One thing I loved about the movie was the clear doctrine of the new birth. Once saved, as is evident in baptism, one is buried with Christ, washed and cleansed, and raised with him, a new creature. The Holy Spirit enters in and guides one in sanctification. The presence of the Holy Spirit is a seal of inheritance, proving one is born into God's family. Physically and spiritually, you cannot be unborn after He has sealed you with a promise of eternal life. How I want to emulate Whitefield's persistent goal, that his own name perish, so long as Christ only is exalted!

Book Review: God's Smuggler - Highly Recommend

This was another book I chose from our shelves to supplement my devotional reading. My husband has been a long-time contributor to the ministry of Open Doors with Brother Andrew. What an inspiration for prayer and faith! Brother Andrew's book, God's Smuggler, was published in 1967. Our copy is a beautifully bound book from The Christian Library published by Barbour and Company, however I do love this cover shown at left.

Brother Andrew was an advocate for persecuted Christians and an intent missionary whose main goal was to smuggle Bibles into countries hostile to faith in God. He is best known for his singular prayer, "Lord, in my luggage I have Scripture that I want to take to Your children across this border. When You were on earth, You made blind eyes see. Now, I pray, make seeing eyes blind. Do not let the guards see those things You do not want them to see." Time after time, he tested and proved God's faithfulness. Oh, that I had faith like that!

The other day I was pondering this book and thought to myself, "How I want the faith of Brother Andrew (for provision of open doors for ministry) and George Muller (for provision of financial needs for ministry and daily life). These two relied entirely on the supply of God. Instead, so often, I want the life of Dave Ramsey. I want to figure out how to eliminate my debts and live such a lifestyle that I can have what I want and need, while still meeting the needs of others. 

This test of faith is pressing at the moment. My husband and I have a tendency to take on the consequences of irresponsible people (including our prodigal son). While I argue we should let true consequences fall and step out of the way of enabling, he fears the results of that and argues God will always meet our needs, even if we give away what little we have left to live on for our remaining years. Internally, I struggle. I see the verses commanding provision for the poor. Yet, I also see the truth that enabling does not help irresponsible people, it only encourages them to push their responsibilites onto anyone who will provide. It is the whole give a man a fish vs. teaching a man to fish illustration!

Thus, this book bolstered my weary faith. So, what lessons stood out? Apart from utter dependency on God, I was convicted by the author's statements about not labeling churches. So often, in his missionary trips, he saw the emasculated church (defused by government dictates) as a "puppet church." Yet, he wrote on page 156, "It is never safe to call a church a puppet--no matter how dead, no matter how subservient and temporizing it may appear on the surface. It is called by God's name, it has God's eye upon it, at any moment He may sweep the surface away with the purifying wind of His Spirit." From this, I took encouragement that God can work and win others, even in churches that put God in a box, even in churches where I don't necessarily fit.

I loved a challenging story on pages 165-166. Brother Andrew encountered a problem because of the language gap (neither spoke the other's language). To remedy this, he picked up a Bible and began having a conversation using various scripture verses, going from 1 Cor. 16:20 and Prov. 25:25 to Philemon. Oh, that I knew my Bible well enough to converse with foreigners simply by pointing to a passage. I long to be so Biblically fluent!

I took heart from the many examples of God's perfectly timed provision. Brother Andrew needed a car. God provided a VW. I loved his story (page 108) about that "Miracle Car." The roads of Yugoslavia kicked up tremendous dust and every morning they prayed, "Lord, we don't have either the time or the money for repairs on the car, so will You please keep it running?" Not long after, they encountered another driver who stopped and said, "I know who you are.. and this is the Miracle Car?" He had heard about this car maintained through prayer and asked if he could take a look at it. After looking over the engine, this man declared, "I have just become a believer. It is mechanically impossible for this engine to run." He was a mechanic and offered to take the car to his shop and cleaned every part of the engine for them. When, after driving it for almost 200k kilometers, it required a new engine, they found themselves 50 marks shy of the cost. Just then, they received a gift from a random stranger of 50 marks God wanted them to have.

