Book: You Are the Beloved: Daily Meditations for Spiritual Living
Author: Henri J.M. Nouwen
Publisher/Publish Date: Convergent Books / October 31, 2017
"This is a book of daily meditations, selected from the writings, talks, and letters of Henri Nouwen... Taking time for daily meditation was crucial for Henri. It was his time to be present to God, to hear God speak to him." (introduction)
Henri Nouwen is an author I have enjoyed for awhile. I read his book The Return of the Prodigal Son a few years ago and loved his ability to shine a new light on a bible story, forcing me to look at it from different points of view, while identifying how I am like the characters in the story.
This latest devotional book, combines some of his writing, talks and letters, in a year long devotional, each entry being a page or less. Nouwen snuggled with loneliness and anxiety, and found strength and wisdom by spending devoted time with God each day. And in that same way, this book is a great tool to draw us closer to God each day.
I look forward to reading this through the year. I highly recommend checking out his many other books on spiritual life.
I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
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Book: Nothing to Prove: Why We Can Stop Trying So Hard
Author: Jennie Allen
Publisher/Publish Date: Waterbook Press / January 31, 2017
This was the first book I read from Jennie Allen and it won't be the last. If you are not familiar with Allen, here's a little back ground. She started in college leading bible studies and has written a couple Bible Studies. In 2013 she established the IF:Gathering, an annual conference to "gather, equip, and unleash women to live out God's calling on their lives. While the main event takes places in Austin, TX, it's simulcast all over the world and I recommend everyone attending, it's inspiring, encouraging and a lot of fun.
Onto the book. I had heard about the book from Allen through Facebook as she was starting to write it. I think this topic is timely and something that all women can relate to. We try to prove we are good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, friendly enough, helpful enough. But what if God is enough? He've proven it all, and what if we don't have to work as hard as we do.
Allen presents us with 7 stories from the Bible of where God was enough, showing how his disciples, and others in the Bible found rest and freedom in Christ. How abiding in Christ fills us up, makes us enough for everything he wants to do through us.
Read this book to be encouraged, refreshed, and inspired to allow God to do amazing things through you. To sit back, take a deep breath, and stop trying to prove yourself, since we have Nothing to Prove.
I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
