Monday, July 21, 2014

A Bit of Light Reading

Summer is a great time for some light reading. Our minds need a little vacation from the heavy stuff sometimes. Often life circumstances are stressful and a bit of light reading helps to ease the way through.

No need to lower our standards however. We want something spiritually uplifting but in an everyday story. There are a lot of choices out there. But know there is a lot that parades as christian that isn't.

And don't discount some classics especially childrens' literature. They are some of the best books ever.

Some authors and some of their works...

Robin Jones Gunn -
Sisterchicks on the Loose, 
Sisterchicks Do the Hula,  
Sisterchicks Say Ooh La La 
The Glenbrook Series (Secrets, Whispers, Echoes, etc.)


Lori Wick -
Sophie's Heart
Pretense

Jan Karon - The Mitford Series

Grace Livingston Hill - too many to list

Karen Kingsbury -
On Every Side
Shades of Blue

Janette Oke -
Heart of the Wilderness
The Measure of a Heart

Some great classics (for children of any age)

LM Montgomery -
Anne of Green Gables
Anne of Avonlea
Jane of Lantern Hill
Emily of New Moon

Frances Hodgson Burnett -
The Little Princess
The Secret Garden
Little Lord Fauntleroy
The Lost Prince

CS Lewis - The Chronicles of Narnia

Many of the older works here are available free on kindle or at least greatly reduced in price. And I didn't read any of these until I was an adult. I recently read Ann of Green Gables with my daughter and it was as refreshing as ever.

Enjoy
Kisses from Katie

I am reading this book through for the second time since I purchased it last fall. It is a book that will speak to the heart. The setting and heart of this true story will give us perspective on our own lives. What do we feel we cannot live without? Katie and her family probably lives without it. Would we do something this extreme if we knew it was what God wanted? How much can one young girl do to change a community? You will find out.

If you haven't already read it, don't wait. Its a great book. One person can make a big difference in the world! What can we do? We live in our mission field. Although we may be moved to take on another "world" as our mission field. Let me know what you think of this book.

Enjoy!

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Read the Oldies

It's easy to forget about the classics of Christian literature amidst the abundance of new material. Don't get me wrong some of the new stuff is good. But you have to be careful.

As I get older (not too old, mind you), I am amazed to see the change in my reading habits. I still have my run of light Christian/clean fiction occasionally, but it lessens every year. This year has been different from any other. I have actually read very little. Maybe my concentration level is low or my mind is overwhelmed by schoolwork (we homeschool). My focused personal reading time is more limited lately, and I'm sure that contributes.

Where does my mind turn? To Christian classics. It got me thinking of some of my favorites, and I thought I'd share a few. It surprised me a few years ago to learn that some Christians today are not familiar with these wonderful works. Oh, what they are missing!

You may find some brand new favorite in this list...

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom (about the Jewish holocaust)
The Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan (allegory)
Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot (missionary adventure)
A Chance to Die: Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliot (missionary biography)
Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard (allegory)
A Man Called Peter by Catherine Marshall (biography)
Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss (inspirational fiction)
In His Steps by Charles Sheldon (inspirational fiction)

Just a few...enjoy!