This past month, I had the honor of reading and reviewing yet another book through the Nuts About Books program. The book I chose to read is called Fiercehearted by Holley Gerth. On the back cover, it starts with: "Every day we struggle to find more freedom, joy, and purpose. What if the solution isn't trying harder or being better but embracing the fiercehearted woman already inside us?" I immediately knew I wanted to read it.
I loved this book. It was full of amazing insights that I was able to understand and connect with. The things that Holley talked about caused me to think and grow in my understanding and faith. I also found Holley's writing style to be personable and easy to read. One thing I really appreciated was the short chapters. So often, a book will have so much great knowledge in it, but it will be in such a long chapter that by the time you reach a pause, you have too much to think about and process. Holley wrote each chapter with one idea/insight in mind, which I found helpful in order to process more. It took me longer to read this book then I thought it would, but that was because I was able to think so deeply about what I was reading. I really, really appreciated this.
I would definitely recommend this book to any woman of faith! Holley is so down to earth and totally honest. It was refreshing and just an edifying book to read. Holley has written other books, and I hope to find and read them, as well!
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc
Saturday, December 23, 2017
Saturday, November 18, 2017
Fighting a Spiritual Battle- Armed and Dangerous
For October, I actually got to review two books. The first book
I read, which I reviewed in my last post, was a novel called Deadly Proof. The
other book I chose to review was not a novel, but a book about spiritual
warfare called Armed and Dangerous by John Ramirez.
I was really excited to read this book, because spiritual
warfare is something that I have limited knowledge about, but that I really
want to learn more about. And boy did this book teach me!
The author, whose personal story he wrote in previous books
(which I definitely want to read), used to be heavily involved with witchcraft
and was a high-ranking satanic priest. He commanded demons around, and was
miraculously saved and redeemed by Jesus. Now, he feels called to expose the
powers of darkness and teach Christians how they can be equipped, as children
of God, to defeat the enemy in Jesus name.
I definitely recommend reading this book, but be aware that
the author does not mince with words. He says it how it is, and it can seem
overwhelming at times. I had to take my time reading this book, reading a
chapter or two before taking a break that sometimes lasted a few days. It is so
full of information that I felt the need to take time to reflect after each
chapter in order to really get the most from the book. I kept a highlighter
with me while I read, highlighting things that I really felt were important, so
that I could glance back and remember things that, in a book so full of
knowledge, might be forgotten. There is so much that it is easy to miss a lot
of good stuff.
That being said, while it could be overwhelming, I felt that
the author did an excellent job at being real and not making it seem like a
daunting, impossible thing. I felt that this book was extremely helpful at
equipping me to fight spiritual battles, or at least giving me a base knowledge
and somewhere to start as I continue on this journey with God. I also found it
helpful to discuss what I read with one of my close friends, because it helped
me to process it as well as see things not just from my own perspective (with
someone I could trust and be real with).
So yeah. If you’re looking to become stronger in the
spiritual battle that we are in -and trust me, you should want to- I would say
that this book is an excellent resource. I’m looking forward to reading his
previous books!
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group
and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Deadly Proof
This past month, I had the opportunity to read a novel
called Deadly Proof, written by Rachel Dylan. The story line of this book as
that lawyer Kate Sullivan is the lead counsel on a case against a large,
powerful pharmaceutical company. When a lead witness is killed and Kate begins
to receive threats, former Army Ranger Landon James begins to handle her
security.
If I’m being completely honest, this wasn’t my favourite
book. It wasn’t bad, necessarily, it
just wasn’t that good. I felt like it
was a bit stilted and subtly choppy. The characters never really became real to
me, and I honestly didn’t feel that much emotion towards any of them. I didn’t feel
invested in Kate’s and Landon’s relationship, or even really in them as
individuals.
That being said, the author clearly knows the legal world. I
felt that the details about the case and law procedures were accurate, and I
even fell like I understand more about how the legal system works now.
I also have to say that the plot itself was also good. It
was an interesting premise for a book, I just wasn’t personally a fan of how it
was executed. There were a couple of ‘plot twists’, but even most of those I
saw coming long before it was revealed.
