Links I Love, Vol. 3 | Heart & Soul edition
Happy Almost-Summer, lovely friends! š¼
And I’m delighted to report, it’s actually been looking and feeling like it around here!
What does summer mean for you and yours? Hope it includes a wholesome and welcome break from the driven routine of the school year, and many many days of sunshine, color, and warmth. āļøThat’s what I’m craving, anyway!
I love the natural ebb and flow that accompanies our God-given seasons, including the more laidback rhythm that summer often offers as an opportunity for some soul-tending. With that end in mind, I’ve been on the lookout for meaningful ways to nurture heart and soul. Which, as I review what I’ve got, is heavy on the books, so what this post really does is potentially add to your TBR pile. But perhaps that’s not inappropriate for you readerly folk.
Hope you find something practical, inspiring, or just simply fun in this collection of–
Links I love from around the web
1 Percent of a Book Can Change Your Life. (DesiringGod.org) 20 minute podcast episode with John Piper on how “Sentences change my life, not books.”
Seeing Beautiful Again: 50 Devotions to Finding Redemption in Every Part of Your Story by Lysa TerKeurst. This lovely book of 50 daily devotions really helped me process pain and find beauty amidst some very broken circumstances. From the publisher: “In the middle of the pain you didn’t cause, the change you didn’t want, the reality you didn’t know was coming . . . your life can still be beautiful.Ā We all have stories full of sorrow and celebration. But with God, there’s always more going on than what we see.Ā New York TimesĀ bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst encourages you to hope again through 50 devotions that will help you find redemption in every part of your story.”
And this related podcast: The Secret to Finding Beauty in the Midst of Pain | A Q&A with Lysa Terkeurst. (Or if you prefer, the transcript.)
Hollywood Heroes and Their Sneaky Biblical Inspirations. (Got Questions) This 25-minute podcast interview with Christian apologist Frank Turek asks and answers these questions: Are there Christian themes in superhero movies? Are there aspects of the gospel in some superhero movies? In what ways can we use superhero movies to illustrate biblical truths? (Or if you prefer the book, Hollywood Heroes: How Your Favorite Movies Reveal God.)
Philippians 4:8. I appreciated this short (2.5 minute) teaching by our brother from Mumbai Thangiah Vijay on one of my favorite verses. (And, related, don’t miss the lovely printable of Philippians 4:8 we’ve designed for readers of this blog here.)
And from the archives: flashback faves
- Finding Joy in Messy Life: How I’m Surviving My Husband’s Struggles with Anxiety, Depression, and Suicidal Thoughts by Carole Leathem (republished as Are You Ready to Find Joy When Life Gets Messy?).
- It’s Momplicated: Hope and Healing for Imperfect Daughters of Imperfect Mothers by Debbie Alsdorf & Joan Edwards Kay
- Life Creative: Inspiration for Today’s Renaissance Mom by Wendi Speake & Kelli Stuart
- Overwhelmed: How to Quiet the Chaos and Restore Your Sanity by Kathi Lipp & Cheri Gregory
- All Shall Be Well: Awakening to God’s Presence in His Messy, Abundant World by Catherine McNiel
What are you finding to nurture heart and soul these days? Please share!
š Katherine
Featured image by Jill WellingtonĀ fromĀ Pixabay
I appreciate these recs, Katherine. You are speaking my language. I especially like Piper’s reminder that it’s not books themselves that change our lives for the most part, but perhaps only a sentence here or there that can totally redirect our thinking.
That’s it exactly, Maggie. John Piper, as always, is so wise.
I have a teen son seeking answers and he recently asked me for books to help guide him, apart from the bible. When I saw mention here of the book Hollywood Heroes, I thought “Aha! Here we go.” This book is entertaining and thought provoking. It shows parallels between biblical teachings and movie character’s words, thoughts, and deeds. I confess I took the book first and jumped ahead to the chapter pertaining to Wonder Woman. Now I look forward to watching the movies again so I can “see” what the authors are saying.
Great parenting move! And after listening to the podcast episode in which some of these things were discussed, I had the same reaction, wanting to watch the movies again (or for the first time) to see better how Christian themes play out. I find it hugely encouraging and edifying, actually, that godly themes and motifs naturally show up in a lot of (relatively) wholesome entertainment. Thanks for chiming in! š