Stay by Anjuli Paschall

Stay is a mix of wisdom and vulnerability, conversations over coffee and life earned lessons.

In Stay Anjuli Paschall shares the lessons she's learned over her life about the beauty and growth that can come from staying and meeting with Jesus in the moments that would typical kick us into fight or flight.

Paschall covers a variety of topics throughout these pages with some more lighthearted reflections like engagements that don't match our expectations and decades old Christmas traditions while other reflections may touch on fears or even triggers as Paschall talks about helping friends through addiction, the realities of aging and death, or even pregnancy trauma. The theme tying these together is Paschall's willingness to stay in her vulnerable truth and point herself and her readers back to Jesus in the middle of life's chaos.

Although Paschall has a notable online presence I wasn't familiar with her or the mom's we love club before reading this book. There were moments when the writing style felt too conversational as thoughts trailed more than I expected but that's also more a personality thing than a quality thing (and I read late at night when my patience isn't at it's peak).

I did, however, appreciate the obvious love and earnestness with which Paschall shares not only the biblical truths she has obviously wrestled with her whole life but the journey it took to get her there and I think that's what makes this book worth reading, Paschall's willingness to acknowledge the journey of learning and living with Jesus. She doesn't just tell her readers to stay with Jesus in the middle she shows them how she's repeatedly found him there when she looked. I love leading by example.

4 out of 5 stars.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

The Ministry of Ordinary Places Waking Up to God's Goodness Around You By Shannan Martin

Sometimes the challenge in life isn't looking for  a way to break out of the mundane but to break in, dig deep, and see the meaning and opportunities that stare at us from within our everyday routines. In The Ministry of Ordinary Places Martin challenges readers to see the world of opportunity staring back at us in our neighbours, our communities, and the realness of the places in which we live. Martin urges reflection on the reality of a life of service that finds it's traction in coffee shared over dishes, watching out for our neighbours, and loving those who cross our path where they are not where we think we need to be. 

I appreciated the gentle firmness with which Martin shares her message, the way she gently points out the availability of people to love, connect, and work alongside when we're willing to listen to God's call and set aside our own expectations and aspirations for society's standards.

Martin brings a warmth to her writing and accessibility to her message that makes her instruction seem reachable. She doesn't just speak community she invites readers into her community letting their journey light up each page with their triumphs and sorrows.

So many of these life growth books preach community over and over again and why not it's an obvious lesson in our tech laden, isolated society. Martin shares the same message but weaves it into her own past showing that sometimes the most natural things can be the hardest, demanding both  the biggest sacrifices, fiercest tears, and best rewards. I love that Martin is simply unable to speak about community without bearing her heart for her own, the authenticity and earnestness shining through her vulnerability.

4.5/5 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Hope Your Heart Needs: 52 Encouraging Reminders of How God Cares for You by Holley Gerth

Holley's books have heart. Her obvious love for God and her audience come shining through each of her pages. Hope Your Heart Needs  is an interesting book, while the title points out the intent of reminding readers of God's care, each little chapter (averaging only a few short pages) serves more as an introduction to a different name and aspect of God's character. What a brilliant and solid way to introduce true hope to readers.

The chapters themselves are easy to read, mostly consisting of life lessons Holley has experienced and scripture verses which all point back to  the  thematic name of each chapter. At first, the easiness of the read had me concerned that the book would be more fluff than substance (certainly not what I expect from Holley) but as I read on each chapter read more as a gentle invitation to discover God's character reinforcing the call of hope and care the title offers to readers. Holley uses scripture to present biblical evidence for God's nature while providing human examples of how that nature intersects with the human heart in the  messy, beautiful complexity that is faith and relationship.

Physically, the book is a great carry long, smaller than the average book, it's easy to slip into a bag or a friend's hand when they need a pick me up ;) 

4 out of 5 stars.

I received this book as part of the Revell Reads Book Tour, the opinions expressed are my own.

Fake or Follower by Andi Andrews

If I had to choose a different theme for this book it would be following through on faith in a consumerist culture. Andi adamantly encourages readers to be active  in their faith, discontent in merely receiving. I found Andi to be straightforward in her message and tone, almost to the point of abrasiveness, until her personality comes through the pages and the initial abrasiveness begins to read more as urgency in love.

This makes sense as Andi covers a wide variety of topics that are heavy in nature dealing both with the individual and communal. I really appreciate this widespread coverage in her work in light of the church existing as one made up of many. Her information on identity, healing, and reconciliation are all important but it's the fact that she frames her message within love that makes it so powerful.

That love really comes through thanks to the honesty and vulnerability Andi infuses into each page. These aren't the lessons of a removed teacher but someone who has walked through grief, wrestled with confusion in the face of our society, and remained passionate about her faith. There is a definite feel that Andi does not write a single word she is not actively trying to live out each day in her own life. Each chapter ends with the "making it real" section to help readers assess and apply the contents to their life in an achievable way. This is so refreshing in a world where so many try and set standards above and beyond the plausible or healthy. 

My one sticking point in the book was chapter 6 Introverted Extrovert. As an introvert myself, I've struggled to find my voice in and outside of the church due to the misunderstanding surrounding the term. I found that Andi tended to lean more to the common understanding of introversion being preference or personality rather than  a method of recharging  which was disappointing. 

Andi's style is definitely more "in your face" than I'm used to but her message is an important one of urging the church to live out their calling and lives passionately. At the very least Fake or Follower  promises to inspire  important reflection and conversation for those involved in the North American church.

4 out of 5 stars.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."