Discovering Soul Care

There are books I've read that I know I will come back to. 

This book, Discovering Soul Care by Mindy Caliguire is one. 

I started reading this book with my Bible study girls and it is just what I've needed! 

It's refreshing and has much wisdom about taking care of one's soul.

As I started reading this book a realization came over me. 

I don't take care of my soul, not even close to the way I need to. 

Part of this book that has really stuck with me...

Was when we took a look at symptoms of soul neglect and symptoms of soul care. 

Lately, I've felt shame, anger, exhaustion, desperate, panic, insecurity and a lot of other ugly things. 

Those things are symptoms of soul neglect and makes total sense to me.

If I am not taking care of my soul, 

Not connecting with God, the One who created me, 

How could I not feel those things? 

But the good thing is I don't have to feel that way! 

I can have peace, love, joy, compassion and so on. 

I just have to sit, really sit and connect with God. 

I need to change my schedule in order to do so, which I plan on doing. 

Taking care of my soul isn't really an option.

That's what I've learned while reading this great book!

If I want to live the way God wants me to,

If I want to be who He wants me to be, I MUST take care of my soul! 

You should really read this! Maybe it will make you realize a thing or two about your soul!

Here are some quotes incase you need more persuading! 

"When you're living a life of vibrant intimacy with God, in fact, you cannot stop the power of God from working through you."

"The reality is, many of us, long ago gave up hope that we could actually become someone new.

The invitation to hope again reawakens the reality of that pain, of that awareness of all that is not as it should or could be. We are not what we could be, and it hurts." 

"We can rest of heads on the pillow at night and lovingly whisper, "God, you have my heart.

I'm as surrendered as I know to be. There may be a new area for us to work on when I wake up

tomorrow, but you have my heart." Truth and surrender are in concert with one another." 

Good, isn't it? ;)

A book review: Unlocked

One of my goals has been to read more. I haven't been that great at it, but this past week I borrowed this book from a friend and loved it! I thought, since its one of my goals, I'd write a book review on it.

Karen Kingsbury is one of my favorite authors. I've yet to read a book by her that I haven't liked and I doubt it will ever happen. Her words just draw you in and you can't put the book down! Unlocked is a story of two friends, Holden and Ella, who lost their friendship when they were little. They were best friends, but when Holden all of a sudden got autism, Ella's parents couldn't handle it and stopped their friendship with the family. 

Years later, Ella and Holden reunite all because of a school play. Holden is drawn to music... the one thing that makes him happy. Well, that and Ella. The music not only brings Holden a bit out of himself, but it brings friendship back into the lives of two families. 

I loved this book. It made me smile and cry. One of my favorite things about Karen Kingsbury is how she writes about faith. I love how her characters depend on God and hear Him speaking to them. 

I wish I could hear God the way the characters seem to... like He's right there!  Karen Kingsbury is no doubt my favorite author and I promise if you pick up one of her books, you'll love her too! 

Now, I'm off to read another book of hers! =)