24 Books for 2018

One of my 2018 resolutions was a simple one: 

Read more!

When I looked back on 2017, I realized I'd spent too much time with my nose in the screen instead of in the pages, so I set a goal for the new year:

 I decided to read 24 books in 12 months. 

It seemed like an easy number to track, but not quite easily attainable. In 2017, I'd read less than one book a month, so I knew this goal would require a bit of planning and pushing.

(On a side note, telling people I wanted to read two books a month was an interesting experience. For some people, this number was far lower than their regular reading rate, and for others, it felt quite unattainable. Just another lesson in choosing personal goals that are reasonable for you, but also push you to do better.)

It was a fascinating experience! I didn't start out with any kind of reading list or design. It could be a mix of old and new, fiction and non-fiction. Some were given by friends, some written by friends, some were books I reviewed, and others were just finds along the way. As I went through, I realized that length had to be a factor. When a month included one long book, I also needed to read a short book to squeeze them both into four short weeks.

Reading on tour proved to be a bit of a challenge, too. Even though I'll always be a paper girl, e-books became an easy way to lighten our luggage and read at night.

As the year unfolded, certain books would spark others. When I read "The Happiness Project," I was so inspired by Rubin's excitement for St. Therese that I then picked up "Story Of A Soul". And someday I'll need to write about the intriguing connections I discovered between St. Therese and, of all people, Anne of Green Gables. Unusual themes also unfolded. Without planning it, I read three very different books on World War II, all from different voices and with different insights.

It was such a powerful experience that I've already set my 24-in-12 goal again for 2019!

So what are your reading plans for 2019? 

Have you read any on my list? 

What books would you recommend? 

Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments...

Here are the 24 books I read in 2018:

Your Best Year Ever

By Michael Hyatt

This was an awesome book to kick off 2018. 

Actually, I'll probably read it again in January 2019. 

An easy and powerful approach to goal setting for the New Year.

Free Of Me

By Sharon Hodde Miller

This was a book I received for review.
You can read my review HERE.
















The War Of Art
By Steven Pressfield

If you're going to achieve anything creative, you'll need to overcome Resistance.
Pressfield's classic is a powerful and practical book on conquering the things that hold you back, and helping you to achieve your dreams.













I Am Malala
By Malala Yousafzai

A Christmas gift from my sister-in-law, Kristi. I'd wanted to read this book for a while, and it was fantastic. It gave so much more insight to a story we all think we know. A moving and challenging book that will leave you inspired.












The Hiding Place
By Corrie ten Boom

I'd seen lots of quotes by Corrie ten Boom floating around the internet, but it wasn't til I watched an episode of See, Hear, Love that I was inspired to pick up this book. When a table full of women are calling it one of the most influential books they've ever read, you want to pay attention.

I devoured this book. The true story of a Christian family that literally hid Jews in their house during WWII. I can't recommend this book enough! Difficult and fascinating and surprisingly inspiring!








Paul: Apostle of Christ
By Angela Hunt

This was a novelization of the movie by the same name.

I reviewed the movie HERE and the book HERE.














Do The Work
By Steven Pressfield

The follow up to The War Of Art. You'll notice several of Pressfield's books on this list. I can't recommend him enough!















I Will Not Fear
By Melba Pattillo Beals

Written by one of the Little Rock Nine.

I reviewed this book HERE.














The Happiness Project
By Gretchen Rubin

What if you spent an entire year trying to increase your overall sense of happiness?

This was the challenge taken on by Gretchen Rubin. A fun, smart, easily devoured book that can either be simply read or practically applied.

One of the side perks for me was the chapter on spirituality that sparked my reading of Story Of A Soul...

Truth & Beauty: a friendship

By Ann Patchett 

Known for her fiction, Ann Patchett opens a vein and shares with us her beautiful, difficult, and passionate friendship with poet Lucy Grealy. I couldn't put this one down. My own dear friend, Martha Tatarnic (also a writer!) lent me this, and I'm forever grateful. Patchett is a glorious writer, and I've already added several of her titles to my 2019 list.

Story of a Soul
By St. Therese of Lisieux

This is a book that kept coming to me, so I had to read it. St. Therese passionately tells the story of her short life, and her desire to live our her faith in her "Little Way". Gerald and I have had the chance to sing for the staff and students at the St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission in Bruno, SK, and see the Little Way in action. This April, I'll be sharing a message on St. Therese during an Advent Cafe preaching series, so I imagine I'll be digging back into this book over the next few months...

Anne of Green Gables
By L.M. Montgomery

The one, the only, the original! I picked up this special Canada 150 edition at L.M. Montgomery's birthplace in PEI this spring. What a gorgeous story and beautiful writing! I read the books as a little girl, and re-reading as an adult was wonderful. A perfect summer book!











Life Happens
By Stacy and Derrick Mueller

Written and given to me by my friend, Stacy Mueller. Stacy and her husband, Derrick, tag-teamed this short book to share their stories of abuse, brokenness, and healing. Written with bold rawness and honesty.












The Prophet
By Kahlil Gibran

Probably the 3rd time I've read this? We had the chapter "On Marriage" read at our wedding. There's always something new to discover in this classic.












The English Patient
By Michael Ondaatje

When this was awarded the Golden Man Booker prize this summer (best novel in the past 50 years), I decided to pick it up for a re-read. Definitely the most involved book I read this year. A slow detailed read worth every minute.

My second WWII book of the year...










The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
By Mary Ann Shaffer and Anne Barrows

I picked this up (also a re-read) after the movie was announced. Still haven't seen the movie, but I devoured the book. This is probably one of my all-time favourites. The writing, characters, and storytelling are so lovely. Told in a series of letters, this is a uniquely told bit of WWII history.

And yes, that marks my third WWII book of the year! An unplanned theme, but interesting to see one period shared from three very different perspectives...







Every Hallelujah
By Sue C. Smith

Written by my mentor and (I hope I can say) my friend, Sue C. Smith. This is a great book for Christian songwriters, calling on inspiration from the Book of Psalms. This book is personal, inspiring, and incredibly practical.

