Resources to Help You Start a Conversation and Educate for Change

Every time a moment comes up to talk about something that matters take the moment and opportunity to speak up and speak truth to your kids, your communities, your neighbors, your co-works, your family and friends.

Repent.

Step in an listen to people that are different than you.

Listen to their experiences.

Learn.

Humble yourself.

I don’t have all the answers, and I know you don’t either. Let’s learn together. Let’s be better together. Let’s educate ourselves together.

This is what I know- we need to educate ourselves. We can not depend on everyone else to educate us. Or solve issues for us. We need to be the change. We need to step out, and not be silent.

With that said here’s some resources and things to help you on your journey that I have found helpful for myself and family.

F O R T H E A D U L T S

Some books on where you can start;

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevensen

Be the Bridge by Latasha Morrison

Some encouraging & educating voices;

Carlos Whitaker

Latasha Morrison

Oh Happy Dani

The Conscious Kid

Austin Channing Brown

Here Wee Read

EJI

Restoration House

Websites:

Equal Justice Initiative

Be The Bridge

Watch:

True Justice: Bryan Stevenson’s Fight for Equality

Just Mercy (the movie) - streaming for free on all streaming services during the month of June. Amazon prime video linked here.

Image via Oh Happy Dani

F O R Y O U R K I D S

For me, it’s important to have a collection of books, story books and history books that educate. I also want my kids to see themselves & kids like them on the pages, and a diverse group of children represented. Here’s a few I think are worth the purchase for this reason.

Books:

All Eyes on You box Set

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History

Skin like Mine

Hair Like Mine

A Kids Book About Racism

Little Leaders: Exceptional Black Men in History

Ansley’s Big Bake Off

When God Made You

Martin Luther King Jr

Watch: Melody An American Girl Story - this movie gives you a look at racism and segregation from the narrative Melody an American girl story. This is a good way, that is age appropriate for your kids to begin to understand history and racism.

image via Oh Happy Dani

Some articles to educate about history and context;

The Tulsa Massacre

Juneteenth

A Calendar of Racial Injustice - a guide to helping you understand racial injustices in our history.

Dr. Martin Luther King’s Letter from the Birmingham Jail

Understand Your Implicit Bias

“attitudes and stero types we have with out even recgonizing it.”

• good article here

• take this quiz
  
  I’m not an expert. I’m on a journey just like you. With that being said, these are some resources that have helped me and I hope they are encouraging and helpful for you as well. Thank you for letting me share.

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• some links contain affiliate links.

READ | Christ Centered Exposition 1 & 2 Samuel

This book was sent to me on behalf of B&H Publishing as part of their blogger program. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting brands and companies that help make this blog possible. 

Both my husband and I went to a faith based University where there was a heavy track on studying the Bible as part of our general studies. Since then he's come to love a good Bible Commentary and study books. 

Recently B&H sent me this commentary on the study of 1 & 2 Samuel. 

A couple things I loved about this commentary were the 'Reflect and Discussion' questions at the end of each chapter. They really help you think about the items discussed in each chapter. Great questions to get your mind thinking and talking about these books of the Bible. 

I also enjoyed the 'main idea' sections at the start of a new chapter and section. It really breaks everything down so you can see where the chapter is going to go. 

If you like studying the Bible and reading commentaries like this I think you'll like this. You can grab a copy via the link below.

*affiliate link used. 

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READ | Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist

Shauna Niequist is one of my very favorite authors, if you're not reading her books you totally should be. She has a way with words and a way of drawing you in. I love her short essay format of story telling and writing. 

This book is deeply personal, she shares stories of loss, tragedy and incredible joy. And I love the overall theme of this book that things can happen to us, and life can be both bitter and sweet all at the same time. 

Isn't that so true? That things can happen to us, we can make decisions for our life that can be both amazing and trying all at the same time?! I just love that because it's so true for my own life. There are experiences that I have that have been the high light and joy of my life. And then I've had experiences that have cut deeply and have been the most bittersweet ever. 

I loved reading every single page of this book. I love her vulnerability she shows in sharing her stories. She shows us that our stories matter, that our lives matter. Tell your story. Share it with the world. Someone needs to hear it. Learn from your story. Learn from your experiences and allow God to show you himself through them. 

If you're looking for a great book to kick off 2017 this is a good one! Grab your copy by clicking the link below. 

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READ | She Reads Truth: Holding Tight to Permanent in a World That's Passing Away

I have been a fan of She Reads Truth and their Bible reading plans and devotionals they have been putting out since the very beginning. I recently completed their Bible Study with a small group of women, so I was excited to dig into this book.

The book is written from the perspective of both Rachel and Amanda, it's alternates between their two voices for each chapter. They share their personal stories of faith and what the Bible has meant to them and how scripture has carried them in their lives. 

While I enjoyed hearing their stories, I did find the back and forth in the chapters very confusing and keeping who's story was which was difficult for me and I didn't like the flow of the book. I still find it interested to hear everyone's stories of faith, so I enjoyed that aspect. 

If you're looking to hear some of the background of the founders of SRT it's an interesting read, I would have loved to hear more about how She Reads Truth came to be, and a little more background on that. But over all it was a good book. 

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READ | Shaken by Tim Tebow

I received a complimentary copy for the purpose of this review, all opinions are my own. 

I was excited to read this book, I don't know that much about Tim Tebow's career other than what I've read and him being a very public figure in both sports and faith. So I was excited to read this book. 

It did surprise me though, it's less of a biography than you think. Using real life examples from people he's me through his foundation and examples from scripture Tim uses them to illustrate God's goodness and grace. And how through Him we can tackle anything in life that comes our way. 

I enjoyed hearing the inspiring real stories of children and adults that he's met along the way through his charity work. I also loved that he spoke about salvation and at the end gave an invitation to accept and know Christ. 

If you're looking for an inspiring book to add to your reading list this is it.