I am extremely guilty for judging books by their cover. I guess I'm just a really visual person :/ haha that is my grown up way of saying that it takes glitter and pop-up pictures for me to pick up a book "for fun" (o i do love a good alliteration- say "pick up pop up pictures" 10x fast... o boy the meds are talkin again... anywaaaay)! Never been much of a book worm, BUT in the past month I've received these two books that have truly been the voice of God to me!!
The first one is called Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young. This is a year long daily devotional. Young takes two or three scriptures, weaves them together, and then personalizes the language so you read it as if Jesus were talking to you. It's amazing how it brings the scripture to life. This is one of the passages my dad read to me while they were preparing me for surgery, "I am taking care of you. Trust me at all times. Trust Me in all circumstances. Trust Me with all your heart. When you are weary and everything seems to be going wrong, you can still utter these four words 'I trust You, Jesus.' By doing so, you release matters into My control, and you fall back into the security of My everlasting arms." I will never forget this passage. I kept whispering those four words as they put the breathing mask over my mouth in the operating room. This book releases the power of Scripture in a remarkable way! It has transformed my devos and made my walk with God so much more intimate! You've gotta check this book out!
The second book is called Praying God's Word, by Beth Moore. This one is a devotional journal. The Saturday after my surgery was the most painful day of my life. They had taken my epidural out that day and could only start me out on low doses of morphine. My friend, Emilie stayed up with me all night at the hospital, through all the pain and read me prayer after prayer from this book. She read prayers of strength, comfort, peace, and healing. It is what got me through the night. I love to lift up Scripture in my prayers and this book words every praise, thanksgiving, and request with such purpose. Mmm the power of Scripture! It was unexplainable how the Holy Spirit was moving in that hospital room! My unclear mind (because of the pain and morphine) was so sharply focused on the Lord that night because those prayers were laid out for me to lift up to Him. "5 stars" or "Two Thumbs Up" doesn't give this book justice!
Well I definitely didn't intend to type out a whole piece of literature for just two book recommendations but I thought it was important to share how these two books have been amazing instruments in my walk through this time. Yes, the books are lacking glitter and pop-ups but that's why it was crucial to shed some light on them :)
