Book Review: Church of the Small Things by Melanie Shankle

My blog has become a series of book reviews and launches, and yet I believe these books are true to my vision- helping us learn to whisper the Word of God into our own souls, and then to the children we love and influence on a regular basis.  Books encourage my heart.  Today, I want you to meet an Author of four books, three of which I've enjoyed thoroughly.  Her name is Melanie Shankle, from Texas, and I was introduced to her as "Big Mama", as her daughter referred to her, (that daughter started high school this fall) and that's how her blog started.  She's grown a bit, and now goes by her given name.  But I still think of the attention that an author called "Big Mama" made me decide I needed to read her book.  I read Sparkly Green Earrings first a book about seeing Christ's light in parenting, as my end of year school's done celebration in 24 hours. Then I had the library order The Antelope in the Living Room, a book on marriage. Which I also adored and read in a few days!  Somehow in the busyness of life and kids, I missed No One's Cuter than You, but it's on my to read list!  

This book releases October 3, 2017.  Counting down the days, til you can all appreciate it for yourself!

Fun. Relatable. Laugh out loud funny. Easy read. Great vacation or stress reliever book. 

Nothing too convicting, but good pauses to look at God in our day to day lives. 

Spiritual encouragement with lighthearted humor.  But also helps the reader identify purpose in her life, and makes her smile at the author's stories of discovering God in her mundane (which may not seem all that mundane with her humor!)  

Simple biblical truths, encouraging the reader to see God in the little things because "being faithful in the small things, because those are the moments that prepare us for the next thing."

It's a book presented with stories, humor, and even a few tears written in an enjoyable manner with a bit of sass and reality that it takes many by surprise at the humor and boldness. But we all relate and keep reading. In "big mama" style! As I first learned of this author. And loved relaxing with her book.  You can see more about her and her blog at:  ChurchOfTheSmallThings.com   

Quotes I loved as lessons (but you have to read the book to see how the author makes these memorable!): 

• "Because every moment in what some might consider a small life was a moment painted with great love." 
• "When we open ourselves up to the life God has for us, it probably isn't going to feel safe, but it will be infinitely better because it's a life filled with purpose...
• "We can never underestimate the grace and the strength he will give us for whatever he is calling us to do and whatever challenges we'll face."

As a 45 year old woman, we are in the same season of life and history, so I have many connections to her memories and life experiences, but even if you are much younger, you'll get it, she's funny and real. And I enjoy seeing her faith grow wings and her stories share her heart for God. Blessed to join the launch team, but the opinion is my honest review.

Book Review: Unseen The Gift of Being Hidden in a World that Loves to Be Noticed

This book is a gift and treasure.

It inspired me to live a life that is deeper in relationship with God. It's practical, engaging, full of scripture, and yet a book that draws you to stop, think, digest, and process the ideas given. I will re-read this book to soak in the ideas and even to remember how Sara Hagerty shares her poetic words of how she adores God til she knows it's true in her life!  And Sara Hagerty is a Mom to six beautiful children, and she shares how she communicates these concepts with her children and prays that they will be rooted and grounded in the Word.  She's a natural whisperer of the Word to children and adults.

If you pre-order, there are beautiful freebies!  http://sarahagerty.net/pre-order-unseen

Sara Hagerty shares her personal stories and connects the story of Mary's extravagant love poured out vulnerably at Jesus feet, to a lifestyle of seeking Him in all seasons, but especially in the hidden aspects of life.

Authors often become kindred spirits or mentors to the reader, and Sara Hagerty, is that for me. I adored her first book, Every Bitter Thing is Sweet when I discovered it several years ago, I love how she ends each chapter with scriptures for further review. And I'm half way through writing out the scriptures from Unseen in my journal, and processing small steps to see God more intimately and to fall in love more deeply with Him.

I can't wait for the Bible Study to be released that goes along side this book, and it will be free on the website www.sarahagerty.net/unseen. I'm going to need a whole series on my blog to share all the aspects of the book with the world, as it's a gem with so much richness, I'm inspired, encouraged, and learning how to have a fuller, hidden life with God, where I use the white space in my life to seek Him.

I'm blessed to be on the launch team for this book, inspired by the emphasis on praying for the book release, and the readers whose hands it will be placed in, that they would find God and fall more in love with Him this fall (or in the future). I certainly have, and I've pre-ordered several copies as gifts for several friends who will find inspiration.

I'll end with a list of a few things I believe are possible for the readers of this book:
*re-frame your life in God and before others by asking questions like: What does God think of this? and What does God think of me?
*see a fresh revelation of the story of Mary at Bethany sitting at Jesus feet.
*create a wonder hour to look at God more purposefully.
*find your own rhythm to adore and pray more intimately with God (and it's done without guilt!)
*love the Word of God more.
*look at Who God is.
*recognize how to practice God's love.
*lean in to Him.
*recognize you are seen by God alone (Psalm 139- woven together intimately).
*develop deeper intimacy with God.
*find that you can embrace living a life hidden before God, out of the limelight, but ever present to Him.