“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God
with all your heart and with all
your soul and with all your mind.
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
(Matthew 22:37-39)
“An Incredible Act of Kindness by an Extraordinary Young Man”
Books
I am not always able to keep up with the abundance of books that promote hope, healing, and freedom, so I haven’t always read every one I post here and on the Books Page. Though many are on my long wish list. 🙂 I find many of them because I read about them on someone’s blog post. If you ever know of a book that is not listed and that supports this website’s mission, please let me know. 🙂
✎ Meet the New You: A 21-Day Plan for Embracing Fresh Attitudes and Focused Habits for Real Life Change
“As women, we are constantly evaluating ourselves. Am I enough? Why can’t I change this certain thing about myself? Should I be doing more?
We long for real, deep, lasting change—but we don’t know how to begin. In Meet the New You, Elisa Pulliam empowers women to take charge of their own life transformation by engaging in a meaningful relationship with God and His Word. Each chapter gives practical and interactive ways to address some of the biggest obstacles that stand in the way of permanent change. Through stories, biblical application, personality assessments, thought-provoking questions, and life-coaching principles, Meet the New You helps women:
· understand who they are
· cultivate a vision for who they want to become
· recognize what holds them back
· determine the steps necessary to put new, practical habits into action
It’s time to discover who you really are and how you can live life differently. It’s time to meet the new you!” (Amazon Review)
✎ Wild in the Hollow: On Chasing Desire and Finding the Broken Way Home
“Amber Haines is a woman haunted by God. Like Eve in the Garden, she craved the fruit that she thought would lead her to freedom. But the whispers of temptation led her instead down a devastating path toward isolation, dissatisfaction, and life-altering choices. In her most broken moment, Amber met God waiting for her in the fallout, freely offering her grace and life.
This is a story of the God who makes himself known in broken places. In prose that is at once lyrical and utterly honest, a brave new voice takes readers on a windswept journey down the path of brokenness to healing, satisfaction, and true intimacy with God. Amber calls readers to dispense with the pretty bows we use to dress up our stories and instead trust God to take our untidy, unfinished lives and make them free, authentic, and whole. Anyone who struggles with doubt or holds secrets, anyone who feels marginalized or like she is missing something, will find in Amber a sister and an inviting voice back home, into the heart of God.”
Hope Harbor
❀ Why Does God Love Us? by Jack Wellman – “Just imagine what the Word of God says about those who belong to Him. What tender love is revealed in His words. We are the apple of His eye, He rejoices over us, He sings over us, He abounds in love over us, He has the compassion of a Father over us, He delights over us…and this love is from everlasting to everlasting. What more solid proof can there be? God can not lie and God tells us in dozens of Scriptures that He loves those whom he calls His own.”
❀ You Are Not an Accident by Rick Warren – Do you sometimes wonder why you were ever born? This article is an encouraging read – “Your birth was no mistake or mishap, and your life is no fluke of nature. Your parents may not have planned you, but God did. He was not at all surprised by your birth. In fact, he expected it.”
❀ 20 Bible Verses about HOPE – Feeling downhearted and hopeless? Read some selected Bible verses on Hope (from Bible Gateway).
Nature Retreat
More of God’s Amazing Creatures
➺ Another Bird Blog – Bird watching, bird ringing, and some great photography
➺ Natureview Photography – “Hidden or remote, Natureview tries to give a view on the parts of nature that one normally does not see. Be it Polar Bears, walruses, Penguins and Seals of the remote Polar areas, or the dragon- and damselflies that might be hidden somewhere near your house, Natureview tries to expose them.”
➺ Birds and Blooms – A celebration of our natural world through stories and photography by Jim Flowers
Quotes
❤︎ “Our sufferings may be rough and hard to bear, but they teach us lessons that in turn equip and enable us to help others.” ~ Billy Graham
❤︎ “Flowers fade. Hearts break. But, there in the darkness, through all the storms, hope is sure. Even when life doesn’t turn up the way we plan, our hope is secure in the One who died, was buried and rose again.” ~ Rebekah Hughes
❤︎ “In my deepest wound, I see Your glory and it dazzles me.” ~ Augustine
Linking up with:
Holley – Coffee For Your Heart
Jennifer – Tell His Story
Kelly – Cheerleaders of Faith
Barbie – Weekend Whispers
Freed to Fly 
Hi Trudy! That video really struck me. I usually don’t like TV shows like this, it seems so fake. And like they set people up for failure. But this snippet was so life-affirming and lovely. It gives you a renewed faith in human nature. Thank you!
It’s great to see another book by Rick Warren. I’m going to write it down and see if I can get it at my library. I enjoyed the Purpose Driven Life, so I’m sure I’ll like this one too.
Have a wonderful day my friend. I like your end of month posts. So many wonderful things to see!
Blessings,
Ceil
LikeLike
Thank you, Ceil. The video touched me, too. Such an example of showing love and kindness to whoever we meet. That is actually a link to a hope-filled article by Rick Warren. It would make a lovely book title though, wouldn’t it? I enjoyed Purpose Driven Life as well. May God bless you and keep you! Hugs!
LikeLike
Oh dear. I’d better go back to your blog and follow the link. (Red face…)
LikeLike
No need to be embarrassed, Ceil. The Hope Harbor links are directly below the Book links, so it’s easy to misinterpret. I could have done the same thing! 🙂 Blessings and hugs to you!
