Welcome to the LeValley Global Methodist Church Library Karen Wambaugh, Librarian
Our Church offers a very resourceful Christian library. The "Book & DVD" cart is located in the commons area before entering into the sanctuary. You are most encouraged to come and check-out the variety of books and other media materials that are here for your enjoyment and reading adventures!
The HOLY BIBLE
...it is the most valuable book to read!
LEVALLEY LIBRARY READING 2026
January: A New Year is upon us. The winter season has really set in and we have a couple of books you might want to give a try this month.
The Divine Proverb of Streusel by Sara Brunsvold is first up. This is an inspiring novel of brokenness and forgiveness with Scripture and German family recipes passed down from one generation to another. Nikki is a first year high school lit teacher whose parents recently divorced. On the spur of the moment she escapes to her Uncle’s farm in Missouri—for a few days that turns into her whole summer vacation. The summer is filled sprucing up the old family farmhouse and relationships with neighbors and family stories that allow her and her Dad to be able to see each other differently. Enjoyable. Recipes included.
Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamont is a memoir of her troubled past with alcoholism, drug use, single parenthood and how she
came to faith in Jesus and the people who mentored her. It’s honesty is not what one usually sees on the page and is inspiring of how God works patiently with us in the middle of messes to bring us home to Himself. It reveals that our stories of conversion don’t have to look like other and hers can add a perspective that can encourage us to not give up on others and to give them the space and time they need for God to work.
Hope you can start this year with some inspiring, thoughtful books to stretch and encourage us along and through our days.
Karen Wambaugh—Librarian
LEVALLEY LIBRARY READING 2025
December: As we enter into the Advent Season, we have some selections offered that you might want to take a look at.
Our first selection is Before Christmas—The Story of Jesus From the Beginning of Time to the Manger by Upper Room author Bill Crowder. As the subtitle suggests the author goes back to the Old Testament to explore the backstory of the advent. Helps the reader understand how these pre-Bethlehem truths lead into the Savior’s birth and events of that first Christmas adding depth, richness and renewed joy and wonder.
Our next two selections are by Lynn Austin. The Wish Book Christmas takes it’s title from the Sears and Robuck Wish Book catalog. I am sure many of us remember those! The setting is 1951 Connecticut where two British women and their 5 year old sons are sharing a home. The boys view the catalog and soon want every toy available. With the Kindergarten Nativity play at school and the boys playing the parts of the two wisemen, their mothers are able to teach the joy of giving not just receiving. Nice story to settle into this time of year.
Our second and last selection by Lynn Austin is Waiting for Christmas. This time our West Michigan author takes us back to New York City in 1901. Newlywed Adelaide Forsythe’s life is challenged by finding an orphan, 9 year old Jack, hiding in her bushes one cold December afternoon. This opportunity opens up deeper faith as she tries different avenues to help him. Encouragement comes her way by a newly hired cook and housemaid. Lovely story of walking in faith tangled in with the liturgy of the Advent season. Enjoy!
Hope one of these might find their way into your reading this month. As usual, the book cart has many selections for Christmas reading.
Merry Christmas,
Karen Wambaugh—Librarian
November: The season of thanks giving is upon us and a wonderful season it is!
Giving is the Good Life The unexpected Path to Purpose and Joy by Randy Alcorn is an appropriate book to highlight and read this month. Alcorn, also the author of The Treasure Principle, speaks to what is our definition of the ‘Good Life.’ As Christians, should it be some thing different than the world’s definition? What if God provides clear guidelines for how to do this? What if it’s possible to live a life that not only pleases God but is truly best both for others and us? This book shares exciting life changing Biblical truths about generosity. The stories are compelling and you will come away with an excitement to be more generous and enter into the journey God brings through such a life style! Try it—let God bless you and others as you become part of His bigger story.
