Written on Our Hearts by Emily Freeman

Emily Freeman's book, Written on Our Hearts, is a beautiful compilation of "invitations from the Old Testament." Using a combination of personal story and personal reflection on scriptural stories, Freeman invites the reader to engage the Old Testament and apply its powerful messages to daily life.

Freeman folds messages from the Old Testament into experiences with rather ordinary life events and activities like lacrosse games and gardening and hiking. She also shares tender and unique experiences, such as the time they took in a young man who had been evicted from his home. The reader gets to hear thoughts on both familiar stories and characters in the Old Testament, as well as consider some lesser-known stories.

Although I love me an intensive doctrinal book, I also appreciate books like this one. Because the chapters are short, it's the kind of book that you can pick up and read for just a few minutes and be uplifted.

In her introduction, Freeman writes:

"People often ask me why I love the Old Testament so fiercely. I always respond with the same answer. There will come a moment in your life when you are someone you love will struggle with  challenge so great you will wonder how you will make it through....The stories and lessons of the Old Testament have carried me through some of the greatest challenges of my life. In those moments, much-needed verses of scripture have been written on my heart. When I need deeper courage, unyielding strength, and increased wisdom to face that situation at hand, I turn to the pages of the Old Testament. It is within those pages that I have come to know Jehovah, the Deliverer -- Jesus Christ -- in a way I might not have before."

I, too, am moved by considering ancient stories about our Deliverer, and I appreciate the spirit with which Freeman has written this book. I feel it invites the reader to feast more deliberately on the words in the Old Testament, and to find what messages of hope and mercy that the Lord would have us feel in our own lives.

About the author: Emily Freeman is an author, songwriter, and motivational speaker. Her writing reflects a deep love of the scriptures and a strong desire to find their application in modern-day life. Emily and her husband, Greg, are the parents of four children and live in Lehi, Utah.