Deeper by Dane Ortlund is a thoughtful and Christ-centered book that explores what it means to grow in the Christian life beyond surface-level faith. It focuses on spiritual depth that comes not from striving harder, but from resting more fully in the person and work of Christ.
This book builds on themes of grace, transformation, and ongoing spiritual formation, pointing the reader back again and again to the heart of Jesus.
My Thoughts
This book felt like a gentle but steady invitation to move away from shallow or performance-based faith and into something deeper and more rooted in Christ.
What stood out to me:
The focus on spiritual growth as a work of grace rather than effort
The repeated emphasis on the heart of Christ in transformation
The calm, reflective tone that encourages slowing down and thinking deeply
How it impacted me:
It reminded me that growth in faith is not rushed or forced
It encouraged me to rest in what Christ is doing rather than what I am trying to achieve
It gave me a deeper appreciation for God’s patience in spiritual formation
Writing style / tone:
Reflective and theological but accessible
Calm and steady rather than urgent
Focused on depth rather than surface application
Key Themes
Spiritual growth through grace
The heart of Christ in transformation
Moving beyond surface-level faith
Rest and dependence on God
Who I Would Recommend This To
Believers wanting deeper spiritual maturity
Readers who enjoyed Gentle and Lowly
Those feeling stuck in surface-level faith
Small group or personal study readers
Favorite Quote
“Spiritual growth is not first about trying harder, but about resting deeper in Christ.”
Final Thoughts
Deeper is a steady and thoughtful reminder that true Christian growth is rooted in grace rather than effort. It calls the reader to slow down and consider the depth of Christ’s work in shaping the heart over time.
This is a book I would recommend to anyone who desires a more grounded, reflective, and Christ-centered understanding of spiritual growth.
Closer Than Your Next Breath by Susie Larson is a deeply encouraging devotional-style book that focuses on the nearness and presence of God in everyday life. It invites readers to slow down and recognize that God is not distant or disconnected, but intimately involved in every detail of our lives.
This book feels especially comforting for seasons of stress, uncertainty, or spiritual dryness. It gently points the reader back to truth: God is closer than we often feel or realize.
My Thoughts
This book felt like a steady reminder to rest in the presence of God instead of striving to feel spiritually “strong” all the time. It brought my attention back to the simple truth that God is near, even when emotions or circumstances don’t reflect it.
What stood out to me:
The consistent reminder of God’s nearness in everyday moments
The gentle, encouraging tone that feels like steady reassurance
The focus on trust rather than striving or performance
How it impacted me:
It helped me slow down spiritually and reflect more intentionally
It reminded me that feelings are not the measure of God’s presence
It encouraged me to trust God even in quiet or uncertain seasons
Writing style / tone:
Warm and devotional
Easy to read and reflective
Encouraging without being overly complex
Key Themes
God’s constant presence
Trusting God in uncertainty
Prayer as connection rather than performance
Resting in spiritual reassurance
Who I Would Recommend This To
Anyone walking through anxiety or uncertainty
Readers who enjoy devotional encouragement
Those wanting to grow in awareness of God’s presence
Women’s Bible study or small group settings
Favorite Quote
“God is closer than your next breath, even when you don’t feel Him.”
Final Thoughts
Closer Than Your Next Breath is a gentle and steady reminder of God’s nearness in every season. It does not overwhelm the reader with complexity, but instead offers consistent encouragement rooted in truth.
This is a book I would recommend to anyone who needs reassurance that they are not walking through life alone, even when it feels quiet or uncertain.
Gentle and Lowly is a deeply comforting and Christ-centered book that invites readers to see the heart of Jesus in a new and tender way. Dane Ortlund draws from Scripture and historic Christian writings to show the compassion, gentleness, and steady love of Christ toward sinners and sufferers.
This is not a book that rushes you. It is one that slows you down and gently turns your attention back to the heart of Jesus.
My Thoughts
This book met me in a very quiet and personal way. It reminded me that Jesus is not distant or harsh, but gentle, patient, and full of mercy toward those who come to Him honestly.
What stood out most to me was how consistently the book points back to the character of Christ. It is not centered on striving or performance, but on rest and belonging in Him.
The writing is simple but rich, and each chapter feels like an invitation to pause and reflect rather than rush through.