I’m honestly torn about what to tell you. I feel like this
review is rather negative, but the book wasn’t really that bad. Like I said, it
just wasn’t good. I probably won’t be
reading the book again, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t read it. I
guess I can say that it is a book to read if you have nothing else to read.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group
and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Every Piece of Me
As I mentioned in my last post, I am now writing reviews for
books that I receive for free in return for my honest review. I have just
finished reading a book called Every Piece of Me by Jerusha Clark. According to
the cover, this book will help with “shattering toxic beliefs and discovering
the real you”. Over the course of the book, Jerusha explores 7 “I am:
statements that Jesus said, and reflects on what that means for us as his
daughters.
While I did enjoy this book, I had a hard time focusing
while I was reading it. Did it change my life? No. Did I learn things? Yes.
There were several times when I got out my highlighter to mark a section that
really stood out to me. I don’t regret reading this book, even if it took me
awhile to get through it.
Really, I think that this book would be better suited to
read as a Bible study sort of thing, where you read the chapter and then
discuss it with other women. The author includes discussion/reflection
questions and recommended reading following each chapter. If you have a group
of women looking to have a Bible study of some sort, I would say that this is
an excellent book to consider. It was just hard for me to focus and get all
that the book offered just reading it alone.
The main thing that I liked about this book is how it make
me think more about my life/myself and how I think about things. At one point,
the author says “He laid down his life so you wouldn’t have to run ragged. He
died so that you could be free of endless pressures to perform” (Every Piece of
Me, pg. 116). So often, women feel that they need to be perfect, and we strive
to present ourselves that way. But in Jesus, we can embrace every broken part
of ourselves, and that is truly an amazing thing. I’m also the kind of person
who often has a hard time saying no, especially to church things. I mean, aren’t
I being a selfish person if I say no to helping out somewhere that needs help?
I’m being a pretty bad Christian then, right? This was my mindset for years and
years, but recently I’ve started to learn that it is ok to say no sometimes. I
don’t need to fill every need in my church; God doesn’t ask me to do that. “No”
is a word that I have been learning isn’t a BAD word, and this book again
helped me to grow in that area of my life.
So yeah, I guess I would say that if you’re looking for
growth in your life, this is a book that will probably help give you insight
into some area of your life that God wants to work with you on. I hope you enjoy
it!
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group
and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Monday, September 18, 2017
Book Review: The Way of Hope
Hey guys!
I have recently joined a program where they send me books to read, and I review them. I’ve done this in the past, but with a different company.
So for September, for the first time ever, I didn’t choose a novel. Instead, I chose a book titled “The Way of Hope” by Melissa Fisher. Here’s the synopsis from the back of the book:
“’Am I welcome here?’ It's the most challenging question churches face today. With a history of condemning people for their sexual temptations, desires, or orientations, many churches and Christians in an attempt to right that wrong have simply adopted the world's more indulgent view. What if the church could show up in a different way? With deep understanding born from her own painful experiences, Melissa shows that somewhere between the extremes of condemning and condoning is the way of Jesus, a way marked with courage, compassion, and hope. The Way of Hope aims to equip the church to make a positive impact in the lives of those hurting from their relational or sexual differences. It aims to inspire everyone, regardless of sexual identity or gender orientation, toward a relationship with Jesus, who wants to offer us all love and hope greater than anything we've ever known.”
As soon as I read that, I was intrigued. I wanted to read the book. Homosexuality is something that is so common and acceptable in our world today, and it’s something that the church is viewed as being judgemental and condemning about. I wanted to know what Melissa Fisher had to say.
From the beginning, I enjoyed the book. Melissa told her own story of same-sex attraction, but rather than giving it to us all at once, she slowly shares how she went from a little girl growing up in a Christian home to being a woman married to another woman, completely apart from God. She explains what her mindset was as a child, and how that affected her throughout her entire life. She told us what she had once believed, and what she believes now. She vulnerably shares her incredibly hard journey.
There were a lot of lessons learned in Melissa’s life, and she willingly shares them with us in her book. Near the end, she talks about how it is now, living beyond the same-sex lifestyle. She says “You must fight through and not believe the lies, then do the more work of believing the truth- that his love alone is enough… I can remain single the rest of my life and be more blessed and more loved than by lying next to any human being.” (The Way of Hope, pg 196)
His love alone is enough. That’s a truth that is supposed to be fundamental to Christians, yet it can be such a hard thing to truly believe. As Melissa says, whether gay or straight, we all want to be loved by people. But God’s love alone should be enough. Melissa continues on to say that “seeking his presence helps me feel the love and joy my soul has always hungered for. No gay or straight relationship has ever brought anything close to that.” (The Way of Hope, pg. 196)
While I don’t struggle with same-sex desires, nor do I have any family members or close friends who do, I am still glad that I read this book. It has insights and wisdom that anyone can benefit from. I definitely enjoyed reading The Way of Hope!
