The Sisters of Sugarcreek

Many lives were changed the day a fire burned down Faith Community Church, devastating the small town of Sugarcreek, Ohio.Now a young Amish widow, Lydia Gruber faces an uncertain future. Her husband, a craftsman and volunteer firefighter, always took care of everything, keeping her isolated from others in their community. Without anyone or any skills, how will she survive?With the death of her beloved aunt Rose in the fire, single mom Jessica Holtz inherits Rose's Knit One Quilt Too cottage.
 

The Sisters of SugarCreek by Cathy Ligget is a sweet story about an Amish widow and a young niece as they gather up their lives after losing loved ones in a church fire. Liggett interweaves the Amish with the English so that it's neither a traditional Amish story nor a traditional Christian story. Unlike either of those books, which tend to be a bit too preachy or a little too forced, this one flows nicely and though can be a bit cliched at times it was interesting to the very end.

I read it in a weekend and thought it was just the type of book I needed on a dreary cold day!

This book was given to me by Tyndale Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
 

A Spectacle of Glory

After nearly 50 years of living as a quadriplegic, and dealing with chronic pain on a daily basis, Joni has learned firsthand the importance of glorifying God through the toughest of situations. Through this devotional, Joni will help you discover how to put God’s glory on display—how to say no to complaining and say yes to daily following God down even the most difficult paths. 

A Spectacle of Glory by Joni Eareckson Tada helps us to explore the purpose of why God created us (to glorify Him) and how to do so, even when it is the toughest choice. 

I read once that people aren't able to see the goodness of God through us until His joy is truly in us. That made me pause for several moments because as much as we, as Christians, may proclaim to love and serve Him, we have to truly know Him deep in our hearts. That involves lots of prayer, devotion, and doing the hardest thing of all - picking up our cross and following Him daily. This devotion shows us how to be a stage for His goodness.

While I've scanned ahead slightly so I could honestly review this, I've studied the nine days into the month that we are and am enjoying Tada's insight. For example, today's devotion is about rough edges.

Know anyone with "rough edges"? Maybe that describes you. Perhaps you've been told that you sometimes come across a little harsh, a little impatient. Today's Scripture (Philippians 4:5) has good advice for us all. "Let your gentleness be evident to all." The Greek word gentleness implies an appropriate response to the people in your life. It speaks of moderation in choice of words and tone of voice, with a healthy dose of patience.

    How do we manage such a thing? The answer is in the very next phrase: "The Lord is near." In other words, He's listening to every conversation. He's sitting with your family at supper. He's in the car when you are on the phone. He is near. And that's why we should be gentle in our words and actions. Think before you speak. Consider before you hit send. Jesus holds us accountable for our words and the intentions behind them. 

A short but powerful devotion to start off the day. One that will hopefully lead you to watch your words more carefully that day and realize that Jesus is near and only we are accountable for our words and actions. Each devotion leaves me pondering the words for that day and I look forward to learning how God's light can shine through me every day.

This book was given to me by BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.