What stood out to me:
The gentle portrayal of Christ’s heart toward sinners and sufferers
The focus on grace instead of performance
The steady, calming tone of the writing
How it impacted me:
It encouraged me to slow down spiritually
It reminded me of the kindness of Jesus
It shifted my focus from striving to resting in Christ
Writing style / tone:
Calm and reflective
Easy to read but deeply meaningful
Devotional in feel without being overly complex
Who I Would Recommend This To
Those who feel spiritually weary or burdened
Anyone struggling with guilt or shame
New believers wanting to understand the heart of Jesus
Small group or Bible study settings
Favorite Quote
“One of the hardest things to grasp in the Christian life is how freely and fully Christ loves His people.”
Final Thoughts
Gentle and Lowly is a book I would return to again. It is steady, comforting, and rooted in Scripture. It gently shifts the reader’s focus away from striving and back to the heart of Christ’s mercy.
I would highly recommend it to anyone who needs to be reminded that Jesus is truly gentle and lowly in heart.
A psalm of brokenness and restoration. May these words be a sanctuary for your heart today.
—
I carry shame for actions, words, and thoughts. The inability to trust You still escapes me.
Though doubts and confusion make me feel so weak, still You call me worthy— more than I can believe.
Even in my most broken state, You still call me daughter. How can You remain so faithful when I continually falter?
I often wonder if I am truly chosen, or destined to a life undone by the world, when trials shake me to my core— when I cannot feel Your Presence, and Your voice seems so distant, the silence pressing in like stone.
You whisper:You are not defined by misery, nor by a life without purpose. The refining fire is painful, even breaking at times, yet beyond the surface a greater work is unfolding.
You stretch the limits of my sight, so I may see through clouded glass, bask in surrender’s light, and drink deeply of living water— drawn into intimacy with You.
The burden I carry, the weight of my heart, is being woven into a tapestry, a work of art.
You are preparing me. In the stillness, You mold and shape me, making room for my story that will propel me forward— not perfection, but mercy, a blessing that lingers in the lives of others.
My testimony will no longer be bound by pain. For when I walk in my calling, a lioness will rise forward to guard the hallowed ground with reverence. Your strength will be my armor. Your power will be my shield.
Not perfection, but grace. And in You, I am made whole.
There are moments when weakness feels louder than faith, yet I have found a deeper truth: even in my frailty, His love calls me His. What seemed like breaking has become shaping, and grace has carried me into wholeness.
Do you hear that same love naming you, even in your own fragile places?
I know its hard because, as mothers, we want to make everything easier for them. It is in every mother to nurture and protect them at all cost, but sometimes they have to figure it out on their own. That is all a part of growing, learning, and maturing.
We can teach them a lot of things, but some things they have to learn on their own.
You can love them and support them, but they have to walk their own path.
Loving them sometimes means letting them figure out the hard stuff and standing on the sidelines while watching them walk away from it better equipped, more mature, and better able to handle whatever life throws their way.
I am still learning this and, believe me, its hard, but sometimes love has to give them wings to fly.
In the meantime, keep praying and trusting God.
And if you say that you trust God, wouldn’t you trust Him with your kids as well?
Lord You invite me to come To come and abide With You awhile I run to You My sacred Hiding place I run Desperate To find You Eagerly awaiting With outstretched arms You enfold me In Your grace You comfort You strengthen me In Your quiet abode I find rest My refuge In which to cling You hide me From the rising waters Save me from the turbulent waves You keep me from drowning You protect me from Trouble on all sides I am released My chains are unbound The whispers and the lies From within are silenced Painful sorrows Anguish and grief Are relinquished Hidden before You In Your dwelling Where the Temporal things are Hollowed out The cracks are Sealed up Darkness turns to light Shielded in Your love and mercy A hush spills over The noise of this world Is muted A heart quickens Ears press in Attuned to only Your voice Breathing in Breathing out Inhaling Your Glory Hidden within You Peacefully unafraid For thou art with me You are my hiding place
Christmas has always been my favorite time of year, but lately it has been hard to celebrate.
I know you’re probably thinking to yourself, “How can you feel that way about Christmas?”
For the past several years it’s become more worrisome than joyful.
And honestly, I have to admit it isn’t the picture I envision for myself or my family, especially when I think about celebrating my savior’s birth.