Do Something Beautiful by R. York Moore is our second nonfiction selection. The author is from a devastated neighborhood in Detroit and became a Christian from atheism while studying philosophy at University of Michigan. He now serves as national evangelist for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. One premise of this book is that there actually is a purpose in this world, there is a story to everything and we have a place in it. The author uses Scripture to show us aspects of God’s kingdom that challenges the reader to step into where God is working. You will note in small or large ways, no matter where we are, or our age, our situation there is a place for us to join in God’s story—The Story of Everything.
The Wings of Poppy Pendleton by Melanie Dobson is our final selection. This story brings the area of 'Thousand Islands,' located on the St. Lawrence River between New York and Ontario, to life so much it seems like one of the characters. The author weaves a tale that switches back and forth between early 1900’s and 1992. Stories of young missing girls and being found and how so many lives/stories overlap. It’s a mystery of how the pieces of their lives all weave into a wonderful portrait in the end. Easy, enjoyable read that is hard to put down once you start. Enjoy.
May this season truly find us with thankful and generous hearts and perspectives.
Karen Wambaugh—Librarian
October: The seasons are changing and autumn seems to be upon us. Hope you will find some time to spend between the pages of a good book. We have one fiction and two non-fiction offerings this month.
First up is another offering of Laura Childs tea house mysteries—Steeped in Evil. This time Theodosia and Drayton just happen to be at a local wine tasting when a murder victim is revealed. The rest is a week of questioning a number of people all the while running the Indigo Tea Shop sprinkled in with special art events happening that week in Charleston. Some recipes are included. So grab a cup of tea and a scone, if you have it, and enjoy.
Tony Evans a pastor for over 50 years and author of over 100 books including Kingdom Focus is our second selection this month. “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness" and all these thinks will be provided for you” Matt 6:33 is the Scripture this book is based on. The author helps us recognize the truth of our heavenly citizenship, and how that reality gives us a blueprint for the way God wants us to live as His followers here on earth. Very readable with some good insights that the reader can ponder and possibly incorporate.
Prayers for Prodigals: 90 Days of Prayer for Your Child by James Banks is our final selection. It is a wonderful collection of prayers and Scripture that we can pray for our children, grandchildren, others who at the moment are far away from God. The prayer and focus are uplifting and encouraging. If you ever have wondered how else can I pray? I have run out of words, this book is for you.
May the Holy Spirit bring just the book we need to spend time with to us this month…to encourage, instruct, enlighten, delight us!
Karen Wambaugh—Librarian
September: We have two non-fiction books this month, one a memoir and one an account of a hostage incident.
First up is Beth Moore’s memoir. This is a thoughtful telling of the little girl from Arkadelphia, Arkansas life from childhood to recent days. It’s many woundings, hurts, survivals, challenges, struggles, successes, with Jesus always, if not smack dab in the center, certainly always within reach. Told with sensitivity and truth with lyrical descriptions that bring the reader as if into the arms/heart of the author. Well worth the read.
Our second selection found in the non-fiction category is Unlikely Angel—The Untold Story of the Atlanta Hostage Hero by Ashley Smith. You might recall when this women was taken hostage in her apartment overnight by accused murder of 4 people back in 2005. It made national news because she talked him into releasing her and surrendering to the police. She had been reading The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren at the time and had read some of the book to her captor Brian Nichols. Ashley points out how God was with her, worked through her and how even
used her past history of bad decisions to enable her to relate to Brian. A bit repetitive but an amazing story.
Our fiction offering this month is Listen by Rene Gutteridge. This is a novel that deals with our words. specifically our words we speak in private and what effects they have when they are made public. The repercussions and hurt they can cause when we vent or speak when angry. We all do it and think that if the others don’t hear it it must be OK. Is it? But I wonder, maybe this is why God tells us to bring all our hurts/worries/problems/opinions to Him? This story will get us to evaluate our words and our hearts. It is well worth the read and the uncomfortable questions that arise in us.
This month we have two other new books to add to our book cart by well loved and read authors for you to enjoy that aren’t being reviewed. Divine A Novel by Karen Kingsbury and Until Then by Cindy Woodsmall.
