A new little volume released by Bethany House in 2016 should become required reading for any Christian going through hardships and times of pain, suffering, and confusion. “Finding God in the Hard Times: Choosing to Trust and Hope When You Can’t See the Way” was written by Matt and Beth Redman, the songwriters of a life-changing 
worship piece entitled “Blessed Be Your Name”. Although small in size and less than 150 pages in length, this little book packs a punch that may forever alter your view of trusting God through hard times. Incorporating the lyrics of their beloved song into each chapter of the book, the Redmans point readers towards the trust and hope that is available to us all, even in a world of darkness. Continue reading
“There are so many moments in life when we choose to silence our intuition, abandon our own voice, and play small, because of that accusing voice inside that whispers, ‘Who do you think you are, anyway?’” We all know that voice. The one that keeps us from being ourselves. The one that tells us to stay quiet. The one that forces us to follow all the rules, and tame our wild side that is aching to be released. Now, imagine being able to break free from that debilitating, condescending, shaming voice. Well, thanks to Leeana Tankersley and her new book “Brazen”, you now have an invaluable tool to help you do just that. 
Have you have ever wondered about the story behind the modern food system, or the research behind the science of food, but didn’t know where to search for a thorough, truth-based approach to the subject? Well, look no further than Dr. Caroline Leaf’s newest, Christian-based book from BakerBooks, entitled “Think & Eat Yourself Smart: A Neuroscientific Approach to a Sharper Mind and Healthier Life”. It will undoubtedly answer all of your questions, plus some you didn’t even know you had! 
“Free yourself from the burden to compare and compete.” With a tagline like this, and the title of “Distinctly You: Trading Comparison & Competition for Freedom & Fulfillment”, who wouldn’t be interested in picking up this book and seeing what it has to say? I know I couldn’t resist. Written by Cheryl Martin and published by Bethany House in the spring of 2016, “Distinctly You” attempts to teach readers how to “thrive in [their] God-given uniqueness”. The question is, does it succeed? 
With Mother’s Day swiftly approaching, it is the perfect time to pause and reflect on the women who characterize the word “Mother” for each of us. As a tangible symbol of some of the many facets that mothers everywhere represent, a delightful little gift book has been published by Revell, and written/compiled by Amber C. Haines and Seth Haines, just in time for the special day. Looking like a little handmade scrapbook, the content of “The Mother Letters: Sharing the Laughter, Joy, Struggles, and Hope” is the truly precious part. As the back cover explains: “After Amber Haines had given birth to three boys in three years, her husband Seth realized the day-to-day details and drama of child rearing were overwhelming her. He secretly began collecting letters from other mothers across the world and gave these ‘mother letters’ to her as a gift.” Obviously, this book is the result. 
“Roots and Sky: A Journey Home in Four Seasons”… In all truth, this title pretty much describes the book perfectly. Written by Christie Purifoy and published by Revell in the spring of 2016, “Roots and Sky” is indeed a “journey home”. Naturally, this journey occurs through the four seasons of a year, beginning with Fall and progressing gently, peacefully, and naturally through Winter, Spring, and Summer. 
“If life doesn’t look like you thought it might… If you’re walking through a season of uncertainty, of waiting, of idling in ‘the meantime’, this book if for you.” Mandy Hale, New York Times bestselling author, shares these words on the back cover of her sweet new volume entitled “Beautiful Uncertainty: Singleness, Surrender, and Stepping Out on Faith”. Published by Thomas Nelson in the first part of 2016, Mandy’s heartfelt words are certain to touch the hearts of many women who are experiencing uncertainty in their own lives. They certainly touched mine. 
As teenagers and young adults, we often dream of doing something great with our lives; of making a difference and changing the world. When we actually decide to chase after the dreams that are truly God-given, beautiful and incredible things are bound to happen. In a new non-fiction release from BakerBooks, young Bethany Winz (with Susanna Foth Aughtmon) shares her story of what happened when she decided to chase after a dream, and how it changed her life – but not always in the ways she expected. “One Dress. One Year: One Girl’s Stand against Human Trafficking” is the impactful memoir of Bethany’s experiences as a sixteen-year-old girl who decided to make a stand for the men, women, and children trapped in slavery around the world. Her plan? To wear the same black dress, every day, for one entire year, and to raise $100,000 in the process. 
I have found a treasure, and a new friend. The treasure is a book with the unusual title of I Was Blind (Dating), But Now I See, and the friend is a woman named Stephanie Rische, the book’s author. This oh-so-wise, sweetly endearing little volume was published by Tyndale Momentum in January of 2016. What exactly is it about, you ask? I’ll let Stephanie, gifted storyteller that she is, explain:
Prairie Sky Book Reviews 