Books and Thoughts on Books | By Quiet Waters

Indescribable, 100 Devotions about God and Science

December 6, 2017 By Michelle

This new devotion book by Louie Giglio is so exciting. Last spring I was introduced to the ministry of Louie Giglio when I was assigned to watch a series of dvds during training for my work at a local ministry. How he connects Scripture and science is fascinating, and inspiring. This devotion is based on Louie Giglio’s messages “Indescribable” and “How Great is Our God.” He wants this book to help kids discover the incredible creation of our indescribable God.

Indescribable, 100 Devotions about God and Science is a fun and inviting new book for children. It’s going to one that I read with my grand children when they visit.

As the title states there are 100 devotions, each with Scripture, photographs and illustrations and amazing facts. One can read the devotions from start to finish, or by topic. On page 7 there are pages numbers for all the devotions on animals, space, Earth and people. That way you can dig into what interests the child. I definitely can hardly wait for a grand to visit and to invite her to look at this book with me!

Thank you to FrontGate Media for this complimentary copy of Indescribable by Louie Giglio, in exchange for this blog post.

Hinds Feet On High Places

December 2, 2017 By Michelle

Hinds Feet On High Places by Hannah Hurnard…

Are you familiar with this story? Hinds Feet on High Places is a book that I’ve read a couple of times, most recently with my youngest daughter. The story of Much Afraid and the many characters she meets along the is charming and telling. I’ve found myself, and found examples of what I want to be within the pages of this beautiful story.

Tyndale has released a stunning mixed media illustrated edition of Hinds Feet On High Places that I am thrilled to have on our bookshelves. This book would have been wonderful to have while my daughter and I read the book. There were many conversations, and thoughts that would be wonderful to have record of!

“For the first time, this beloved Christian allegory is a mixed-media special edition complete with charming watercolor paintings, antique tinted photography, meditative hand-lettered Scripture, journaling and doodling space, and designs to color. As you read and connect with the story of Much-Afraid and her trials, the pages of this book become a canvas on which to chronicle your own story, struggles, and personal triumphs.”

I think this book would be a lovely gift, for yourself, or a fellow reader. Check it out at your local bookstore, or at Amazon.

Thank you to Tyndale Blog Network for this complimentary copy of Hinds Feet on High Places, in exchange for this blog post.

Unwrapping the Greatest Gift, A Review

December 2, 2017 By Michelle

Unwrapping the Greatest Gift

is an “entirely brand-new, rompingly-awed take on the Jesse Tree Advent tradition for Family Read-Alouds”

by Ann Voskamp

My family has read A Holy Experience, Ann’s blog, for many years. It was reading about her journey toward wholeness that spurred me onto the habit of daily counting the gifts in my own life.

Some years back she had a wonderful ebook available, a Jesse Tree adventure for families. Last year Ann’s book “The Greatest Gift” was in my hands. Now, this beautiful book for families is available.

This Christmas…

Unwrapping the Greatest Gift is a beautiful piece of art, full of art, and life giving words. Ann gives each of us the invitation to unwrap the greatest gift with our families, during the upcoming Christmas season. Included in the book are the instructions and encouragement to make, or put together a Jesse Tree, with the opportunity to purchase lovely ornaments through dayspring, or to print ornaments through her blog.

There are daily readings for the 25 days of December, leading up to Christmas morning. The daily readings include Scripture references, stories through Ann’s voice, discussion topics and activity suggestions for the family. The suggestions included activities which can be be done at home, maybe around the art table, and also outside the home. Outside the home the readers are encourage to seek out ways to give a taste of the greatest gift to others.

As I have said, this book is simply exquisite and I encourage you to stop by your local bookstore to take a look. Maybe you would enjoy unwrapping the greatest gift with your family this Christmas.

Christmas Children’s Books, A New Favorite

November 29, 2017 By Michelle

There are many children’s book titles that live on my list of all time favorite books. Surely the many memories of snuggling up with my children over the years contributes to my love of children’s literature, but there are other reasons as well! There is something wonderful about finding a gem of a story, or rich and cheery illustrations, and being able to put that book into the hands of a child.