Karen Wambaugh, Librarian
July/August: We have two non-fiction and one fiction offerings this month.
Gaining Through Losing by Evelyn Christenson and You Can’t Do That! The Story of An Amish Deacon’s Son Who Left the Fold and Became a Doctor by Albert Miller. As the subtitle of Miller’s book states this is his memoir spanning from his childhood memories of growing up in an Old Order Amish community. He left the community in 1972 at the age of 19. Having a number of jobs in hospitals and with the encouragement of the “English” he pursued his education and was able to become a GP and an Emergency Room doctor. The ensuring story is both inspiring and informative.
Gaining Through Losing has our author speaking about how God’s Kingdom is an upside down compared to the world. How through our losses such as death, separation, divorce, sickness, suffering, financial loss—we find that God draws us/we seek God more. Our knowledge of Him—His presence, provision, comfort draw us closer and we often can experience/have a deeper/richer relationship with Him. One take away from this book is God is always with us yet when our needs for Him increases His presence increases in our lives. He is there in proportion to our need. Wonderful.
Dragonwell Dead—A Tea Shop Mystery by Laura Childs is our final selection. Theodosia Browning is the main character in this mystery series who owns the Indigo Tea Shop in Charleston, SC. This story opens when she is serving ice dragonwell tea at a fundraiser and one partaker suffers what appears to be a heart attack and we are off as they say. It is an enjoyable and interesting read. Included are recipes for many of the tea shop offerings.
Hope that you will find some time and the right book to enjoy during this summer season.
Karen Wambaugh, Librarian
June: As summer days are starting to surround us, it is always nice to have a good book beside us in case we have a few moments to sit, read and enjoy. Hope one of these might fill that bill.
First up is Pig Park by Claudia Guadalupe Martinez a UMW Youth book on leadership development. This story takes place in a Chicago neighborhood that was once home to the American Lard Company, hence the name Pig Park. The company has closed and a few families who own businesses are trying to survive. Masi’s parents own a little bakery and live above it. Times are getting desperate until someone from outside suggests building a pyramid to draw tourists. All is not what it appears to be. Enjoyable read showing community coming together, supporting each other and find a workable solution.
Esther—A Woman of Strength and Dignity by Charles Swindoll. The author in retelling of the Book of Esther found in Scriptures “interwinds thought provoking study of God’s invisible hand, writing silently and unseen across the pages of history through Esther, King Ahasuerus, Mordecai, and Haman.” He points out the godly attributes like courage, dignity, wisdom and strength used by Esther to bring about God’s plan to rescue the Jewish people in all 127 provinces of Persia.
Our last selection Not So Holy Living is the account of Jesse Mattix a missionary kid who grew up on Bolivia. The author relates a number of adventures he and his brother’s had growing up there. Many are such, you wonder how he survived to tell about them. Many Including motorcycling trips. It is a glimpse into a Missionary kid’s life.
Hope one of these might work for you. Many more books are available on our cart and in the Library itself. Just remember to sign the card and leave on cart or Library table.
Karen Wambaugh, Librarian
May: As this is Mother’s Day month it is only fitting that we have our first selection being;
When Mother’s Pray by Cheri Fuller. Isaiah 44:3 says “For I will give you abundant water for your thirst and for your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit and my blessings on your children.” The author gives Scripture to pray for our children and grandchildren and brings us stories of how when two or more, Mom’s in particular, come together for their children, their schools, teachers, friends, or decisions can change situations and lives. Moms In Touch is discussed and briefly how to organize a one hour weekly pray group. Inspirational with good information.
Our second selection is Hidden in the Pines—a Lew Ferris Mystery by Victoria Houston. Lewellyn Ferris is the newly elected sheriff of McBride County in the Wisconsin Northwoods. When a tragic drowning of a teenage girl looks a lot like an unsolved case 30 years earlier. The characters are interesting and the relationships that evolve add to the telling of this story. Fun and fast read.
