Book Review | Happy Lies

“We’re not living in a post-truth era. We’re living in an anti-truth era.” -Happy Lies

New Thought: a movement so widely spread, and yet, unknown by its contenders. This movement emphasizes the mind being a form of power that can shift reality. It elevates man to a god-like status, taking the glory from God, and instead, replacing Him with a slimy lie.

Have you heard of this movement? Because I hadn’t. That’s why I’m sharing it with you. God’s truth is being attacked daily, but by His grace, it withstands no matter what. However, to avoid being led astray, we must know His truth.

As I grow in my walk with God, naturally, I’ve developed a curiosity to understand my faith, as well as the beliefs of others, so I can better approach people. I had no idea how vast the branches of religion were, or how widespread movements can become. It was overwhelming to say the least, as a new Christian, to step into a world of false truths vying for the attention of every lost soul who happens to stumble into their traps. But thanks to God, we have books like Happy Lies to shed light on dangerous schemes we may be blinded to. I had little interest in apologetics until recently, and this book has only elevated my passion for it. The world has always been twisted and broken, full of “truths” that destroy. Knowing and studying the Word of God is paramount to navigating the waters of lies thrown at us every day in culture, society, social media, Hollywood, and all facets worldwide.

Happy Lies was a fantastic and eye-opening book. It took me a while to finish, but that was simply because there was so much to learn and read about. Everything was easy to understand for the most part, as Melissa articulated everything wonderfully (I adored the splash of comedy relief, too. I never laughed so much from a nonfiction book, and apologetics nonetheless). I found Melissa on YouTube and loved her apologetical and comedic approach to specific topics.

Happy Lies expanded on a movement—New Thought. I had never heard of it before, which is evident in this book, and by the people around me. While and after reading Happy Lies, I’ve asked others if they had ever heard of the movement, and it shook me to know New Thought had so sneakily crept into society and perspectives.

Even my own perspective at times.

This book has aided me in developing discernment (though the Bible is the best way to get the truth), especially since Scripture is so evident in the pages. Melissa touched on all the topics I had questions about and provided answers to things I didn’t know I needed to know. I love how personal and intentional she is, not just stating facts but researching them and giving infallible evidence, even going as far as in-person interviews with people who believe differently from her. She speaks the truth with love and honesty, not sugarcoating what’s blatantly obvious but giving people the reality they crave.

Considering this is Melissa’s first published book, God knew what He was doing. I pray He uses Happy Lies, especially in today’s generation and world. More and more, I’m coming to learn how easily truth can be twisted and contorted into images pleasing to man. But I thank God for people like Melissa who follow His guidance and direction to aid other believers on their faith journeys.

I hope Melissa writes more books in the future because ima read them all!

I highly recommend reading this book, even if you aren’t into apologetics. It’s too easy to fall into the trappings of this seductive world when we aren’t finding our satisfaction in Jesus and the truth of His Word. If you read Happy Lies, you might just be able to distinguish New Thought in the world, your church, your home, and your life.

Final Rating: 5/5 Stars

Recommended Age Group: young adults and above

Genres: Christian living, apologetics, theology

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

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I’m Going to Poland?

God has given me a fantastic opportunity this October. I will be traveling to Krakow, Poland with Crosspoint Church to serve alongside Graceland Ministries.

Graceland has been reaching the people of Poland since 1998 through English language programs that share the Gospel using Bible-based lessons. While many in Poland have seen the traditions of Christianity, few have experienced a personal, vibrant relationship with Jesus. Our mission is to help change that by building relationships, teaching English, and sharing God’s love in practical and spiritual ways.

Trip Dates: October 3-17

Why Poland?

You may be wondering. I had the same thought when God led me to this place. I’ve never been good with directions or geography, and honestly forgot Poland existed. It wasn’t my plan to go there this year or to travel internationally, point blank. So, how did I end up here?

