For a little while now I’ve been trying to maintain a reading regimen. I try to study through three or four books each month. There have been a few reasons why I’ve found this to be a valuable effort – first, it helps me grow my ability to cook healthy and nourishing meals, to be better steward, and most importantly to grow in godliness and Christlikeness. I think it will be fun to use a bit of space on the blog each month to review some of the books I’m reading. Of course, while I don’t necessarily endorse all things written or said by the authors, I have been encouraged by these books and they all come recommended to me. I hope you will share with me your recommendations, too! I hope you will share with me your recommendations, too!

The Lifegiving Table: Nurturing Faith through Feasting One Meal at a Time

The table is a celebration of God’s goodness, and the value of table discipleship in forming the hearts of small children is invaluable! Although the book was full of ideas on how to open your home to create spaces where community can be enjoyed, it’s definitely focused on building family and friend relationships right in the heart of home. Both practical and highly inspiring, this book is overflowing with love and encouragement in every page. Each chapter boasts a couple Clarkson favorite family recipes, and Sally Clarkson shares so many great ideas to create traditions. Traditions build family cultures that “build strong roots, positive emotional expectations, and stable foundations.” This quote from the end of the book reminds us about the epic celebratory feasting at the table: “Someday we will all be together at the most wonderful banquet we could ever imagine, with the best food, the most soul-enriching beauty, the finest in companionship. The occasion will be the wedding feast of the Lamb.”

True Feelings: God’s Gracious and Glorious Purpose for our Emotions

It will make you look at emotions on a whole new way! It makes a clear case that our emotions are meant to be handled Biblically and to draw us closer to God. The authors give a lot of practical steps one can take to train our hearts and minds in order that our emotions aren’t sinful. By aligning our beliefs and values to Scripture, we can have a strategy to quiet our hearts through turning to God and remembering His truth. Carolyn Mahaney and her daughter Nicole Whitacre make a great writing duo! Enjoy a little taste of the book with these quotes: “Emotions are from God, for the glory of God.” “Emotions are not dangerous. We are in danger, though, if our emotions are not satisfied in Christ.”

Pressing Pause: 100 Quiet Moments for Moms to Meet with God

I began this devotional on January 1st, and finishing it a few days ago left me a little sad. This book has been a faithful companion from which I drew daily encouragement. These simple yet deep devotions centered my thoughts and heart on God. Because the thought was short and focused, I remembered it and was able to meditate throughout the day. Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk alternate their writing which keeps it fresh. Here are a couple quotes: “As a mother, I am an instrument of peace at home with my family. God wants to use me to bring peace to my household and into my children’s lives.” “So today, regardless of what is going on, begin to pray for your husband. Pray hard and pray often. Ask your Father to lead your husband, provide for him, protect him, and draw him close to Jesus. One of the greatest acts of love for our husband is to lift him before the throne of God.”

with love. Damaris

For a little while now I’ve been trying to maintain a reading regimen. I try to study through three or four books each month. There have been a few reasons why I’ve found this to be a valuable effort – first, it helps me grow my ability to cook healthy and nourishing meals, to be better steward, and most importantly to grow in godliness and Christlikeness. I think it will be fun to use a bit of space on the blog each month to review some of the books I’m reading. Of course, while I don’t necessarily endorse all things written or said by the authors, I have been encouraged by these books and they all come recommended to me. I hope you will share with me your recommendations, too! I hope you will share with me your recommendations, too!

Refresh: Embracing a Grace-Paced Life in a World of Endless Demands

It was interesting to delve into why women (perhaps more than men) are more easily overwhelmed and succumb to piling demands. In this book, you will find comfort in knowing that God doesn’t call us to burn out but to thrive. Learning to live a grace-paced life will not only be a blessing to those around us, but also help us form habits of rest for our body and our souls. “He rejoices to see us taking biblical care of the bodily temple he has gifted to us and is delighted when we live conscious of our weakness and in total dependence on his daily refreshing grace.”

Alive in Him: How Being Embraced by the Love of Christ Changes Everything

This is a study on the book of Ephesians. It was not an easy read, but I grew in understanding of what unity truly means as a body of believers. This book also deepened my gratitude for the love of Christ. “The Holy Spirit will not allow you to live satisfied on the rubbish heap; he will nurture a longing for the City of God to beat in your heart.” This book will remind and encourage you that the love of Christ compels us to love others, to study His word, to speak the truth in love, to fight against false doctrine and to pray for the good of our brothers and sisters.