LikeLike
Hi Trudy! Love your pictures here, and the list of books. I can see I will need to add more to my must read list! Thanks for sharing! Joining you today from #RaRaLinkup!
LikeLike
Thank you, Ellen. I’m glad you found enjoyment here. I have so many books I want to read that I can’t keep up. There are so many good ones out there! May God fill you with love and strength for each new day! Hugs!
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing the book recommendations. And the quote from Augustine – so good!! Have a blessed day, Trudy.
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Tiffany. I really love Augustine’s quote, too. It takes a look at our wounds from an entirely different perspective, doesn’t it? May God continue to uphold you and give you peace! Hugs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such an encouraging post! I love the quotes (the Augustine one is my favourite too) and the photos are beautiful. The books sound good too. I’ve heard a few people recommend Wild in the Hollow but I haven’t read it yet. There are just too many good books out there and not enough time to read them all but I always like getting new recommendations.
LikeLike
Thank you, Carly. I’m so glad you were encouraged. Yes, there are so many good books out there. I don’t have time to read them all either. May God give you ever deeper healing and trust in Him! Hugs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for this post today! I love your scatterings of books, links, quotes and more. The quote from Augustine especially hit me today! I have the book “Wild in the Hollows” and have not had a chance to read it yet. Hopefully this year! Hope you are doing well, Trudy!!
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Mary. I’m so glad you enjoyed them. The Augustine quote seems to be the most popular quote. So much deep meaning in it, isn’t there? I have not yet read “Wild in the Hollows” either, but I have read several recommendations of it. It’s on my rather long wish list at Amazon. 🙂 Thank you for your well wishes. 🙂 May God’s glory shine brightly from our wounds! Hugs!
LikeLike
Trudy,
What animal is that in your photos that looks a little like a pig and maybe a groundhog?! I just love all the practical books and places we can go to get a little infusion of hope in our lives! I haven’t read any of the books you listed but they look like good ones! I love the quote by Augustine too, that has been the thread of our conversations lately, hasn’t it, that if we look a little deeper, there’s something more there than meets the eye! xoxo
LikeLike
Hi Valerie. Oh, I should have written what it is! I’ll have to add that… It’s a javelina. I never knew of such an animal until my brother recently sent this photo from Arizona where he and his wife now spend the winter months. Yes, the Augustine quote has caught the attention of several commenters. How true as you say “that if we look a little deeper, there’s something more there than meets the eye!” May God give us eyes to look ever deeper to see His glory in the wounds! xoxo to you, too, friend!
LikeLike
I love the video that you shared! Very inspiring and so true that we all come from the same place! Thank you for the links to the books as well.
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Lynn. Yes, isn’t that video touching? As you say, “we all come from the same place!” May God fill your heart with His love and strength! Hugs!
LikeLike
I love the quotes you include in these monthly compilations, Trudy. The one by Billy Graham is especially powerful. Have a beautiful day!
LikeLike
Thank you, Lois. Yes, his quote is so true, isn’t it? We learn the best lessons through the toughest times. Better equipping us to help others. I hope you have a beautiful day, too, Lois! May God wrap you in the beauty of His love! Hugs!
LikeLike
Love this potpourri of encouragement, friend. I picked up a free copy of Wild Hollow at Allume in Oct. and I need to get started reading it. So many good books, so little time! 😉 Thanks for sharing these wonderful messages and images.
LikeLike
Thank you, Abby. And you’re welcome. 🙂 How nice that you got a free copy of Wild Hollow! May God give you rest and peace in the busyness of life! Hugs!
LikeLike
I love the books, the quotes and the photography. I hope you will share with us on Literacy Musing Mondays. 🙂 http://maryanderingcreatively.com/free-book-resources-for-bloggers/
LikeLike
I’m glad you love them, Mary. 🙂 Thank you for your link and invitation. I appreciate it and will have to look into it and your site more carefully. What I saw so far is great! May God bless you and give you strength and peace for each day! Hugs!
LikeLike
Love the pictures trudi!! Wow! especially the piggy guy ! 🙂 I love that you include these nature links- I love nature as it always speaks to me of our heavenly father ! Thanks trudi for the book ideas too – need some new books to look into ! Thanks! Blessings and hugs
LikeLike
Thank you, Susie. I love nature, too! 🙂 It helps to keep me grounded as to who is in control, reminds me of our Creator’s love for us, and refreshes my drooping spirit. May God who works through the impossible from our side fill you with hope and peace! Hugs!
LikeLike
For many years growing up, I questioned why I was born; especially after I learned I was an “accident”. But God taught me to look back and recognize all the signs, conception to birth, and to fully understand I was meant to be here! It’s been the most reassuring lesson and I’m sure Warren’s book will help others!
LikeLike
I’m so sorry you had to struggle, Carrie. Yes! You ARE meant to be here! Though it would be a great book, I’m sure, the link actually leads to a hope-filled article by Rick Warren. Hope Harbor consists of links that offer hope, healing, and freedom. May God fill your heart with His love and show you again and again how very special you are to Him and to others. Hugs!
Carrie, did you take your blog site down?
LikeLike