As a book reviewer and Christian fiction awards judge, I read many, many books every year. It’s becoming a tradition to share my favorite ones with you all. Of course, some of them will stand out to me. Some of them I recommend to friends. Others, I warn folks away from. They aren’t all “Christian,” and even some that may be difficult, so don’t take this as a blanket recommendation to read all of them. Use your own judgment. [Books are... Read more
Has your life ever taken an unexpected turn, leaving you feeling hurt and stuck? In The Bathsheba Battle (Abingdon Press), Natalie Chambers Snapp helps women find healing and hope when things haven’t gone as they had planned. Bathsheba, typically misrepresented as an adulteress, is one of the most misunderstood women in the Bible. Despite an unexpected turn in her life, which resulted in tragic circumstances beyond her control, there are glimmers of hope in her story. By studying her life, readers... Read more
It’s fall, my favorite season of the year. Even if it still feels like summer, I can anticipate the lovely coolness to come. The Mathews household is excited more than usual this year: so much newness to celebrate! We are awash in the happy hormone. Just five days ago, our chocolate labrador, Cocoa, presented us with ten chocolate-colored puppies. This is her third litter, and usually she includes a dash of vanilla, but this group stuck with the rich dark hue.... Read more
God never called us to be nice. That’s how Sharon Hodde Miller opens her latest book, Nice: Why We Love to Be Liked and How God Calls Us to More. The provocative opening sets the stage for a message that isn’t, well, very nice. What does she mean? Doesn’t God want his people to be nice? It all depends on your definition of the word. In her book, Miller explores a seemingly innocent idol that has quietly corrupted our faith,... Read more
Mary DeMuth, a prolific writer of both fiction and non-fiction, is also an advocate for the abused. Herself sexually abused as a child, she has dared to face that dark reality by writing it into some of her fiction, by straight-out sharing her story in person to groups large and small, and by encouraging other victims through her written testimony. Mary is an example of someone who has allowed God to redeem brokenness so the darkness doesn’t win but God’s... Read more
Some stories deserve to grace a new generation. Over 25 years ago America’s pastor, Max Lucado, released a children’s book that caught the imagination and hearts of millions. After selling 1.7 million copies, Just in Case You Ever Wonder is undergoing a makeover: Lucado’s classic words now feature heartwarming and adorable art from illustrator Eve Tharlet. Same words, new images. And even though my kids are way past the age of having books read aloud to them, they will never outgrow... Read more
Small group leaders and pastors in student ministry will do well to acquaint themselves with the Gospel-Centered Life in Mark for Students, a 12-week study for teens and young adults. This study guide is ideal for individual discipleship, small group, or large settings. In Mark: How Jesus Changes Everything, from New Growth Press, John Perritt introduces students to Jesus himself, not a how-to-be-a-better-person lesson. He wants them to know Jesus as the hero he really is. How does the format work? Really well.... Read more
My friend and new author Kat Armstrong joins me today to talk about her new book, No More Holding Back. While it’s her first book, she’s no rookie when it comes to ministry and communicating God’s Word to women. Entrepreneur, non-profit co-founder and CEO, speaker, writer, pastor’s wife, and mom… Kat wears many hats with passion and excellence. She has been through the journey of moving past barriers, seeing her worth, and serving God where he has put her. And she... Read more
Did you know that Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the famous pastor martyred during World War II, planned to marry before he was captured and executed? Only after reading Eric Metaxas’s biography of the World War II German pastor did I learn that. In her upcoming novel, Amanda Barrett explores what might have happened between Dietrich and his fiancée, Maria von Wedemeyer. She writes it as historical fiction, based on a true story but fills in gaps with literary license, what-ifs, and maybes. It... Read more
As a mother of three teenagers (plus a younger one), I am constantly looking for biblical content they can use in their personal study of God’s Word. It’s challenging to find something with both depth and ease of use. I have found children’s books, but nothing at the teen level. So when my friend Carrie Rogers began dropping hints about a new study she was writing—for teens—I kept track of her progress. And I’m excited to introduce her, and her new... Read more
Kelley Mathews
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