It Starts with Food: Discover the Whole30 and Change Your Life in Unexpected Ways

This is a clear and persuasive nutrition book that not only explains the Whole30 program but also the way our whole body works together in digestion. I was fascinated by the role hormones play, and the book plainly explains how what we eat has an effect on our sleep, skin, inflammation, stamina, etc. It encourages a nutritional reset that can be beneficial in changing your eating habits in so many ways. “The food you eat either makes you more healthy or less healthy. Those are your options.” “You cannot ‘out-exercise’ poor food choices and the resulting hormonal disruption.”

with love. Damaris

For a little while now I’ve been trying to maintain a reading regimen. I try to study through three or four books each month. There have been a few reasons why I’ve found this to be a valuable effort – first, it helps me grow my ability to cook healthy and nourishing meals, to be better steward, and most importantly to grow in godliness and Christlikeness. I think it will be fun to use a bit of space on the blog each month to review some of the books I’m reading. Of course, while I don’t necessarily endorse all things written or said by the authors, I have been encouraged by these books and they all come recommended to me. I hope you will share with me your recommendations, too!

The Set-Apart Woman: God’s Invitation to Sacred Living

“True Christianity has always been, and always be, offensive to the culture. And only when we no longer care what we look like to this world can we truly impact it for Jesus Christ.” Leslie Ludy makes a clear call to a closer walk with God in holiness and encourages us to have courage it takes to be set-apart. The dangers of many distractions that this culture offers leave us unfulfilled. Oftentimes, apathy, self-centeredness, and lack of principles claim our thoughts and decisions leaving us wavering and fearful. “Ask God for His supernatural enabling power to do what is impossible in your own strength. As you yield your heart, mind, and body, to Him, He will grant you the grace for every step of obedience He calls you to.”

Of Mess and Moxie: Wrangling Delight Out of This Wild and Glorious Life

I was reading through this book and came across a paragraph in one of the chapters where the author appears to endorse homosexuality. I was surprised and disappointed, but there are some encouraging and Biblical parts. Reading it feels like friends’ chatting over coffee. Jen Hatmaker uses humor to discuss difficult topics and reminds women that God has built us to be resilient and resourceful. With her quirky and laidback way, she encourages women in marriage, friendships, homemaking, cooking, parenting, and just womanhood in general. The chapters are full of joy and laughter, plus she includes some of her favorite recipes. Here are some quotes: “People may hate us because of Jesus, but they should never hate Jesus because of us.” “We need not fear that He will say, “You loved too greatly, too liberally, too generously, too shockingly.”

Grace Not Perfection: Embracing Simplicity, Celebration Joy

A beautiful hard-back book full of insight and encouragement. Emily Ley weaves her story through the pages and at the same time sprinkles organizational and simplifying tips. It is both personal and helpful on a very practical level, and it’s a very easy read! A couple of my favorite quotes: “Don’t sacrifice the good to chase the perfect.” “God cares more about us abiding by His commandments and loving big—feeling deeply alive and free from the traps of perfection and comparison. He’s watching us scurry about, saying, ‘Sweet girls, why are you so hard on yourselves? All this worry and busyness is for what? I’ve given you all you need.’”

with love. Damaris

For a little while now I’ve been trying to maintain a reading regimen. I try to study through three or four books each month. There have been a few reasons why I’ve found this to be a valuable effort – first, it helps me grow my ability to cook healthy and nourishing meals, to be better steward, and most importantly to grow in godliness and Christlikeness. I think it will be fun to use a bit of space on the blog each month to review some of the books I’m reading. I hope you will share with me your recommendations, too!

Finding Selah: The Simple Practice of Peace When You Need It Most

“That something you’ve been looking for in the empty stress of you mad-dash days? It has a name. The Psalms call it selah- the pause, rest, or interlude between the notes in a song. More than merely an empty space, selah is a chance to stop and resync with the story and song of God. For all the ways life keeps you running, this word and practice offers a way to re-center yourself on the One who holds all things together and makes all things beautiful.”

Kristen’s story flows beautifully as she tells her words of pain, loss, chaos, and longing. The deep thirst for rest is within us all, and she unashamedly points the parched soul to Christ.

Keep It Shut: What to Say, How to Say It, and When to Say Nothing at All

“When a family member’s behavior threatens to knock the nice right out of us, we can pause. Recalculate. Punch in a different destination for the words now downloading from our brains onto our tongues. We can program them to first stop at gentleness, swing by to pick up respect and finally – arrive with grace. Then our mouths can utter pleasant words rather than those that are caustic, cutting, and unkind.”

This is a topic that each of us needs wisdom on, and Karen addresses it with much transparency and humor. Her gentle words encourage us to avoid careless chatter and understand the power of our tongues. Full of helpful, witty, and to-the-point advice!

Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Simplying Your LIfe by Reducing Your Waste

“Women and men alike often have reservations about paring down their wardrobes for fear of losing options or outfit combinations. Ironically, the same individuals often simultaneously complain o having a closet full of nothing to wear. I have come to learn that decluttering unexpectedly makes options clear and easy.”

Bea Johnson shares her tips in a very relatable way. This book is very practical and full of step-by-step guides to diminishing waste in every area of your house. It comes down to the 5 Rs: Refuse, Reuse, Recycle, Rot.

with love. Damaris