What have you been reading this year? As I look back at what I have read, I came up with 5 favorite books. I didn’t read as many books as maybe I would have because I have been increasingly devoting more of my free time to drawing. Making art has been an important creative outlet for me. Out of the 16 or 17 books I read, I have rated my top 5. Each of these books became somewhat of a friend to me, giving me hope and companionship. I am counting down backwards, from number 5 to number1. For each book, I write a short review followed by a quote to give a glimpse into the heart of the work.
5 Learning to Love the Psalms by Robert W. Godfrey
Have you ever paid attention to the structure of the Psalter? Have you ever wondered about the division of the Psalter into five books, and what the themes of these books might be? Have you noticed that it seems at times like there are pairs of Psalms that go together? Godfrey masterfully focuses on the structure of the Psalter, as well explaining the structure of a typical psalm, and he highlights a select portion of the psalms. As I have explained elsewhere, I write out 4 verses in the Psalms each morning, writing out the entire Psalter in two years. I started the book two years ago by reading over the introductory material.
Moments of grief and loss can tear apart our world. It can make even the strongest faith falter and doubt. And yet, paradoxically, it is often the seedbed for the deepest walk with God. I have written this little booklet in Spanish to help those who are hurting from a loss to traverse the difficult waters and to point them to finding their hope and peace in Jesus. I have kept it short, in hopes that it can also be accessible to those who don’t have time or aren’t in the habit of doing a lot of reading. God’s Word is rich with treasures for those who suffer. My desire is to connect the reader with passages that speak to them in their hurt. I talk about Job and the questions of why; what is lament; how to deal with anger and guilt; the power of the resurrection; and the beautiful fruit of forgiveness and thanksgiving. Please pray with me that God will use this booklet to encourage and bless those who are suffering loss.
We had been visiting from church to church, on the road and far from home for several months. We were in South Carolina. Sunday morning arrived, and we did not have a church to speak at, and is our custom, we planned to visit a local Presbyterian church. No one at the church knew we were coming, but we were happy to just be refreshed and worship with God’s people.
Our dining room table, where we eat together every night.
After service, one of our children struck up a friendship with another girl. This girl invited us to her home for lunch, and then went to ask her parents. Continue reading Simple Hospitality→
The life of a missionary and hospitality go naturally hand in hand. We often find ourselves both in the giving and the receiving end. I think of our times on furlough when members of various churches around the country host us for a meal or over several nights in their home. We may be strangers as we pull into their driveway, but we leave as friends with these brothers and sisters in Christ. I also think of the national church members who have taken considerable time and energy to host us, and also show us how to set up and live life in a new place. We started over twice in a new country-once in Mexico and once again in Uruguay. Both times we were needy and on the receiving end of much Christian love and care. Continue reading Recovering the Art of Christian Hospitality–Book Review→
