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Courting Love by Jodie Wolfe

Dec1

Misunderstandings In Love

Courting Love by Jodie Wolfe is a Christian historical 3 in 1 book that I enjoyed.

The stories are set-in small-town America in 1876-77. They are surrounding three sisters who are all looking for love, without necessarily realising what is under their noses the whole time.

God’s plans for the sisters are so much greater than their plans. “Sometimes God gives us what we don’t expect, but what we need the most.” God knows us better than we know ourselves.

The sisters are close-knit as they have lost both parents. They all look out for each other and they all have different skill sets. Their love for all is plain to see. “We got each other. Why would we need much more than that?” The sisters have the correct priorities. They enjoy each other and the simple things in life. They build their lives on God and each other. In contrast we meet a very selfish young woman who does not go to church or say prayers. Her priorities are on wealth and outward appearances.

Prayer is important. “I pray for you both…that you’ll find godly men.” We need to commit every area of our lives to God. There is nothing that is too big or too small for Him. If it bothers us, it bothers Him. God wants to be involved in our lives.

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Josephine’s Story: A Place To Belong by Heidi Gray McGill

Nov18

God’s Best

Josephine’s Story: A Place To Belong by Heidi Gray McGill is a powerful Christian historical tale that I read in just one sitting. It is a tale that warms your heart as you hear about a God who rescues us from our situations.

The tale is set in 1878 at Christmas. It is told in alternating voices between the two lead characters. These characters are both broken in different ways. They have to learn that they are both good enough. “I don’t know how to be anything but broken.” They need to be mended with love. “I needed somewhere quiet. A place where people cared.” When people care, they are balm to our souls.

We see the value of kindness to help heal. “Kindness wrapped in callous fingers” speaks of a life that has spread kindness and caring.

We witness the damage of gossiping as uninformed women huddle and talk in whispers, spreading lies. “I listen when the whispers are loud”…”Make sure you are listening to the right voice.” We need to tune in to those who speak life and love.

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Simply Sophie Simpleton by P.G. James

Nov13

Her Bestest Friend

Simply Sophie Simpleton by P.G. James is a perfectly charming Christian children’s novel, just right for children aged eight years and over. It is the third book in the Sophie Simpleton series but can be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed catching up with familiar faces.

The story is set in Australia in the mountains during the 1970’s. As the novel opens and closes, there is a tremendous storm. This reminds the reader that through all the storms of life, Jesus is in the boat with us.

Sophie Simpleton loves Jesus. He is her “bestest friend.” She talks to Him daily, living her life in the shadow of the question – what would Jesus do? She doesn’t always get it right, and that’s part of her charm and what makes her believable. Sophie Simpleton struggles with life just as we do. She has the big question – why do bad things happen to good people? Often there is no answer to that question but we just have to trust that God is good and God is love.

Sophie Simpleton is kind-hearted, standing up for what is right. There is a joi de vivre about her. She has been a victim of bullying, and still is, but “she made a conscious decision to reach out a hand of mercy and forgiveness.” She rallies behind other victims and befriends them.

As a child of the 1970’s I loved some of the cultural references. I, too, played elastics in the playground (and was rather good at it!). There is an old-fashioned party with party games, and the present Sophie Simpleton wants most, is a big dictionary. I loved that instead of birthday wishes, there are birthday prayers. It was a time of simplicity – no electrical gadgets to distract the children from the freedom of playing outside.

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The Bitter End Birding Society by Amanda Cox

Nov12

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

The Bitter End Birding Society by Amanda Cox is a powerful and heartfelt dual timeline Christian novel that I never wanted to end.

The action is set in present day and 1959. The young girls in the earlier period are now old ladies. For almost a lifetime they have been estranged. Guilt and secrets have weighed heavy. Instead of building a treasured friendship, they chose to tear it down.

In contrast to their daughters, we witness fathers who practice sacrificial love. Family first, no matter the personal cost. Outsiders may judge motives but God knows their hearts. Silence is kept in order to preserve and protect the innocent.

Characters are struggling with guilt that they were never meant to carry. “I need to step outside the walls I’ve built and remember who God created me to be.” When we erect walls around our hearts for protection, they have the opposite effect and they imprison us. We then lose sight of who we were created to be.

We see that a character who is actually behind physical walls, is living in greater freedom because his heart belongs to God and he, therefore, knows just whose he is.

Characters have huge hearts for people, and go where God calls them to be. “Lord willing, I’ll pastor a church someday and play a small role in bringing hope to weary souls.” We all need hope. Without hope, the people perish.

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