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A Certain Brightness: Bible Devotions for Troubled Times
The devotions in this book are short, encouraging, and a reminder of the light when everything seems dark. Philippa Wilson has begun each chapter with a five-word Bible phrase that is easily memorised and ended with a prayer. Beautiful illustrations by Rebekah Lesan make this an ideal book to give to friends who are struggling.
176 pages, Hardcover
Published May 7, 2021
4 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 12, 2021
Such easy to read, relevant, and real devotion. Highly recommended! I Will definitely re-read it again and again.
July 3, 2021
We don’t have to look very far to see pain, grief, brokenness, heartache, loneliness and despair. Whether in our own lives or the lives of those within our churches, families, workplaces or our friends, the darkness can often feel overwhelming. In the midst of those times we may know that we should be coming to God and yet in our brokenness we struggle to engage with him and his word. A Certain Brightness is a book of bitesize devotionals for those moments when trouble seems to reign, and the darkness seems closer than ever.
Reading this was a balm to my soul and I know it’s a book I will keep coming back to in those moments of brokenness. It’s also a book I’ve been sharing with those I know are struggling, confident that these short devotionals will point them to Jesus ‘who is more than capable of plumbing [our] deepest depths and bringing hope there’.
I heartily recommend this book for you, and for those around you who are struggling. It will help you fix your eyes on Jesus in the darkest moments, and know the wonderful, sure, and certain brightness that is found in him.
Reading this was a balm to my soul and I know it’s a book I will keep coming back to in those moments of brokenness. It’s also a book I’ve been sharing with those I know are struggling, confident that these short devotionals will point them to Jesus ‘who is more than capable of plumbing [our] deepest depths and bringing hope there’.
I heartily recommend this book for you, and for those around you who are struggling. It will help you fix your eyes on Jesus in the darkest moments, and know the wonderful, sure, and certain brightness that is found in him.
July 22, 2021
I have found this little book of daily devotionals absolutely right for these times. Five words to remember for the day, with some thoughtful and insightful comments, a prayer, and a verse from a song or hymn to hum in reminder throughout the day. It's a simple formula and it works very well.
Written out of the author's own dark times, it is a daily light to shine on one's own path, reminding us of the deep love and concern that God has for each one of us. A book to read and reread, a book to give to others, a book to recommend.
I haven't given it 5 stars as I personally didn't like the illustrations, but that's being picky as other people probably would like them! But overall I am so very glad that this book of daily devotionals was recommended to me and I now recommend it to you.
Written out of the author's own dark times, it is a daily light to shine on one's own path, reminding us of the deep love and concern that God has for each one of us. A book to read and reread, a book to give to others, a book to recommend.
I haven't given it 5 stars as I personally didn't like the illustrations, but that's being picky as other people probably would like them! But overall I am so very glad that this book of daily devotionals was recommended to me and I now recommend it to you.
June 1, 2021
This book absolutely shines with hope: real, put-to-the-test, bona fide hope that looks outside the tunnel and always to God himself. With gentleness, humour and well aware of the challenge she is making, Philippa constantly urges her readers to raise their eyes to the one who is with them as much in the cloudy valley as he is on the sun-soaked mountaintops.
Each digestible chapter finds its basis in God’s word, and is expounded thoughtfully and practically. What I particularly love about this book is that you can almost hear Philippa preaching to herself as much as she is talking to her readers. It’s the voice of an author who has lived the difficult realities of feeling hopeless and has battled through, acknowledging that our feelings do not and can not change the enduring truth of a God who has given everything for us.
Each digestible chapter finds its basis in God’s word, and is expounded thoughtfully and practically. What I particularly love about this book is that you can almost hear Philippa preaching to herself as much as she is talking to her readers. It’s the voice of an author who has lived the difficult realities of feeling hopeless and has battled through, acknowledging that our feelings do not and can not change the enduring truth of a God who has given everything for us.
September 26, 2021
This is a gem in days of darkness - even when I don't realise that I'm actually going through it. I love how Philippa Wilson puts God's word in simple punchy lines as someone who has her trials and understands. Other things I really appreciate are: the five-word title each devotion has for meditation - makes it easy to bring along for the day; the prayer at the end of each devotion because I do find myself lost for words; the lovely songs/poems - I've not come across many of them being from Asia, especially the dated ones and they are so lyrical; and the oh-so-helpful appendices(!) that have made me ponder how I've been a friend to others facing troubled times. Thank you so much for them.
Did I mention I've bought 6 of it so far to bless others? Can't keep such a gem to myself. And I honestly hope there's more from Ms Wilson soon.
