Christian Shelves

Meghann Whistler is one of the authors that was first introduced to me by LibraryThing, and I'm grateful that I've been able to follow her books ever since! She still stands out to me as writing some of the best medical scenes I've come across, and it's always a treat to get to enjoy each new release. The Pastor's Hope is her latest Love Inspired title, and the cover is quite fun with all of the blue 💙 Many thanks to Meghann Whistler  and  LibraryThing  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Thoughts content is also posted on LibraryThing. Book Synopsis Can they let go of the past…  to find a fresh start? When pastor Nate Anderson says yes to being his father’s best man, he certainly doesn’t expect to be matched up with the maid of honor. The widowed single dad has been alone a long time but has never wanted to give his heart to anyone. Thankfully, recent widow Amanda Kobayashi feels the same way...

This is a book that I thankfully had on hold with the public library for some time, as I've discovered that I need to be more cautious about what Christian non-fiction books I may be interested in adding to my personal library. Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer is a book that I've seen pop up here and there, so I'm glad I finally know a little bit more about the hype (though I'd still very much consider myself on the sidelines). As a side note, this book is listed as the #1 bestseller in Feminist Theology, which I confess I don't know much about, nor have I explored it further. Book Synopsis We are constantly being formed by the world around us. To be formed by Jesus will require us to become his apprentice.  To live by what the first Christian disciples called a Rule of Life—a set of practices and relational rhythms that slow us down and open up space in our daily lives for God to do what only God can do—transforms the deepest parts of us to become like him.  ...

I rarely purchase new releases from Christian bookstores unless I've read the author before, so I was really basing this purchase on what I saw other reviewers share.  Lest We Drift by Jared C. Wilson did intrigue me with its premise, but it's a lesson I've learnt for the future where I will try to better gauge whether I'm the right audience before buying a book I'll likely pass along to others. Book Synopsis How do we keep from drifting away from what makes us who we are? How do we even know we're drifting? In this provocative new book, Jared C. Wilson discusses the potentials and problems with evangelical departures from gospel-centrality. In a variety of ways, on both "the left" and "the right," Wilson outlines these threats from angles sometimes imperceptible at first glance. As you read Lest We Drift , you will recognize the signs of drift in the faith and teaching, and learn to navigate the five particular dangers prevalent in the chur...

I'm going to go against my previous posts about keeping my opinions to myself on things outside of faith and reading by sharing some of my recent experiences instead. I figure that if we read fiction to broaden our understanding of other perspectives that it might be worthwhile for me to share how things have been for me as a non-representative Canadian (I'm not speaking for anyone else here!) 😄 I'll be honest in that it's been tough in the last few weeks and months. I've done my best to keep up my optimism and more importantly, my hope in Christ, Who is unchanging and steadfast. Rulers come and go, nations evolve and change, and politics can swing back and forth, but God is immutable and sovereign over all things. That being said, recent geopolitical factors have resulted in an emotional toll on me and a lot of the people I interact with in my life. While I am grateful that I can place my burdens at the foot of the cross, I recognize that others in my life have va...

It's always a treat to read a Christmas book that can whisk you away into the holiday season no matter what time of year it is  (spring counts, right?) 😊   Married Before Christmas by Hannah Foster is one such book, and it's one that I would recommend adding if you're already compiling Christmas books to read! Book Synopsis While Heather MacLinn is still reeling from the unexpected death of her uncle, she discovers he’s left behind a will with some very not so twenty-first-century-like stipulations. If she’s to inherit the home she was raised in since she was twelve then she needs to be married by the end of the year. However, her uncle’s unplanned death doesn’t leave her with much time as Christmas is only just around the corner. On top of grieving her uncle’s death, and searching for a husband, Heather’s mortal enemy Jed Canopy returns to her life to wreak more havoc. Or at least that’s what she thinks. But can Jed be an unexpected friend when unknown relatives start br...

I am grateful that I was able to be reminded afresh of what I believe and why I believe it through this book. What Exactly is the Gospel? by James Finke is an encouraging and motivating book for any Christian in affirming the core tenets of the Christian faith and in providing practical methods for sharing the Gospel. Book Synopsis My longtime barber was stunned and had tears in his eyes. “James, keep going. The entire shop is listening.” The chatter, laughing, and cracking of jokes that normally filled the packed barber shop was absent. Instead, the entire place was listening intently to the conversation he and I were having as he cut my hair. It was the Gospel – the good news about the person and work of Jesus Christ – explained exactly as it is in this book. I’d been in that barber chair countless times before and nothing like this had ever happened. That’s because it wasn’t something particular about me that had changed the atmosphere of the room. It was the Gospel - the single gr...