Authentic Relationships by Wayne Jacobsen & Clay Jacobsen

A friend mentioned this book on FaceBook and the subtitle caught my eye.. "discover the lost are of 'one anothering'"  After reading a quote or two my friend posted and asking him about the book, I decided to order it.  Wow!  Good decision on my part!  This is truly a wonderful book... one I think every Christ-follower should read.

The Jacobsen brothers point out that their are verses (commands) throughout the Bible that tell us how to treat our fellow Christians.  And if we would only heed God's word, we would find true authentic lasting vital relationships within the body that in turn make us more effected as we reach out to those outside the body.

While the book does not focus on ever single "one another" verse, it does cover many and, honestly, most of the ones they cover encompass virtues that are found in the ones not discussed.  We look at loving one another, honoring one another, encouraging one another, praying for and with one another, submitting to one another, forgiving one another, being kind to one another and more.

This book can be used for a small group study and has discussion questions for each chapter. If you choose to read it alone, as I did, these questions can be used for deeper meditation and digging into the Word.

I tend to underline and highlight in my non-fiction books. This one is full of pen marks and asterisks.  I have already gone back and looked at things again and again and have no doubt I will continue to do so. I also know that I will be ordering more of this book and giving it to friends and family. NOT because I think they are doing a poor job in their relationships, but because this is just a great focused tool that points us to Scripture and how God wants us to live.  It teaches us, again through Scripture, how to be the church not just go to church.

"One Anothering"... definitely a lost art and one I, personally, hope to revive in my life.

The Sisterhood of the Queen Mamas by Annie Jones

I have read 2 or 3 other books by Jones and loved them. She tells funny, quirky, upbeat stories with characters that might seem unreal to some folks, but remind me a lot of my relatives! LOL!

The title of this one is enough to get you hooked... I mean really, who can resist The Sisterhood of the Queen Mamas?! In Sisterhood, we travel to Texas and meet two friends... Maxine and Odessa... both are wives of retired ministers and both are in search of the same thing... "The entire twenty-piece line of chip-proof kitchenware made by the Royal Service Company of Akron, Ohio, the black-and-gold-on-white Hostess Queen pattern" and what better place to find it than Five Acres of Fabulous Finds Flea Market.

What neither bargain hunter expect to find were hurting souls... ministry opportunities... and sisterhood. Jan is the perfect Christian with a secret so big it is about to engulf her. Bernadette is a servant with a love for weddings, but no groom in sight. And Chloe needs to be freed from her black mood and clothing to see her true inner beauty.

Maxine and Odessa have their work cut out for them and they are up to the challenge... in a hot air balloon no less!

The Sister Circle by Vonette Bright and Nancy Moser

The Sister Circle is another treasure I have recently discovered. I read about it on a blog (wish I remembered where!) and thought it sounded pretty good. It is more than pretty good, it is great! The Sister Circle is book 1 of a series (The library called today to tell me they have book 2 on hold for me.. whoo hoo!) While I won't say a man wouldn't enjoy reading this book, it is definitely one written for women. In fact, women and their friendships are the main topic.

Evelyn Peerbaugh is trying to cope with widowhood... but the financial burden left as a result of her husband's untimely death makes it more difficult. While working in her attic, she finds an sign from days gone past when her husband's grandparents used the family home as a boarding house. Seeing the sign as confirmation of her idea to reopen Peerbaugh House, Evelyn hangs out the sign and before she can spread the news via word of mouth or advertise, God sends her tenents. They are nothing like she imagined.. and nothing like each other.

The Sister Circle follows their adventure as they learn to live together in some sort of harmony despite all their many differences. As they work and cry and laugh and argue together, they discover how precious friendship is and how God can weave together even the most diverse hearts.

Excellent book! I am looking forward to reading the entire series!