Book of the Week [Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers]

I do not typically recommend love stories. When I wrote a top ten recommending romances, I struggled coming up with 10 worth recommending, but this one made my all-time favorites list (and there are only 7 on that list). I've read many, many excellent books, but there aren't many that challenge my thinking, affect me emotionally, teach me, and entertain all at once. This book is all that and more!

Every woman needs to read this book!

There are not many books I take the time to read more than once. The is one such book. The second time through was even better than the first time. The first time I read it quickly in an effort to find out what was going to happen next; I can hardly stand not knowing how the story will end and this one definitely has a one of a kind ending worth talking about! It is, by far, my favorite part of the book. Without giving too much away, I will just say that it a beautiful picture for believers as we stand unashamed before Christ because of His incredible, never-ending, abounding love for His own.

Read my review here and then read it for yourself.

Book of the Week [If You Plant a Seed]

This book has very few words, but if you pay attention to the message behind it, it will impact your thinking while also being simple and clear enough to discuss it with your young reader. It very clearly reveals what happens if you plant a seed of kindness or if you plant a seed of selfishness. Whatever you plant is whatever fruit you'll receive.

It's a perfect one for this spring season when seeds begin to sprout! There's so much to talk about!

Such great illustrations go along with the phenomenal message behind it - making it doubly worth a look.

Book of the Week [Only God Can Make a Kitten]

This is one of those children's books that will forever be on my shelf. It is one of our all-time favorite children's books. It begins with Genesis 1:31, continues with adorable rhyme dialogue between a mother and her son and ends with poetry.

This little boy in the book is curious about the world he explores with his mom and asks lots of questions beginning with, "Mama, look!" But it's the mother's response that amazes me...

Example:

"Mama, look!"

A tiny sprout!

Who made this sprig of spring pop out?

He who knows our every need. 

Only God can make a seed."

My favorite is the poem at the end when mom explains the world around him,

"God shapes the birds, the plums, and trees. 

He makes the rain and salty seas. 

Ancient stones he molds just right. 

And distant stars that shine so bright. 

God makes seeds to grow and grow. 

He paints the flowers, blows winter's snow. 

God fashions fish. 

Kittens too. 

Yes, God makes wondrous things it's true. 

But best of all, God made YOU!"

It's a wonderful book that I highly recommend adding to your forever library. It teaches. It's thought provoking. The illustrations are wonderful. The theology is biblically sound.