Christian Shelves

I love how God speaks to us through the Bible and the preaching of His Word. I recently heard a sermon at church and was reminded of the importance of 1 Corinthians 13:13 which says, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." There were three lessons that came to mind the more I dwelt on this topic: I am very quick to forget that God is love ( 1 John 4:16b ). I misplace love by focusing on what I love rather than who I love. Nothing I do is of value if there is no love. As a fallen human being, I am incredibly guilty of all of these things. In forgetting that God is love, I tend to do this most by reducing love to an abstraction or a concept. Translating that God is love from head knowledge to an actual practice in my life is a challenge when I don't always feel that love or reflect on what the immensity of it means. While I know it as intrinsic truth, I have a harder time seeing this extend to my behaviour and actions. Love is...

A book about an interior designer and her heart for ministry? Count me in! The Color of Home by Kit Tosello paints a beautiful picture of home and the people who add those vibrant hues to our lives. Many thanks to Revell and LibraryThing for providing a complimentary physical copy for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Thoughts content is also posted on  LibraryThing . Book Synopsis Audrey Needham, Bay Area interior designer to the rich and pretentious, is down to her last nerve. Her boss is impossible to please, her future is in jeopardy, and her great-aunt Daisy needs support as her husband descends into Alzheimer's. When Daisy enlists Audrey's help preparing for a move to assisted living, Audrey risks her career to return to the idyllic small town of Charity Falls, Oregon, the summer stomping grounds of her childhood. But Charity Falls was also the place that broke her heart when her father was killed in a tragic fire at the Sugar Pine Inn thirteen years ...

I've been wanting to share a review of No More Christian Nice Guy: When Being Nice–Instead of Good–Hurts Men, Women, and Children by Paul Coughlin for quite some time after having shared a review of the female counterpart  earlier this year. However, I thought it would make the most sense for my husband to share his thoughts rather than me, so I'm excited that he took the time to write out what he calls "a book report" 😄 Book Synopsis Recovering nice guy Paul Coughlin points the way for all men who yearn to live a life of boldness and conviction--like Jesus. Using anecdotes from his own life, powerful and poignant stories, and vivid examples from our culture, Coughlin shows how men can say no to the "nice guy" syndrome and yes to a life of purpose, passion, and vitality. In this revised and expanded edition, Coughlin adds vital insights on the changes he's seen in churches and the greater culture in the decade since No More Christian Nice Guy was firs...

No matter your thoughts on the worship song of the same name,  Reckless Love by Kate Goodwin is a powerful retelling of a story that we don't often think of, demonstrating the heart of God in pursuing us. What a beautiful snapshot of the Father's unrelenting love for us! I am grateful to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis A pregnant girl A desperate woman The God who sees them both Amina Abdel’s sheltered world is turned upside down when she finds herself alone and with child. The daughter of immigrants flees her mother’s judgment and father’s shame, unexpectedly finding shelter with the small town’s pastor and his wife. Their kindness feels foreign to Amina, until she realizes they too want something from her—the baby. All Melissa Abrams has ever wanted was a son to carry on her husband’s family legacy of keeping an Abrams man behind the pulpit. As barrenness pushes her to a breaking point, God seemingly ...

The more I hope to grow as a Christian, the more I realize just how far and long of a journey it can be. These past several years, and more so now that I am active online again, my earnest plea has been that I can end well. It's one thing to start well, but even more challenging to remain consistent and to make it to the finish line. Having Paul's words echo in my mind both spurs me on and intimidates me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. - Acts 20:24 In thinking about ending well, I can't help but liken it to a book ending. We all know what an unsatisfying conclusion feels like in a book. Everything is built up until it either crashes or leaves a lackluster feeling that the loose ends aren't tied up or the conclusion isn't what it should be. It's a lot of anticipation, all for something that could be underwh...

I find coming-of-age stories so meaningful because they depict how the trajectory of an entire life can be transformed during such a pivotal stage. A Heart's Desire by Cynthia Frederick falls into this category and delivers not only one story, but three stories all wrapped around a series of events. I am grateful to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Wesley had always struggled with breaking away from his family's expectations, but now he’s made a big decision that will change everything. He’s finally taking his story into his own hands when a childhood best friend re-enters his life and makes following through on his new commitments more difficult than he had thought. Anna has her own family struggles that have made her wary of any new relationships. Past hurts have seen to it that trust isn’t something that comes easy. But can she trust herself to take the leap when she has a chance to change things for ...

