By Jamie Harms
One thing I have learned about myself over the years is that I can be an irresponsible novel reader. I can get sucked into a story and neglect my responsibilities as wife and mother, rationalizing that cereal is acceptable for dinner again and if you turn your clothes inside out then I don’t have to do laundry today. Thus, I save my novels and longer reads for the summer months as we camp, enjoy parks, and sit by the pool. Each June I start compiling my list and enjoy time in good books. I invite you to join me for two of the books on the list as part of a Backyard Book Club series this summer hosted by the UFC Women’s Ministry team. So, if you like to read, grab a copy of the book of the month and join us!
Backyard Book Club on Thursday, July 16
A Gentle Answer: Our ‘Secret Weapon’ in an Age of Us Against Them by Scott Sauls
In his new release, Scott Sauls looks at the gentleness of Jesus and how His gentleness can change us. This timely book wrestles with injustices in the world and looks to Jesus as a model for how to navigate them. Given we live in such a fractured and broken world, we need to be like Jesus with His gentle ways in order to relate to others with grace. This past week the book was just $10 at Lifeway, or you can order it from Amazon. Don’t wait to order because we’re just a few weeks from our first club night together!
Backyard Book Club on Thursday, August 13
Spiritual Rhythm: Being with Jesus Every Season of Your Soul by Mark Buchanan
In Mark Buchanan’s book, we explore the different seasons of one’s heart from the fruitfulness of summer to the dark, heaviness of winter, to the hope and anticipation of the spring, and to the hard work of fall. He describes each season and how to embrace the spiritual rhythms in our lives and how to embrace Jesus and His truth in each one. You can purchase a copy at Christianbook or Amazon.
Please email ufcwomen.blog@gmail.com to let us know that you’ll be joining us on one or both evenings, which will be held from 7:30-9 p.m., and we’ll send you the location details!
P.S. Good book recommendations are the best. If you are reading something that you enjoy in any genre, please pass along your recommendations. Summer reading is here!
In other ministry news…
What a joy it was to have so many of you join us last Thursday for our first women’s ministry event of the summer. This week we’ll be at the Barn from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday for an evening of fellowship — and s’mores! We hope you’ll join us.
For this week in God’s Word, we’re reading Psalms 105-109. Look for short reflections on these psalms each day Monday through Friday here at ufcwomen.blog and on our Instagram and Facebook pages. We’d love for you to join the discussion about what God is teaching you through His Word this summer, so please don’t miss the opportunity to post a comment and encourage others!
