Scan barcode
ferniecosgrove's reviews
79 reviews
A Place to Belong: Learning to Love the Local Church by Megan Hill
The global pandemic, COVID-19, came to change so much of our day to day life. One of the things that changed dramatically was that us, as the body of Christ, were unable to gather. Although we were unable to meet in person, our churches moved towards meeting online – God was so good to give us technology during this time – to continue fellowship through Zoom; and worship and the teaching of the Word through digital platforms. As things open up in different states and in different measures, with the appropriate safety measures, we begin to gather in a building once again.
Through these chapters we are reminded of the beautiful way God redeemed us to belong to a collective body of believers. From the beginning of the Bible, God has worked for the collective good of His people and through this, His faithfulness and glory are known to the world. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” 1 Peter 2:9.
Our testimony as a church speaks to a world that doesn’t know Him. Especially in times such as these, when there is a global pandemic and racial injustice, how we as His church respond to suffering, injustice, and trials speaks to the world of the hope we have in Christ. We are called to one testimony. “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” Ephesians 4:4-6.
Finally, we learn that God has a unique calling for each of us as we are part of the church – each of us is unique and necessary for the growth of the church. Without every single one of us, the church is not what is meant to be and it cannot do what it needs to. For that reason, everyone of us needs to come. We need to learn to love the local church. We need to gather. We need to come to praise and worship His Holy name. We have a place to belong.
‘A Place to Belong’ stirs your heart to love the local and global church as God loves His church. This book renews your commitment to the local church and increase your gratefulness for the local church. If you are looking to renew your commitment and love for the church, this book is beautifully written and will move your heart praise God’s faithfulness in His church. God is always working for our good, the growth of His church and His glory.
Through these chapters we are reminded of the beautiful way God redeemed us to belong to a collective body of believers. From the beginning of the Bible, God has worked for the collective good of His people and through this, His faithfulness and glory are known to the world. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” 1 Peter 2:9.
Our testimony as a church speaks to a world that doesn’t know Him. Especially in times such as these, when there is a global pandemic and racial injustice, how we as His church respond to suffering, injustice, and trials speaks to the world of the hope we have in Christ. We are called to one testimony. “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” Ephesians 4:4-6.
Finally, we learn that God has a unique calling for each of us as we are part of the church – each of us is unique and necessary for the growth of the church. Without every single one of us, the church is not what is meant to be and it cannot do what it needs to. For that reason, everyone of us needs to come. We need to learn to love the local church. We need to gather. We need to come to praise and worship His Holy name. We have a place to belong.
‘A Place to Belong’ stirs your heart to love the local and global church as God loves His church. This book renews your commitment to the local church and increase your gratefulness for the local church. If you are looking to renew your commitment and love for the church, this book is beautifully written and will move your heart praise God’s faithfulness in His church. God is always working for our good, the growth of His church and His glory.
Everyday Faithfulness: The Beauty of Ordinary Perseverance in a Demanding World by Glenna Marshall
5.0
Through her book, Everyday Faithfulness, Glenna takes us through a journey of grace and discipline. Seeking to come to rejoice in His presence daily and with the understanding that we are able to grow in faithfulness, slowly but surely, because of the grace God provides us.
In this season of broken routines, unpredictable schedules and uncertainty this book will lead you to the foot of the cross with a humble heart. To seek to delight in God daily, seek fellowship with other believes through whatever means possible, and to be part of a local church (even if still online).
An easy to read book that will renew your desire to know God more and better. It will encourage you to seek to grow in everyday faithfulness to reap the long term benefits of equipping yourself daily through the Word and prayer. It will challenge you to grow in faithfulness while holding steady the truth that it’s because of grace and His calling in our lives that we are able to come to Him! If you are in a dry season, struggling with everything that is happening in the world, have lost your desire for God’s Word, prayer, fellowship and communal worship; this is a great start. Pick up this book and may the God of grace renew you passion for His name and His presence!
In this season of broken routines, unpredictable schedules and uncertainty this book will lead you to the foot of the cross with a humble heart. To seek to delight in God daily, seek fellowship with other believes through whatever means possible, and to be part of a local church (even if still online).
An easy to read book that will renew your desire to know God more and better. It will encourage you to seek to grow in everyday faithfulness to reap the long term benefits of equipping yourself daily through the Word and prayer. It will challenge you to grow in faithfulness while holding steady the truth that it’s because of grace and His calling in our lives that we are able to come to Him! If you are in a dry season, struggling with everything that is happening in the world, have lost your desire for God’s Word, prayer, fellowship and communal worship; this is a great start. Pick up this book and may the God of grace renew you passion for His name and His presence!
Family Discipleship: Leading Your Home Through Time, Moments, and Milestones by Adam Griffin, Matt Chandler
5.0
As a children’s ministry director, my biggest desire and prayer is for children to come to know and love Jesus. But this is not something that happens by relying on Sunday school and children’s ministry alone. As a church, our job is to come along parents to equip them, train them and point them to Jesus so in turn they can do that at home with their children. Sunday’s school becomes a touch point, a reminder for children about the love of Jesus; and it’s a discipling tool for them to learn the importance of fellowship and belonging to a local church.
The Lord commands parents to train their children to know and love our God and Savior (Deut. 6). As parents our primary role is to model the Christian walk for our children, teach them about our Savior and encourage them to walk a life that is honoring and pleasing to him. As we do this, our children become our closest and most loved disciples. This is why this book, Family Discipleship, is such an encouraging and challenging book for our church today. We need to be encouraged and reminded of the importance of this calling we have and be challenged to implement this in our day to day lives.
As you go through this book, you will be challenged to rethink your priorities in parenting and set Jesus first! What I loved the most is that it will get you thinking, talking, praying and deciding what is the best way of implementing into your unique stage of life and needs of your children.
This book is worth your time, and it’s a book I will recommend to all of our parents!
The Lord commands parents to train their children to know and love our God and Savior (Deut. 6). As parents our primary role is to model the Christian walk for our children, teach them about our Savior and encourage them to walk a life that is honoring and pleasing to him. As we do this, our children become our closest and most loved disciples. This is why this book, Family Discipleship, is such an encouraging and challenging book for our church today. We need to be encouraged and reminded of the importance of this calling we have and be challenged to implement this in our day to day lives.
As you go through this book, you will be challenged to rethink your priorities in parenting and set Jesus first! What I loved the most is that it will get you thinking, talking, praying and deciding what is the best way of implementing into your unique stage of life and needs of your children.
This book is worth your time, and it’s a book I will recommend to all of our parents!
Ten Words to Live by: Delighting in and Doing What God Commands by Jen Wilkin
5.0
This year my husband and I decided to go through the Bible in one year. As we went through the Pentautech, I found myself overwhelmed with the list of commandments God gave to his people. When I wasn’t overwhelmed I continued to think, “Well, I don’t have to worry about that because I have never done it and don’t really struggle with that”. Then as we moved along and continued to see the way God’s people continually reject him I would be overcome with self-righteousness and frustration that they just could not get it right and obey God. That was until I started reading “Ten Words to Live” by Jen Wilkin. Through this book I learned that the ten commandments encompass so much more than my initial thoughts and reactions to them. Our Lord gave us these commandments to transform us daily to his image and to have us show his love, holiness and compassion towards others day to day. Not just as a list of what to do or not to do. God has convicted me over and over as I read this book and shown areas of sin that I continue to accept and look the other way. I highly recommend this book, and encourage you to come with open hearts praying that God will show you areas of sin and make you more like him!