Sue runs an amazing songwriting conference called Write About Jesus and is also Gerald's cowriter on our radio single, My Soul Is Spoken For.








7 Essential Habits of Christian Writers
By InScribe Christian Writers Fellowship

It was interesting to read two books on Christian writing back-to-back. Unlike Sue's book with her singular, personal perspective, this book is a collection of essays, stories, and poems by the writers of the InScribe Christian Writers Fellowship. The pieces were widely varied on themes and approach, but all aimed to provide inspiration, encouragement, and practical support.

Our talented friend, Sally Meadows, is one of the contributors!

Jonathan Livingston Seagull
By Richard Bach

I read this for very practical reasons - I needed a short book on my iPad that I could quickly read on tour. Again, I've probably read this book about three times, but there's always something interesting and inspiring to be found within its sparse pages.













The Artist's Journey
By Steven Pressfield

His latest and my third for the year! This books encourages the artist to step back and take a wide-angle view of your creative life. As always, inspiring and must-read for anyone on the artistic path.












I'd Rather Be Reading
By Anne Bogel

I read this book for review which you can read HERE.

Probably one of my favourite review books ever! I would have grabbed this from a bookstore any day. A love letter to books and "the reading life."












Becoming
By Michelle Obama

I've always been a fan, but my admiration for Michelle grew through reading her inspiring story. Her writing is beautiful and engaging, and her transparency is startling. It's a book about family, values, finding your path, and lifting others up.

A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens

Tis the season! I've seen lots of movie adaptations, but I don't know that I'd ever read the book? After sharing that I'd be reading it during Christmas week, my Dad also decided to pick up a copy. Even if you think you know the story, Dickens is such an engaging writer that it's well worth making an eggnog latte and spending an evening with this classic.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas!
By Dr. Suess

Okay, not a full novel, I know! I found myself at 23 books for the year with only a few days to go. I thought I'd cut myself a break and read one well-written, substantial seasonal story to round out my 24.

And what a perfect choice! Writing, characters, story, voice - brilliant in every aspect.

So those are my 24 Books for 2018!

Please share your thoughts, or your book suggestions, in the comments below...

Book Review: I'd Rather Be Reading, by Anne Bogel

I'd Rather Be Reading 

- The Delights And Dilemmas 

Of The Reading Life

With a title like this, how could I resist?

As soon as I saw I'd Rather Be Reading on the review list, I ordered my copy. I've been dipping my toe into the e-book world over the last few years, but something told me that this one would be best read in hardcopy, and it was definitely the right call.

This sweet collection of essays is written by a reader, for readers. If you love books, reading, bookstores, libraries, book clubs, book shelves and all aspects of literary life, this wee tome is for you.

I wasn't familiar with Anne Bogel's work before this, but I'm curious to look into her blog, podcast, and other writings.

It can be quickly read in one sitting, or devoured over a few days in bite-sized portions.

I started it last week, but finally finished it by sitting up late this week, reading well past midnight by the light of the Christmas tree. Somehow, I felt Anne might approve...

If you love books, you'll love I'd Rather Be Reading. I might even recommend buying several copies - one for yourself, and ones to give your other reading friends. 

I received this book to review from the Nuts About Books Blogger Program and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Book Review: It's Okay Not To Be Okay, by Sheila Walsh

Two book reviews in one week!
Looks like my New Year's goal to read 2 books a month is paying off...

Today, we're looking at It's Okay Not To Be Okay, by acclaimed speaker, musician, and author, Sheila Walsh.

"It's easy to fall; it takes courage to rise up and take the next step."

This quote from Sheila's dedication really sets up the heart of this book: taking the next step. We all fall in life, and pretending we won't doesn't fix things; it actually makes them worse. You can't fake yourself well.

Sheila calls for an honest, open-hearted pouring out before God. Only then, can we begin to find healing. And the goal is never to depend on ourselves alone.

This is a process that is God-based, God-centred, and God-filled. 

What I really loved about this book is Sheila's compassionate, authentic voice. While sharing wisdom, she's also sharing her story and her heart. At one point I actually thought, "Yes, I'd love to hang out with this woman!" Her humour and transparency help guide you through a challenging but ultimately uplifting journey.

This is a practical and inspirational book, but it's also an intimate journey of the heart. 

Many years ago, I experienced a long and difficult journey with grief that left me "not okay" for a long time. I think this would have been a great book for me to have read during that time.

Right now, I know there are woman going through a similar time of "not okay." 

I pray this book will find them now...

I received this book to review from the Nuts About Books Blogger Program and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Book Review: Battle Ready, by Kelly Balarie

It's been a while since I've reviewed a book!

Battle Ready: Train Your Mind to Conquer Challenges, Defeat Doubt, and Live Victoriously starts with a bold intention, to "...train our minds to conquer uncertainty, beat insecurity, and step past the tragedies of yesterday."

This book isn't meant for speed reading. It's actually a beautifully laid out, 12-step plan to literally change the way you think and approach the world. Kelly's writing is steeped in Scripture, so you never doubt her source or her focus.

I have to say:

I love a book with a beautiful table of contents! 

There's something about great chapter names 

that gets me excited to read on... 

Kelly lays out her plan using her table of contents, step by step and topic by topic. "Possibility," "Identity," and "Sensitivity" are just your starting points.  Make sure you take a few moments to read these pages and prepare your heart for what's to come. And as you work your way through the book, this table of contents can serve as a reference for quick reminders and recaps of lessons learned.

And I love how at the end of your journey,

after starting with "Possibility," 

your final step is "Impossibility."

Each chapter takes you through the topic, giving you a greater understanding of how to change your negative thinking into a positive, Scripture-strenghtened mindset. You'll be supported in your journey by themed prayers, application questions, and even special activities for group study. Online, you can access videos and other free downloadable resources.

Kelly delivers heavy material in a light and accessible way. Recognizing the weight of the work, she actually gives you several "Intermissions", so you can take a moment to breathe and rest. Like a "selah" in the Psalms.

