Posts in Book Review
Book Review: Remarkable Advent + 5 Advent Activities for Kids
Book Review: Remarkable Advent + 5 Advent Activities for Kids

In Remarkable Advent, Shauna tells the Christmas story blanketed in imagination but with gentle care given to historical and biblical accuracy. In 25 devotional readings, each just 4-5 pages, we will visit each of the main characters on the path to the birth of our Savior. Shauna’s stories start with a scriptural reading, then an imaginative reading, and then a short prayer. Just the right stories with just the right pacing. Perfect. Keep reading for my Top 5 Favorite Advent Activities.

Read More
Blog, Book ReviewNicole O'Mearabook review, ChristmasComment
Book Review and Author Interview: Loving Your Friend Through Cancer with Marissa Henley
Book Review and Author Interview: Loving Your Friend Through Cancer with Marissa Henley

Marissa Henley is a cancer survivor. Her book, Loving Your Friend Through Cancer is what I fondly call the textbook on how to be the most supportive friend you can be to your friend in crisis. Marissa shares how her amazing community walked with her through cancer but the practical lessons inside apply to your friend with any severe or chronic suffering. It could have been titled, Loving Your Friend Through Lyme’s Disease, or Loving Your Friend Through Divorce, or so many similar titles.

We cove topics including: knowing your place in the Circles of Friendship and Jen Hatmaker’s Ring Theory; matching your friend’s tone; and how to speak to your friend in The Pit. We finish up with a chat about Survivorship.

Read More
Blog, Book ReviewNicole O'Mearabook review, cancer, surviving, crisis support, undiagnosed Comments
Book Review and Author Interview: Breathe Again with Niki Hardy
Book Review and Author Interview: Breathe Again with Niki Hardy

Niki Hardy wanted to stop merely surviving. She wanted to start thriving.

“Yes, Jesus came to give me abundant life but I’m in a storm right now, that he also said we’d have, so I’m gonna get through this storm and then abundant life will be waiting for me when I’m through this. So we start waiting.  But, for so many Cancer Thrivers, they didn’t know it would ever be over.  This is true for people with depression too or chronic pain or a child with challenging special needs.  These things aren’t going to go away.  What these Thrivers helped me realize is that this abundant life that God has for us is available right now in the middle of this storm.”

Read More
Blog, Book ReviewNicole O'Mearabook review, thrive, Switchfoot, cancer, interviewComment
Book Reviews: A Diary of Private Prayer and Daily Light
Book Reviews: A Diary of Private Prayer and Daily Light

A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie

In this book, you will find a morning prayer and an evening prayer for every day of the month.  In other words, two prayers each day for 31 days.  There is also a special prayer for Sundays.   These prayers, rooted in scripture, were written in the first person, making them an easy prompt for your own prayers. They are a perfect way to begin and end your daily time of solitude.

Daily Light - compiled by Samuel Bagster

On each page of this book you will find a selection of only verses or phrases of verses for each morning and evening of an entire year.  The verses and phrases of verses are specifically chosen on a theme.  Sometimes, the connections are obvious, such as being on the theme of grace or resurrection.  Sometimes, the connections are more hidden and there is a bit of fun in deducing them.  I particularly enjoy this book in the evening, reading it just before going to bed, directing my final thoughts on scripture alone.

Read More
Book Review, BlogNicole O'Mearabook review, Spiritual Formation, spiritual disciplines, DevotionalComment