Happy Tuesday girls! I thought today I’d introduce you to some of my mentors - authors, that is! I have learned so much from these books, and since I am always on the prowl for another book to learn from, I thought I would share some good ones for you to try.

Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson is my favourite book.  I could only handle one chapter at a time because I would have so much journaling and note-taking to do!  It is about following God’s leading even when it takes us to dangerous places, and introduces ‘cages’ that we must be released from to truly live.

ChaZown by Craig Groeschel was huge for me a few years ago when I was trying to figure out who God made me to be and what my calling is in life.  It is a very easy read and gives lots of opportunities to respond on paper.  If you are at a point in life when you don’t know who you are, what you want, or what God has for you, read this one.  I would recommend reading Wild Goose Chase right after.

A Grace Disguised by Jerry Sittser was the best book I read on grieving after my best friend Katharine died in a car accident.  The author lost his mother, wife, and daughter in one car accident, and the book is his journey through grief and the lessons he has learned. This is a must if you or someone you know is grieving over the loss of a loved one.

The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan is about something we as Christians seem to have forgotten: taking a Sabbath day of rest.  As a result of this book, I began to obey God in this area of my life, and for my last two and a half years at university I blocked off a day that for resting, enjoying life, and spending time with God and people. No homework or obligations allowed!  This book will change your life if you put it into practice. I promise you. Do you feel stressed out, overwhelmed, and way too busy? Go get this book right now!

Captivating by John and Stasi Elderidge is a good read as well.  It is about who God has made us to be as women.  I read it in a time in my life when I was struggling with relationships, beauty, self worth, and who I was in Christ.  God did a healing work in my life through this book.

Left To Tell: I just read this and was floored. Imaculee tells her story of discovering God in the midst of the Rwandan genocide.  It is the best book I have read about Rwanda, and got me to take a good look at how strong my faith really is.

I hope these books are as big of a blessing in your lives as they have been in mine. Happy reading!

Michelle

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Yesterday I met someone and asked them if they were excited about Christmas.  Their reply was this:

“I’ve lived long enough to not be excited about anything anymore.”

This guy is in his forties and openly admits that nothing excites him anymore. Life is boring and dull.  He thinks he has experienced everything there is to experience. 

His comment wouldn’t leave my mind for the rest of the day.  I’m sure as a kid he experienced wonder, anticipation, excitement, and gratitude.  Sadly, life has chipped away at him and he has allowed himself to become hardened. 

But I believe he is merely expressing something that many people feel at Christmas time when they get a little older: things are not exciting anymore.

And maybe that is a good thing. 

Because Christmas is not about stuff.  Maybe this guy has realized that material things do not bring lasting joy and contentment.  No thing can.  Even Christmas decorations, family turkey dinners, and snow falling gently on a perfect winter day eventually lose their wonder.  Why?  Because the peace and fullness everyone craves comes through Christ alone.  Only when we accept Him as our Lord and Saviour can we truly be joy-filled. 

In my experience, when I follow His lead and let Him control it, my joy and excitement overflows.  I see the world through a new lens.  I am excited about snow because my Creator made it.  I am excited about turkey because I see food as a blessing from my God.  I appreciate Christmas decorations because I am grateful for the eyesight I have been blessed with. And I appreciate family because of the spiritual journey they share with me throughout the rest of the year.  The seemingly mundane maintain their wonder.

This man was right.  Life is not exciting.  Everything, from travel to people to presents lose their appeal eventually.  Jesus makes life exciting.  He keeps it exciting.  He allows us to see life through a new lens that never gets old.  Are you experiencing that fullness this Christmas season? 

Michelle

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On Friday I read something by Oswald Chambers that I wanted to share with you as this week winds down. I hope it serves as an encouragement to you.

“Perseverance means more than endurance - more than simply holding on until the end.  A saint’s life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, but our Lord continues to stretch and strain, and every once in a while the saint says, ‘I can’t take any more.’  Yet God pays no attention; he goes on stretching until His purpose is in sight, and then He lets the arrow fly. Entrust yourself to God’s hands.  Is there something in your life for which you need pereseverance right now? Maintain your intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through the perseverance of faith.  Proclaim as Job did, ‘Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.’  Faith is not some weak and pitiful emotion, but is strong and vigorous confidence built on the fact that God alone is Holy love. And even though you can’t see Him right now and cannot understand what he is doing, you know Him.  Jesus prayed, ‘This is eternal life, that they may know You…’(John 17:3). The real meaning of eternal life is a life that can face anything it has to face without wavering.”

If you are feeling stretched beyond what you can bear, know that God has not lost His aim.

Michelle

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Found this on Eric Bryant’s blog.  You girls are going to love this sweet old man…

What has God gifted you to do that you could never stop doing? How can you help others with this gift?  How can you do it in secret?

Start today.

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