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
I have recently joined a program where they send me books to read, and I review them. I’ve done this in the past, but with a different company.
So for September, for the first time ever, I didn’t choose a novel. Instead, I chose a book titled “The Way of Hope” by Melissa Fisher. Here’s the synopsis from the back of the book:
“’Am I welcome here?’ It's the most challenging question churches face today. With a history of condemning people for their sexual temptations, desires, or orientations, many churches and Christians in an attempt to right that wrong have simply adopted the world's more indulgent view. What if the church could show up in a different way? With deep understanding born from her own painful experiences, Melissa shows that somewhere between the extremes of condemning and condoning is the way of Jesus, a way marked with courage, compassion, and hope. The Way of Hope aims to equip the church to make a positive impact in the lives of those hurting from their relational or sexual differences. It aims to inspire everyone, regardless of sexual identity or gender orientation, toward a relationship with Jesus, who wants to offer us all love and hope greater than anything we've ever known.”
As soon as I read that, I was intrigued. I wanted to read the book. Homosexuality is something that is so common and acceptable in our world today, and it’s something that the church is viewed as being judgemental and condemning about. I wanted to know what Melissa Fisher had to say.
From the beginning, I enjoyed the book. Melissa told her own story of same-sex attraction, but rather than giving it to us all at once, she slowly shares how she went from a little girl growing up in a Christian home to being a woman married to another woman, completely apart from God. She explains what her mindset was as a child, and how that affected her throughout her entire life. She told us what she had once believed, and what she believes now. She vulnerably shares her incredibly hard journey.
There were a lot of lessons learned in Melissa’s life, and she willingly shares them with us in her book. Near the end, she talks about how it is now, living beyond the same-sex lifestyle. She says “You must fight through and not believe the lies, then do the more work of believing the truth- that his love alone is enough… I can remain single the rest of my life and be more blessed and more loved than by lying next to any human being.” (The Way of Hope, pg 196)
His love alone is enough. That’s a truth that is supposed to be fundamental to Christians, yet it can be such a hard thing to truly believe. As Melissa says, whether gay or straight, we all want to be loved by people. But God’s love alone should be enough. Melissa continues on to say that “seeking his presence helps me feel the love and joy my soul has always hungered for. No gay or straight relationship has ever brought anything close to that.” (The Way of Hope, pg. 196)
While I don’t struggle with same-sex desires, nor do I have any family members or close friends who do, I am still glad that I read this book. It has insights and wisdom that anyone can benefit from. I definitely enjoyed reading The Way of Hope!
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Saturday, December 31, 2016
2016
Well, we made it, guys. Here we are, on the last day of 2016. Tonight, people will be partying and celebrating with family and friends as we usher in the new year.
To be honest, new years has never been my favourite holiday. I just don't see the appeal in staying up until midnight just to say "Happy new year!" and then go to bed. I very much enjoy sleep, so I'd be 100% ok with skipping the festivities and hitting the sack at 10 o'clock!
However, new years is a really good time to reflect on the year that has passed, and to look forward to a new year. 2016 has been a good year for me. It started with me living in Madison, running the preschool (man, I miss those children!), and it is ending with me back home, working at the greenhouse. It has been a year with the good and the bad -like every year, I suppose. My Opa passed away in February, and I had to move away from a really great community (and roommate- oh how I miss Kenzie!). I grew in my relationship with God and my brother got married (and I therefore finally have a sister!). All in all, it was a good year.
Back in January, I sat down and asked God what 2016 held for Him and I. Looking back on that list, it's cool to reflect on how I can see each item and how God was faithful to what He said. For example, one of the things was "Learning how to grow with God independently, without having classes and YWAM community."
This was a big one for me. Growing up, I had a quiet time every morning after breakfast; it was part of my schooling, really. But as I got older, quiet times grew harder to have. I would skip them more then I'd have them. Then I went to DTS and quiet times were scheduled into our daily schedule. This was a time of great growth for me, and my relationship with God definitely grew because of it.