Did I mention I've bought 6 of it so far to bless others? Can't keep such a gem to myself. And I honestly hope there's more from Ms Wilson soon.
July 12, 2021
I've bought several copies of this book to give to friends and would heartily recommend it.
It's so important not to minimise how painful life can be in a fallen, broken world and how hard it can be to make sense of that. The author manages to acknowledge the pain and avoid trivialising it with platitudes. She has struck the right balance between acknowledging the awfulness and showing the hope, the certain brightness, in those situations. The book points to God's character and his promises, how he's at work and that we can surely trust him even in the darkest times.
Reading a Certain Brightness feels a bit to me like reading the Psalms, where there's faith and a certain hope in God's unfailing love and promise to save, even in the midst of danger, darkness and despair.
It's so important not to minimise how painful life can be in a fallen, broken world and how hard it can be to make sense of that. The author manages to acknowledge the pain and avoid trivialising it with platitudes. She has struck the right balance between acknowledging the awfulness and showing the hope, the certain brightness, in those situations. The book points to God's character and his promises, how he's at work and that we can surely trust him even in the darkest times.
Reading a Certain Brightness feels a bit to me like reading the Psalms, where there's faith and a certain hope in God's unfailing love and promise to save, even in the midst of danger, darkness and despair.
July 23, 2021
This is a wonderful book. Not only does it feel and look good (lovely hard back, well set out, with helpful illustrations), and not only is it really clever (every devotion is based on 5 words from the Bible!), it is actually brilliant. Each devotion is soaked in Scripture and is beautifully Christ centred. But, each devotion is also written from the perspective of struggle and depression. This makes the book both brutally honest and wondrously hopefully.
This is the perfect devotion for those who struggle with being down, depressed, doubting or just simply overwhelmed.
I shall be recommending this book!
This is the perfect devotion for those who struggle with being down, depressed, doubting or just simply overwhelmed.
I shall be recommending this book!
January 15, 2023
I've not generally been a big fan of devotionals but I loved this one. Each entry is short and based around 5 words from the Bible (they are arranged in order with the first being from Genesis and the last being from Revelation). The author clearly understands what it means to suffer or be depressed and writes with much empathy and hope from God's Word . There are also some appendices at the back of the book about depression - some for those who are depressed and some info for those who are supporting someone who is depressed. Very helpful and insightful. I really recommend this book to anyone who is going through a valley or knows someone who is.
February 14, 2022
So my wife read this book at normally we have different taste in things but I do trust when she says that I would like something. She was so right. This book not only encouraged me but taught me more about how to see God in a different like. Philippa, the author, does a great job in adding and speaking truth about who God is through scripture. I also am a fan of how open and honest she was about things she was dealing with. Thank you!
June 23, 2021
Simple, yet deep. Life saving truths, punctuated by raw reality and dapplings of humour. Whether on a mountain, or in a valley, each will meet you where you're at, and remind or teach your heart more about who God is and who you are to God.
October 29, 2021
This book is one of the best books and devotionals I have read. It's beautifully written with such honest, biblical insight. I am recommending it to others and will be reading it again and again. I will be writing a full review on my blog ruthclemence.com - it's a must-have.
March 21, 2023
Very insightful. Bought several copies to pass on to friends.
August 22, 2021
This is a very well composed, designed, and beautifully written book that will help you reflect on and marvel at God’s beauty and goodness as you face the pain and hardships of life.
To read more about it: https://mynameislikeastory.wordpress....
To read more about it: https://mynameislikeastory.wordpress....
August 29, 2021
Powerful, true and deeply comforting words from someone who has seen and felt intensely the darkness of the world yet clings to the hope of Jesus' light. I love the short chapters that seem manageable when the rest of life feels overwhelming and how Philippa contextualises and illuminates biblical words which can feel so distant amid the storm of 21st C life with wisdom and clarity, making them relevant and urgent. A book for anyone feeling on the edge - mentally or spiritually - that will make you feel seen and loved wherever you're at.
January 10, 2022
I can't recommend this book highly enough. The author takes five-word truths from the Bible and, in just over a page, opens up the wonderful truth contained in each promise from God. Not one chapter has failed to encourage me. It is ideal for when you are struggling to concentrate or are short of time. As soon as I had finished it, I started it again!
August 31, 2021
Outstanding.
No ifs, no buts, no qualifications: this is a modern classic.
Devotional, wise, doctrinal, warm-hearted, kind. A triumph from the land of suffering.
No ifs, no buts, no qualifications: this is a modern classic.
Devotional, wise, doctrinal, warm-hearted, kind. A triumph from the land of suffering.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews