Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

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Do you have “Yes Sisters” in your life? Angelia L. White, the author of Yes Sisters, defines such women as those who “affirm, encourage and challenge you”. I enjoyed reading this book because it is apparent that White, herself, is a Yes Sister. She is open about her past, the good and the bad. Her voice is authentic, and her words are inspiring.

It seems like there is often spoken or unspoken competition between women that prevents them from becoming Yes Sisters to each other. This book shows how sometimes we need to seek out Yes Sisters, or perhaps recognize the ones that have already been placed in our lives. It also shows women how they can be uplifting friends to others and help them realize their dreams. Towards the end, there is a chapter about women who were Yes Sisters in the Bible. There is also a helpful chapter about how to deal with “No Sisters”. I would recommend Yes Sisters to women who are interested in developing or deepening life-giving relationships, which should be all of us!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

It is amazing how relevant the Old Testament is to our modern day lives, considering that the events that are retold occurred thousands of years ago. In her new book In Want + Plenty, Meredith McDaniel shows us how we can learn valuable life lessons from the book of Exodus. Specifically, McDaniel writes about Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt. McDaniel takes a close look at the attitudes and actions of both Moses and the Israelites, as well as God’s responses.

Sometimes it feels like we are wandering in the desert and wondering where God is, doesn’t it? However, just like the Israelites, McDaniel shows us how we must recognize God’s manna for us. It is when we realize that God is providing just what we need, that we learn how to be content and experience abundant life. Each chapter of In Want + Plenty ends with questions that encourage self-reflection. The questions would also be helpful to spur conversation if this book is used as part of a small group Bible study.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

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Loving Your Community, by Stephen Viars, is a thought-provoking book that challenges churches to love their communities instead of only serving the needs of their members. This book presents stories of how meeting a community’s physical and practical needs can serve as a pathway to meeting people’s spiritual needs. Viars is a pastor at Faith Church in Indiana. This book draws from the steps that Faith Church took to reach out to their immediate community and show them God’s love. The ways Faith Church stepped out in faith are truly inspiring. For example, they bought a piece of dilapidated property and built a community center, started an annual Passion Play that serves as an outreach to thousands, and started rehabilitation centers that provide counseling and shelter.

Such projects may seem overwhelming to smaller congregations. However, Viars encourages churches to dream big, but to not be afraid to start small. He makes a good point that many churches sit vacant six days out of the week. If your church has a building with a place to meet, that could be a valuable space for those in the surrounding community. The church that I am a member of recently built a gymnasium and there has been a lot of talk about how we can use it as an outreach ministry. Loving Your Community illustrates what is possible when the Church opens it doors to their community and how God can be glorified in the process.