One quick caveat: this is definitely a book written for a female audience. Although I appreciate the desire for a focused audience, I really feel the material could be applicable for anyone. In some ways, I wish the book had been written in a gender-neutral style.

That said,  Battle Ready is an inspiring book that, when properly digested, could be a powerful force for change in your life.



I received this book to review from the Nuts About Books Blogger Program and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

WORLD PREMIERE of our NEW RADIO SINGLE!

Monday, we're releasing our new radio single: 

MY SOUL IS SPOKEN FOR

We're so excited about this song!

Gerald cowrote this soulful tune with GRAMMY Nominee, Sue C. Smith, 

and the track has a fantastic guest performance by Juno Nominee, Drew Brown.

For the official release, we're excited to partner with our friends at

Joy 1250 in Toronto for a New Music Monday!

The world broadcast premiere will happen on 

The Drive with James Kurtis.

Tune in at 3:00pm EST to hear Behind The Music - 

featuring our new album, The Beauty Of The One, 

and the stories behind our latest songs.

Then, catch the single one more time at 5:00pm 

on The Rush with Davina Japaul.

Joy 1250 is also featuring three CD Giveaways! 

Listen for your chance to call in and win a FREE copy of 

The Beauty Of The one.

Broadcasting in Southern Ontario at 1250 on your radio dial, 

or listen online at JoyRadio.ca

We're releasing worldwide, so please call or email 

your local Christian radio station and request 

My Soul Is Spoken For by Infinitely More!

My Soul Is Spoken For is available for purchase or download at

www.InfinitelyMore.ca/Store 

or iTunes

You can hear a preview of the song HERE

If you're a radio station and would like to play 

My Soul Is Spoken For, 

please CONTACT us for the official download link.

Thank you for supporting our new music!

Happy Summer! Time To Make Your New Year's Resolutions...

Happy July! We’re six months into 2018…

Have you broken your New Year’s resolutions yet?

I can hear the collective guffaw. Maybe you lasted 'til just after the ball dropped? Or perhaps you were strong enough to make it to breakfast. After all, how can you give up sweets when your house is still filled with holiday baking?

So many of us start the year with great expectations, only to have them fall by the wayside before we’ve even taken down our Christmas tree.

So let me lay this out there: 

Why do we only make "New Year’s" resolutions?

Yes, I get the power of making a fresh start at the top of the year, but as we all know, this doesn’t guarantee success.

What if, instead, we made 

New Year’s resolutions in the summer?

Here are 3 reasons why I think we should all start 

our New Year’s resolutions in the middle of the year:

#1. No Holiday Craziness.

The holidays are awesome, but let’s be honest: they can be wild! Weeks of parties, shopping, activities, visitors, entertaining, and overeating. Those of us who work in entertainment, ministry, or retail work double time. And then there are days off and vacations and all kinds of other things that knock our standard routines out of whack.

Right now, you’ve got a good sense of your 2018 routine. You’ll probably have some change over the summer, but you should still have a good sense your flow. This is a great time to evaluate what’s working and what’s not.

#2. Six is Easier than Twelve

The idea of creating a 12-month plan is intimidating to most people, so why do we insist on doing it? Tony Robbins famously said that most people will “overestimate what they can accomplish in a year.” Overestimating can leave you feeling discouraged and can shut down your energy.

Instead, just look at the next six months. Even better, break it down into two 3-month periods or three 2-month periods. What are the things that are important in this upcoming season? How can you make goals and resolutions to enhance and support these projects? What is a reasonable change you can implement in this time?

#3. No One is Talking About Goals Right Now

What are we all asking on January 1? “What are your resolutions?” and “Have you broken your resolutions yet?” That's fun fodder for jokes, but let’s be honest - they’re not great questions for serious goal setting.

This is the perfect time to set your goals in quiet. Derek Sivers actually suggests that keeping your goals to yourself will increase your change of success (See his fantastic TED Talk HERE.) Sketch out your ideas and write out a plan (studies also show that writing down your goals gives you a greater chance of success.) Start implementing your changes in private, away from the jokes and discouragement of well-meaning friends. Once you get a few steps made, share your plans with supportive friends and family members who can help you in your success journey.

*BONUS REASON* 

The World is Reborn

January 1st has the power of a new year, and we love harnessing that energy for change. But as we’ve seen, that date alone doesn’t always have the power to help us keep our goals. After the rush of champagne and confetti, it’s still the dead of winter.

Spring and summer is a true time of rebirth. Every day, there are new plants sprouting and blooming. Animals are having babies and teaching them how to thrive. The world is literally birthing and growing all around us.

What an amazing time to grow ourselves!

This month, I encourage you to start a New Year. 

Create some goals and start some positive changes. 

Write them down and share them selectively. 

Take it one step at a time and celebrate your success. 

Now is the time to make 2018 the year you’ve always wanted it to be!

Book Review: I Will Not Fear. By Melba Pattillo Beals

"You're not doing this for yourself. 

You are doing this for generations yet unborn."

These words of encouragement, spoken directly to Melba Beals by Dr. Martin Luther King, became her mantra, her guiding light for the challenges yet to come.

In 1957, Melba was a young African American student, craving a better education. She bravely volunteered to be one of the Little Rock Nine - a small group of African American students chosen to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.

On the first day of school, the children were met by a mob fuelled by hatred and racism. Over the next few days, the eyes of the nation turned to Little Rock, and to the Little Rock Nine.

The Little Rock integration brought Melba's face into the limelight, but this is just one chapter in this courageous woman's extraordinary journey. I Will Not Fear chronicles her life of challenges and the faith that carried her through it all. She bravely shares her stories of racism - not just the prejudice shown to her, but her own struggles in overcoming her fear of white people.

Despite her rough years in high school, Melba was a passionate learner and earned several degrees. She built a career as an NBC television news reporter, a magazine writer, and a professor. As she narrates the story of her life, she is open and honest about her deep faith in God. Every chapter ends with a prayer or Scripture verse for inspiration. She shares the challenge of finding and trusting God, even in her darkest moments.

