Words on Wednesday--Book Reviews

Welcome to my new weekly feature . . .
Words on Wednesday I have been thinking for a little while about making this little change.  Because I have kind of wondered if you guys that visit often are really interested in the reviews.  A few months ago I made the decision to make My Journey Back as pleasing to God as I could and for that reason I began doing some of my posts over on my 'fun'blog.  There I post about homemaking,decorating. Mainly stuff that isn't 'spiritual'.  I have felt God wants me to share here what he is teaching me.  And what he wants me to learn. 
It's my prayer through it all that you will be Blessed. 
And so today I am beginning the Blessing by inviting you back each Wednesday for a new book review.  I'll also still be posting WFW in a seperate post. 
Today I wanted to start with an amazing sweet little book I got the other day.

I was offered this book by Audra at B&B media.  And as sooon as I read the synopsis I emailed her and said 'Yes! Please send it!' I had hoped it would help me actually in my job of helping and encouraging my own mother who is 85. 
This little book is a real gem.  It is small only 93 pages but it is filled with lovely stories that are really encouraging.  They are fun to read.   Each story is only a couple of pages long so it is simple and fast to read.  And each story ends with supporting scripture from the Old and New Testament (back cover discription) The type is really large to make it easy for older adults to read. 

Here's the video trailer . . .

Here's the description I found on Cokesbury(dot)com
Living With Purpose in a Worn-Out Body is an exploration of the inner life shared by many persons in nursing homes and retirement centers. With compassion and honesty, Buchanan gives voice to mingled feelings of loss, gratitude, resignation, courage, loneliness, and love. Each meditation moves from a particular challenge of the worn-out body to the larger perspective and the faithful response. Well-chosen passages from the Psalms mirror the speaker’s feelings, and exhortations from the New Testament stir hope. It becomes clear that “living with purpose” in old age is an extension of the challenges lived all along one’s years – learning to offer one’s will to God’s, trusting God’s grace to open up seemingly closed situations, and continuing to respond with the joy and fortitude of faith.


Most impressive is Buchanan’s ability to write from the perspective of a frail elderly person. She articulates what many older people will find hard to say, and in doing so offers them the strength and comfort of being understood. But read by family and caregivers, the meditations are piercing. Buchanan lets readers know the difficult feelings of those living an assisted life: the ambivalence about being alive so long, the struggle against self-pity, the loneliness and isolation, the frustrations of limited strength and movement. She also mines the joys of living: laughter among friends, seeing grandchildren grow up, sifting through happy memories. Living With Purpose is a comfort for those who are living out their last long years and a help for those who love and care for them.

I really enjoyed this book and I would highly recommend it. I think it would be great for a church library, a senior center or retirement home.  It would also make a great gift.  And, with Valentines coming up I think it would be a great gift for a child to give to a grandparent!   

Here's where you can buy it . . .  Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Christian Book (dot)com.

Here's the product info:
Publisher: UPPER ROOM

Publication Date: 05/2008
Binding: Paperback
ISBN-13: 9780835899420

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from B&B Media Group as part of their
bloggers book review . I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Thanks for stopping in!  Happy reading . . .