Keep the Candle Burning: 24 Reflections from Our Favorite Songs

This book is an inspirational reflection by the award-winning Point of Grace [the most popular contemporary Christian music group], Denise Jones, Terry Jones, Heather Payne, and Shelley Breen.Their book reflects on their backstage lives, loves, and personal trials through their faith in God.Each chapter, 24 in all, is a reflection taken from one of their 24 consecutive number-one hit songs and written by one of the women in the group. Reading each chapter is like having an intimate conversation with the artist. They talk about their lives as performers, wives, mothers, and friends. Each chapter is based on one of their hit songs along with Scripture and how God has worked in their lives and music. At the end of each chapter, there's a one-page study guide with a Scripture, a few questions to ponder, and lined space to jot down your thoughts. For example:Chapter 1 I'll Be Believing Denise Jones shares a poignant story about a "flying cat" and how God used that cat to answer a little girl's prayer. Denise states, "It's a picture of how God works. . . he's not so distracted . . . that he is unable to hear the petitions of a child." Referring to the song, I'll Be Believing, she affirms, "As the song says, 'Out here on my own, I won't be alone.' Why? Because the God of the heavens promises to never, ever leave us."Chapter 2 One More Broken Heart Shelley Breen talks about hell and being on the road and losing sight of all the cities and places they've been. That life on the road becomes a blur. There was one town, however, that vividly stayed in her mind "Hell, Michigan. [No kidding!] "And, as you might expect," Shelley writes, "the highway to Hell is paved with crass signs telling you where to go." She also said ". . . people from neighboring towns often go to Hell when mailing their taxes to the IRS or alimony payments to a former spouse." And, people often sent postcards from Hell. In her study questions, she asks, "Do you have any neighbors, friends, or family members who don't know the Lord?"Chapter 3 Jesus Will Still Be There Heather Payne tells about how the group got started and how they managed to stay together for the past 12 years during the good times and the dark, cloudy days, and through the wedding ceremonies that temporarily separated them but never pulled them apart. Their group has a mission and a ministry. God gave each of them their spiritual gift to sing His words to the world.I encourage you to check out this book!--- reviewed by Susan Shelley for Christian Bookshelf