My one critique of I Will Not Fear is that it's actually too short! Melba has led a truly inspiring life, and it felt like many of the stories were told too quickly. I know she's written another memoir on her high school years (which I'm hoping to read next), but her adult life is also amazing. I wish she had spent more time telling these stories, and sharing those extraordinary experiences with each of us.

I loved reading Melba's story and hearing her heart for God. I'm so moved by her courage, and I love that she has shared her faith in such an intelligent and heartfelt way.

I wish we could say that the civil rights struggle was simply a chapter in history books, but every day, the news tells us otherwise. Our current North American society still struggles with racism and the ugly rise of white supremacy.

More than ever, we need to hear stories like Melba's. We need to hear about the battles that have been fought if we're ever to understand the weight of the challenges ahead. And we need leaders who are willing to be honest about their faith, and the power it has in creating social change.

As Melba's beloved Grandmother would say, 

God is always present with us, even "as close as your skin."

I received this book to review from the Nuts About Books Blogger Program and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Book Review: Paul: Apostle of Christ, by Angela Hunt

A few weeks ago, I shared my review of the film, 

Paul: Apostle of Christ. 

To coincide with the release of the movie, Andrew Hyatt's screenplay has been transformed into a novel by writer, Angela Hunt.

In full disclosure, I have to admit that I've never read a novelization of a screenplay. I've read lots of novels that have been made into films, but never the other way around.

I couldn't help but wonder what it might be like to read a 

novel based on a film based on Scripture? 

As I started reading the novel, the first difference that struck me was Paul's prison cell. In the movie, it's a dark subterranean room, entered by a narrow staircase, and punctuated by shafts of light from above.

In the novel, the full scope of Paul's desperate situation becomes clear to us. His cell isn't a room, but hole in the ground. Instead of stairs, the only point of entry is a rope, which is raised and lowered only at the will of his guards. We're given vivid descriptions of the darkness, dankness, and sheer torture the room provides.

As with any novel, Hunt is able to investigate the details of the world in ways that film can't do. For example, we learn more about Nero, Rome, and the political tensions of the day.

At the end of the novel, Hunt provides an "interview" with some interesting behind-the-scenes info, including some of the research she poured into the book. As with any artistic interpretation of Scripture, the novel has some stretches of imagination. Hunt also addresses these in her interview, sharing her reasoning behind these choices.

I think, ultimately, there's a real value in creating novelized or filmic versions of Bible stories. Sometimes, we can get so lost in the familiar words that we forget the humanity of the stories. We can lose sight that, just like us, these people had to cook dinner, make a living, care for family, and maybe even have a laugh at the end of the day. Translating these stories through art helps to make these details vivid and real. We are able to see God working in the every day, calling ordinary people to extraordinary things.

It's hard to know whether I'd recommend the film over the novel or visa-versa? I think the advantage of having both is that it makes the story available to so many people. You can approach this story in the vividness and immediacy of a film, or you can curl up with the book and spend hours chewing over every detail.

Both versions remind us that, for all of his legendary reputation, 

Paul was still simply a human being, 

which makes his ministry all the more amazing. 

As the tagline for the novel reminds us, "His story will change the world..." 

"Book has been provided courtesy of 

Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

Movie Review: Paul, Apostle Of Christ

There's a new tradition in Hollywood - the annual onslaught of Easter Christian movies!

It's brought mixed results artistically speaking, but as a person of faith, it's great to see movie studios recognizing the market potential for such films. In times as divisive and disturbing as these, we need as many stories of hope as we can get.

And that leads to a film opening this weekend: 

Paul, Apostle Of Christ

The story opens in dark and dangerous Rome. Nero has watched the city burn, and blames the Christians for the destruction. It's a precarious time to be a follower of Jesus. To add to the tension, Nero has arrested Paul, leader of the Christian community, and sentenced him to death. His friend, Luke the Physician, has come to Rome to help.

The film is weighted with some great and recognizable talent with James Faulkner (Downton Abbey and Game Of Thrones) as Paul and Jim Caviezel (The Passion Of The Christ) as Luke. The look of the film is beautiful, even when dark, and the locations feel visceral and grounded.

It would be easy for a story like this to fall into the trap of melodrama. And let's be honest, it's what we associate with the worst of Christian movies - the overwrought wailing and gnashing of teeth as actors in old bathrobes play out a timeworn drama.

The filmmakers instead have chosen a more subtle way of telling this story - 

through friendships. 

There's the deep brotherhood of Paul and Luke, two men who have forged a bond through years of protecting each other and growing in faith. There's the loving couple Aquila and Priscilla, who have a shared purpose, but very different ideas on how to live it out. And then there's the unlikely connection between Paul and his captor, Mauritius.

Perhaps most interesting is the relationship between Paul, the imprisoned Christ-loving martyr, and Saul, his former Christian-killing self. Paul is haunted by his past - experienced by recurring dreams and visions - and desperately seeks the forgiveness and peace promised by Jesus.

One of my favourite themes in the film is the counter-cultural nature of the early Christians. Jesus had called them to take a path of peace and forgiveness. This is a city where Christians are openly and brutally persecuted. Any day might be their last. There is no grace or justice for followers of The Way (the early name for the Christian path). As humans, their instincts tell them to respond with more violence, but as followers of Christ, they're called to turn the other cheek and love their neighbour. As Paul is in prison and life for the followers gets more dangerous, we see this struggle playing out and threatening to divide the group.

I can't think of a more pertinent theme for this day and age. As Christians in North America, we are constantly being drawn into the public debate. Are we seen as counter-cultural, or just another group with our screaming, signs, and slogans?

And so the question remains for us today: 

As we gather in the public square - be it real or online - 

will we meet violence with violence or will we respond with forgiveness and grace? 

Will they know we are Christians by our love?

If anything, I think this theme could have been explored even further and more explicitly in the firm. It's really a debate we need to be having in our churches and faith communities.

