Guest Author - Diana Pederson

Laurie Kehler. Wings of Mercy. Bethany House. 2003.

Wings of Mercy shares information on God, Jesus and Faith by discussing birds. If you are a nature lover like I am, this book will fascinate you. If you choose to read a chapter a day, you can learn about a bird and some lessons that bird’s life can teach you about our faith.

Here is just a small sample showing how Kehler carefully weaves together the story of a bird and compares it to some characteristic of God or Jesus.

The barn swallow doesn’t waste her time contemplating how to build a nest like an oriole. That wouldn’t suit her purposes. She needs to be under a barn eave, stuck up against a wall in a secure mud nest, close to her supply of insects. God has given her the exact talent she needs. The oriole doesn’t waste her time trying to emulate the barn swallow. We waste time focusing on what others have instead of what God is doing with us today. … [Page 61]

I found the information in these devotionals accurate about the birds. Many of the statements about characteristics of God and Jesus really hit home with me. I am sure you will find this book uplifting. It will point you towards Jesus as our supplier of everything.

Laurie Ostby Kehler. Gardening Mercies. Bethany House. 2001.

I love this book. The author discusses common gardening tasks, describes flowers, and manages to weave the scripture in with the information presented. Outstanding is the only word I know for this book. It would make an excellent devotional book for any gardener or plant lover.

One unique feature in this book is the “Growing Points” that ends each section. Here, Kehler suggests a scripture to read and presents some thoughtful questions regarding that scripture. This book will deepen your understanding of scripture and improve your gardening knowledge at the same time. Therefore, it would make an excellent gift for the gardener on your holiday shopping list.