A new book that I am excited to have on my shelf is this one…

One Christmas Bear, written and illustrated by Anne Vittur Kennedy.

This counting book is delightful and cheery. Arctic animals and pops of color on a cold snowy background make for charming, uncluttered illustrations. Rhyming text tells the number story from 1 to 10 in a simple yet fun style.

I’m quite excited to tuck this board book away for Christmas 2018 when there will be some new little ones to snuggle up with and read to.

Thanks to FrontGate Media for this complimentary copy of One Christmas Bear, in exchange for this review.

Included in Christ, The Thrilling Message of Ephesians

November 16, 2017 By Michelle

Included in Christ by Heather Holleman is a Bible study that I recently began. this study is different from any study I’ve done on the past and I sense that the Lord is answering a long awaited prayer. Some years ago I shared here on the blog some about my past. Those posts have been taken down, as the healing and growth in my life has continued.

As that healing and growth have continued I have struggled with my identity. I have Struggled to no longer identify as only a survivor. But I haven’t known what that would look like. Over the course of the last two months two books have arrived in the mail that are gently leading me, showing me what my identity is. Isn’t that just how the Lord works?

Included in Christ is an 8-week Bible study, subtitled “Living a New Story From Ephesians.” Living a new story, this idea of taking my story and turning it into something that reflects the redemption and love of God thrills me to the core.

Through this study, I will create a Saviour Story. My story will no longer be about the details of my past, but of the Savior who is taking me out of my “shadow narratives”.

“It …(this study)… fuses what we know about redemptive personal stories with what Scripture teaches us about the reality of who we really are, and it sets us on the path to live daily in the presence of Him who tells the true story of our lives.”

This is a study that a couple of young women are interested in doing with me after the first of the year and I am so excited. May God be glorified as one by one we discover what it means to be Included in Christ and who we truly are.

Thanks to Moody Publishing for this complimentary copy of Included in Christ! All thoughts and opinions in this post I offer in exchange.

Live SoulFULL

November 11, 2017 By Michelle

“Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me, all that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor. Thus I consider all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:9-11

These words of Solomon many years ago are words echoed still today.

I am reading a new book, Live SoulFULL, and the words in this very first chapter pointed me to Ecclesiastes, and gave me good reason to pause. While my life is full, hard and good, I recognize the ongoing need to slow and evaluate. What am I chasing after? For what am I laboring.

There are many good things that I do, the mundane duties of laundry, all that goes into meal planning, the not mundane activities of teaching, coaching, working to keep the airways clear between my husband and me, my daughters and me. But in all that, for what I am laboring? And from where am I drawing my strength, inspiration and knowledge?

This passage from Ecclesiastes, actually all of Ecclesiastes, has set my mind to working, to searching. What part of my life brings satisfaction and fulfillment to my soul? And there are many days when I feel completely empty, dry. All poured out, no words left. Why am I now running on empty?

“To be empty is to hold or contain nothing.”

” To fill is to occupy space or volume.”

“To be fulfilled and satisfied is to contain and hold all that is possible; to have a need met; to be fully or completely supplied.” ~ SoulFull, Tabot

As I continue to go through this study, I am excited to see how God works within my mind and my heart. He has been faithful, and gentle, and I know that even if I have to cover the same ground yet again, the Father knows just how deep to go each time to cleanse, fill and set me right on the place on the path that I am to be.

LIVE SoulFULL

Music has a unique ability to cut through the noise of the world and take God’s Word deep into the soul. I’ve experienced this gift many times. I’ve also seen how simply singing Scripture aids memorization, making pathways in the brain.

Live SoulFULL is a gospel-centered Bible study that combines immersive study of God’s Word with a 13 song album of original music. I am loving how the study and the music enhance each other, and enrich my time of study.

This study is created by Scott and Ginger Tabot. I received this complimentary copy of SoulFull from Frontgate Media in exchange for my opinions which are recorded here.

FrontGate Media will be giving away copies of SoulFULL on November 20. Click here for more information and to enter.