Then I went back home after DTS and my quiet times basically stopped again. When I returned on staff and was living with the DTS, I again started to grow in my relationship with God because not only did I have quiet times in my schedule again, but I also was attending DTS classes again. Learning how to grow in my relationship with God independently was something that I had no idea how to do.
I can't say that I have a "quiet time" every day, but I definitely talk to God every day. My job offers many opportunities to spend time with God while I'm working alone. And while I still have a lot of room to grow in this area, I definitely can see how far I have come in the past year. I am able to sit down and read the Bible and really learn from it, without having someone there to tell me what it means.
Another item on the list was "Grow in confidence". I totally can see this in myself this year. I've never been the most confident person. I'd always second guess myself. I do this so less often now! God has definitely given me a confidence about who I am and who He is. Because I know my identity as His daughter, I am able to stand firm in that. One area where I really see this most is at youth group. God asked me to be a youth leader at my church this year, so of course I listened and am doing that. To be honest, teenagers kinda scare me and the are definitely not my favourite age to be around. But God has given me the confidence to be a youth leader and to stand firm in the things I believe. It's been cool to see!
On the list of things God told me would happen during 2016, it also said "Searching". This is so true! After coming back from Madison, I was searching for who I am, for my worth, for what God wanted me to do next. I've spent a lot of time this year searching, and God has given me a lot of answers -although definitely not all! I've made discoveries about myself and about God and it's been pretty terrific!
So yeah, 2016 has been a year of growth for me, and a year where I have really seen God's faithfulness. It's been a year where I have really put my trust in God, and He has not failed me. I'm looking forward to this coming year, and seeing what adventures and lessons God has for me in the next 365 days!
Blessings,
Katie
To be honest, new years has never been my favourite holiday. I just don't see the appeal in staying up until midnight just to say "Happy new year!" and then go to bed. I very much enjoy sleep, so I'd be 100% ok with skipping the festivities and hitting the sack at 10 o'clock!
However, new years is a really good time to reflect on the year that has passed, and to look forward to a new year. 2016 has been a good year for me. It started with me living in Madison, running the preschool (man, I miss those children!), and it is ending with me back home, working at the greenhouse. It has been a year with the good and the bad -like every year, I suppose. My Opa passed away in February, and I had to move away from a really great community (and roommate- oh how I miss Kenzie!). I grew in my relationship with God and my brother got married (and I therefore finally have a sister!). All in all, it was a good year.
Back in January, I sat down and asked God what 2016 held for Him and I. Looking back on that list, it's cool to reflect on how I can see each item and how God was faithful to what He said. For example, one of the things was "Learning how to grow with God independently, without having classes and YWAM community."
This was a big one for me. Growing up, I had a quiet time every morning after breakfast; it was part of my schooling, really. But as I got older, quiet times grew harder to have. I would skip them more then I'd have them. Then I went to DTS and quiet times were scheduled into our daily schedule. This was a time of great growth for me, and my relationship with God definitely grew because of it.
Then I went back home after DTS and my quiet times basically stopped again. When I returned on staff and was living with the DTS, I again started to grow in my relationship with God because not only did I have quiet times in my schedule again, but I also was attending DTS classes again. Learning how to grow in my relationship with God independently was something that I had no idea how to do.
I can't say that I have a "quiet time" every day, but I definitely talk to God every day. My job offers many opportunities to spend time with God while I'm working alone. And while I still have a lot of room to grow in this area, I definitely can see how far I have come in the past year. I am able to sit down and read the Bible and really learn from it, without having someone there to tell me what it means.
Another item on the list was "Grow in confidence". I totally can see this in myself this year. I've never been the most confident person. I'd always second guess myself. I do this so less often now! God has definitely given me a confidence about who I am and who He is. Because I know my identity as His daughter, I am able to stand firm in that. One area where I really see this most is at youth group. God asked me to be a youth leader at my church this year, so of course I listened and am doing that. To be honest, teenagers kinda scare me and the are definitely not my favourite age to be around. But God has given me the confidence to be a youth leader and to stand firm in the things I believe. It's been cool to see!
On the list of things God told me would happen during 2016, it also said "Searching". This is so true! After coming back from Madison, I was searching for who I am, for my worth, for what God wanted me to do next. I've spent a lot of time this year searching, and God has given me a lot of answers -although definitely not all! I've made discoveries about myself and about God and it's been pretty terrific!