It all started in 2020, when God opened my eyes to my lukewarm faith and began to show me what a relationship with Him looked like. From there, a ripple effect infiltrated every aspect of my life–passions, relationships, family, career, and entertainment. Life was no longer the same, and I started to think about things I never cared much about before, like, have I ever shared the Gospel? After God shifted my heart, He then broke it for those who didn’t know Him. Everyone I used to pass on the street without a second thought? Now they were souls, people in need of saving. Apart from implementing Biblical themes in my writing and posting Scripture on social media, I realized I never straight-up shared the Gospel with anyone, at least not face-to-face. Upon knowing this, I grew ashamed, guilty, and a bit depressed, as if I were failing as a Christian. And then God reminded me that I’m not the one saving, He is. We can’t stop someone from getting saved if God has already predestined that. But who are we to refuse an invitation from the Creator of the Universe to join His side as He rescues the lost? Shouldn’t we want to be a part of what He’s doing eternally? Not only that, but He commanded us to share the message of hope that is Jesus.

Something else I’ve been learning is the vast ways the Gospel is shared. It’s not always a face-to-face conversation—though anything we do should certainly lead to that—but the Gospel is also portrayed in how we live and love like Jesus. Our very lives are testimonies to His life-saving sacrifice. When we reflect Him, it opens doors to tell others about Him. As I grew in faith and my relationship with Jesus, an overwhelming desire to travel consumed me (well, I suppose I always wanted to travel, but this time it was something more than a meager want). This year held no indication of where I’d be today, but at the same time, God was planting little seeds along the way. One of the goals I listed for 2025 was to “Share Jesus.” I then began to pray for an urgency to share the Gospel.

And then, God gave me that.

My heart was set on fire for the lost, and suddenly, I wanted to share the Gospel even though I was terrified. I even dreamed about it–sometimes failing, other times witnessing a life changed. I looked for opportunities to do so, for chances and conversations to appear so I could tell someone about Jesus. But, I soon discovered, it’s not as easy as I thought, at least for an introvert with a withering social anxiety partner. Still, I took small steps into situations I prayed would lead to conversations about Jesus. I offered to pray for strangers, spoke openly about my faith, and left behind Scripture cards at restaurants. However, a part of me was still trying to be the Savior instead of trusting God to pave the way. And boy, did He, through my book–He Is Faithful In Every Season. That has led to countless conversations about my faith, Jesus, the book itself, and opportunities to share truth and the Gospel.

After praying for that urgency, reminders of mission trips and organizations kept popping up. I’ve always wanted to go on a mission trip but never had the opportunity. My desire to write and travel grew until I felt ready to burst. My faith was becoming stagnant as I remained in my comfortable, predictable lifestyle. It has grown tremendously since 2020, but the flames often threaten to die out when we don’t continuously fuel our faith. Thankfully, God is faithful and always gives me opportunities to be refined and fueled. For four years, I’ve sensed a nudge to invest my time in writing, a ministry God had called me to when I was fourteen. And then came March, and I couldn’t ignore how it seemed I was being led to leave what I had known, to step into something unknown. I decided to take a sabbatical from work, choosing to start in August of this year and ending in January of next. It was scary, but at the same time, I had been praying about this for four years. And the moment I decided to leave, something clicked in my soul–anticipation, maybe? Excitement?

More weeks went by, and more reminders surfaced. I fully acknowledged my sudden desire to potentially go into missions, or at least something in that field. But I had no idea where to begin looking. As I prayed, I figured mission trips would be a good start to determine if God would want me to do this in the long run. So I Googled, found nothing. Prayed—still nothing. Friends of mine would show up out of the blue, sharing their own mission experiences, and my heart ignited with the desire to do the same. I was surely discontent at times with where I was at. But once I surrendered that to God and rested in His timing, I became at peace knowing wherever He wanted me to be, He’d make a way for me to get there. I prayed a prayer I used to over and over back in 2020: God, send me. May Your will be done. My life is Yours. If You want me to stay, keep me here. If You want me to leave, show me where to go.

I just didn’t know He’d send me to the OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD. I’m not complaining, just a bit shocked and amazed. I love how God always keeps me on my toes.