When I watch an overtly Christian film, I always ask myself two questions: 

How will Christians respond? 

How will non-Christians respond? 

I don't know how much this would resonate with a non-Christian? The film lacks obvious tension and drama; it's really more of a character piece. I feel like you need to have some sense of the story to really understand the weight of what's happening.

However, I think a person who knows the story will be deeply moved by the portrayal of Paul and his journey. Paul was subject to years of pain and suffering for his faith, yet his responses are always generous, patient, and loving.

If that's not an Easter challenge, I don't know what is...

There is also a novelization of the film, written by Angela Hunt.
I'll be reviewing this in a few weeks. Stay tuned!

"Film has been provided courtesy of Sony Entertainment Releasing Canada (Affirm Films) and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc." 

Book Review: Free Of Me by Sharon Hodde Miller

Kicking off the first post of 2018 with a book review!

This year, I've added two things to my Goals List:

#1. READ MORE! 

I was shocked at how few books I read last year! In 2018, my goal will be to read two books a month. I won't review them all, but I'll do my best to share some of my favourites with you.

#2. WRITE MORE! 

Just like with the reading, I let my writing fall by the wayside last year. Yes, it had a lot to do with the massive undertaking of recording a New CD, but there are always excuses not to write. My goal this year: one solo writing date each week. Generally in a cafe, and always with a big mug of foamy caffeine!

Today's book review is Free Of Me, by Sharon Hodde Miller. The premise of this book is pretty simply laid out in the subtitle: "Why Life Is Better When It's NOT ABOUT YOU."

Like many simple ideas, however, the living out of this mantra is a more challenging matter.

Miller breaks the concept down into two basic components. The first are all the things we try to make about us and in the image of us: God, church, our family, our friendships, to name a few. As she details each aspect, there will be things that will seem obvious - yes, we try to make our families about us - but others that will surprise you. How can we make our calling, our passions, or even our physical appearance not about us? There were definitely ideas in these chapters with which I didn't personally agree. However, I think just the process of evaluating these parts of your life in this light could be extremely valuable.

The last part of the book explores practical ways to take the focus off of ourselves. How can we turn our point of view outwards, towards God and towards others? This is a great section to take notes and mark down ideas to integrate into your personal life.

The structure of this book leans towards practical application, and maybe even group discussion. Each chapter ends with a focus Scripture verse, a prayer, and a series of personal questions. The prayers, in particular, are beautiful, and would be a great addition to your personal prayer journal.

In a selfie-obsessed world, we need a message like Free Of Me. 

One of my favourite themes that runs throughout these chapters is the idea that "_____" is created for us, but that doesn't mean it has to be about us. 

Imagine how that one shift alone could change everything...


I received this book to review from the Nuts About Books Blogger Program and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Book Review: Christmas: Stories & More, by Inscribe Christian Writers' Fellowship

The Christmas book reviews continue!

A few days ago, I shared with you my favourite new children's book, 

Beneath That Star, by Sally Meadows.

(Full disclosure, as revealed in my previous review: Sally and I are friends, but I also promised her an honest review. Thank you for trusting me with that, Sally!)

Sally gave me her book when we visited her as part of our latest Infinitely More Western Canada Tour. As we chatted about our recent projects, she showed me a copy of a Christmas anthology that features two of her stories. Of course, my heart leapt when I saw a whole book filled with Christmassy things, so I asked if I might review that one as well!

I know you can't judge a book by its cover, but look at that face!! 

How could I not be excited to read Christmas: Stories & More??? 

Inscribe Christian Writer's Fellowship (ICWF) exists to "stimulate, encourage and support Christians who write, advance effective Christian writing, and promote the influence of all Christians who write." It has members from all provinces, writing at all levels and in all genres.

Christmas: Stories & More features over 40 ICWF writers sharing their thoughts, memories, and dreams for the Christmas season. Because of the range of storytellers, each piece is unique in scope, subject, and voice. The "Stories" include both fiction and real life accounts, giving sweet, and sometimes bittersweet, insight into different festive moments. The "More" is what really makes this anthology special - a collection of devotions, poems, recipes, gift ideas, and even dramatized readings!

What I love most about this anthology is how it's structured and organized. This isn't a book you sit down and read in one sitting. It's a lovely collection of festive bon-bons, designed to be tasted and treasured one at a time. (Of course, if you like to indulge in a whole box of bon-bons in one sitting, be my guest! I'm certainly not the one to judge... )

Each piece is short enough to be read on your afternoon break, or as you take the subway, or just before bed. It would make a lovely book to include in your Advent devotions, or to read one story a day during the 12 Days of Christmas. Even the recipes include a bit of family history to give them a personal perspective.

Sometimes, it can be a challenge to get people excited about reading a book by unknown writers. Let me ask you to get excited! Not only is this a lovely book, but it's so refreshing to read stories about Christmas told by Canadian voices.

Christmas: Stories & More is a charming and beautiful addition to your Christmas reading list.

I hope it finds a spot under your tree this holiday season!

To learn more about ICWF and Christmas: Stories & More, please visit 

https://inscribe.org/press/christmas-anthology-2017/ 

Book Review: Beneath That Star, by Sally Meadows

Today's book review combines two of my favourite things: 

Christmas and a children's picture book!

I have a long held love of children's literature. As a child, I wore out my parents' car driving back and forth to the Arts & Culture Centre Library. As an adult, I spent many years teaching music and creative arts to young children, and I loved poring over their books to help translate the stories into songs and art projects.

I was thrilled when I received the opportunity to review Beneath That Star, 

written by Sally Meadows and illustrated by Sarah E. Nickel.

In full disclosure, I have to confess that Sally is a good friend of mine. I offered to review her book because I believe in her talents. That said, I wouldn't have made the offer if I didn't feel I could offer an honest review!

Beneath That Star has an interesting origin story. When the idea first came to Sally, she wrote it into a song, which she recorded on her Christmas album. Sally shares, "It was when I was in the studio recording my Christmas CD, Red & White, when the idea of expanding on the song’s story through a children’s picture book came to me."

