Glory Awaits!
AUGUST 2026 NEWSLETTER
Hello Reader,
Happy August! Below you'll find links to short videos, book reviews, and the five great benefits of honest prayer. May the Lord bless your summer richly.
5 Great Benefits of Honest Prayer
I didn't know it, but I wasn't praying honest prayers. Instead, I was praying what I thought good Christians should pray.
Like many Christians I'd memorized verses such as "all things work together for good" and "give thanks in all circumstances (Romans 8:28, 1 Thessalonians 5:18). When bad things happened, I'd quote these verses, thank God for the good he would work, and push away questions. Trying to trust God, I did something akin to closing my eyes, putting my hands over my ears, and saying, “Lalalalalal—just have faith—lalalalalala.”
After a second trimester miscarriage, I dutifully did these things and refused to think about problems. I thought I was fine. I didn’t feel angry at God; actually, I didn’t feel anything towards God. That concerned me, but I dismissed it as emotional exhaustion.
Was I angry with God?
But then I exploded when a houseguest moved my get-well cards (thankfully, she wasn't home). I realized I'd been unreasonably upset lately over many minor things. I wondered if I were angry with God. Was that even safe?
links
Video Shorts
Yep! I've been creating short videos. Let me know what you think.
Review of Netflix’s “Little House on the Prairie”
The new Netflix adaptation of "Little House on the Prairie" takes liberties with Laura Ingalls Wilder's story. Elizabeth Urbanowicz’s review walks through where the series follows the book, where it veers off, the content parents should know about before watching, and four worldview questions you can use to discuss any episode biblically with your kids.
Little House on the Prairie: A Biblical Worldview Review for Christian Parents
Terrific Reads
I picked up a couple of highly rated novels last month about family relationships. The writing was excellent, but the worldviews saddened me. So I returned to cozy mysteries by a couple of authors who never disappoint. (Don’t forget: You can find links to all my 2026 newsletter recommendations here.)
Cozy Mysteries
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Murder on the Rocks
(A Lady Hardcastle Murder Mystery Book 13)
T E Kinsey
Lady Hardcastle and her lady's maid Flo spend the weekend in an island fort along with other colorful guests. There’s no way on or off the island, so when murder ensues, one of the occupants must be guilty. Witty dialogue bolsters a fun cozy mystery.
Amazon affiliate link*: https://amzn.to/4fu6moo
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4:50 From Paddington:
A Miss Marple Mystery (Book 8)
Agatha Christie
A woman in one train witnesses a murder in a passing train, but only Miss Marple believes her. The frail-seeming sleuth enlists the help of an intelligent young friend to find clues to what really happened. This cozy mystery has plenty of surprising twists as it wends its way to a satisfying conclusion.
Amazon affiliate link*: https://amzn.to/4pU7Lbo
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*Amazon affiliate links provide me a small commission at no cost to you.
What's New
Book News
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In July, I was honored to edit Foundation Worldview’s newest curriculum, “Trusting the Bible.” I’m amazed at the games Elizabeth Urbanowicz created to simplify complex concepts. It’s going to be fantastic.
Speaking of Elizabeth, we were surprised and wowed to see this review she posted on social media about How Does God Use Suffering for Our Good?
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Personal News
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We planted more flowers this year, including three gorgeous peach mandevillas.
Clay continues to do well. We’re meeting with a thoracic surgeon at Cedars-Sinai next week to get her recommendation on what to do about the lesion in Clay’s lung that’s growing (the cancer everywhere else is stable and doesn’t need treatment at this time—praise God!).
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Do you have a prayer request? Click REPLY and let me know how to pray for you.