Now this is a sequel that I have been waiting for since last year when I took a chance on two new authors to me and discovered one of my favourite books of the year! Blind Date with a Book Nerd by Erica Dansereau and Britt Howard is an entire vibe that celebrates books, but most importantly, the  very best book of all. Fun fact : This is the second time I've featured these authors' books when I'd normally post about a non-fiction book as it grabbed me that much (not to mention how exquisitely it's written!). I am grateful to the authors for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Ava Fox doesn’t date. Or at least, she hasn’t since she broke the heart of her college boyfriend seven years ago. Instead, she buries her fears and insecurities by pouring her heart into her job editing books for one of New York City’s most prestigious publishing houses and running her bookish social media accounts. The carefully curated life...

I'm on a roll with reviewing Christmas books in September; who says Christmas can't last during each of the -ber months? 😄  Meddling with Mistletoe by Liz Johnson is the latest mistletoe book I've been able to read this year and it will put you in the mood for the upcoming season. Many thanks to  Revell Reads  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Content to be aware of : a scenario that results in Daniel laying on top of Whitney, vision boards (not employed but still referenced) Book Synopsis Whitney Garrett is preparing to enter culinary school in the spring, but first she has to sell enough homemade pies at the local Christmas markets to pay her tuition. When her oven breaks, Whitney asks Marie Sloan, proprietor of the Red Door Inn, if she can use the inn's kitchen to keep up with her orders. Marie agrees, with a catch: Whitney has to watch the three Sloan children and cook breakfasts for the Red Door ...

I'm thankful that I recently had the opportunity to visit a number of Christian and secular bookstores that sell new and used books in all the possible combinations you can find. Though I'm especially fond of stores that sell used Christian books, I'm also delighted to pick up new Christian books at bargain prices. While I've been intentional in not wanting to promote a lifestyle of consumption on my blog or on social media, I do confess that there is an element of treasure hunting for me when I go shopping for books. I've had to become adept at scanning bookshelves quite fast as I've gotten into having my husband time me to prove that I don't spend that  much time in bookstores 😆 I can very easily spot a Christian book in the wild, so to speak! This fun challenge aside, I do value finding books that point toward God, both in fiction and non-fiction genres. However, one of the things that hit me most this time is that I can have too much of a good thing. Al...

For anyone who has played bingo along with Christmas Romance movies, it's clear that there are definite (and repeated) themes. Movie-Made Romance by A.M. Heath plays on that idea, bringing a story within a story to life. Book Synopsis He wants a second chance. She wants him to get lost. Carleigh St. John is tired of watching everyone else get their happily-ever-after, and her little sister’s engagement is the last straw. Stewing down the overused plot lines from Christmas Romance movies, Carleigh creates a dating playbook. With a marathon of Christmas dates ranging from picking out a tree with her first crush to volunteering with her grumpy co-worker, she’s bound to find her perfect movie-made ending. … If only her ex will stay out of the way. Joshua Price has spent the last four years trying to outrun his past and the ex-fiancé he had hurt, but now he is back home. As he strives to help his grandfather, he keeps bumping into Carleigh. The pull between them is undeniable, and Josh...

I confess that I really enjoy YA fiction, which is funny because when I was a young adult, I think I ended up reading a lot more adult titles. Whether this was due to fewer YA titles being written at the time or less awareness of them, I'm certainly glad that I can make up for lost time now! Now that I've been exposed to so many great titles, including The Intrepid Three: Animus Revealed by Brianna and Matthew Penfold, I wish I got to read these books many years ago 😄 I am grateful to the authors for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Dez, Arabella, and Walter are seemingly ordinary teenagers from different worlds. Dez is a dejected coder living in Euporia under the oppressive conglomerate E-Corp. Arabella skates through life in an Aurelian aristocratic family. And Walter treads a typical path in the technology-obsessed society of Immerxia. In a day's time, their lives are turned upside down when they meet Author, t...