As my sabbatical from work drew near, I randomly decided to check my church’s website to see if I could serve in any way there. They hadn’t done a mission trip in a while, so I doubted there’d be anything to join. Hahaha. I was wrong. Lo and behold, the first thing I see is a banner sharing my church’s plan to go to Poland. At this point, I just looked up at God and laughed. There’s no way, that’s just a coincidence. But then I remembered, I don’t exactly believe in those. I squinted at my phone. Really? Am I looking too much into this?
Ignoring the strange timing, I went on the next few days, not giving much thought to the trip. Then, Sunday morning, there it was again, this time up on the big screen. It just so happened that morning, they were holding meetings after each service for anyone who wanted more information on the mission trip. Never in my life have I willingly walked into a meeting, by myself, for something I had no experience in. NONE. But the entire sermon it wiggled in my thoughts. What if I went? What if I didn’t? I want to know more. But I can’t do that, can I? POLAND? For reals? I could just go to find out more. Just to see. As the self-doubts flooded me, the story of Moses refusing to speak on behalf of God resurfaced. Or rather, God’s response to Moses’ fear: “I Am.”

This wasn’t about me. A weight lifted knowing God would equip me for it if that’s where He wanted me to go. It’s not me or my power, but His.

After church, I nearly drove away. I got in my car, turned my key, and pulled my seatbelt on. Then I sat there, heart racing, and somehow knew I’d regret not going. So, by the power of God alone (ain’t no way I could’ve walked back in by myself), I made my way to the meeting room, walked into a space full of people I didn’t know (except for maybe two people), and managed not to run away. There was peace in that room. I didn’t know what to expect going in, but when I tell you, my jaw almost dropped as the meeting commenced. I thought I’d hear more on the trip and then walk away, not planning to go. Only, when they began to discuss what exactly they’d be doing there, my heart was suddenly filled with excitement, and I wanted to go. They said we’d not only be going to Poland to teach conversational English, but that we’d do so to build relationships with people and, in turn, help them build a relationship with God (we’d also tour a castle, but that’s the nerd side of me enraptured). This mission trip was so catered and specific towards me as an individual that I wanted to laugh in awe. God knew me so well. After the meeting, I couldn’t ignore the trip, though I continued battling doubts and fear. I prayed and prayed for God to reveal the best decision. The only reason I’d go was if He wanted me to. So, I asked Him to open the door. And not only did He open a door, He opened a MILLION (okay, not a million, but more than one). Other than the trip being in October (when I’d be off work), things like getting my passport without any problem, being excited about traveling alone (even though I never have, let alone internationally), were one nudge after another. I wrestled with it day after day. And that same question kept popping up: Can I do this?

Nope. But, God can. And that’s the whole point.

Eventually, I kept attending the information meetings and started to get to know the others planning to go until I fully committed. I didn’t let up on prayer and asked God to prevent me from going if it wasn’t where He was leading me. Was I too hasty? Is this the wrong choice? But His peace consumed me, and so did a joyful excitement of what’s to come. The more I learned, the more I wanted to be a part of what God was doing in Poland. I realized that I needed to take a leap of faith, regardless of how little I could see of the future.

And now, here we are, back in the present. That was just a brief overview of the much more complex workings of how God led me to this mission trip. It’s crazy, but also exciting. We’re less than two months from flying across the ocean to a new country. I have no idea what’s in store, but I do know God is good. I live to glorify Him, and I pray, even in Poland, that He is made known in how I love and live. As my team and I continue to prepare, please pray for us. Pray for the people of Poland, and everyone we will interact with. Pray for revival and a desire to know Jesus.

While in Poland, my team and I will:
• Teach conversational English in classrooms
• Build friendships that open the door to sharing the Gospel
• Partner with local believers to strengthen their outreach

Thank you for reading and for joining me on this mission. I can’t wait to see how God moves and to share my experience with you!

“Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples!” Psalm 96:3

Book Review | Overbooked and Overwhelmed

*Releases August 5, 2025

Loved this book. In a world so focused on overworking itself, in a culture so set on hurry, this book is a burst of light and truth. I don’t know Tara, but she apparently knows me! Overbooked and Overwhelmed helped me in more ways than one, covering all the facets of distraction and the overwhelming results of people-pleasing.

