2 New Books That Inspire Freedom and Peace

You’ll love these fresh new reads that offer you freedom and peace. I can’t wait to share these reviews with you!

If You Only Knew: My Unlikely, Unavoidable Story of Becoming Free

Jamie Ivey has the most upbeat tone…I’m loving her new memoir, even though I’m not familiar with her popular podcast (yet).

Jamie grew up in the church. You might say she was a nominal Christian as a girl, and she struggled with temptation and worldliness. But her mistakes led her to God in the most beautiful way.

You may be familiar with the classic novel The Scarlet Letter. In the novel, Hester Prynne is an adulteress and forced to wear a scarlet letter in public shame. Jamie takes this concept and marvelously develops it for contemporary readers. Many of us take letters that stand for awful concepts and apply them to ourselves every day. “F” for forgotten. “S” for stupid. “U” for used.  You may use other ones, but they all are bad for us. They block the truth of God’s grace and the freedom it provides.

She’s showing me how to remove those pins that I didn’t even realize I was wearing. The pins I don myself subconsciously, the ones that mark me and shame me. God doesn’t pin those mean letters on me. He pins tiny, jeweled letters like “B” for beloved, “C” for chosen, and “P” for “princess” on a crown I forget I’m wearing as His daughter. I’m glad Jamie’s reminding me of that truth I’m so prone to forget.

I’m enjoying this honest look at grace from a Christian woman not afraid to discuss her dark side. Memoir is one of my favorite genres, and I’m glad this memoir journey is packed with grit, laughter, and encouragement. The journey she’s taking me on is refreshingly real, and I’m sure you’ll be inspired by her story too.

Thank you to B&H for a free preview copy of this book.

Jesus Calling: 50 Devotions for Peace

Since I write about finding peace in God’s Word, this book was a natural choice for me. I was surprised at how deeply it spoke to my spirit.

Sarah Young strikes a delicate balance between creativity and faithfulness to scripture. She writes in first person, and it helps the devotions feel like Jesus is speaking right to you. I like that the main scripture is on the facing page, and other scriptures are listed for reference, so you can dig in deeper if you wish.

The easiest way to show you the book’s quiet power is to quote one of the devotions. Here’s one I needed to hear today:

My peace is the treasure of treasures: the pearl of great price. It is an exquisitely costly gift, for both the Giver and receiver. I purchased this Peace for you with My blood. You receive this gift by trusting Me in the midst of life’s storms. If you have the world’s peace–everything going your way–you don’t seek My unfathomable peace. Thank Me when things do not go your way, because spiritual blessings come wrapped in trials. Adverse circumstances are normal in a fallen world. Expect them each day. Rejoice in the face of hardship, for I have overcome the world.

Brief, meaningful, encouraging, and challenging. It’s hard to accomplish that much in so few words, but Sarah Young pulls it off beautifully in these 50 devotions on peace.

I imagine this book bringing peace to a cancer patient, an expectant mom, an empty nester, or a high school senior wondering about the future. It’s a smallish book, perfect for sliding into a purse or book bag. Its short length is perfect for time-starved readers.

An important caveat

No devotional should replace the Bible. Not even the ones I write! What I like about this book is that it enhances my Bible study, but it will never replace it. We need to listen for the voice of God primarily through Scripture, and I strongly encourage daily Bible study to hear the Holy Spirit speaking to you. Use devotions like this one simply for enjoyment and additional edification.

You may also enjoy my review of another Jesus Calling book intended for a younger audience.

The BookLook Bloggers Program generously provided me a free copy of this book.

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