As I've been reading the Christmas in Garland series , I've discovered that A.M. Heath is not afraid to tackle uncomfortable subjects in her books, making them relatable and realistic. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear is a special story set at Christmastime that is even more meaningful with the impending birth of a baby. Book Synopsis Can a cozy inn at Christmas transform the troubled hearts seeking refuge there? Pregnant and alone, Alissa Hill moved to Garland, Tennessee to help at her aunt’s inn. When a guest brings her hidden past to the inn’s door, she must decide whether to face it or continue to run. A career-ending injury ruined Stephen Powell’s life plans. Now a former NFL kicker, he’s searching for a new purpose while recovering at the Cheery Inn. But those at the inn may offer him so much more than he expects. Sparks fly the moment Alissa and Stephen meet, but secrets and regrets may keep them apart unless they can learn to forgive and move beyond their brokenness. Sour...

Continuing on the theme of books that can be labourious to get through, I've been coming across more and more content in Christian fiction that has me scratching my head, though they don't necessarily always affect the rating of the book (unless they're all piled on egregiously or something, but that hasn't happened yet). To be honest, a double take is usually the extent of what I give these mentions, but I do find it interesting that there is a bit of a shift in what can be included in Christian fiction nowadays. There are just a few of the ones that have stood out to me over the past while, though I'm sure there could be more added to the list as well. Luck/chance . I have caught myself in the past wishing someone "good luck" even though I don't believe in it, so I've tried to shift to saying things like, "all the best" or "I'll be thinking of you," even if it's a little longer or more awkward to say. All that to say, ...

This is such a fun yet emotional story, with The Engagement Cover by A.M. Heath demonstrating why the Christmas in Garland series is such a great series to read any time of the year. Personally, out of all the books I've read in the series so far (book #5 is coming out soon!), this has been my favourite. The hockey likely helped, though I also loved the cultural aspects 😍  Book Synopsis He nearly ruined her life. Now he’s the only one who can help her. After a disastrous dating app experience that nearly destroyed her modeling career, Teresa Bradford knows what she wants, and Justin Reynolds seems to check every box. But when her family pressures her to bring him home as her fiancé in order to ease the mind of her dying grandmother, their relationship takes a weird turn, and his absences create the need for a fill-in fiancé. Since his mom’s passing, and with his dad working out of state through the holidays, Alex Landry misses the feeling of home. So, when his friend Marc Bradf...

This is a book that I've seen floating around online, so I'm glad that I had the opportunity to pick up Every Woman a Theologian by Phylicia Masonheimer, a new to me author. I've heard great things about her books and look forward to reading more from her! It was also lovely to have this as a buddy read with Christian Books and Coffee where we could share our thoughts as we went along. Hooray for other theology students! 😀 Book Synopsis Know what you believe and live it boldly! Phylicia Masonheimer believes that every woman should be a theologian and a student of the heart of God. Learn the basics of Christian theology and why it's so important to continue your biblical education to grow deeper in faith. Discover how scriptural knowledge can help you navigate the world, answer your toughest questions, and engage culture in loving ways. All of us have guiding principles at work behind our choices, even if we don't realize it. We hold beliefs about the world, oursel...

Bah humbug does not describe Project Scrooge by A.M. Heath at all, other than when we first meet Sanford Stone. Otherwise, this first book in the Christmas in Garland series is a lovely book that honours Christmas in the heart by pointing to Jesus first and foremost. Book Synopsis Can Scrooge find love from a friendship gone cold? Sanford Stone cut ties with his best friend, Natalie, in favor of the love of his life … a woman who ended up walking out on him just before Christmas. Six years later, Sanford can’t bring himself to celebrate Christ’s birth with any joy. Little does he know, his grandmother and her companions have dubbed him the Scrooge and intend to help him overcome his bitterness and find happiness again. The only thing that has hurt Natalie Dunivan more than Sanford cutting her out of his life has been watching his long-held grudges slowly destroy the man she has always loved. Together with Ms. Carol, Natalie devises a plan to reach out to Sanford. Sanford accepts his...

On this Labour Day, I've been wondering if and when reading begins to feel like work. For the most part, reading is a very enjoyable activity for me, which is why I engage in it as often as I can. There are times, however, when I've noticed that reading can be a bit of a slog. Though I try not to dwell on it, this has been a helpful signal to me to be better about not completing books that fall into this category. I don't have an extensive list, but here are a few things that can make reading a book begin to feel laboursome: Too many typos . I feel like this is universal amongst all readers, so I'll leave it at that. Too many complications . When so many characters get introduced or the plot lines are quite convoluted, this can make reading less pleasurable. A lot of pop culture references . A few well-placed ones that enhance the story or make it relatable to the audience is fine; however, when I'm reading a book and it starts to feel like a tabloid magazine where ...