Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Book Talk


I haven't accomplished a lot of reading this week but I am enjoying one new book and an old favorite author.

W. Phillip Keller's book A Shepherd Looks at the 23rd Psalm was mentioned in the comments on Sunday.  He is one of my all time favorite authors and I was (and am) still pondering and memorizing that Psalm when a beautiful edition of that book went on sale for only 99 cents for the Kindle.

I snapped it up quickly since Kindle reading is easier than small print books at the moment and it has been such an enjoyable read (I think I first read it when it came out... maybe in the 70s?).

I think the closest author to Keller that I can think of is Wendell Barry.  Not exactly but they are similar in that both write beautifully and both are men of the land.

I have quite a number of Keller books on my shelves and I like them all but two favorites are Wonder O' the Wind: A Common Man's Quest for God and Strength of Soul: The Sacred Use of Time.  The latter book appears to be out of print (very sad words) but it is available third party.

I mentioned on Sunday that I was memorizing Psalm 23 from the Bible I purchased a few years ago.  I've used the NIV version for ages but I wanted a different version to look at Scripture a little differently but still in a translation I could trust.

I had heard a lot of good things about the Modern English Version so I bought it in a large print version (it is a larger than normal print without being huge) and I have loved it every since.  I will include a link to the exact size and style I purchased a few years ago.


The new book I have been enjoying is one that you will recognize if you saw the photo on Instagram today, called Every Moment Holy.  It is a book of modern liturgies surrounding those everyday things we do like... our morning cup of coffee, when we start a book, when we finish a good book, when there is a storm coming, when we are feasting with friends, when we are preparing a hurried meal... and so many more.  It is fabulous.

The author, Douglas Kaine McKelvey, writes the most beautiful God inspiring words and the block prints are illustrated by Ned Bustard.  I bought my copy with a birthday Amazon Gift Card sent via email from a friend.  (The BEST kind of emails!)

My daughter owned a copy before me and she loves it, too.  You may be familiar with it already if you receive updates via email or on Facebook from The Rabbit Room.

At that I will leave you now.  Life goes on in the midst of the storm.

Mentioned in this Blog Post
Although I highlight a few of his books here, I have found all of them I've read by Keller to be wonderful.

Wonder O' the Wind (paperback)... here.
Strength of Soul... here (third party).

A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 (paperback)... here.
A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 (Kindle)... here.  (Still 99 cents at the moment.)

The Modern English Version Bible Large Print Cherry Brown... here.

Every Moment Holy... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.

Image: Book Shop by Kim Sung

9 comments:

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

I definitely want to get Every Moment Holy!

Vee said...

That poem by Keller is beautiful. I imagine that every Christian (and many who are not Believers) can identify with its sentiments.

Shirley said...

Dear Brenda,
I have been reading your blog for some time now. It has helped me so much. I have been forwarding it on to a dear friend of mine and the one about After the Tribulations she copied and shared with the women in her bible study group as well as a friend of hers. It helped all of us as some of us were and are going through our own Trials and Tribulations. I am trying to deepen my faith and you are helping so much. When I try to find books at my library they don't have them; today it was the author Douglas Kaine McKelvey. I seem to remember you (I think) mentioned a place where you can order used books. If so, I'd really appreciate knowing the website. I need large print and can usually find that. Any suggestions would be welcome.

I hope and pray your husband is recovering well. Take good care of yourself, too. I love your writing. I'm more Mole than Martha, too! I loved that!

With affection,
Shirley Kelly

Vee said...

Not by Keller...some day I’ll read more carefully...

Thickethouse.wordpress said...

Thinking lots about you and sending prayers for you and your loved ones.

Terra said...

I made a note of Every Moment Holy, that sounds very appealing to me.

Carol said...

These all sound like books that I would enjoy, but I don't think that I have ever read anything by that particular author.

Elizabeth said...

Seen today on another blog: "Not all storms come to disrupt your life, some come to clear your path." I surely hope so!! We are in the midst of many trials right now (don't they ever come just one at a time...seems not for us). But tis a fact, we do not choose everything that comes to us, nor is it an indication of where we stand with GOD...may HE help us in all the ways we need help!!

Morning's Minion said...

I purchased Keller's book on the 23rd Psalm many years ago through a Family Book Shelf sponsored by Farm Journal Magazine.
I've often thought if I could have only one book of the Bible I would choose The Psalms. They cover every aspect of life--faith, doubts, fear, rejoicing and praise.
I've have the English Standard Version and Common English bibles in addition to my New King James.
Also, Bible Gateway online https://www.biblegateway.com/ is wonderful for reading different versions without needing to invest money.