It certainly doesn’t happen often enough, but when it does, it’s a glorious thing — the meeting over tea that has all the marks of the C.S. Lewis definition of friendship:
““Friendship … is born at the moment when one [wo]man says to another “What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .”
Open the cover of Brave Faith by Mary Geisen and begin to ponder with an understanding friend what it means to move toward the courage that leaves “fear, uncertainty, and other stumbling blocks behind.” Read Mary’s personal narrative, and find yourself also yearning to be on the way to a soul-enriching journey down the road and away from your comfort zone.
Dipping her brush into the Scriptural accounts of the lives of brave saints, Mary also consults with well-known authors who have offered their wisdom on the brave life including Holly Barrett, Preston Yancey, Annie Downs, Emily Freeman, Jennie Allen, and Ann Voskamp.
Living brave may mean correcting our misunderstandings of what qualifies as brave. In her own journey, Mary found herself staying put when that was not her plan at all. Caring for her father in the final days of his life, Mary put her dreams on hold and found a contentment that was every bit as inexplicable as the wild courage that enabled her to tackle a mid-life missions trip to Nicaragua.
The brave give thanks by faith, and Mary challenges her readers to stop in their tracks and to give thanks for the gift of their present circumstances — whatever they may be.
Brave living is seasoned liberally with an abundance of well-placed yeses — and circumspect noes — and a clear-eyed awareness that much of life is not ours to control. Living life’s messy stories with grace and strength requires a God-given courage and a living faith that trusts when God says, “I know the thoughts that I think toward you . . .” (Jeremiah 29:11).
With daily Scripture reading and an offering of questions that invite the reader to ponder and to journal in reply, Brave Faith opens a soul-lifting conversation and then leaves space for the Holy Spirit to work as the reader steps out in courage — and in surprise, for the journey toward brave is a life-long process with a new vision and a fresh opportunity to experience the wonder around every corner.
//
This book was provided by the author in exchange for my review. 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.”
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A dear friend is such a blessing to behold. God knows when we need a kindred spirit. Happy Tuesday, from the Totally Terrific Tuesday link up!
Megs
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Thanks so much for sharing Mary’s book here. She and you both are brave women, indeed, in my opinion. : )
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Thank you, Betsy — I feel the same way about you.
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This book sounds great! Brave is my word for this year.
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Mary’s thoughts have done a lot for shaping my definition of brave!
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Thanks for sharing this review, Michele. I have loved connecting with Mary through our blogs and reading some of her thoughts on living with brave faith. This book is definitely on the list of ones I want to read.
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It’s great for reading on your own — and I’m thinking that it would make a great group study!
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Thank you dear friend for this beautiful and thoughtful review. I am humbled by your words and encouraged in how when we walk with friends we are always stronger. We learn that we are braver than we know.
Walking with you in this blogging world is one my great joys. Now if we could just somehow meet in person. 🙂
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Mary! So much fun to be on this journey with you, and trusting that many will read your words and be challenged to a brave walk of faith.
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As I’ve gotten older, I truly have learned the value of a God centered friendship and the importance it holds in my life.
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True – and often reaching out in friendship to others takes a brave faith.
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Friendship truly is a gift from God. Thank you for sharing this book; I’ll have to check it out!
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Michele,
Love the reviewer, love the author, love the review, and the book! So delighted to see so much goodness all in one place!!
Blessings all around,
Bev
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Isn’t life in these parts just a party? We’re going to have so much in the blogging section of heaven some day!
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Such a beautiful review! This is another book on my list to read!
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i’m a big Mary fan, too! speaking of Mary … i’m off to check out her latest post …
;-}
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I missed this new release somehow. Thank you for sharing, Michele.
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Oh, so true. Especially for Harry Potter fans like me. 😀
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Mmm… being content with out calling takes courage. I’m gonna let that marinate today. Thanks for sharing about what appears to be a must read! Blessings!
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Glad that you have found something to ponder!
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You wordsmith, you. xoxoxoxoxoxo
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You blessing, you!
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I know I want to live brave. The book sounds terrific!
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Yes, I’m thankful for Mary’s wisdom!
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Sounds like a great book!
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So true that we need grace and strength in our stories – I will be adding Brave Faith to my reading list 😊
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So glad to hear that!
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Thanks for sharing about Mary’s book. Sounds great!
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Brave faith. I love that title. You don’t always associate those two words together, but when I stop to think about it–yes, they very much belong together. — Thank you for sharing a review, and congrats to Mary. 🙂 Thanks for sharing with #ChasingCommunity! ((xoxo))
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Mary’s story and her application of all that she has learned make for a great study and an inspiring read.
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Love this line in your post:
“Brave living is seasoned liberally with an abundance of well-placed yeses — and circumspect noes — and a clear-eyed awareness that much of life is not ours to control.”
Brave does start with knowing when to say yes and when to say no. #StillLearning
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
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Yes, and this is one of my struggles, so I was glad to hear Mary’s voice on this!
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I hadn’t heard of this book. It sounds amazing though. (And what a beautifully written review!)
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Thanks, Heather!
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Isn’t it funny how we can twist what courage truly is? Love this: “Living brave may mean correcting our misunderstandings of what qualifies as brave.” Thanks for sharing about this book.
I finally got to listen to your interview with Holly! So fun! It was wonderful getting to hear your voice and glean from your wisdom. I was encouraged.
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Thanks for your input on both counts, Lisa. Happy weekend to you!
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Michele, I just read a quote from Jill Briscoe about staying put … It’s all about finding out what God wants, and sometimes it’s not taking off on the big adventure but living small right were you are …
I listened to you and Hollie’s podcast, too, but got interrupted. I want to go back and finish it. Hearing people you blog with is almost as good as meeting them!
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Jill Briscoe is one of my favorites! I love her seasoned wisdom from the trenches! And thanks, Jerralea, for taking time to listen to Holly and me chatting!
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Like you, I was blessed to read this one. Mary shares beautifully and it is a study that will touch each reader. Very nice review too!
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Thanks, Joanne!
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I am so looking forward to reading this one for sure. Love Mary!
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Yes, Barbie, I know that you and Mary have been friends for a long time! You’ll love hearing her “voice” in her book.
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I love that phrase: “The brave give thanks by faith.” I will remember that one. (This author’s name is familiar – is she the one who hosts Literacy Musing Mondays?) Thanks for linking this up at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com!
Tina
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No, different Mary. That’s Mary K. Hill. Mary Geisen has a blog here: http://marygeisen.com/
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[…] made with other bloggers — and every once in a while, one of those friends writes a book, and I get to review it here at Living Our Days. When my friend Mary Geisen wrote Brave Faith, she dipped her brush into the lives of inspiring […]
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