Marydean Draws

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November 30, 2016 books that shape me•christmas•gift guide•my favorite things

on my Christmas wish list: books!

I just love books and how God uses them to change me. I have to admit I’m not always great at finishing them, but I have great expectations!

Here is a collection of books I’d like to read this coming year:

A. The Green Ember by SD Smith (comes highly recommended by the Read-Aloud Revival’s Sarah Makenzie). This one is to read with the girls.
 
B. Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles that Can Radically Change your Family by Paul David Tripp (author of my favorite marriage book)
 
C. Teaching from Rest:A Homeschooler’s Guide to Unshakeable Peace
 
D. A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society by Eugene Peterson. That title alone . . . 
 
E. Uninvited: Living Loved when you feel less than, left out, and lonely by Lysa Terkeurst
 
F. New Morning Mercies:  A Daily Gospel Devotional by Paul David Tripp (actually, I already bought this one and started! It’s solid.)
 
G. Assimilate or Go Home: Notes from a Failed Missionary on Rediscovering Faith  by DL Mayfield
 
H. Your Inner Critic is a Big Jerk: And other Truths about Being Creative by Danielle Krysa
 
I. John Adams by David McCulough (because I’m terrible at history)
 
Have you read any of these and do you recommend them?

Any good fiction recommendations to round out my list? I love books that take me away from the pace of my real life. It seems to help my anxiety. I read two classic Anthony Trollope novels (think very slow-cooker novel pace) this past year and enjoyed them. You can get some of them free for the Kindle on Amazon (and you don’t need a Kindle to read them–you can download the Kindle app)! Or . . . just check your local library. 

If you’re looking for a can’t-put-this-book-down read, my friend, Sydney Betts, has written two novels set in Native American culture and they are FABULOUS, a breath of fresh air in the world of Christian fiction! She’s working on publishing the third now, and I can’t wait to read it. You can find them here.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. MBCW says

    December 1, 2016 at 3:47 am

    I love Teaching from Rest and we all loved The Green Ember. If your Christmas wishes aren't fulfilled you are welcome to borrow either!

  2. MarydeanDraws says

    December 1, 2016 at 3:48 am

    Oh yay–thank you!! Yeah, books aren't very exciting to buy for people, but something they humor me. 🙂

  3. Katie says

    December 2, 2016 at 12:17 pm

    I have read C, D, and I. All worth reading, and you may borrow C or D. I concur about Sydney's books. I love the title of H.

  4. MarydeanDraws says

    December 2, 2016 at 12:20 pm

    Oh thanks!! I woukd love to borrow them then (when I "finish" my current reading).

  5. Unknown says

    September 18, 2017 at 11:31 am

    Love these. Ty

  6. MarydeanDraws says

    September 21, 2017 at 2:14 am

    You're welcome!

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Welcome to the blog!

I’m Mary and I’m glad you’re here! Since 2014, I’ve been sharing encouraging words, fun Bible printables, and accessible art activities.

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My Spring 2026 Print Collection is now in the shop My Spring 2026 Print Collection is now in the shop! 

It features the following:
*Two versions of America the Beautiful
*Lift Every Voice and Sing (also known as the "Negro National Anthem")
*Be Thou My Vision in peach and pink
*Come Thou Fount in neutral green/white
*Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee in an abstract stained glass design
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They are so much fun! Which is your favorite?

You can find them all here in my shop:
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I also just dropped them off @theladyjaneshop if you're local, along with a mini collection of original watercolors!
Packing up a sweet wholesale order Packing up a sweet wholesale order
I'm back in Luke! I'm excited to pick back up wher I'm back in Luke! I'm excited to pick back up where I left off in my study of Luke. I'm drawing inspiration from art in the Christian tradition and guidance from Bible scholarship. This week I'm recapping an introduction to Luke with a fun coloring page inspired by art from a 13th century Bible manuscript.

Here's the direct link:
https://marydeandraws.substack.com/p/the-gospel-of-luke-eyewitnesses-to-719

You can read it all on Substack (under Marydean Draws), the link on my website, or the link below. Paid subscribers can download the study and coloring page.
On this Friday's pretend podcast: 🎤 Final chapt On this Friday's pretend podcast:
🎤 Final chapter of the Jesus Speaks to Women series with a coloring page. Thoughts on what these stories mean and why I think they're for women AND men.
🎤 What I learned from studying art in the Christian tradition
🎤 launching a REAL podcast! 
🎤 art I made this week
🎤 new prints coming next week

You can listen to it all at the link below, or find Marydean Draws on Substack:
https://marydeandraws.substack.com/p/marys-friday-newsletter-52226

Link to the latest chapter of Jesus Speaks to Women:
https://marydeandraws.substack.com/p/jesus-speaks-to-women-chapter-18
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