#58 When a Book Becomes a Mentor: Reading as Discipleship with Sue Donaldson

On this final episode of the Spring Series, join host Lori G. Melton to explore reading as a vital piece of our discipleshipthrough a conversation with speaker and author Sue Donaldson about Oswald Chambers’ devotional My Utmost for His Highest and its impact on Sue’s life withGod for over 50 years.

Sue recounts receiving the book from her sister in 1972, keeping annotated copies through major life moments, and returning to read it daily in 2021 while journaling prayers.

She highlights Chambers’ central call to complete surrender and being “abandoned to God,” along with themes likehumility, worry, and “trusting God and doing the next thing.”

Sue shares Chambers’ biography, including his chaplaincyin Egypt during WWI and early death, and explains how his wife Biddy’s shorthand notes and hospitality enabled the devotional’s creation and enduring influence, connecting these lessons to Sue’s own ministry of hospitality andwriting.

Reading as a vital part of our discipleship — the perfect topic to complete this series focused on the practices that form us over a lifetime!

Resources:

• Welcomeheart.com to learn more about Sue Donaldson
• Never Alone: Stories of Invitation & Connection by Sue Donaldson
• My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
• Abandoned to God by David McCasland
• The Woman Who Was Chesterton by Nancy Carpentier Brown
• Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Calahan
• Journey with a Giant: Choose Your Guide, Pursue Your Purpose, and Grow in Your Walk with God by Lori G. Melton. Take the next step in your spiritual formation and embark on a year-long journey alongside a giant of the faith, inspired by the author’s year learning from the life of Mister Fred Rogers, America’s Favorite Neighbor.

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When a Book Becomes a Mentor: Reading as Discipleship

For more encouragement and resources to grow in your relationship with God and others, visit ⁠lorigmelton.com⁠ or ⁠thesanctuaryatbearcreek.com⁠. You can also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.