"An important discipline in the life of the Spirit is spiritual reading. Through spiritual reading we have some say over what enters into our minds. Each day our society bombards us with a myriad of images and sounds... do we really want our mind to become the garbage can of the world?" (Nouwen, Here and Now, p. 80)

Now that sentiment gets one's attention, doesn't it?! In recent weeks and months, I've found myself enjoying some profound new devotional materials. They aren't necessarily defined as such (i.e. for daily or weekly reading with reflection questions, etc), but they are complimenting each other and my journey so well this season that I wanted to share and recommend!

Henri Nouwen, "Here and Now"

I picked this one up from our office library, which is furnished with hundreds of books either donated or carried down by volunteers over the past few decades. Categorized by chapter, Nouwen's book explores a wide variety of topics. As in many of his works, Nouwen’s central concern is in bringing readers to the present moment –the here and now – trusting God more fully, and delighting in who He is.

The chapters in Nouwen’s book have seemed to come at just the right moments. I first picked this up while home over Christmas, the night before our family celebration of Ted’s 30th birthday (done one month early, so that we could all be together.) A few pages in, Nouwen talks about the special meaning of birthdays, because in them we are given a chance to celebrate a person for who they are- not because of graduation, job promotion or some fine achievement. (I read this aloud before we dug into his chocolate cake the next evening; though I think everyone was just eager to dig into the cake. ;) And then, in early January, I read his exhortation to fight fatalism and lean towards faith. This was on the eve of the 5-year earthquake anniversary in Haiti and a fresh onslaught of negative journalism coverage. His reflection was timely and helpful for the discouragement we can face in our work.

David Winter, "Closer than a Brother"

Closer than a Brother is a re-interpretation of the famous meditation of Brother Lawrence, Practicing the Presence of God. Given to us a few years ago by my mother-in-law, I've read it once and Ted and I are now re-reading it together, "book-on-spouse" style as my dad would say :)

Each chapter is a conversation between the author and Laurie, the kitchen cook at the hospital where they both work. It's full of reminders of the overwhelming presence of God in the day-to-day, and some of the "simple truths" about our faith that are profound and yet still so hard to grasp. A common theme in a few books that I am reading right now is summed up in the most recent chapter we read in Winter's book: "All He really wants is me." A helpful, sort of mind-bending truth, isn't it?

"Living the Christian Year, Time to Inhabit the Story of God"

This was given to me by a friend about a year ago, and it has enriched some of the past ''holy seasons'' immeasurably! The starting premise of the Christian Calendar is that each season is holy. I had never heard of Ordinary Time or quite understood the season of Epiphany or even the Twelve Days of Christmas before reading this book. The book begins with a great explanation of the history and meaning behind the Christian calendar, which is typically followed in the more orthodox Christian traditions and not American Protestantism. It then has guided Scripture reading, prayer and mediation points for each week of the year.

Ted and I especially appreciated the readings on Advent and the Twelve Days of Christmas. Every night we had a common Scripture to read. It helped ground us in the season, in the midst of the strong pull towards frenzy and increased busyness. (I must say, being in Haiti helped with that in its own way.) The explanations on Christmas traditions were also very enlightening. I loved discovering that the Twelve Days begin on Christmas. So really, the party is just getting started! After 40 days of anticipation, the celebration is not over in one day. It's meant to last over twelve days of intentional celebration and joy.

We aren't picking this up every single night, but what's wonderful is that it's always there and makes it easy to delve into the current season. Now with Lent beginning, I am looking forward to using this more intentionally once again.

We welcome your feedback and other suggestions!

'Just Mercy' by Stevenson

I would like everyone to read this book. Please, please!

I first heard Bryan Stevenson speak at the Justice Conference in 2014. If you would like to get an idea of what Just Mercy is about, watch his presentation here:

Bryan Stevenson from The Justice Conference on Vimeo.

Stevenson is a capital defense attorney, based primarily in Alabama, who has over 25 years experience representing juveniles sentenced to life imprisonment as well as adults awaiting execution on death row. His book includes client stories, some memoir, and a sweeping look at the criminal justice system and prison life in the U.S.

Stevenson is a powerful storyteller, a tireless advocate, and he offers an astounding Christian witness in the work to which he has dedicated his life. I could barely put this book down.

(Stevenson is a also graduate of Eastern University and Harvard. Woop! *I went to Eastern.)

I highly recommend Just Mercy. Again, I think every American ought to read it. Please pick up a copy and share your thoughts. Stevenson provides a compelling call to action for us all.

'The Color of Water' by McBride

I just finished reading James McBride’s memoir and piece dedicated to his mother, The Color of Water. A friend had recommended this book to me for years, and I finally picked it up for the Christmas break. I am so glad that I did!

McBride also wrote The Good Lord Bird, winner of the National Book Award for 2013, which I highly recommend to history nuts or lovers of historical fiction.

Raised orthodox Jewish and an immigrant to America from Poland, McBride’s mother flees from her oppressive family structure in the South to get lost and find a future in the bustle of New York City in the 1930s and 40s. A white woman, she marries an African American man who introduces her to the Christian faith. Together, they build the foundation for a remarkable family. Twelve siblings comprise the household in which McBride is raised in New York. Living meal-to-meal, day-by-day, McBride's family is fueled by his mother’s resolve, nonstop movement, and incredible strength. Her wit and McBride's honest reflections string together this tight narrative that will have you instantly hooked.

I recommend this book to everyone who loves a good story, and also exploring the many angles of racial identity in America.

Book review: The Invention of Wings

In The Invention of Wings, Sue Monk Kidd weaves a powerful narrative about the lives of two women in Charleston, SC in the early-mid 1800s. One, Hetty, is born into slavery under the wealthy planter family, the Grimkés, and the other is their nervous but brash daughter, Sarah. The two girls grow up together in the oppression and opulence of the antebellum South. At some point in the novel, which alternates between Hetty and Sarah’s first person perspectives, you get swept up in wanting to know how the story of these two women unfolds, how Sarah Grimké, in particular, comes to take her infamous place in 19th century history. Hetty, though a character of fiction, tells a completely different story, but a sobering one of hope and survival in a cruel world that is set upon denying her very humanity. Both women carve their own pathways to freedom – they “invent their own wings” - in a way that is inspiring and feels all too relevant for women today. Especially if you have traveled to Charleston or Philadelphia, the Invention of Wings is an added treat as it brings aspects of early American history in these two towns to life. Katharine recommends Invention of Wings if you are looking for a light, but inspiring and perspective-changing novel for your summer reading.