So yeah, 2016 has been a year of growth for me, and a year where I have really seen God's faithfulness. It's been a year where I have really put my trust in God, and He has not failed me. I'm looking forward to this coming year, and seeing what adventures and lessons God has for me in the next 365 days!
Blessings,
Katie
Thursday, October 20, 2016
God is Faithful
Being back in Madison for this week, I have naturally have had many (terrific) memories coming to me. Yesterday, I spent hours with a friend from my DTS, and over the course of our time together, we laughed and remembered the good times we had back when we were DTS students living in the TC. We remembered the time that some friends put chickens in our rooms in the middle of the night. We remembered planning escape routes for running away from hard talks (let's just say that we weren't the best at being vulnerable, and while I still have a hard time with it, I definitely have grown in vulnerability over the course of the past couple years!). We remembered racing each other to try and get our favourite spot in the classroom. Rachel and I have lots of good memories of our times in DTS, both together and with others.
As we were talking about outreach, I recalled how when I went to DTS, I was sure that I would end up going to India for outreach. I knew that Madison often sends teams there, but there was no reason for me to assume that that was where I would be going. However, my logic behind that assumption was that I really did NOT want to go, thus I would probably end up having to go.
As I said this to Rachel, I realized something: that was my view of God back then. In my mind, He would send me to the places that I did not want to go to, and He would make me do the things that I really didn't want to do. My idea of who God is was so skewed! How was it that I thought that God's character was so... so not nice? How could I think that my God was a God who would use his power and authority to make people do things that they don't want to do? How did I have such a messed up idea of the character of God? And how did I forget that I once thought that?
Reminiscing about my DTS, I remember how it was a season where God really focused on teaching me how much He LOVES me. He loves me simply for who I am. I had thought that I knew that, going into DTS, but during those six months, I really learned how deep His love for me goes. And I thought that was so cool and awesome and amazing.
Now, looking back on those lessons that God taught and showed me, I see that it was about so much more than God assuring me that He loves me beyond measure. I mean, yeah, He wants me to know that and it was something I needed to really understand, but it was about more than me knowing God's love. It was about changing my whole view of God. Without me even realizing it, God showed me -through focusing on His love for me- how deeply wrong I was in my view of Him. He showed me how different His character is from what I had thought. By stressing His love for me, He showed me who He really is, and how GOOD He is. It was the stepping stone for me learning how to truly trust God, which was something that He really focused on last fall.
The lessons I learned in DTS were so much more than I thought they were. They went so much deeper than me simply being a beloved daughter of the King. God used that time as a foundation for the lessons I have been learning over the year and a half since I graduated from my DTS. And it wouldn't surprise me at all if the lessons that I learned during my DTS will continue to be a part of the lessons I will learn in the future.
God is faithful, and He is so committed to me -and you! When He says something, He means it. But more than that, when He speaks to us about things and reveals things to us, it goes beyond the current time and place. It goes beyond that moment!
Our God is truly amazing. He is incredible. I'm in awe of Him, I truly am! DTS was two years ago, and I am still having revelations and insights from that time! I am still learning from things that were said or taught to me during that season of my life. God knows me so well that He knows when to teach me certain things, and when to reveal things to me.
God, you are a good, good Father. You are an amazing, wonderful, loving, powerful, gentle, and kind God. You... there are simply not words that can describe You, no words that can truly show how amazing you are!
Blessings,
Katie
On Sunday, Kenzie and I went on a hike north of Madison -so beautiful!
During our hike we left the trail fairly quickly and just followed the creek, clambering over rocks and crisscrossing the creek too many times to count. But neither of us fell in, yay!
Rachel and I attempted to take a picture at the end of our visit
When I first arrived in Madison on Friday night, Kenzie had placed a small Canadian flag on my bed in welcome -awwwww :) Then she pretty much just passed on halfway on her bed, halfway on mine. Soooo pretty much a normal day in our lives!
Friday evening Kenzie and I were trying to decide between seeing people and chasing the sunset. We decided on chasing the sunset, but as we were driving down the road, one of our friends spotted me in the car and ran into the street to stop us. And so we ended up socializing for awhile -I had a lot of people to say hi to!- before sneaking off to chase our sunset. It was almost done by the time we got through the mental institution to the lake, but was still beautiful!
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