Our final highlighted selection is Unspoken by Francine Rivers. This is the fourth book in the series of women listed in Jesus’ genealogy. It relates Bathsheba’s story. It takes Scripture available and fills in with culturally and historically occurrences of the time. For example, what would it be like for Bathsheba to be in David’s harem? How the adultery would effect her life in the palace and with her own family. A brief Bible study concludes the book.
Hope one of the above books might grab your attention and might give one a go this month or in the future.
Karen Wambaugh, Librarian
April: As some of us might be trying to change our daily routines a bit this Lental season maybe some of these book offerings will help. They can possibly draw us closer to the Lord and His Perspective.
First up is Decision Making by the book—How to Choose Wisely in the Age of Options by Haddon Robinson. This little book walks us through as followers of Jesus, disciples, how do we make Godly decisions? Some decisions are very black and white, but others confront and confuse us. The author gives Biblical principles that hold true no matter how difficult the issue we may face. The Scriptural guidelines will help us make decision “by the Book.”
Second up is Irregular People by Joyce Landorf. The author defines irregular people as those who have a knack of wounding us every time we see them. Our emotions are in turmoil when around them and afterwards. They have similar traits of: “can’t reason with them; can’t depend on them; and can’t expect any real support.” An irregular person is someone we can’t escape, usually a close relative. So what are we to do with the hurt, anger, frustrations we feel? Landorf helps us realize we can’t expect the person to change but our attitude towards them can with God’s help, and we can receive healing, freedom and forgiveness ourselves and a different perspective even if nothing about the other person changes. Helpful read.
Our final selection this month is The Homeless Bishop a Novel by Joseph Girzone who is also the author of the Joshua books of which we have 2 titles. Girzone was a priest who in retirement took up writing inspirational stories. This selection introduces us to a new character Carlo Brunini an arch-bishop when the story begins but receives permission to become a homeless beggar to understand more the Scripture found in Matthew 25:35-40 of how what we do for the least of the poor has eternal consequences. Carlo is homeless for 1 1/2 years and as one would expect deeply changed by the experience. The rest of the story speaks to how this has shifted his focus more to knowing Jesus and having a relationship with Him. It is an enjoyable and inspiriting read.
As always, hope that one of these selections might be a good fit for you this month to enjoy.
Karen Wambaugh, Librarian
March: As we have entered the Lenten Season I have pulled some books and CDs you might want to check out as we all try to make time to be drawn into a closer relationship with God. I have pulled the following books by well known and trusted authors as possible reads for us this month. They can be found on the library cart in the hallway.
First are two by Oswald Chambers: If You Will Ask-Reflections on the Power of Prayer and Our Ultimate Refuge on Job and the Problem of Suffering. I remember attending a conference once where the speaker asked “How many of you read Oswald Chambers?” A few hands went up. Then he asked, “How many of you understand Oswald Chambers?” Fewer hands went up! That is not to discourage anyone from reading him, he is well worth it, but don’t beat yourself up when sometimes he leaves you with more questions than you started with.
Two selections of Phillip Keller/ K. Phillip Keller are available also. A Gardener Looks at the Fruits of the Spirit and his classic, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 which is in large print format. Keller is one of those authors who can cut to the heart of the subject in a very readable fashion and add depth to what we think we already know.
Exodus: The Way Out by John Oswald takes the book of Exodus and in a very readable format explains why the plagues, the nature of the wilderness, the needs God was preparing to meet and so on. If you aren’t a big fan of the Old Testament this is a must read for you to help see its relevance.
Also we have the classic Celebration of Discipline :The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard J. Foster. Some of the disciplines covered are fasting, prayer, study, solitude, submission, confession, and worship.
We have two more ‘classic’ books to choose from. The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith and a novel In His Steps : What Would Jesus Do by Charles Sheldon.
Lastly, The Grace Awakening by Charles Swindoll.
