Non-Fiction - Let's Read - Church Librarians Network2024-03-29T14:01:06Zhttps://churchlibrarians.ning.com/let-s-read/feed/category/Non-FictionGREAT new 40-day devotional!https://churchlibrarians.ning.com/let-s-read/great-new-40-day-devotional2024-02-12T16:29:24.000Z2024-02-12T16:29:24.000ZDiane Moodyhttps://churchlibrarians.ning.com/members/DianeMoody195<div><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">I'm so happy for my friend Amy Callahan Johnson and the release of her devotional, Journey With Jesus! Amy is such a gifted story-teller who shares so many of her incredible life experiences, all wrapped in the hope and encouragement found in the scriptures she shares. As a fitness ministry director for more than 36 years, she includes a physical component called "Keep Moving" at the end of each devotion. Her sense of humor and sweet spirit fill every page, inspiring even a resident couch potato like me to get up off the couch and get moving again. But more than that, she nudged me to draw closer to Jesus on my daily journey through life with Him. I LOVE this book!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}12378659867,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}&width=1000" alt="GREAT new 40-day devotional!" width="226" height="332" /></span></p></div>Life at Daniel's Placehttps://churchlibrarians.ning.com/let-s-read/life-at-daniel-s-place2023-08-07T21:16:16.000Z2023-08-07T21:16:16.000ZAlice J. Wislerhttps://churchlibrarians.ning.com/members/AliceJWisler<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12183966892?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=280"></div><div><div class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom:20px;"><div id="promoPriceBlockMessage_feature_div" class="celwidget"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Loss. Heartache. Things don't go according to plan. When hope is a fleeting whisper, how can a mother of faith deal with tragedy?</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-size:12pt;">After</span> <span style="font-size:12pt;">36-year-old Alice lost her son Daniel, she doubted a graveyard could ever offer tranquility. At first, she wanted to run from the cemetery because it symbolized that Daniel, her four-year-old son, was gone. Being at the grave filled her with shame, guilt, and doubt. Gradually, thanks to geese, picnics, helium balloons, and epitaphs, the cemetery, named Daniel’s Place by Alice’s family, became a haven of discovery and beauty. <span class="a-text-italic">Life at Daniel’s Place</span> is the story of a mother’s heart transformed from fear to certainty and confidence. Alice’s reflections remind us that a renewed faith in God is possible and welcomed, even amid trauma. While grief lasts a lifetime, God's love and presence is always constant.</span></div></div><div class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom:20px;"><div class="a-row"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a class="a-size-base a-link-normal review-title a-color-base review-title-content a-text-bold" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R1CUAY009T9Z33/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0967674069"> Beautiful, thoughtful, one of the best memoirs I've read </a></span></div><div class="a-expander-collapsed-height a-row a-expander-container a-expander-partial-collapse-container" style="max-height:300px;"><div class="a-expander-content reviewText review-text-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content"><span style="font-size:12pt;">I'm a voracious reader of memoirs, and this is truly one of the most beautiful I've ever read. Not only is it exceptionally well written, which made it an enjoyable literary read, but it captured my emotions as few books do. It has been said that stories can tug at your heartstrings ... well, this one tugged at mine in such a way that I felt I was experiencing the author's life with her. You don't have to have lost a child yourself to appreciate the depths of grief and the heights of hope and faith that Alice speaks of in this book. Her profound insights into how to navigate a world of unthinkable loss will stay with me for a long, long time. And I'll definitely never forget the words of her four-year-old son Daniel: "Heaven, heaven, heaven is a good place to stay." ~ <strong>Ann Tatlock</strong>, <strong>Three-time Christy Award Winner</strong></span></div></div></div><div class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom:20px;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Order a copy (e-book or paperback) on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Life-Daniels-Place-sanctuary-discovery/dp/0967674069" target="_blank">Amazon</a>.</span></div><div class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="padding-bottom:20px;"><br /> <span style="font-size:12pt;">~*~*~*~</span><br /> <span style="font-size:12pt;">Alice J. Wisler is the author of award-winning inspirational novels (<em>Rain Song</em>, <em>How Sweet It Is</em>) and a devotional on grief and loss. She has also compiled three memorial cookbooks. An advocate for writing through loss and grief, she teaches writing workshops across the country. She makes her home in Durham, NC, with her husband and pet boxer. Connect with her at her website <a href="http://alicewisler.com" target="_blank">alicewisler.com</a>.