I love this idea! In song form, the story can reach the adults who bought the CD, but in book form, we have the chance to inspire young readers with a new Christmas tale.

The heroine of our tale is Saray - a young girl living in Biblical times with her loving family. Saray has big dreams, but her family sees only her limitations. A tragic accident has left her dependent on a cane, and as a girl, her path in life is firmly set.

But Saray loves God and seeks his presence in her life. One night, she hears a strange voice calling to her. Was is God or a dream? Then, she sees a star in the sky and dares to follow it. What happens next changes her life forever.

Sally's attention to detail paints a engaging portrait of what happens when the divine enters the everyday. Sarah's beautiful illustrations highlight the story, and would easily allow even the non-reading child to follow along.

There are two added bonuses at the end of the book. One is a set of questions, designed to spark conversation and allow you apply the themes of the book to real life. The second is a Sally's behind-the-scenes account of creating Saray and Beneath That Star. (The keen reader will also notice that she includes the inspiration behind our Infinitely More name!)

Beneath That Star is an uplifting and inspiring story for any child (or adult) who has felt invisible to God. I hope you'll consider sharing it with a child you love this Christmas!

To learn more about Sally Meadows' books and music, please visit www.SallyMeadows.com

Say Goodbye, Say Hello - a World Vision story...

Five years ago, Gerald and I decided to start something new - we wanted to sponsor a child.

We'd fallen in love with Costa Rica on our honeymoon, so we picked a little girl from there named Keilyn. I knew most people would probably pick the cute little babies, so I decided to pick an older child. At 11 years old, Keilyn would be entering those always challenging preteen years. I thought it would be wonderful to offer her friendship and support during this phase of her life.

Keilyn came from a small family - just her and her Mom, Maria. In a way, it felt like we weren't just sponsoring a little girl, we were sponsoring a whole family.

Over the years, we exchanged letters and photos. At Christmas, I would send her a package of small gifts. Through words and images, we watched our little girl grow up.



Then, this summer, we got amazing news from World Vision. Keilyn's community no longer needed outside support! They had become fully self-sufficient. They could raise their own food, educate their children, and create their own jobs.

Our little girl didn't need us anymore.

It was time to say goodbye.

This summer, we exchanged our final letters with Keilyn, sharing how much we'd come to mean to one another, and how we would keep praying for one another.

She told us that this year, she'll graduate from high school! I beamed when I read that. And then, I started to tear up:

"Because of the programs, my Mother, Maria, was able to go to school. This year, we're going to graduate from high school together."

We'd read all the updates about the work World Vision had done in the community, but there was something about this image that made it all seem so realistic and powerful.

A mother and daughter, accomplishing this great feat together, ready to change the world.

So this fall, we're starting something new: we're sponsoring a new child.

This time, we're sponsoring Carlos, a 4-year-old boy from Columbia.

Many years ago, I was on a cruise with my parents. It was a glorious week of entertainment, midnight buffets, and exotic day trips.

On one of those day excursions, we stopped in Cartagena, Columbia. In the midst of this gorgeous day, we turned a corner to come face to face with a child soldier. He was in a line up with all the adult soldiers. He wore full military regalia, had bullets draped across his chest, and carried a gun the size of my arm. His face was like stone.

It's one thing to read about child soldiers, but to see one in the flesh was shocking. Fifteen years later and I can still see his face.

It broke my heart because I couldn't help him.




But we can help Carlos.

We can give one child a different chance in life.

This fall, I hope you'll consider starting something new, and sponsoring a child with us.


As Gerald's favourite quote confirms:

Want to save a life?

Please contact us to sponsor a child today!

www.InfinitelyMore.ca/Contact

Book Review - Doing Busy Better, by Glynnis Whitwer

As someone who loves to take on ambitious projects and fill my life with a plethora of activities, I jumped at the chance to review this beautiful new book, Doing Busy Better - Enjoying God's Gifts of Work and Rest, by Glynnis Whitwer.

I should also point out that I received this book months ago! I started it some time in June. I finished it today. Why? I've been too busy to read it.

No, the irony is not lost on me...

Once I had made the time to dig into it, Doing Busy Better is an engaging and practical book about reevaluating the ways we approach busyness and relaxation.

Whitwer doesn't just want you to manage your calendar better (although there are tips for that). This is about studying and using God's model for work and rest as a guideline for healthy, balanced living.

Two chapters in particular resonated with me:

Hurry Is A Heart Condition

As I finished this book, Gerald and I are on our annual Western Canada Tour. We're driving roundtrip through five provinces over seven weeks, singing concerts, leading worship services, and logging in countless admin hours along the way. The schedule is tight! "You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life" has become a potentially life-changing mantra for us.

How To Be Peaceful and Productive

This should be the goal of every super-productive person. Oh, to get it all done and still feel calm at the end of the day! Whitwer writes, "I don't want to get more done. I want to get more of the right things done." Yes, please!

This is the kind of book I read with a pencil in hand. I can't tell you how many corners I turned down and how many notes I made in the margins. I hope to revisit my favourite ideas and find ways to make them practical in my own life.

There is so much good work to be done and so much good rest to be enjoyed. This book will help you find the value and God-connection in both.



I received this book to review from the Nuts About Books Blogger Program and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Our New CD - An Important Announcement...

Last week, we shared important news through our mailing list. 

Today, we wanted to bring you all into the loop...

As you know, we've had a very full season of recording, as we create a brand new album of original music. It's been a lot of work, and we're incredibly excited about sharing this new project with you.

This August, however, we faced a difficult time in our family when Gerald's mother, 

Sandy Flemming, passed away.

Sandy had battled heath issues for years, but her death very sudden and unexpected. We stopped all recording for several weeks as we prepared for her funeral and spent much needed time with Gerald's Dad and our family.

Many of you heard the news on Facebook, 

and we are so grateful for your prayers and messages of love. 

Needless to say, this put us far behind on our recording. We could have rushed the process, but to be honest, what's happening in the studio has been so exciting, and we're committed to making the best recording possible for you!