Finally, Family Celebrations at Easter by Ann Hubbard is available. The first part offers daily Lenten devotions that can be used with children which include hymns to sing. Part two offers Easter family celebrations—short family worship service for Easter Sunday. It includes a holy treasure hunt using items used during the daily devotional is offered and Passover celebration for Christians—from food, table set up, script to read, etc.
If you don’t know if you have the time to read at this time we also have some CDs of Sermons/ Bible Studies that have been offered through the past two decades from Eaton Rapids Camp Meeting that Rex and I attend. These don’t have sign out cards, but if you will sign the signup sheet with which year and speaker and your name, that will suffice. The sermons run from 25–50 minutes and the Bible Study sessions are one hour each. The only draw back is they have been recorded with no breaks so once you start you need to play it all at once because you can’t forward it to where you left off.
Hope that our highlighted selections this month will add to our journey through this Lenten season.
Karen Wambaugh, Librarian
February: As we enter the Lenten Season we have taken that into consideration in choosing the highlighted books this month.
40 Days 40 Words by Ken and Randy Petersen is exactly what the title means. 40 short words each having connection to the 40 days of Lent with a short sections Preparing Your Heart for Easter and prayer following each entry. It can be read as a daily Lenten devotional or as a few entries at a time. In either case it draws us into what these days approaching Easter are for, a deeper awareness of our relationship with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirt.
The Red Sea Rules by Robert J. Morgan Subtitles 10 God Given Strategies for Difficult Times and I think we can agree that we are living in difficult times. The subtitle continues The Same God Who Led You In Will Lead You Out! The author takes the Scripture of Exodus chapter 14 through 15:2 to show how God worked then and how He still works now with many more Scripture references to back these “rules.” Red Sea Rule 1–Realize that God means for you to be where you are. Ex 14:1-2. Red Sea Rule 2 Be more concerned for God’s glory than for your relief.
Ex 14:3-4. I hope you are interested enough to pick up this little book.
Unashamed is the second of the 5 novellas by Fran-cine Rivers of women listed in Jesus’ lineage. This historical novel takes the Scripture account of Rahab and “fleshes” it out with what is known of the culture and practices then. It delves into the possible thoughts the Hebrews might have had as they marched around Jericho not saying a word. Were the people of Jericho throwing insults at them as they did, or worse, were they insulting God? What was it like inside Rahab’s house trying to keep her family there waiting where she knew they were safe? There is a short 5 part Bible study at the end.
Karen Wambaugh, Librarian
January: As the New Year begins we have some valuable selections that will challenge us with possibilities as well as opportunities.
First up is Trusting God is Too Small by J.B. Phillips. This is an amazing “little book” of 140 pages where the author in the first part aims at showing and destroying our small false ideas about God “Resident Policeman, Parental Hangover, Grand Old Man’ etc. These are notions many of us have as youngsters, but they fall short of who God is and what we need as we become adults. In the second part the author starts with the possibility of an ‘other’ and step by step builds on it to come to a fuller and
greater knowing of God as a Person, to accept His own planned, focusing of Himself in the human being, of Jesus Christ. This is a book best read slowly to ponder along the way. It is eye opening and one that calls us as the reader to examine our views of God.
Having a Mary Spirit—Allowing God to Change Us from the Inside Out by Joanna Weaver is our second non-fiction offering. If you have ever prayed “Lord, Whatever it takes, make me like You” of if you want to, this book is for you! Weaver tackles a lot of the stumbling blocks/sins that we let get in God’s way. I have to tell you that I copied pages and many quotes from this book to ponder and keep close at hand. One of my favorites is: “How I know I have forgiven someone is that he or she has harmless passage in my mind.”
Nana’s Gift by Janette Oke is our fiction selection this month. This is a little story of the true value of a gift given is in the time, effort and love from the giver to show the true worth of the recipient in the giver’s eye’s and heart. The gifts we give seldom rise to this standard but maybe we can aspire to receive gifts in this light as well, as give our gifts with this hope.
Let us join in the possibilities with God and in God this New Year.
Karen Wambaugh, Librarian
