Gravel Road Musings

52 Encouraging Reminders of How God Cares for You I am not sure why I requested this book except I have read one of Holley's books and just really, really liked it and so therefore, I thought getting one more devotional book would be worth it to read Holley's words. And you know what? I think it was.  This book was filled with hope and encouragement, maybe bordering on a too-good Gospel, but I also felt it was fairly accurate as well.  When you are looking at a book on encouragement, you aren't necessarily expecting discouraging comments and it is really hard to get both sides of the coin in one book. Names and descriptions of God make up the titles on each daily reading: Author, Counselor, Friend, Shepherd, Comforter, Instructor and on and on.  There is a Bible verse to go along with each day as well, as well as a little story to get you started. "He is not a God of soul starvation but of salvation. He is not cutting portions; he is passing out extra helpings....

Finding a Big God in the Little Moments I love Melanie Shankle. If you haven't read Sparkly Green Earrings or Antelope in my Living Room, you should. Just funny good reads. I think, for this book, I have simply read too many devotionals back to back and at too fast a pace. This book had some definitely good things in it, but it didn't do as much for me as it could have. I do think if I would read them one a day like they are meant to be read, I would get a lot more out of the readings. This book is more on the light side of light. While it has good thoughts, they would tend to be more surface level, which is pretty much what I would expect from reading Melanie's writings. I don't say that meanly, I think we need the light and the deep in this world and so we need both kinds of writers. That being said, I did appreciate how she could take everyday experiences and relate them to a spiritual lesson. I enjoy reading authors who can do that. She talks a lot about f...