For this New CD, we sat down and thought, 

"Who would be our dream duets for this album?"

We thought of four amazing Canadian artists whom we admire and love. 

In a bold move, we invited each of them to sing on the project, hoping one of them might say Yes.

We can't tell you how humbled we felt when 

ALL FOUR SAID YES!

For this new album, we're thrilled to sing 'duets' with:

Drew Brown - Juno nominee

Ali Matthews - 20 time GMA Covenant Award Winner

Hiram Joseph - Juno nominee

Kevin Pauls - 100 Huntley Street musical host

All four artists gave incredible performances on their songs!

Just before we left home to start our Western Canada Tour, we completed recording all the performances for the album! As we travel, our producer, Andrew Horrocks, is mixing the tracks and adding more instrumental parts. Then, he'll master the album to give it a beautiful, finished sound. While that's happening, we'll have the graphics designed. Then, the CDs will be manufactured and prepared for shipping!

The final CDs will now be available in mid to late November.
We are so grateful for all of your support with this new album!

The only question left is:

Do you have your copy reserved yet?

Preordering your CD guarantees you get one of the very first copies available.
Also, your preorder helps us with the financial challenges of creating the final parts of the album.

As our THANK YOU for preordering, 

we want to give you some FREE GIFTS! 

Please visit this page to preorder your CD:

https://infinitelymore.ca/new-cd  

Thank you for all you do to support our Infinitely More ministry!

Thanksgiving With Strangers

This weekend, we'll do something that has become a bit of a quirky tradition:

We'll spend Thanksgiving with strangers.

The first time we did this was in 2007, during our first year of living in Nashville. October approached, and we realized we would be away from our families for Thanksgiving. We were still new to the city, but everyone there celebrated Thanksgiving in November. We made plans for Skype calls to family and a quiet dinner at home.

The last weekend of September, we attended a songwriter party and met a woman originally from Nova Scotia. As we chatted, she said, "You know, I'm attending a Thanksgiving dinner with some other Canadian friends next week. If you want, I'm happy to get you an invitation."

And that was our first Thanksgiving with strangers. 

We gathered, ate heartily, laughed boisterously, and far from our families and country, we shared our blessings.

Once we returned to Canada, our Thanksgiving became a movable feast. For a few years, we celebrated with our immediate family. As we began our fall concert tours, we were blessed to celebrate with our extended family in Newfoundland.

But then a few years ago, our touring schedule changed. Instead of traveling east each fall, we started to travel west. That first tour was an epic feat to plan - four very large provinces with lots of driving and absolutely no friends or family between home and Alberta. We were literally on the road for over a month before we saw a familiar face!

As we got closer to the holiday weekend, I realized that I had completely forgotten about Thanksgiving! We were destined to spend this great day of celebration alone, in a hotel room, searching for a 24-hour roadside stop to feed us... The whole thing just felt too depressing for words...

So, I did what we do in the modern age - I turned to social media!

"Hey everyone! We're going to be alone in Manitoba for Thanksgiving. Does anyone know of a church or community dinner we could attend?"

What happened next was more than we could "ask or imagine" ...

The host of our Winnipeg concert came to me, "I realized you're going to be around for the long weekend. Would you like to stay an extra night and join us for Thanksgiving dinner?"

Amazing. We gathered with almost a dozen people who, a day before, had been complete strangers to us. In a wonderful twist, the host family was from Newfoundland, so the dinner was filled with familiar traditions and delicacies.

Then, I got a note on Facebook. "I have friends with a ministry retreat in Dauphin. They'd love to have you for Thanksgiving!"

So Monday morning, we drove to Dauphin to find a beautiful house on the edge of the lake. Again, we met strangers who welcomed us into their home for a wonderful night of feasting.

In gratitude to the family, we sang a short concert for their guests and, wouldn't you know it, there were Newfoundlanders at that table, too!


As we tour this beautiful country, we continue to marvel at this great truth:

The family of God is a real thing. 

In every community, we arrive as strangers, 

and yet, we are bonded by a love far greater than ourselves. 

So this Thanksgiving, I encourage you to welcome strangers to your table, and to celebrate with those who might be far from home. In this way, let's show the love of God to one another, and truly celebrate the blessings of our "home and native land."

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, 

for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

Hebrews 13:2 ESV

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Scribbles of Harmony...

This summer, everyone in our area is complaining about the non-summery summer weather.

Truth be told, we haven't noticed the weather a bit. 

We've been indoors for most of it, either in the studio or rehearsing the songs for when we're in the studio.

Long days, but super creative and satisfying. 

Yesterday, we spent the better part of the afternoon creating harmony parts, 

so I thought you'd appreciate this little behind-the-scenes glimpse...

Right now, you're thinking, "Um, secret language? Morse code? Just plain messy??"

This, my friends, is harmony!

What you're looking at is the bridge for our song Through The Dark. Gerald wrote it about a year and a half ago, so some of you have already heard this haunting and moving song in our concerts.

Gerald takes the lead on this tune, so when we arrived at the studio, he jumped in the booth and sang his part.

Next, it was my turn. On this song, I sing a few different types of harmony parts. Some are "oohs" that drift under the lyric. Others are various kinds of echoes to enhance the melodic line. Others are straight up harmony lines where I sing the lyrics an interval from Gerald's lead.

When we got to the bridge, I sang my part as I've always sung it. Andrew Horrocks (our amazing producer!) wondered if I might want to switch up a few notes to give the part more presence and impact. So I pulled out my pencil and started to make the little dots and short dashes that you see. They indicate where the notes are different from what I sang before. The up and down nature reflect the same up and down movements you'd see on a piece of sheet music.

The point of these markings isn't to transcribe an actual part onto the page. I learned the part by ear and memorized it as we went along. The dots, dashes, and doodles are there to guide my memory as I'm working through the recording. They trigger my ear and voice to lock into the harmonic groove of the new part.

When it was just one note that changed, I add the arrow or check mark to show the direction of the new note. When the new note was held long with no or few changes, I drew the longer lines, like the ones after "fear."

