Christian Shelves

I am quickly discovering that if there is an author who can take historical details and pique a reader's interest and provoke thoughtful reflection at the same time, it is Heather Wood . Sowing Hope is the next book in A Gathering of Mercies series , and it embodies the title in a way that we desperately need in a broken world. Many thanks to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Encounter the True Story of Abolitionist Editor Elijah Lovejoy Patrick Gallagher has done all he can—and it hasn’t been enough. Now in his mid-thirties, he battles discouragement over his inability to make a difference in eradicating slavery. Longing to regain the hope and passion that once fueled his calling, Patrick sets out from his home in Maryland to meet his hero, Elijah Lovejoy, an anti-slavery editor in Missouri. Anna Markland actively serves her community and those traveling on the Underground Railroad. But her efforts feel smal...

If you're encountering a heat wave and looking for a book that will make it feel like Christmas, going to Winnipeg in the middle of winter is a surefire way to accomplish just that. The Sweetness of Her Love is the next book in the Fostered by Love series by Kimberly Rae Jordan and it's just as sweet (and chilly in a good way) as it sounds. Book Synopsis James Dawson may have looked like the hero of one of the romances Erin Kirkland loves to read, but she quickly discovers that he is not the hero for her. After all, how can she have a happily-ever-after with a man who doesn’t believe in love or marriage? Who would have thought that a visit to his grandmother’s favorite bakery to order a cake for her ninetieth birthday would end up causing James to re-evaluate his whole life? Certainly not James Dawson. But following their rather disastrous first meeting, James is determined to show Erin that he is a better man than she’s first judged him to be. Erin doesn’t want to friend-zo...

Was I ever thrilled to come across this title at my public library after having read Memorizing Scripture by Glenna Marshall . Everyday Faithfulness is an older title, but one that is chock full of practical advice and sound teaching. Book Synopsis What does Christian faithfulness look like when life feels unpredictable, hard, or just plain ordinary? We want to follow Jesus, but it’s easy to become more focused on our present situation than on a long view of faithfulness. Working through the unique challenges that come with seasons of waiting, caretaking, suffering, worry, spiritual dryness, and more, Everyday Faithfulness delves into practical ways to build habits into everyday life that will aid in spiritual growth throughout a lifetime. Source:  Amazon Book Thoughts In many ways, this book sets the tone and pace for Christian discipleship, making it a daily walk that depends on routines and patterns of behaviour that are meant to guide us over time. Breaking down the book into...

What a wonderful Christmas collection to kick off the fall! I was absolutely delighted to have come across Kimberly Rae Jordan and can't wait to read more from this Canadian author. If found family is a favourite trope, the Fostered by Love series is for you, with The Wonder of His Love introducing us to Noelle and Finlay. Book Synopsis Noella Crawford watched as her mom fell in love over and over again, only to have the men take advantage of her love and leave her broke and brokenhearted. When her mom eventually abandons her daughter in order to keep the love of her latest man, Noella is determined to never repeat her mom's mistakes. After devoting several years of her life to university and then setting up a bakery business with her foster sister, Noella is finally ready to turn her attentions to a relationship. But she has two very high standards that any man she dates must meet: he must match or exceed her own financial position, and he must be driven to succeed in what...

I love the emphasis on ἔλεος as the name of the school that Philippa Cashel has founded as this series exemplifies the meaning of this Greek word, which are mercy and compassion. A Scheming in Parliament  by  Erica Vetsch  is the next book in the  Of Cloaks and Daggers series , taking this meaning to the next level. Not only do the characters exhibit such selfless love and care for others, they ultimately point to how Jesus provided mercy and compassion to those He came across in His ministry and for us today. Many thanks to Kregel Publications for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Evil is masquerading in the halls of Parliament, and Sir Bertrand Thorndike is tasked with investigating from the inside. With his new position as a member of the House of Commons, he has access to the power brokers of English government. His tactic is to listen and learn, careful not to reveal his t...

I'm a little sad that I read so little poetry as an adult compared to my youth. I don't know whether it's a lack of exposure to Christian poets or that I forget to seek it out, but am I ever grateful for opportunities to come across it when others reach out about it. Christian poetry is such a special genre that draws on truth and beauty in its arrangement of words to compose an entirely new scene. He Is Faithful in Every Season by Julia Rose does just that, providing us with a lovely reminder to encounter words in a fresh and inspired way. Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Fifty poems intricately woven together with God's faithfulness and the truth of His Word. "He Is Faithful In Every Season" is a book of worship, love, redemption, freedom, and dependency. It touches on topics such as anxiety, fear, loneliness, and grief. It brings to light the aboundin...