</span></div></div>For Crying Out Loud: The Benefit of Emotional Tears and the Movies That Bring Them on.https://churchlibrarians.ning.com/let-s-read/for-crying-out-loud-the-benefit-of-emotional-tears-and-the-movies2023-05-01T15:45:33.000Z2023-05-01T15:45:33.000ZSally Creedhttps://churchlibrarians.ning.com/members/SallyCreed<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11038619853?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>I was encouraged to post a book I wrote last year on this page. It's not necessarily for your church library, but it may be a book you'd like to have on hand. In the 30 years I've been counseling, I have talked about the importance of tears, using movies as a catalyst. This book contains 150 movies listed in alphabetical order and categorized in 10 chapters that my clients have recommended to me over the years. Each movie contains a description, rating, and the year it was released. It also gives great information on the benefit of tears and why they are helpful to all humans. You can find it on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.<br /> </p></div>not a fan. Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesushttps://churchlibrarians.ning.com/let-s-read/not-a-fan-becoming-a-completely-committed-follower-of-jesus2022-10-10T17:55:13.000Z2022-10-10T17:55:13.000ZLisa Fahrenkroghttps://churchlibrarians.ning.com/members/LisaFahrenkrog<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10838596682?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>I was adding this book to our online library catalog and the title caught my attention, so when I finished for the day I sat down to read. Immediately struck by the easy writing style and faithful biblical content - it felt like a friendly conversation about what it means to truly believe in Jesus.</p><p>Divided into three parts, the author walks through the difference between being a Sunday Christian and a true follower of Christ. Part one encourages the reader to make an honest diagnosis - "am I a fan or a follower." Part two discusses Jesus' invitation to follow Him and what His expectations are. Part three gives examples of how we can follow.</p><p>"We are saved by God's grace when we believe in Jesus and put our faith in him, but biblical belief is more than something we confess with our mouths; it's something we confess with our lives." </p><p>There were many points where I recognized areas I need to improve and where I was prayerful for others that came to mind as I read. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants a deep relationship with Christ but feels like their current one is mediocre at best.</p><p>Available on Amazon for under $20, it can easily fit into most budgets. </p><p><a href="https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B010R1AZ2E&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_KPZ43FJVBTQNQ9D5NAY4">https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B010R1AZ2E&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_KPZ43FJVBTQNQ9D5NAY4</a></p><p> </p></div>Songs of Sufferinghttps://churchlibrarians.ning.com/let-s-read/songs-of-suffering2022-09-05T14:28:58.000Z2022-09-05T14:28:58.000ZDenise A Robertshttps://churchlibrarians.ning.com/members/DeniseARoberts<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10804065867?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=325"></div><div><p>Recently our pastor preached on grief and hardship. He recommended Songs of Suffering by Joni Eareckson Tada. I ordered it for the library. Before I sent it on to be cataloged, I took a moment to look at it and found it not only beautiful but a wonderful message of the importance of Scripture and Hymns. With the foreward by Keith & Kristyn Getty and personal application through devotions by Joni, she brings 25 Hymns into focus that I now want to memorize and keep in my heart. Ultimately, I had to buy the book for myself—the plight of a librarian with a good book. </p></div>Given: The Forgotten Meaning and Practice of Blessing by Tina Boeschhttps://churchlibrarians.ning.com/let-s-read/given-the-forgotten-meaning-and-practice-of-blessing-by-tina-boes2022-05-03T15:14:45.000Z2022-05-03T15:14:45.000ZMargaret Anne Bell Lindstromhttps://churchlibrarians.ning.com/members/MargaretAnneBellLindstrom<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10456768287?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=333"></div><div><p>Just finished a book study on Given by Tina Boesch</p><p>I have been practicing the power of blessing others and it is transformative for them and me. What an honor to be able to use God's words to speak into other's lives.</p><p>From Amazon:</p><p>How do we express the good that God wants for those we love? How do we experience blessing through pain and suffering? Why would we bless even enemies? How do we keep spoken blessings in sync with God’s will? And how do we integrate blessing, a concept woven throughout the entire Bible, into the fabric of our everyday lives?<br /> <br /> In <span class="a-text-italic">Given</span>, you will journey outside of your comfort zone, into a world of blessing as a relational calling―as a way God relates to you and a way you’re called to relate to others. You will travel across countries, cultures, and centuries of church history to expand your paradigm of a word ripe with significance. Along the way, you’ll be inspired to begin the essential Christian practice of being given by God as a blessing.<br /> <br /> Journey with author Tina Boesch to discover your calling to a meaningful way of living and relating to God and others, inspired by Christ, who gave himself on the cross so that we could fully experience God’s blessing.</p><p> </p><p>Hope you get a chance to read it!</p><p>Margaret Anne</p></div>Psalms & Musichttps://churchlibrarians.ning.com/let-s-read/psalms-music2021-11-19T19:03:13.000Z2021-11-19T19:03:13.000ZMorlee Maynardhttps://churchlibrarians.ning.com/members/MorleeMaynard<div><p>From Paul Jackson</p>