When Brother Andrew's growing family needed a house, God led him to someone just convicted to sell and God provided the funds to cover the purchase. He writes on page 173, "Immediately, mysteriously, as soon as the house was paid for, the flow of excess funds stopped--and it remained dried up until there was a need for it again. In the years of living this life of faith, I have never known God's care to fail."

Later, Brother Andrew was convicted to purchase a large supply of pocket Bibles. He and his wife talked about selling their house. They prayed, expressing to God that the house belonged to Him but admitting their private struggle with the idea. "Lord, if You want us to sell the house for the Bibles, You will have to work a small miracle in our hearts to make us willing." I was moved by this example of faith, as well. I often don't want to give what God wants me to release.

When they got an appraisal on the house, it came to the very amount needed for the pocket Bibles. He writes on page 206, "How faithful God is, how utterly trustworthy, how good beyond imagining! He asks for so little in order to give us so much." Then, the Dutch Bible Society arranged to pay for the printing, only charging Brother Andrew for the supplies on an as-needed basis. His response is inspiring, "I could hardly wait to tell Corrie what God had done with the thimbleful of willingness we had offered Him."

Another story told of a time Brother Andrew accidentally changed more currency than he should have. He and his partner ended up having a car accident. The other driver agreed to let the incident go, and let them head off on their way, if they provided him with cash to cover the repairs. That amount was the exact amount they had!

If you are low on faith, if your trust in God needs bolstering, you will find inspiration and encouragement aplenty in Brother Andrew's life and testimony. God shows up with the exact provision at the exact moment in the exact power needed! Brother Andrew concludes, "God is never defeated. Though He may be opposed, attacked, resisted, still the ultimate outcome can never be in doubt. Every day we see fresh proof that indeed all things--even evil ones--work together for those who are called by His name."

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" - Isaiah 52:7 (KJV)

Book Review: Humankind

I love the cover of this bestselling book, Humankind: Changing the World One Small Act at a Time! It is gorgeous! If we all moved through life seeking the good of others, this world might be easier to endure. Yet, this book falls short of full and effective kindness. I believe man's greatest need is salvation found in faith in Christ! However, this too, is a need for kindness because if we do not reach out with the gospel to our neighbors and friends, how will they ever know the grace God offers? My heart breaks over the rampant evil in this world. I wonder, how can God hold back His judgment another day? Surely, He is coming soon. Are you ready for His return? Will He take you out of this evil world and give you eternal life with Him?

Brad Aronson's life changed when his wife received her leukemia diagnosis. Suddenly, people stepped up and into their lives. He noticed the dramatic effects of kindness. In cataloguing acts of kindness, he hopes to encourage others to step up and meet needs that will impact lives. This book is bursting with stories of heroes doing little things with big impact. The examples are heartwarming and inspirational. Each chapter ends with encouragement to take action. It contains so many inspirational quotes.

Even if you don't take time to read this book, you can visit Aronson's website to gain tons of ideas for putting love in action to meet the needs of others. When life is getting you down, take a moment to read one of Brad's inspirational stories. If you're willing to give your email address, you can sign up for regular doses of kindness and inspiration. Perhaps you'd like to read the book with your book club. Aronson offers discussion questions and is willing to field specific questions if you submit them to him.

This book offers such a positive message: Step out in kindness and reap big rewards for little actions!. Now, I want to see transformation on an even grander scale. What if your private prayer, your tiny testimony, and your enticing example led others to the living water of Christ? Oh, the needs that might be met, if you spent five minutes in prayer for a brokenhearted brother or a crushed colleague! I hope my life is full of tangible kindness. But, even more, I hope my life exudes, indeed spreads everywhere, "the fragrance of the knowledge of Him." (2 Corinthians 2:14)

Book Review: Wings of Faith

This Salvation Army biography, Wings of Faith: The Remarkable Life of Harry Read, was written by Dawn Volz. I first encountered Commissioner Harry Read through his poetry posted on Facebook. I had memories of an Army leader in London who impacted my life when I worked at the International College for Officers shortly after my college graduation. It turns out that was Ed Read. Commissioner Ed Read met with me weekly and gave me reading assignments we then discussed in a mentor relationship. Ed is mentioned in this biography. Harry's life impacted many individuals, too.

