It's Time to Read!

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32)

Hi, book clubbers! We are so excited to share this month's book club picks! For the month of July, we are being intentional about cherishing kindness.

There is no denying the fact that we are living in very divided times. In the world that we live in, news headlines are quick to add fuel to the fire spreading hateful speech and rhetoric.

Scripture reminds us, "Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good.Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God." (3 John 1:11)

It's important now more than ever to reflect on the power of our words and actions. Are you fueling the flames of hate with the words of your mouth, leaving people feeling burnt out, ostracized and hurt or are you fueling the flames of love, spreading kindness and hope.

In light of these questions, we wanted to find books that were not only about kindness, but also inspired us to reflect on our words and contribute towards bridging the divide within our own communities.

Here are a few book recommendations that you'll want to add to your reading list!

For Adult Readers: Power Words: What You Say Can Change Your Life by Joyce Meyer

"Instead of opening doors for the enemy, God wants us to speak such powerful words of faith that we will do damage to the kingdom of darkness."- Joyce Meyer's

Power Words: What You Say Can Change Your Life by Joyce Meyer's is an encouraging read urging readers to speak words of life in agreement with God. Derived from her bestselling book, Me and My Big Mouth, Joyce Meyer's shares scriptures and personal testimonies highlighting the power of declaring God's Word out of our mouths. One of our favorite chapters out of this small book was titled, Words Can Move Mountains.

"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "Truly, I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ' Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them." (Mark 11:22-23)

This verse is so powerful and very relevant to the unprecedented times that we are living in!

Reflecting on this verse, Joyce emphasizes the importance of staying persistent in speaking the Word of God over the problems that arise in our lives. Joyce writes, " It may seem odd to think of speaking to a problem, but we should remember that Jesus spoke to storms and told them to be still (Mark 4:39)".(Power Words: What You Say Can Change Your Life pg. 15)

In light of the influx of negative headlines, we should echo God's Words and spread his love and kindness to those around us. Choosing to speak more postively about others and our circumstances can bridge divides and change all aspects of our lives for the better.

For Young Readers: God Is Kind by Jamie Calloway-Hanauer

God Is Kind by Jamie Calloway- Hanauer is a cheerful board book that reminds little ones of their heavenly father’s faithful love!

Through beautiful illustrations and sweet rhymes, God Is Kind sings praises and reminds readers of all ages to let the Lord’s light shine from within and treat one another with kindness and respect.

Whether you have a newborn or a growing toddler, it is never too early to share and experience the Lord's love and kindness!

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May we all remember that Kind words are like honey- sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. (Proverbs 16:24)