<p style="font-weight:400;">Psalms & Music Influences of the Psalms on Western Music</p>
<p style="font-weight:400;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Psalms-Music-Influences-Western/dp/1602802734">https://www.amazon.com/Psalms-Music-Influences-Western/dp/1602802734</a></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">Psalms & </span><strong>Music</strong><span style="font-weight:400;"> Influences of the Psalms on Western </span><strong>Music</strong><span style="font-weight:400;"> [</span><strong>Max Stern</strong><span style="font-weight:400;">] on Amazon.com. ... Psalms have been set to </span><strong>music</strong><span style="font-weight:400;"> more than any other </span><strong>biblical</strong><span style="font-weight:400;"> texts.</span></p></div>Religion of Tomorrowhttps://churchlibrarians.ning.com/let-s-read/religion-of-tomorrow2021-11-01T23:26:51.000Z2021-11-01T23:26:51.000ZPaul T. Jacksonhttps://churchlibrarians.ning.com/members/PaulTJackson<div><p>I've just started to read Wilber's book:<em> Religion of tomorrow</em></p><p> This is a book of 2017- not sure how I missed it. Back around 1988, I had discussions with two ministers, from different traditions, researching biblical works in the East; they both said many Christians would be completely upset, that a new or different religion would emerge if they only knew what has been found.</p><p>It has taken decades since James Sanders first saw (1950s) the Sandscit Texts, and I don't believe we still know what they said.</p><p>Wilber, Ken. <em>The Religion of Tomorrow</em> (p. iv). Shambhala. Kindle Edition.</p><p>As a former Seminary student I enjoy Philosophies of Religion.</p></div>Red Scarf Girl and a Harmony of the Gospelshttps://churchlibrarians.ning.com/let-s-read/red-scarf-girl-and-a-harmony-of-the-gospels2021-09-05T23:41:16.000Z2021-09-05T23:41:16.000ZLydia Neeleyhttps://churchlibrarians.ning.com/members/LydiaNeeley<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9537365898?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=309"></div><div><p>Hello! New member, first-time poster.</p><p>I am currently reading Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution by Ji-Li Jiang. The audience is middle-grade, but the subject matter and story can be meaningful for adults as well. I'm the type of person who likes to interpret the present through a lense from the past, and this book is a window into events that many have forgotten or never learned (as in the case of tweens and teens), and an attempt by the author to keep the mistakes of the past from being repeated in the present.</p><p>I'm just getting started, but it was recommended to me by a pastor's wife who has good taste. So far the writing has been enjoyable to read, and I can already see how it could be a good discussion-starter for parents of tweens/teens (especially for those who are beginning to understand how politics can play a direct role in one's life). </p><p>On a side note, I'm also reading a harmony of the gospels -- and I don't know why I have never done that before! It has been so illuminating to see not only the timeline of Jesus clearly laid out and easy to grasp, but to also see the similarities and differences between the gospel writers. A bonus is that most passeges will be read two to four times, thus giving opportunities for meditation, contemplation, and reflection before moving on to the next passage. </p><p>I highly recommend it for those who have read the gospels before, and would like to go deeper into the chronology and exposure to scripture. </p></div>Politically Homeless Christianhttps://churchlibrarians.ning.com/let-s-read/politically-homeless-christian2021-08-30T22:43:42.000Z2021-08-30T22:43:42.000ZPaul T. Jacksonhttps://churchlibrarians.ning.com/members/PaulTJackson<div><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">I'm currently reading <strong><em><span id="productTitle" class="a-size-extra-large">The Politically Homeless Christian: How to Conquer Political Idolatry, Reject Polarization, and Recommit to God's Greatest Two Commandments </span></em></strong><span class="a-size-extra-large">by Aaron Schafer.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><span class="a-size-extra-large">The work has many good ideas in dealing with the other side, whichever that might be. You can get a PDF of the work for free at this site:<br /></span></span></p><h1 id="title" class="a-spacing-none a-text-normal"><span class="a-size-extra-large" style="font-size:14pt;"><a href="https://www.thepoliticallyhomelesschristian.com/home">https://www.thepoliticallyhomelesschristian.com/home</a></span></h1></div>