The "echo" was always part of the song, but because we were adding so many new bits to the part, I wanted to put it in my notes to remind myself of taking a deep breath and showcasing that moment.

We spent a good amount of time creating this part, rehearsing it, and then doing several takes to make sure it wasn't just note perfect, but that I also gave it the right kind of performance and energy.

Making music should never be just about hitting the right notes. 

We're there to share a message and an emotion. 

Notes are important, but communicating is EVERYTHING!

So, after I laid down the harmony line, Andrew said, "I hear some third harmonies, too."

This is where the circled words come in. Each word with a circle had an additional harmony part added to it. Since they were all higher parts, I didn't have to add a lot of direction for myself, except where I added in the extra long line after "fear."

A few weeks ago, we had a tremendous band come in to record the tracks for this song. Then, Gerald created his guitar part. Now, we've got lead vocal, harmony line, and extra harmony parts created. And the song is still a work in progress. It's only going to get better from here!

It's always amazing to see how a simple guitar-vocal song can build into a vibrant, exciting album track. 

Stay tuned to hear what happens next with our new CD...

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   * 

Are you excited about our New CD??

You can preorder your copy now! 

All preorders include free shipping & bonuses.

If you'd like to give a little extra support, 

we've got an awesome thank you gifts for you!

Visit www.InfinitelyMore.ca/New-CD for all the details!

Help Us Make Our New CD!

This week, we launched a new page on our website! 

It looks like this:

It’s been three years since we’ve felt called to record. Three years of travelling coast to coast, playing for hundreds of churches, and writing sixty new songs. God has filled the well with both your and our stories. We have listened and transcribed those moments into beautiful new musical acts of worship. And paring those sixty down to twelve was also helped by you. After each performance we took notes…

Did they love “My Soul Is Spoken For”?  

Were they singing along on “Crown Him Lord Of All”?  

Were they moved by the faith filled challenges in “Where Are You Hiding Today"?

We've partnered with 3-time GMA Producer of the Year, Andy Horrocks. Andy brings his extraordinary heart for worship and his remarkable abilities, as well as a band of world class Christian musicians. We're also thrilled to welcome the voices and creativity of some incredible guest artists to this album! (Stay tuned for announcements about all our guest artists!)

God willing, we are two months away from our CD release date! We're still in the thick of the project, and each day, the vision for the album becomes clearer and more exciting.

In the beginning, we asked you to join us by choosing the songs.

Now, we ask you to come on board again!

As you can imagine, making a CD is far beyond the skills and resources of any two people. We often joke that "It takes a village to raise an album" and it's so true!

We have an amazing team of highly acclaimed, uniquely creative, and deeply spiritual musicians on this project. The "skills" part is well in hand!

We would love to have your help with the "resources" end of things.

Every few years, we self-fund a new CD. Our budgets generally range from $15,000 to $20,000 per album. For that season, not only are we paying all that money out in just a few months, but we're also committing hundreds of hours of our own unpaid time to the process.

Imagine buying a new car every few summers, but in addition to paying for the car in cash, you also need to take the time to build the car yourself.

It's kind of like that.

"Wow," I can hear you say, "That's kind of crazy!"

We get that, and yet, every few years, we do it again.

Why?

Because we LOVE what we do and we LOVE you! We love that you continue to show up for our concerts and worship services. We love that you listen to our CDs and give them as gifts. We want to keep creating beautiful and inspiring music for you to enjoy. We are so passionate about these songs and the messages they share - God's unconditional love and grace, walking through this life of faith, and finding light shining in the darkest places.

We have such exciting plans for this CD. We have songs that we want to release to radio. We have songs that are perfect for you to use in your church on Sunday morning. And, of course, we want this to be an inspiring and uplifting album for your CD player and iPod!

Great things happen when we all work together, and this is no exception.

We want you to be part of this new project! 

We need your help to get this CD made, so we can get it into the hands of those who need it most.

Would you please consider supporting our CD through our new webpage?

We've securing most of the funding ourselves, 

but our goal is to raise $3000 to help bring us over the finish line.

In gratitude for your support, we have lots of wonderful gifts, including copies of the new CD, our own photo calendar, house concerts, and even an espresso maker!

Please visit https://infinitelymore.ca/new-cd to read about the project, 

and how you can help in this new ministry venture.

www.InfinitelyMore.ca/New-CD

Thank you!! 

Book Review: Between Heaven & the Real World, by Steven Curtis Chapman, with Ken Abraham

When you admire a songwriter, you get both excited and apprehensive when you see their name on a book cover. You want to hear what they have to say, but can their style successfully make the leap from 3 minutes to 300 pages?

In the hands of a master storyteller like Steven Curtis Chapman, the answer is a resounding "yes!"

I've long been a fan of Steven's writing, and this book was an absolute pleasure to read. I actually read it while we were on our recent East Coast Tour. I devoured pages in hotel rooms, on ferries, and even in the midst of a freak snowstorm on the May 24th long weekend. Reading about Steven's start in the music business and his approach to songwriting seemed all the more powerful in the midst of our own music making.

But I knew the real story was coming.

In 2008, Steven and Mary Beth Chapman faced a parent's worst nightmare when one of their children accidentally caused the death of one of their other children. We were living in Nashville when this happened, and the whole city reeled from the shock of the tragedy. It was like it happened to a family member. Steven's music had blessed so many of us, and in that season, we all mourned for this beautiful family.

I can't imagine the strength it took to put these particular chapters into print, both for Steven and for the whole family. He tells the story with raw emotion and absolute transparency. I wept through these pages, reliving my own experiences with grief, and marvelling at this story of grace and forgiveness.

There are so many who will enjoy and value this book. It's for fans of Steven Curtis Chapman's music. It's for those who love autobiographies, and for those with an interest in songwriting and the music business. It's a story about falling in love, and building that love into a family. But it's also a testimony about facing the unimaginable, wrestling with the pain, and finding God in the midst of it all.


Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. Viewpoints are all my own.