The focal point of Harry's story is his parachute jump at the 75th D-Day celebration. At 95-years-old, he was fit and brave enough to jump from a plane (higher than the one he jumped from in his teen years). I think I was most impressed to learn that he authored one of my favorite Salvation Army songs, "God's Soldier." It has a rousing chorus of "We're gonna fill, fill, fill the world with glory; We're going to smile, smile, smile and not frown; We're going to sing, sing, sing the gospel story; We're going to turn the world upside down."

Harry's poetry is meaningful and his life exemplary. He and his wife, Win, "walked, spoke, and ministered together as they drew upon each other's strengths, making themselves fully available to the God they served." I appreciated, so much, hearing of his great humility. In an early difficult time, he observed, "The Lord seemed to be saying, 'Harry, there are some things I can only do for you when you're alone.' I've transposed that insight into every difficult, testing situation since." He demonstrated his deep need for God and God's forgiveness. He did not present himself as above the masses, in spite of great responsibility and impressive gifting. I asked for this book for Christmas a few years ago, but only now got around to reading it. I'm so glad I did.

Book Review: Just Out There Somewhere

I have to hand it to my husband. Given our current efforts to downsize by 70-80 percent, I doubted he'd fulfill the books on my Mother's Day/Birthday Wish List. If he hadn't, I would have bought them myself, ha! I received the Sing hymn book (this looks fabulous) and Just Out There Somewhere. I'm a huge fan of Kyle L. White's writing. In April, I spotlighted his work on my blog. While I don't have every book he's written, I cherish the ones I have purchased or received as gifts.

Just Out There Somewhere is his new collection of essays, poems, and thoughts about moving on. How appropriate, since we are contemplating a move from the home we have lived in and loved for almost two decades! If you don't plan to move on, you'll still find White's essays relatable. He writes about the movement of all manner of wildlife: rabbits, owls, box turtles, geese, porcupine, and hummingbirds. These essays are bite-sized gems full of reflections on natural elements or linguistics that lead to spiritual insights.

The book begins with the entertaining essay on borrowed books that you can listen to via a link in the author spotlight. In one essay, I loved that a woman proclaimed Kyle a "pastor of art." If you knew him, you'd know this is an apt description. A few of my favorites pieces include two ones discussing the phrases, "Holy moly," and "Good Gravy." I also enjoyed the letter to a porcupine. Lovely essays! 

Book Review: Marked by Prayer

I usually fight the temptation to buy interesting books. I'm currently in a purging and downsizing mode. However, needing to rekindle my writing (stalling out again), I bought the 2026 Christian Writers Market Guide. To finagle free shipping, I purchased G. Dwayne McCrary's $5 book, Marked by Prayer: Five Traits of People Who Pray. I thought it might jump start my flagging prayer life in the same way as the marketing guide. The extra effort extended on prayer in past years has dwindled in these first months of 2026. Indeed, I am not currently marked by prayer (nor am I using the writers market guide).

McCrary posits that prayer warriors are people who have experienced helplessness (prodigal son scenario, check). They are grounded in scripture (check, that has not diminished in the slightest). Prayer warriors exhibit personal grief over sin (so easy to desire recognition of sin in others, while missing it in myself). I think my favorite chapter was on "deferred confidence." In mentioning this trait to my BSF group, one friend said she has a plaque in her home that says, "Godfidence!" Oh that this would be true of me. Too often I want the answers and solutions now, or at least on my timetable. Finally, prayerful people seek out the presence of God. This was convicting, too. Do I spend time actively listening for God's voice? Or do I rush to check off the various portions of my morning routine?

I want to be the reason people see God moving in their lives! I want my prayers to transform those I lift to His throne! I ask, with the author, "what keeps me from carrying these marks?" Am I unwilling to provide the time, effort, and transparency required? His reminder is true, "Anything worth doing is difficult and painful in some way."

Book Review: 31 Days of Praise

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)!