I was going through a particularly busy season when I picked up this book. I felt overwhelmed and empty, knowing I had failed once again in prioritizing God first and giving Him more than a few minutes of my day. I’ve gone through this cycle before, and thankfully I quickly recognized the signs:
–Saying yes to everything social in fear I’d miss out or hurt someone’s feelings
–Feeling guilty for not doing “more” to prove I can work hard or love people
–Hitting burnout, mental, and spiritual exhaustion to the point where I was unmotivated to do anything
–Reverting to old mind-numbing habits like doom-scrolling to avoid exhaustion

And then I saw an ARC copy of Overbooked and Overwhelmed at my workplace and thought, “That’s exactly how I feel!”

Tara’s words are filled with a refreshing Biblical truth, reminding one that our ultimate purpose here on earth is not to do everything or overbook, but to glorify God in everything and to keep our eyes set on Him. This is a difficult task when the world around us is so loud, echoing the busyness of our schedules, but praise God we rely on His strength and not our own. Tara tackled all I’ve struggled with in the past and am currently battling with in the present, as well as opening my eyes to new things keeping me from diving deeper into my relationship with God. By His grace, God used this book to help me grow closer to Him.

I’ve been learning that saying “no” is okay and allowed. I even started to practice it. At first, there was guilt, questioning whether I had made the wrong decision or acted rudely and selfishly. I felt the fear of missing out. But then, a weight lifted from my shoulders, and I could feel my soul ease to a calm knowing I prioritized rest over overwhelm and striving to please others instead of God. There is balance to be found in rest and work. Both are important, and Tara’s book helped me see that. God didn’t call us to be distracted. He called us to be efficient, to work hard, but also to rest and be still in His presence.

Thank you for this reminder, Tara. I pray God uses this book to help people find comfort and satisfaction in Christ alone, teaching them to lay down the need to fill something only God can.

I had to return the ARC copy to the bookstore I work at. But as soon as it releases in August, I’m buying my own copy to annotate!! There are too many quote-worthy things not to highlight and underline, like these:

“The life we long for is found in spending our energy on assignments, callings, and situations that are worth it. The life we long for is found in putting our focus on the God things.”

“So when that time comes, remember that you don’t need to say yes to the things that everyone else is doing for the sake of being relevant or liked or approved. You’re only accountable to give your eyes to the One who called you to build, just like Nehemiah. You are here to please God, not man. Yes you’re here to love people, but true godly love does not give in to the fear of man.”

“The effort we put into our relationship with God, whether it’s a great effort, little effort, or no effort, will produce something.”

“Distraction opens the door to distancing ourselves from God, distance opens the door to disconnecting ourselves from God, and disconnection opens the door to complete soul overwhelm.”

“Burnout wasn’t the result of my busyness. Burnout was the result of putting God on the back burner and not allowing Him to sustain me.”

“One of satan’s tactics throughout Scripture is to get God’s people to forget what He has said and promised. When that happens, it’s easier for the enemy to convince them they continually need to do more and to be more. Yet Jesus reminds us in John 10:10 that ‘the thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.'”

This book felt like a hug from God. His faithfulness is astounding, and Tara’s book is a wonderful reminder of it. If you find yourself overwhelmed with everything going on in your life, if you feel exhausted and incapable of rest and stillness, if you wonder how you can balance the busyness of this life while still keeping God first, I highly recommend this book. Overbooked and Overwhelmed provides deep and lovely insight into the root of distraction and exhaustion, giving the reader hope in knowing that even in our burnout, God is still faithful. Even when we’re not all there, God is always here.

Final Rating: 5/5 stars

Recommended age group: all ages, but those in their teens and older may find this book the most helpful

Genre: Christian living, nonfiction, self-help

Faith Doesn’t Promise Comfort

Daily writing prompt

Describe a risk you took that you do not regret.

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As an introvert, taking risks isn’t something I do. Or, at least, it wasn’t. But as I grow closer to Christ and seek to follow His guidance and prompting, I often have to step beyond my comfort zone into a somewhat uncomfortable and unfamiliar situation. It can be scary, strange, and a whirlwind of emotions. But when it’s a place where God is leading me, He always equips me for the situation (2 Peter 1:3). After all, the things we’re called to aren’t reliant on our capabilities but dependent on a God with no limits.

Even though faith often requires us to be uncomfortable, we can be comforted in Jesus, knowing He is with us every step of the way.

