Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

tyndale house publishers

Finding God in nature: Review of Earth Psalms by Francine Rivers

Yes, you read that correctly: Earth Psalms is a new release by Francine Rivers. earth-psalms

I, too, was excited to discover this book, which is a departure from Rivers’ popular inspirational fiction. Earth Psalms is a weekly devotional that directs readers to observe and discover God in the natural world. Pretty great, right? (Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book through the Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for my review.)

Nature is my favorite place to find God, and this devotional is a beauty both in its writing and photography. It is meant to be used weekly and offers reflection questions at the end of each meditation to help readers think about the ways they can see God throughout the week. The very first installment came with a challenge to try to view at least one sunrise and one sunset during the week. That is the sort of spiritual challenge I embrace and welcome.

Earth Psalms would make a great gift book for nature-loving friend and is the perfect commitment of time (weekly) for busy lives. I appreciate that the meditation doesn’t stop at the once-a-week reading, though, and offers ways to connect with God through the natural world throughout the course of a week.

Also, it’s Francine Rivers. Need I say more?

I’ve been enjoying taking this book out to the porch on mornings when my schedule seems overwhelming. It helps me focus and breathe before I tackle my to-do list. I’m not always a big fan of devotional books, but this one is a new favorite.

You can check out a sample here.

Or watch a video teaser about the book here.

A study Bible for Africans by Africans

It’s been almost 10 months since we went to Kenya. This time last year, we were fundraising like mad, hosting meals and a silent auction and pestering everyone we knew to buy puzzle pieces or give a little something to help us get there. I can’t say with honesty that I miss the fundraising part. (The next time we go to Africa, I hope it will be on our own dime. #Lifegoals)

But I’m not sorry to be asking again for your support. This time, it’s not for me, but for our African brothers and sisters.

One of the questions we were asked during our presentation about our trip was about the spiritual poverty of the people we met in Kenya, and while there are definite challenges to a person’s faith there, as there are anywhere, the overall feeling I got from the people we met is that there is a spiritual richness. I felt like the spiritually poor one in the presence of fervent song and prayers.

And if I learned anything from that trip and in debriefing with friends, it’s that it’s not my job, or the job of any of us in the West, to rescue Africans. Instead, we’re to partner with them. Learn from them. Listen to them. Equip them.

Which brings me to the point of this post.

AfricaStudyBibleCoverArt2Oasis International, in partnership with Tyndale House Publishers, has created a study Bible for Africans by Africans. It’s called, appropriately, the Africa Study Bible, and it’s not only gorgeous, from what I’ve seen so far, but relevant to life in Africa. Instead of being a Western-focused resource, this study Bible contains insights and stories that connect with the story of Africa and its people. It’s an exciting prospect, and I can’t wait to hear input from those who can use it as intended.

Here’s where we come in.

Oasis International wants to make the first run of ASBs available in Africa by the end of 2016. To get there, they’re aiming to raise $1 million to print the first 100,000 copies. Want to join in the fun? Check out the Kickstarter campaign running now through June 16. (If you’re not familiar, Kickstarter is a crowd-funding site that allows people to donate to projects and receive rewards, such as advance copies of books or art prints.) The campaign goal is $100,000, and the campaign page on Kickstarter will give you tons of information about the project.

But here are a few highlights:

  • The goal is to eventually publish the Africa Study Bible(ASB) in all of Africa’s major languages, but it will initially be published in English using the New Living Translation followed by French and Portuguese translations in the years to come. By printing in these three languages, the ASB will have its greatest impact, reaching up to 70 percent of literate African Christians. They expect to launch this year in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa.
  • Each of the more than 2,200 features in the study Bible were planned by Africans who teach and lead God’s people.
  • Hundreds of millions of Africans know and love Christ. However, most discipleship and biblical resources come from a Western perspective—a culture far removed from their own.

You can back this project for as little as $1 or as much as $10,000. (The reward for a $10,000 pledge is a trip to Kenya for the Africa launch of the Bible and a safari. I’ve never wished more fervently that I had that kind of money lying around!)

Learn more about the organization spearheading this project here.

And please consider partnering with these organizations to bring this valuable resource to the people of Africa.