Today if the fourth Sunday of Advent: Love.
Bible
Advent | Joy
Bible, Christmas, Culture, God's Character, Holidays, Luke, Personal Thoughts, Writing SpotToday is the third Sunday of Advent: Joy.
Advent | Peace
Bible, Christmas, Culture, God's Character, Holidays, Personal Thoughts, Writing SpotToday is the second Sunday of Advent: Peace.
Advent | Hope
Bible, Christmas, Culture, God's Character, Holidays, Personal Thoughts, Writing SpotToday is the first Sunday of Advent: Hope
Book Review | Different Like Me
Books Review, Children's Fiction, Chronic Illness, Culture, Family, Gender, God's Character, Identity, Picture Book, Writing SpotWith it being a holiday weekend and one usually spent with family while enjoying the last days of summer, reviewing a children’s picture book seemed like the perfect book review post for today. Different Like Me is written by Xochitl Dixon and illustrated by Bonnie Lui.
Reading Wednesday | Daughter of Rome
Bible, Biblical Fiction, Books Review, Culture, Gender, Historical Fiction, NetGalley, Novels, Writing SpotHave you heard of Priscilla and Aquila? If you’ve read the Book of Acts in the Bible, you’ll recognize their names since they’re a couple who worked with the Apostle Paul. Something notable about these two is that Priscilla is not only listed alongside her husband, but listed first, which is nearly unheard of in a highly patriarchal society. With this background, I couldn’t wait to read Tessa Afshar’s historical novel, Daughter of Rome, featuring Priscilla and Aquila.
Make it Monday | Christmas
Bible, Culture, Family, General, God's Character, Holidays, Make it Monday, Personal Thoughts, Seasons, Self-careIt’s the most wonderful time of the year. Or so the song claims. I tend to agree, but also know that such expectation can often leave us wanting more. The wonder and magic of the season can get lost amid the running around, the shopping, the parties, the traveling. Not to mention wrestling with emotional disappointments, family drama, and personal loss. With so much riding on this season it is easy to let it drag us down when it seems like it should pick us up.
Make it Monday | Santa Lucia
Activity, Bible, Chronic Illness, Culture, Foods, Gender, General, Holidays, Make it Monday, Personal Thoughts, Recipes, Seasons, Self-careWhenever I say, ‘Santa Lucia,’ I can’t help picturing – and, frankly, hearing – Don Knots attempting to sing the traditional Italian song as Barney Fife in The Andy Griffith Show. So many other, better singers have recorded it, but for some reason, Knots’ is the version that sticks in my head.
However, that was not my first interaction with the celebration known as the Feast Day of St. Lucy. I first learned about the primarily Swedish holiday from Kristen’s Surprise, one of the books in Kristen’s American Girl series. Being part Swede and part Italian myself, Santa Lucia Day has become a holiday that fascinates me.
Reading Wednesday | Harvest of Rubies
Bible, Biblical Fiction, Books Review, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Novels, Writing SpotThis past summer, I had the privilege of attending the Northwestern Christian Writers Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. While I was there, I had the opportunity to meet Tessa Afshar, author of several novels. I had read her book Thief of Corinth and told her how much I enjoyed it, especially since Biblical fiction is not often one of my favorite genres. She immediately suggested that I would probably like another of her books, Harvest of Rubies.
Reading Wednesday | King’s Shadow
Bethany House, Bible, Biblical Fiction, Books Review, Historical Fiction, Novels, Writing SpotAngela Hunt’s latest novel, King’s Shadow, is based on the years of King Herod’s reign before the calendar turns to the Common Era. It follows two women, one fictional, one historical, as they seek to survive amid treachery, rumors, and conspiracy.