It’s been hard the last couple of years. With everything we have had to endure as a society and as a nation as a whole. It’s been especially hard for those of us Christian’s who are desperately trying to live by our moral and Biblical standards. It seems, at times, that we are being forced to do things that goes against our will. Things in which goes against our beliefs or that we believe to be just and right in the eyes of God. And it’s getting worse by the day. I know I’m not alone when I say that we all have felt the impact of it all.
It’s Christmastime and instead of feeling excited I’m feeling anxiety, extremely tired, worn out, and looking forward to when Christmas is over.
Christmas has become so commercialized and downright demanding that it can sometimes take the enjoyment out of celebrating.
And on top of that, financial burdens can make it difficult for everyone around the holidays.
Trying to figure out how to purchase gifts for your children at this time of year, when you don’t have the means to do so encompasses a whole lot of unwanted pressure that causes me and I am sure many others to dread this time of year.
It wasn’t always this way.
What happened?
Where did the jubilation go?
When did it become more about the gifts than about Jesus?
When did I allow my heart to become so disheartened?
Christmas is about the birth of Jesus and my heart aches that seldom the celebration is truly wrapped up in Him.
Beyond all decorations, tinsel, Christmas trees, lights, gifts, and the many to do list, where does Jesus fit in?
Has my family made room for Him?
Have I made room for Him?
Have you made room for Him?
After all, Jesus is the reason we celebrate the season, right?
Or have we quickly forgotten?
Have I allowed the pressures of life to dampen my spirit?
Unfortunately, it has, but I don’t have to let it, do I? Do we?
Most certainly not!
Then what do I do about it?
What do we do about it?
How do I (we) combat the feelings of stress, worry, anxiety and the endless amounts of pressures that are brought about during the holidays.
We keep our hearts and minds focused on Jesus.
We never let ourselves lose sight of the significance, joy and the miracle of the birth of Jesus.
When our souls are weary we continue to look to Jesus.
We continue to pray and seek His face above all others.
At Christmastime, and in every season.
May we never forget or need reminding of the extraordinary gift that we have been given.
May we never forget to Thank God, for His precious gift of Jesus. . . .
You know the story!
One Holy night, long long ago, a baby changed everything.
For unto us a Child is born. For unto us a Son is given.
… Born in a stable. … Wrapped in swaddling clothes … Placed in a manger … He was no ordinary baby … He was Immanuel — God with us
His name shall be called Wonderful Jesus
… Our Blessed Hope … Our Blessed Assurance
… The Savior of the whole entire world … The Incarnate God … The Way, the Truth and the Life … The True Vine … The Resurrection and the Life … The Mediator … The Lamb of God … The High Priest … The Good Shepherd … The Deliverer … The Redeemer … The Bread of Life … The Author & Perfecter of Our Faith … The Lord of All … The Great I Am … The Counselor … The Mighty God … The Everlasting Father … The Prince of Peace … The Word of Life … The Word of God … The Holy One … The Light of the World … The King of Kings and Lord of Lords … The One True GOD!
The story of Jesus’ birth doesn’t end there. The story of Jesus’ birth is so much more.
It’s not just a beautiful Christmas story, but the most beautiful Christmas story ever told.
From the birth of Jesus in a manger to the Star of Bethlehem, Christmas is a celebration of God becoming flesh as a gift of love.
The greatest gift of love in whom through and by Him, our Lord, Christ Jesus, would save His people from their sins.
May we be reminded of God’s indescribable gift of love — our beautiful Jesus.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want a Christmas that is,
… hurried … worried … pressured … stressed … boxed … wrapped … packaged … weighed down by life’s demands … stripped of joy by life’s circumstances
I want a Christmas that
… wraps me in His presence … comforts me in His Hope and Love … is devoted solely to Him … exchanges anxiety and stress for joy … is focused on Him … grows closer to Him … is thankful for the gift of Scripture … celebrates the miracle of His birth … is eternally grateful for Gods unspeakable gift
I want a Christmas that rejoices in, Jesus.
I want a Christmas that whispers, His Holy Name.
I want a Christmas that reminds me of just how loved I truly am.
How loved we are all!
I want a Christmas that brings hope of a better tomorrow, through my Lord and Savior.
I want a Christmas that assures me that because of Jesus I can experience true joy even in the midst of trouble.
I want a Christmas in which to marvel in the wondrous power that took place on that Holy night, in order for God to save the entirety of the world.
