I didn’t write much this month, but I did read my face off, so I have a lot to share with you today as we prepare to send February on its pink, sassy way. As always, I hope you find something here that inspires and encourages you as you spring ahead into March. Be sure to enter the monthly giveaway at the end of the post for your chance to win a copy of Christine Hoover’s brand-new book, From Good to Grace: Letting Go of the Goodness Gospel. And don’t forget to visit Leigh Kramer and Emily P Freeman’s blogs for more end-of-February linky goodness!
If You Only Read One…
Ten Things We Should Get Angry About Before Yoga Pants by Ashley Dickens
As the world burns around us, refugees, slaves, and orphans look on as we sip our double-shot lattes and piously debate the merits of spandex, seemingly unruffled by their pain.
But Also Check Out These…
Go Stand Near the Fire by Justin & Mary
Look around at your friends & people near you in your market who are doing BIG things. And you know what, cheer for them. Leave the competition in the ashes. Celebrate alongside them…Do everything you can to fuel someone else’s flames. And just see if you don’t feel that light in you grow brighter too.
Stop Singing Oceans by Annie Downs
If you are only singing the song and not living the life, stop singing Oceans.
On Becoming a Writer by Jen Hatmaker
Writers don’t wait for someone else to tell them they should or can. You should and you can.
Don’t You Think Small by Idelette McVicker
Our thinking small does not serve the world.
God’s Not Looking for Heroes from Relevant Magazine
Christine Caine on the call to be faithful right where we are.
In Case You Missed It (From Me)…
Remind us, oh God, that we are only responsible for our obedience, not for any kind of success, and that when the lights come up we are to be found bringing glory to your great name.
Because each of us ponied up all those years ago and decided to do our different things in our separate places, God reigned in the togetherness of it all.
Get Into These Books…
A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner
An exquisitely written, transportive novel that tells parallel stories of two women trying to recover from the losses of a terrible fire in 1911 New York City and the fall of the twin towers on 9/11. I loved every page.
The Body Book by Cameron Diaz
I’ve read a grand total of zero books on health in my lifetime, which made this one a perfect read-something-I-normally-wouldn’t candidate. It reinforced a lot of what I already know about nutrition & fitness but helped me better understand the science behind how and why we ought to care for our bodies. Really good stuff. Plus Cameron is just so sweet (even when talking about poop).
The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands by Lisa Terkeurst
The older I get, the more confident I am in owning my ‘No’s’ so that I don’t burn myself out doing things (even very good things) that just shouldn’t be on my plate. This book was a great reminder and encouragement to me of the importance of creating margin in my life so that I can spend my best energy in the best places.
Fallen: Out of the Sex Industry and Into the Arms of the Savior by Annie Lobert
I devoured this in two days. It was, without question, the most gripping, eye-opening memoir I have ever read. Ever.
Game Day for the Glory of God by CJ Mahaney
I read this book last summer to help me better articulate to our kids the importance of leveraging their participation in sports for God’s glory, not their own, and this month my husband started going through it with our 9- and 10-year-old sons. They are all over it. Don’t Waste Your Sports is another fantastic resource from CJ Mahaney on the topic of helping your kids (and yourself) learn to see sports as a gift from God and a means of growing in godliness.
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I also read Amy Poehler’s book, Yes Please!, but I didn’t like it enough to recommend it. If you are looking for something in this genre, stick with BossyPants or Why Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? instead.
Good Eats…
My kids call this “roast in a bowl,” and we plan to eat it year-round instead of just in the fall and winter because it’s that good and that healthy (so long as you only stick to the meat and veggies part of this recipe and whip up a less cream-cheesy version of the mashed potatoes).
Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Just whatever about these.
Giveaway!
Author Christine Hoover will be stopping by here on Tuesday with some encouraging words for us, but before she does, I would love for one of you to win a copy of her new book, From Good to Grace, that launches next week.
If my approval addiction posts from last year resonated with you, or if you are just plain exhausted from trying to do enough or be good enough, this book will help you breathe a whole lot easier. The winner will be announced on Tuesday when Christine stops by with her guest post.
Good luck!