A recent “risk” I took happened almost a year ago. It wasn’t necessarily a risk, as it was a leap of faith. Would the two be considered the same? I’m not quite sure. All I know is, risk implies recklessness, while faith means trust in a Greater Power.
Since I was fourteen, I’ve loved to create stories, particularly fiction and fantasy. It was never my plan to focus on nonfiction or some other genre, but I always dreamed of being a published author and selling my books in bookstores. Then came 2023, and I found myself in a familiar pit of anxiety and inner turmoil, a battle I thought I was over with back in 2020. It was brutal, lonely, dark, and foggy. But during my darkest days and nights, poetry would flood my mind. Now, mind you, I am NOT a poet. In fact, to this day, I still don’t quite understand how poetry works. Of course, there are more liberties than a normal fiction book, but one can’t ignore the standard rules we learn in school. In 2019, I wrote some poems for fun or to voice certain things I was struggling with. But they were never supposed to be public!
So why were all these poems surfacing during a time when I never thought I’d see the light again? And why were poems I had written years ago suddenly coming to mind, grouping to form an entire book of poetry? I’m sorry, me writing a poetry book? You’re kidding, right?

Nope.

The thing is, I didn’t mention this all started after I finally surrendered my writing to God. Sure, I would say I’d write for Him, but the moment I actually let go and gave in to God’s guidance, something changed–inside me and around me. God can do far greater things than me, that’s for sure.
Writing became new, something more potent than it ever was. It became hope as God flooded me with His Word through these new poems I’d cling to when I felt I was falling. Even while writing them, I never planned to share them with anyone. I kind of dreaded it. They were raw, vulnerable, and real, and they showed just how much I struggled and how broken I was.

Why would I want anyone reading that?

And yet, as I wrote and watched God pour into these poems, they soon became reminders of His faithfulness and evidence of His love and goodness. A light so bright, I couldn’t bear putting a basket over it (Matt. 5:15). No, God showed me, as difficult and uncomfortable as it was, that these poems were being called to be shared. Not for me, but for Him. People needed to see just how powerful my God was and how He completely transformed me. Then came the idea for a poetry book, which turned into “He Is Faithful In Every Season.”

My “risk” I do not regret:
“He Is Faithful In Every Season” is a book of fifty poems, all written from 2019-2023. It took an entire year to edit, compile, and publish. It was complex, challenging, and beautiful. I had no prior experience with publication or self-publishing, though I did much research, but everything I was doing was for the first time (and required many trips to Google). The more I wrote this book, the more I prayed over it and invited God into it–the more I surrendered, the more I saw how God was in the very fibers of my life. By the grace of God, I published my first book in August 2024 at 21. It was a moment so surreal that I still forget it some days.

In just a few months, it’ll be exactly one year since I released those poems to the world–pieces of light and declarations of faith, hope, and love for God. Since August, over 300 copies have sold, which means over 300 people are reading the Gospel. I’ve heard and read countless reviews on how God has used this book to encourage, inspire, and give hope to readers. I’ve heard how it’s reaching non-believers and even those who don’t particularly like to read.
People have gifted this book to friends, family, and loved ones who are struggling. They tell me they can relate. I can only praise God because He showed me my “why” for writing. Not money, not fame, but for Him. Always.
“He Is Faithful In Every Season” has also been placed in four bookstores worldwide–Florida, Oregon, Washington, and Texas. BOOKSTORES. No, because this is actually wild, especially as a self-published author. But God opened those doors, and the more I look back and see all the details He pulled together to get me to where I am today, my jaw drops.

I am underserving and God is forgiving, merciful, and wonderful.

I may not have been able to see the whole picture when I worried about sharing those poems with the world, but God heard my prayers and knew exactly where He was leading me. Every day, I see evidence of His mercy and grace, not just through my poetry book but also through friends, family, and those special moments of peace and love I used to overlook but will now cherish forever. I may not be a big risk taker, but I pray I continue to step out in faith, trusting God will guide me where He’s leading me. It may not always be what we expect, but whatever God has planned is far greater!

I hope this serves as a reminder to trust God even in the uncertainty (Prov. 3:5-6). To seek His guidance in all things (Matt. 6:33). And to step out in faith into what He is calling us to, knowing He will work out all things for the good of those who love and trust Him (Rom. 8:28).