Hey, friends!
When I was growing up in my beloved Southern California, the seasons didn’t hold great meaning for me because the weather didn’t vary all that much; it was relentlessly beautiful. Once I moved to coastal North Carolina, though, I discovered the joys of winter weather. During the recent cold snap that surprised the South with piles of snow, we even got 4-5 inches of powder in our very own garden that made every view gorgeous! (By the way, the neighborhood kids’ snowman game is strong around here.) Job 37:5-7 and Job 37:13 tell us that God causes the rain and snow to fall partly as a way to express His love. So, let’s enjoy His love we experience in the weather!
Speaking of love, this is the month for it! Hopefully, you’re planning your Valentine's and Galentine's festivities with those you hold dear. Invest in your love this month! One book I highly recommend to help us thrive in every stage of relationship is Single, Dating, Engaged, Married: Navigating Life and Love in the Modern Age by Ben Stuart. Two more fantastic titles for married couples — Dan Allender and Steve Call’s The Deep-Rooted Marriage and Praying the Scriptures for Your Marriage by Jodie Berndt. If you want to focus on God's love this month, I recommend Embraced.
If you’re looking for Valentine’s Day books for your little loves, you can build your own bundle (pick any 4 for $20 - no code needed!) from these great titles: The Berenstain Bears Hugs and Kisses Sticker and Activity Book, Cocoa's Cranky Valentine, Valentine's Day Treats, Goodnight, Little Love, Grandma Kisses, The Day God Made You for Little Ones.
It's Black History Month and we're celebrating powerful, black voices, their stories, and their inspiration. We’re featuring authors such as Sarah Jakes Roberts, Dr. Anita Phillips, Jemar Tisby, Chrystal Evans Hurst, Jada Edwards, Tanitoluwa Adewumi, Nona Jones, and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. ~ MLK, Jr.
More than anything, we pray you know the unstoppable, exquisite, priceless love of Jesus. If that means you’ve got snow on the ground, enjoy it!
Grace and peace,
Laurie McClure, Editor
P.S. – Live event alert! In Pastor Jonathan "JP" Pokluda's new book LIVE virtual teaching and Q&A with JP on March 4th. We hope to see you there!
